Dates to remember

December:

22: Winter  Party 2:30-3:30

December 23- January 1: No School

January:

18-29: Parent sign up for conferences

18: PTO meeting at 7PM in the library

20: Early Dismissal 1:40 PM

February:

3: Early Dismissal 1:40 PM

11: Valentine’s Party 2:30-3:3o

12: No School

15: PTO meeting at 7PM in the library

16: 4th grade Fine Arts Performance at 6PM in the High School Auditorium

24th: Early Dismissal 1:40PM

Science

The Earth Materials Module consists of four sequential investigations dealing with observable characteristics of solid materials from the earth—rocks and minerals. The focus is on taking materials apart to find what they are made of and putting materials together to better understand their properties. The module introduces fundamental concepts in earth science and takes advantage of the students’ intrinsic interest in the subject matter and in the physical world around them.

Social Studies

The Mississippi River is the second longest river in the United States, starting in Minnesota and ending at the mouth at the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana. There are many wetlands in this region that are home to a variety of plants and animals. The largest peninsula in this region is the state of Florida. The Southeast region is home to many islands, including barrier islands, which form as ocean waves drop sand along the coastline. The climate of the Southeast boasts hot summers and mild winters, perfect for farming cotton, oranges, and other fruits. Coastal areas in the Southeast are frequented by hurricanes, such as Hurricane Katrina, in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 2005. This hurricane disrupted oil production in the Gulf of Mexico for a short time. In addition to petroleum production, the economy of the Southeast is dependent on other nonrenewable resources, such as coal. Renewable resources include cotton, which is still an important industry for this region. Electronics and computer technologies are also big industries in the southern states. Tourism continues to improve the economy as the Southeast is a popular travel destination, providing many service jobs.

At the end of this unit the students will create a project that reflects several major events, influential people, and tourist attractions. These projects are called i movies. These movies are made on the computers in the computer lab. We have been spending time in the lab recording the student’s voices and then adding pictures that support the information. This is a great way for the students to learn about the events in the South as well as learn how to incorporate technology into their learning. The students are having a great time creating these movies!

Math Unit 6

Right now we are in the middle of our unit 6. This unit incorporates division, map references and measures of angles.

The first four lessons and the last lesson of Unit 6 focus on understanding the division operation, developing a method for dividing whole numbers,

and solving division number stories. Though most adults reach for a calculator to do a long-division problem, it is useful to know a paper-and-pencil procedure for computations such as 567 there is a method that is similar to the one most of us learned in school but is much easier to understand and

use. This method is called the partial-quotients method. Students have had considerable practice with extended division facts, such as 420

as “About how many 12s are in 150?” Using the partial-quotients method, your child will apply these skills to build

partial quotients until the exact quotient and remainder are determined.

This unit also focuses on numbers in map coordinate systems. For maps of relatively small areas, rectangular coordinate grids are used. For world maps and the world globe, the system of latitude and longitude is used to locate places. Because this global system is based on angle measures,the class will practice measuring and drawing angles with full-circle (360°) and half-circle(180°) protractors. If you have a protractor,ask your child to show you how to use this tool. The class is well into the World Tour. Students have visited Africa and are now traveling in Europe. They are beginning to see how numerical information about a country helps them get a better understanding of the country—its size, climate, location, and population distribution—and how these characteristics affect the way people live.

Dates to remember

September 30- 2 hour early out 1:40 PM

October 9-16: Sign-up for Parent Teacher Conferences

October 6: Picture retake day

October 6: Art Field trip 9:30-11:30 (tour is from 10-11)

October 14: 2 hour early out 1:40 PM

October. 19: PTO meeting at 7 PM in the Library

October 23: NO SCHOOL

October 30: Fall Harvest Party 2:30-3:30 PM

Wrapping up Social Studies

The students just finished up their first tour of the North East states. When you get a chance ask your child about the tour we went on. They had a great time exploring these states while accessing the computer lab. By the end of the year the students will be able to recall all of the states and their capitals as well as the 7 continents and oceans.

Math Check in Progress

We have just finished taking our 2nd check in progress. The kids did a great job. Your child will be brining their check in progress home for you to look at and sign. When you look at the half page attached to the top it is important to understand that I would like your child to fall into the area that is filled in with a grey box. Not all areas of the check in progress are expected to be secure. 

The next unit we will be focusing on multiplication. It is very important that your child practices their multiplication facts daily. The students and I talked today about the importance of knowing these facts. During the year we will continue to build upon the understanding of multiplication and division.

PBS

Our school takes part in a program entitled PBS.  This program results in rewards given to students who display positive behavior.  The four areas in which the students can be seen doing something positive in are:

o    Respect

o    Responsibility

o    Safety

o    Caring

 These are our Seeds of Success. 

 At the beginning of the year the students are given direct instruction in the appropriate ways to behave in different areas of the building. These lessons will continue to be reviewed throughout the year as needed.

 The students have punch cards where their positive behavior is recorded.  When students are seen doing something positive the students are given a punch on their punch card. 

 As a classroom, the students can also receive rewards.  When the class is seen doing something positive, they are given a punch on the classroom punch card. 

 When the students fill either their individual punch card or the classroom punch card they receive a reward.  Individual rewards are those just for the student.  Class rewards are those which the entire class may take part in. 

 As a parent you will receive notes recognizing your child for their success in filling their punch card.  You will need to sign these in order to celebrate your child’s success.  Please remember to congratulate them on their progress and continue to encourage positive behavior in the future.

Quality Club

Your child will be able to participate weekly in an incentive program, Quality Club.  The students will be asked to show appropriate behavior throughout the week to participate.  In order to participate, the students will be asked to fill out a Quality Club packet listing the activities they completed during the week.  The students will need to display appropriate behavior in order to participate in the reward on Friday afternoon.  These rewards can consist of extra recess, group games, art, and additional options. I am asking that you sign your child’s Quality Club packet each Thursday in order for you to stay up to date on the weeks activities.

Book orders

Your child will be receiving book orders approximately monthly.  It is completely optional whether to participate or not.  If you do wish to participate, please make checks payable to Scholastic.