Ms. Wilkinson
4th Grade, Sarah Smith Elementary
October-November 2009
Dear Parents,
I have included important information regarding the next two months in this
newsletter. Please keep it as reference. As always, you can check our website
for announcements and homework. I hope to see you Monday, October 5th at
3:30. If you are unable to attend, I will send you a letter via email.
Thank you for your support and enthusiasm. I enjoyed the thoughtful cards and
beautiful flowers from the children in celebration of my SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAY!
Who knew my secret wish would come true?
Have a wonderful weekend,
Ms. Wilkinson
English Language Arts
In Language Arts, we are reading literature that is rich with Figurative
Language. We identify the figurative language as we read and then write our
own. The children are so excited and have been very creative. During
conversation, you might identify figurative language when they or you use it.
Similes: comparisons using like or as
Metaphors: comparisons without using like or as
Personification: gives inanimate objects human-like characteristics
Onomatopoeia: sound words (their favorite!)
Idioms: expression whose meaning is not the same as the usual meaning of its
elements
Please visit our website’s Figurative Language link.
Each child in our class will enter a writing piece in the Reflections
program. We are working on this writing piece in and out of the class. The
theme is “Beauty is…” Your child has a choice of writing a poem, short story
or essay. The entry cannot be more than 2,000 words and it can be handwritten
or typed. The deadline for our class entries is October 9th.
Writing and Vocabulary Tips
Encourage your child to use interesting vocabulary in their writing and
speaking (this is something I do every day). One strategy is to ask your
child to “rename” words to develop their vocabulary. For example, ask them
other words that convey the meaning “red”:
bloodshot, blush, brick, burgundy, cardinal, cherry, crimson, flaming,
florid, flushed, fuchsia, garnet
See www.thesaurus.com
In reading, we continue reading from the basal series Treasures. We have
completed Unit One and will begin Unit Two next week. As we read, we practice
reading strategies and identify story elements such as setting, main
character, problem and solution. We are focusing on literary text elements
such as foreshadowing, context clues and predicting.
Reading Tips
Your child should read 20 minutes every night. Encourage your child to read
aloud to you. Reading aloud helps develop fluency.
Book Project 2
The students did an outstanding job presenting the book projects. The next
book project will be due on November 20th. Instructions and an example are in
your child’s binder. Your child should read a BIOGRAPHY for this project.
This will be the last book project until next year. This date was already set
and conflicts with the Explorer Wax Museum. If your child would like to turn
the Biography Folder Book Project in early that is fine.
Multiplication, Division and Decimals
Everyday Mathematics Units 3 and 4
We have been using various strategies for multiplying and dividing in math.
We have also been writing number stories that require mathematical operations
such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Algebra has been
introduced through number sentences and parentheses in number sentences. We
will share a variety of addition, subtraction and multiplication strategies
throughout the year. I have encouraged the students to select the strategy
that works best for them.
In our next unit, we will explore decimals and their uses. Students will
compare order and estimate with decimals. One way you can support learning at
home is allow your child to use money when you pay for items at the store.
This will reinforce adding and subtracting with money.
Math Tips
Please visit our website for math games and Everyday Math home links. To
support their learning at home, practice basic multiplication facts
regularly. I have sent home Fact Triangles that the students can use to
practice the facts.
Native Americans and Explorers
In Social Studies, we have begun our study about Native Americans. During the
study, the students will look at various geographic regions of the Plains,
Pacific Northwest, Southwest or Desert and Woodland tribes. Students will be
able to make connections between the geographic location of the tribes and
their lifestyle including: climate, natural resources, food, housing,
clothing and trade.
Exploration: November 20th Wax Museum
We will begin Who We Are: Exploration Investigation in November. The unit is
an inquiry into explorers, reasons for exploration, impact of exploration.
One impact the children should understand is that exploration leads to new
knowledge and opportunities for people. The highlight of this unit is our
Fourth Grade Wax Museum. Your child will select an explorer to research,
write and memorize a short factual monologue and dress as the explorer.
Welcome! We have a new student
Please join us in welcoming Tauri McNeill to our class! Tauri is a former SRS
student joining us from Colorado.
Parent Teacher Conferences and Report Cards
I will be holding Parent Teacher Conferences earlier than scheduled. Details
are forthcoming at our meeting on Monday, October 5th. Report cards will be
distributed on October 22nd. Please let me know if you have questions.
