Happy Halloween, 4th grade style!

4th Grade News - October 29, 2010

Got Candy?
If you have an overflowing mound of Halloween candy at your home, our classroom candy jar could always use some refreshing! We'll gladly take your extras - thanks!

7's Dance & Multiplication Facts
Students learned a crazy method for remembering their 7's facts today. They are to share this dance with 7 people over the weekend. It's corny but hopefully they've learned the facts in the process. Ask to see it! Speaking of facts...keep up on those basic multiplication facts. We'll be doing some timed tests next week.

Music Class Notes:
Fourth Graders are beginning to prepare our Christmas Musical, “Once Upon a Christmas Light.” Be thinking about how involved you want to be. Next week, you’ll complete a survey telling me if you’re interested in singing a solo, having a speaking part, or just participating in group songs. Our performance is Wednesday, December 8 at 7pm. We mostly prepare in music class, but they will also have after school practices on Thurday, December 2 and Monday, December 6 until 5:00. More details in November, but mark your calendars now. -Mrs. Kathy Smith

Thanks, room moms, for a great Halloween party! You're SPOOKtacular!

Looking ahead to next week:
All Saints Prayer Service - Monday at 9:00 a.m. in MPR
All Souls Prayer Service - Wednesday at 8:45 in MPR
Friday November 5th - No school - Teacher Workday

Today's Homework

Trick or Treat - Enjoy!

Study your Spelling Words! Test tomorrow.

Today's Homework

Language Arts - Spelling FUNKY

Math - Study for Ch. 2 test. Students have their Review Guides, notes and book pages 110-111 they can study from.

Reminders - Shoebox Science kits are due back tomorrow. Pray the Rosary at home! It's Rosary Day.

Today's Homework

Language Arts - Spelling WB pg. 42

Math - Completed review guide due tomorrow. Bring to class!

Bring a rosary to school - It's Rosary Day tomorrow!

Today's Homework

Language Arts - Spelling WB pg. 41

Math - Test Chapter 2 Thursday. Review Guide due on Wednesday.

4th Grade News - October 22, 2010

Auction Committee Raffle Basket Collections- At this year's auction, the raffle basket theme for Grade 4 is Gas & Grocery Giftcards. We have envelopes in our classrooms for this collection. Don't forget to utilize the Scrip program so you earn tuition dollars on your purchase! Thanks for your donation. The raffle baskets always earn a nice profit for our school!

Thank you for your patience with testing week. We're finished, and hopefully your 4th grader is ready to have 'normal' school again next week! Their teachers are! Results should be mailed to your home sometime in December or January.

Rosary Day - is next Wednesdsay. Students will be praying the rosary throughout the day. We encourage you to continue this practice by saying the rosary at home with your family on Wednesday also!

Looking ahead to next week:

Math - We will test over Chapter 2 on Thursday. A review guide will be sent home Monday for students to complete & return by Wednesday. We are also looking at multiplication patterns and reviewing basic facts starting next week. It's time to dust off those flashcards! I encourage students to browse online for math facts games for added practice.

Language Arts - We are officially starting our Skinnybones novel next week. We were a bit delayed with my trip to Iowa and Terra Nova testing. We are wrapping up a few details with Treasures and then we will be jumping into Skinnybones. If you are near our hallway, check out our student work on display. We have been working on Halloween murals and adding nouns and adjectives to them. We have also displayed some of our 'Frankenstein conversations.' Students have been working on writing dialogue with correct use of quotation marks - using Mr. & Mrs. Frankenstein!

Have a great weekend!
-Laurie Smith

Today's Homework

Tonight is the last opportunity to attend a Reconciliation Meeting. Students and at least one parent should be in attendance. 7 - 8:30 p.m.

Terra Nova testing concludes tomorrow! Hooray!

In Math News- Test Chapter 2 will be next Thursday. Look for a Review Guide to come home early next week.

Today's Homework

REMINDER - Tonight and tomorrow night students and at least one parent should attend the Reconciliation meeting 7-8:30p.m. if they intend on making their First Reconciliation this year. Thank you.

Terra Nova testing continues. Lots of extra hugs this week! Pack a snack, eat a good breakfast, and get a good night's rest!

Today's Homework

We learned a new brain teaser game today...ask your child to play cat/dog. It's fun!

Terra Nova week continues. Eat a good breakfast, get plenty of sleep, and pack a snack!

Today's Homework

Terra Nova Testing continues...

Get a good night's rest, eat a good breakfast, and pack a snack to eat during our test break!
Several students forgot their snack today, so remember this for tomorrow. Thanks!

Announcing...

Somone in the Smith house is going to be a big sister in April! Wow! We're thrilled, shocked and elated!

