9/8 News

Home reading did start this week. Students only had to read one more time this week. We already practiced in class for the two other readings for the week. The home reading information is in the very back of their INDIAN binder and should stay there for the remainder of this month. Students need to read and also respond in their spiral notebook in the back pocket of their binder. I know many students want to read more than that and they may still record this reading on their calendar, but they do not respond if it is extra reading. They only need to respond three times each week. Students need to read and respond a minimum of 30 minutes. Please email me if you have questions about this procedure.

In reading this week we read an informational story "The Great Yellowstone Fire". We worked on a KWL chart that came home. We also reviewed facts and opinions. In a nonfiction story there are mostly facts, but we searched hard to find some opinions in the story. We learned to look for the judgement words that don't mean the same thing to everyone. Finally, we practiced the steps to answer questions, which is something we will review all year long.

Students brought home their first unit math test this week. Students are always able to correct any mistakes on any tests or quizzes provided that I have not corrected it for them already. If they bring it back the next day they will receive half credit on anything that is now correct. This is my policy for all subject areas, except spelling tests. We did begin our unit on place value and data. We will be reviewing subtraction and addition with this unit also.

In science we are working hard to complete our weather unit. Students now have a study guide for our weather unit test that will be next week. Refer to their INDIAN binder under the homework helpers section to begin review for this test. We have begun looking at the clouds and how they can help us determine the weather. This will help in preparation for our daily forecasts of the weather. We will also focus on weather patterns and fronts to finish this unit. We worked on the water cycle at the end of the week. We learned a song to help everyone remember the cycle.

We continued our work with paragraphs this week. We sorted sentences and completed lots of writing in our journal. We will be interviewing our classmates next week. This information will be used to write a paragraph introducing them to the class. This will help us practice our parts to a paragraph. We must have a main idea/topic sentence, detail sentences and a concluding sentence in every paragraph. Don't forget "Go Home Journals" are coming home today! Please try and complete your homework this weekend, so your child can share with us next week. Thanks!

Field trip information is coming home today! This is to let you know about the costs and trips that we have planned in 4th grade. Please take some time to read over that information and if you have any questions, please let me know.

Enjoy the weekend!
Mrs. Stratton