It does not seem possible, but we are entering the final 3 weeks of school! Students have done a great job this year. Remember that report cards are being mailed out this year. You will need to send in a stamped, self-addressed envelope for your 4th grader.
Thanks for all the beautiful cards, and the wonderful "treats" and gifts for Teacher Appreciation Week!
Our class is hosting the Mass tomorrow, May 17. I have tried to give every students a part they wanted at some time during the year. Our final readers, cantors, and pslamist showed great patience in waiting their turn all year. I know everyone will do a great job.
This week, students should be studying for final exams. Please check the schedule and study guides. There are several excellent web sites that will help students review. The religion site is a great review. There are many wonderful sites for reviewing states and capitals as well. (You may have to types in the site addresses, and some of them do not connect via the Links page.) This is a fairly easy way for students to study on their own as all of the sites are self-checking! Visit the Links section to access some of these sites. Some of the skill builders on the Computer Lab page are also very helpful. Students should be familiar with these because we have introduced them when we go to computer lab. We will also be reviewing in class.
Please note that students will have the option of taking the English exam on May 24. We have not reviewed as much as I would like. Students who are "ready" can take the exam tomorrow. Otherwise, the exam will be given on May24. Students often think they are "ready", but a parent may disagree. Please communicate clearly with your child if you have a difference of opinion. Once students take the test, there will not be a retake. Students may also take the exam tomorrow, May 18. They may also switch the states and capitals test and take the English exam on May 23. Some students still seem to be struggling with grammar, so I am trying to give them options for their best performance.
There are several projects and take-home tests which students should be working on as well. We will have class time for the take home tests, but students may finish them and have them checked at home before turning them in.
Reminders: Please check Power School for late or missing work. This needs to be turned in by
5/ 11. Students who will not be in school the last week or 2 should make sure to turn in all assignments before leaving. They are not excused from assignments which might be due later. We made some of the assignments due later in order to maximize the time students have for working on them. They may complete these early and bring them in!
Health Alert: We seem to have a couple of nasty "bugs" floating around. One is a respiratory infection, which often requires at least one round of antibiotics. The other is a stomach flu. Unfortunately, I have personal experience with both. We will try to clean in the class room. Students should maintain good health practices as much as possible.
4thQuarter AR: For the 4th quarter, students will need to read 4 books and pass the tests with an 80% or higher. Students should read books on a 4th grade level or above. In addition, the fiction selections should be chapter books, and should be on a fourth-grade interest level ( no Curious George, Berenstain Bears, etc.) Some students are managing to find these younger books which are technically 4th grade or above, but which are clearly meant for younger children. Therefore, they will not get the higher level themes and reading skills they need. Students who read a book which is "worth" 25 AR points or above will receive credit for 2 books. This is to avoid penalizing students who are reading into more advanced and "young adult" fiction. AR is due 5/18.
Math: Ch. 18: Area and Perimeter
We now have AR for math facts! Students will practice and take timed tests using the computer and handheld devices. This should be a great way to reinforce math facts! Students in my math group should pass addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division levels by the end of the year. This will be a homework grade for the 4th quarter. Most students are already finished. Some are still working. This assignment will be due on 5/18.
We will have a "free recess" time for students who finish these AR assignments. The date for this will be announced.
English: Verbs
Students will also be writing a description. It will be due 5/18. Students may describe an event, person, favorite meal, etc. They should write at least a paragraph of 5 sentences. The description will need a topic sentence, closing sentence, and at least 3 describing sentences. Students will be graded on the quality of their descriptions, as well as organization, flow, spelling, capitalization, and sentence structure. Students should think about sensory language: how something looks, sounds, feels, tastes, smells. Descriptions should be specific not general. Students should avoid repeating words, especially general words like "fun", delicious", "beautiful". There is a sample that we reviewed in class.
Religion: The 9th commandment.
VIP projects due 5/25
Final exam in religion: 5.22
Social Studies: States and capitals
Map due 5.15
Mountain Mapping: due 5/18
Pacific Plotting: due 5/ 22
Science: Ch 10: Using Natural Resources
Ch. 10 review:
Ch 10 take-home test
Scientist for a Day: Project due by May 25. Students may present their projects early to get them "out of the way". If your child is having difficulty, I can give them a little more time with the Scientist for a Day or the VIP. Please just let me know. However, it is better to get everything finished before the last week of school if possible.
Upcoming Special Events:
End of the Year Skating Field Trip: 5/24 from 11-1. This will be a No Uniform Day as well.
The Zapata family is providing lunch for us. Please note that the price for the field trip is $11. This is a group rate, so there is not a discount if students do not ride the bus or if they bring their own skates. Please let me know if the price is an issue. We do not want anyone to be unable to participate.