4th Grade News - October 15, 2010

TERRA NOVA TESTING

During the week of October 18th, students in grades 3-8 will be taking standardized tests.
These tests provide valuable information to you and to the school about your child’s progress. Your child also demonstrates his/her progress through daily class work, discussions, projects, quizzes and tests.
Please keep the following tips in mind for that week.
· Have your child get plenty of sleep each night
· Make sure your child eats a healthy breakfast each morning
· Make an effort to have your child at school on time each day
· Talk about the importance of taking your time, working carefully,
doing your best and checking over your work
Students should bring in a healthy snack each day of testing.

First Reconciliation Meetings
Students who are planning on making their First Reconciliation this year should be in attendance at one of these meetings with their parent. You may attend either Tuesday 10/19 or Wednesday 10/20 evening from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. in the multipurpose room.

Blue Jackets Reading Program
Students who are interested in participating in this reading program, I have scorecards for you. Simply return your reading card at the end of 6 weeks and receive your prizes.

Today was the last day for Warm Weather Uniform. Don't forget!

Looking ahead to Next week:

Language Arts -There will be no tests next week in the core subjects due to the Terra Nova testing. We will not be introducing new spelling words. Students will be working on writing dialogue using quotations, using the dictionary, and we will be working with the novel Skinnybones.

Math - We will continue our study of Algebra and also looking at logic puzzles & brainteasers.

Have a great weekend!
-Laurie Smith

Today's Homework

LA - Spelling test tomorrow. Study those words and their patterns!

Math - Finish WB p. 27

Terra Nova practice test continues tomorrow.

Today's Homework

LA - Spelling Funky

Math- none

We will be taking the Terra Nova practice tests the next two days. Please try to be in attendance. Remember to get a good night's rest and eat a good breakfast!

Look who's one year old today...

Caroline Rose Smith

Today's Homework

LA - Spelling WB pg. 35

Math - Finish WB p. 25 if not already completed in class.

Today's Homework

LA - Spelling workbook pages 33 & 34 should be completed. Please note the words this week are a bit more challenging. Take some extra time each night to practice and notice the patterns in their spellings.

Some students have an astronaut worksheet to finish if not completed in class today.

Math - Make your own IN/OUT box with at least 5 tries, and write the rule.

Ex: IN OUT
5 20
4 16
11 44
7 28
RULE: multiply by 4

Today's Homework

LA - Some students need to finish the Main Idea/Detail Reading WS that goes with our desert readers.

All students have a new Spelling list and WB p. 27 to complete.

Math - WB p. 21 complete problems 1-8 only

Check back next Monday for updates. See post below- I'll be out the remainder of the week.

Taking some family time...

Dear 4th Grade Parents:
I will be traveling this week with my family to the northwest corner of Iowa. My grandmother passed away and the funeral is Friday. I will be taking a break from my homework site but hopefully it will be back up and running next week for you!

Students should work on their Spelling words each night, and complete Spelling Funky on Wednesday.

In Math, the workbook pages we are focusing on are pages 20 -25.

Hopefully your child will utilize their agenda to keep up to date on the daily assignments for the week.

Thank you for your patience, support, and understanding.
-Mrs. Laurie Smith

Looking for a Good Home

Tilly is a 10 year old chocolate lab mix with very long hair and a lot of love to give. She's around 50 lbs. and good with older children. Looking for a good home. We are finding that old dogs don't mix well with an active one year old. Let Mrs. Smith know if you are interested. Sorry, we're keeping the other cutie in these pictures!

4th Grade News - Friday October 1, 2010

Portfolio Papers - Please note that there are several Portfolio papers in your child's Friday Folder. These papers are indicated with a red stamp. Please return these to school on Monday inside your child's Friday Folder. Thanks for your assistance with this - we are keeping some things to review with your child at a later date.

BOOK IT Reading program- This program begins today. For each day your child reads indepently, initial the calendar. Return it at the end of the month for a pizza coupon from Pizza Hut.

BOOK FAIR- Next week your child has the opportunity to purchase books from the book fair during their Library time. The book fair is also open after school hours for shopping. Thank you for supporting our school and happy shopping!

Interims- Interims were mailed today to students who have struggled in any standard so far this nine weeks. If you received one and have questions, let us know! Math & Language Arts questions can be answered by myself, Religion and Social St. by Mr. Rendon, and Science by Mrs. Lewis.

Looking Ahead - Terra Nova testing will take place the week of October 18 - 22. Please refrain from pulling your child for medical appointments if at all possible during this week. Thank you!

Language Arts: We are continuing our Treasures work, and wrapping up our first round of Current Events. This week we'll even take a peek at our first novel this year, Skinnybones.

Math: We are working on strategies for addition and subraction, and next week we'll look at problem solving, patterns and some beginning Algebra concepts.

Have a great weekend! Don't forget the Carol Flanagan Footsteps Walk at St. Agatha tomorrow at 9 am! Monies raised support the Tuition Assistance program.
-Laurie Smith