Dates to Remember and Reminders
Please see the calendar the room parents have already emailed you.
October 5
Parent Meeting: 3:30 in our classroom
October 9
Reflections writing piece due
Friday Folders
October 12
Parent Teacher Conference week
October 16
No Challenge
Mystery Reader: Autumn Leaves
October 19
Field Trip: Cobb Youth Museum
October 21
Reflections due to Mary Virginia Coffman
October 22
Report Cards distributed
Field Trip: Alliance Theatre
Depart at 9 am and return 12 noon
Two chaperones are needed.
Please pack your child a sack lunch. If weather permits, we will have lunch
on the picnic tables.
October 23
Friday Folders
October 30
Happy Halloween! Spirit Day: wear orange and black
Mystery Reader: Spooky Stories
November 3
Teacher Professional Day: No school for students
November 6
Friday Folders
November 20
Friday Folders
Explorer Wax Museum
Book Project: Biography File Folder (or earlier due to Wax Museum)
No Challenge
Mystery Reader: Give Thanks: Thanksgiving
November 25 – 27
Thanksgiving Holidays
If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.
Contact Information:
(404) 802-3850 stwilkinson@atlanta.k12.ga.us
Monday - Friday 7:30 am to 3:00 pm
All messages will be returned within 24 hours
September 2009
Curriculum Update
In Language Arts, we are working on the mechanics of writing and parts of
speech. We have diagrammed sentences identifying the simple and complete
subjects and predicates. We also learned the different types of sentences.
The students should complete a spelling activity Monday through Thursday
night. All spelling homework is due on Friday. We completed our Endangered
Species Expository Report. The students will make Action Posters next week.
We will use our knowledge about Ecosystems and endangered species to persuade
others to take action in helping our species.
In Treasures reading, we have read A Walk in the Desert. This story supported
our learning about Ecosystems. We identified new words, main idea and details
while reading. During our reading group, we are partner reading aloud to
build fluency. We have read Junior Great Books, Fresh. Throughout the year,
we will revisit “What Good Readers Do”. Please encourage your child to use
the four reading strategies: Summarizing, Clarifying, Questioning and
Predicting. Look in your child’s binder for more about how you can help your
child use these strategies. You can reinforce these strategies when reading
with your child at home. Your child should read 20 minutes every night.
Encourage your child to read aloud to you. Reading aloud helps develop
fluency.
All students should be reading a literature selection of their choice for
Book Project: A book in a…The project is due on September 25th.
We have been comparing geometric figures and reviewing basic geometric
vocabulary. The students are collecting, comparing and interpreting data. In
unit two of Everyday Math, Partial Sums and Column Addition are introduced.
We will share a variety of addition, subtraction and multiplication
strategies throughout the year. I have encouraged the students to select the
strategy that works best for them. To support their learning at home,
practice basic math facts. See our website for links to online math games.
We have been looking at the components of ecosystems. Our study will help us
answer the following questions about ecosystems:
What is an ecosystem?
What are the roles of producers, consumers and decomposers in an ecosystem?
How does energy flow through an ecosystem?
What factor influence ecosystems?
Please visit our LINKS page for websites that connect to our learning.
Friday Folders
Please keep all student work sent home in the Friday Folder. This
is “practice” work. I keep projects and most final assessments in their
student portfolio. Return the checklist and folder
on the following Monday.
Tutorial Wednesdays 2:30 until 3:30
I will “invite” your to tutoring the week prior to the tutorial session.
Invitations are based on whether your child needs extra practice with a
specific concept or skill. If your child cannot stay for tutoring, please
let me know and I will send practice materials home.
Dates to Remember and Reminders
September 17 Parent-Teacher Social, Maggiano’s
September 18 Field Trip, Georgia Aquarium
September 25 Book Project One due
September 22 First Day of Autumn
Classroom Needs:
color copy paper
Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm.
The children and I appreciate the donations you have made to our classroom.
Thank you for your “teacher gifts”. Please know that I truly appreciate all
that you do!
If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.
Ms. Wilkinson
Contact Information:
(404) 802-3850 stwilkinson@atlanta.k12.ga.us
Monday - Friday 7:30 am to 3:00 pm
All messages will be returned within 24 hours
