Newsletter October 10, 2014

Ms. Howell’s 4^th Grade Class

October 10, 2014

Dear Parents,

We have officially ended the first nine weeks of school. I have enjoyed getting to know each of your children and look forward to learning even more with them this year! I want to thank all of you for your help and support as we work together to help your child have a successful year in 4^th grade!

As we move through the next 9 weeks of school, please be sure to check your child’s agenda and homework folder nightly in order to ensure that they have completed all of their homework. Please make sure that you follow up and review homework with them. Homework is always a review of what we have learned in class.

Also, go ahead and start studying for science and social studies tests as soon as we begin each unit. We glue and/or staple the study guides into their journals for math and science. The students can bring their journals home nightly as long as they return it to school the next day. You can also obtain a copy on my blog at : http://howell4bes.blogspot.com/ There is a lot of information and vocabulary in which your child is expected to know for these tests, so the sooner they start studying the better J

Below are just a few reminders/notes that you will find in the Friday folder:

• On Wednesday we had the opportunity to hear author Carmen Deedy.  She is an amazing story teller!!  In the Friday folder is a book order form if your child would like to purchase one of her books.  Order forms are due by October 24^th. 
• Thank you for your support of our fundraising efforts.  We look forward to new swings on the playground very soon!
• Continue to work on completing the October fitness calendar

Changes in 4^th Grade Schedule

Beginning on Tuesday, the 4^th grade will have some changes in their schedule:

• 9:00 – 10:30 Reading-ELA Group 1/Math-Word Study Group 1
• 10:30 – 11:30 Science or Social Studies.  We will begin doing a 4 ½ week split.  Students in Reading-ELA Group 1 will do social studies for the first 4 ½ weeks of the nine weeks.  Students in Math-Word Study Group 1 will do science.  At the end of the 4 ½ weeks, students will switch. 
• 11:30 – 12:40 – Lunch/TDPE
• 12:45 – 2:15 Reading-ELA Group 2/Math-Word Study Group 2
• 2:25-3:15 Specials
• 3:20 Dismissal 

It is our hope as a 4^th grade team that these changes will help lessen the transition on the students and also allow students to focus on one topic in science/social studies. 

Electronic Devices for Reading From Ms. Tone

Students have enjoyed reading from their electronic devices this week.  I e-mailed a copy of the release form if you have not already completed one.  I will also attach a copy to my website (http://msheathertone.blogspot.com) that you can access.  If you are unsure if you have completed the release form, or you need a new release form to complete, please let me know. 

School Wide Information   

Monday, October 13^th: Columbus Day Student Holiday

Thursday, October 16^th: Chick-fil-A Spirit Night

Friday, October 17^th: Report Cards

Next Week at a Glance

Reading – Review reading interim; Greek Mythology and Short Answer Strategies

Writing/Grammar – Quotations and Punctuation

Word Study –No Word Study Next Week

Social Studies- Begin Colonization Unit with Reading-ELA Group 1 for 4 ½ weeks

Science – Begin Solar System Unit with Math-Word Study Group 1 for 4 ½ weeks

Math –    9:00 Class Multiplication (2 digit by 1 digit; 3 digit by 1 digit; 4 digit by 1 digit; 2 digit by 2 digit using equations, arrays, and area models)

10:30 Class Multiplication (factors, multiples, prime, composite, divisibility rules)

Specials Rotation:    

Tuesday – Music

Wednesday –Technology

Thursday – PE

Friday – PE