Janie Couture

Language Arts/Social Studies:   Students completed their first personal narrative composition.  We have been integrating social studies and language arts.  Last week students were given a European explorer to research and write a one page report on.  We will complete these papers this week and start a new research report.  Students are practicing taking notes, writing a nonfiction piece, and writing a bibliography.  This week students will be taking the 4^th grade reading and writing benchmark tests.   

More Social Studies:  This year Mrs. Bartholomew and I are teaming up for a service/learning project.  It is called “Age to Age: Multi-generational Pen Pal Program”.  Students have written to a senior at a retirement center in Round Rock.  We will continue to write to them and they will write back.  Once a month, the two classes will visit the center or they will come visit us at Forest Creek.  The students really enjoyed writing the letters and I think the seniors and the class will benefit from this project. 

Speaking of service projects, the art department is organizing a can food drive.  Please donate one or more can goods.  Students will use the cans for an Andy Warhol style project and then donate them to the Round Rock Serving Center.

Math:  Students have completed a unit on problem solving using patterns and tables.   This week we will continue with multiplication and division concepts.   Please continue to work with your child on math facts.  I have some math websites that have some games for multiplication practice.  I will put them on my links section later today. 

Science:  We completed a unit on patterns and predicting the weather.  We will begin a unit on the sun’s energy and the water cycle this week.

Upcoming Dates:

October 23:  End of 1^st nine weeks

 October 29:  UNICEF boxes will go home this week.  Return them if you wish to school by

               November 5 so we can count the money and send it off to help children around

               the world.

October 30:  Reflection entries due

November 5:  Report Cards go home

November 13:  Harvest Festival

Have a great week!

Couture Crocodiles had a great week!  Here are some of the highlights:

Language Arts:  Students worked on using the different features of non-fiction texts, such as headings, different fonts, photographs, and diagrams, in order to increase understanding and comprehension.  We are looking at some different elements and forms of poetry and have created our own “If I Were” poems.  Our quality work is displayed in our hallway.  We are continuing to practice different writing strategies and techniques.  In the next few weeks, students will take one of the personal narratives that they have been working on through the complete writing process.

Math:  We completed our unit on arrays, and beginning multiplication, division, and fact families this week.  Students completed a short quiz on Friday.  During the unit, we worked on problem solving strategies.  Students also worked in partners to design and discover different sizes of candy boxes for a mock candy company.  Students worked very well together to present and recommend different shaped boxes to their pretend company president.  Next week we will begin working with patterns and tables.

Social Studies:  We completed our first unit on Texas.  We learned some basics about Texas’ geography, latitude and longitude, and Native American history.  In our Texas Cookie map project, we had a hands-on experience in map making.  Students practiced their note taking skills and were able to use their notes for the unit test. 

Science:  We began a unit of patterns of change by exploring and predicting changes in the weather.  We learned about the different kinds of clouds, cold fronts, and warm fronts.  I thought our current weather was very helpful in explaining these concepts.

We also took the OLSAT on Thursday.  Students did an exceptional job in following test taking expectations.  Thank to all who have or will attend their student/parent/teacher conference.  This is great time of year when we can all make the time to sit and review where we are and our goals for the coming year.

Thank you so much for continuing help.  I love working with your child!  As always, please contact me with any questions or concerns.

Janie Couture

Janie_Couture@roundrockisd.org

Dear Parents:

We had a busy week in 4^th grade!  Here are some of the highlights:

Language Arts  We are finishing up our class book of important poems about ourselves.  If all goes as planned, the book will be off to the printer the first of next week.  Thank you to all who sent back their forms – it looks like students will be eligible for a free book in the spring.  This week we are studying poetry and continuing to read for our book clubs.  We have also picked a story to focus on for a writing composition.  On Thursday, we will focus on starting the story with the right lead and on Friday we will take a closer look at endings.

Math  This week we talked about arrays, factors, and multiples.  Students took a closer look on exactly what multiplication is and how to make more difficult problems easier by using what we already know.

Social Studies  The fourth grade has been studying Texas regions, native Texan cultures, major Texas cities and rivers, and basic map skills.  Each fourth grade teacher has taken a section of the unit and have been rotating through the classes this week to teach their “specialty”.  Students have enjoyed getting to know all of the other fourth grade teachers as well as learn some important information about the state they live in.

Classroom Goals and Rewards  Due to our excellent cafeteria behavior, the class has earned 5 minutes extra recess as soon as the weather will allow.  We have also set a classroom goal to earn compliments for following teacher classroom expectations as well as hallway and school wide expectations.  We are very close to achieving our first goal (the little race car is almost at the finish line).  The reward the students chose is  having the option of bringing in a yoga ball to use instead of a classroom chair.  Many other teachers in our school have encouraged this due to research that states the following:

        Assists in improving posture

        Enhances attention and concentration

        Improves learning through movement

        Incorporates wellness into the school day

        Promotes “active sitting”- with little to no disturbance

        Improves blood flow to all parts of the body, especially the brain

        Strengthens core (postural) & back muscle groups

        Improves balance and coordination

        Adjusts for customized fit to the individual

If you would like more information you may go to the following website or contact me.

                      http://www.wittfitt.com/wittfittstudy.pdf

We will have clear guidelines in the classroom of what is acceptable.  Student who cannot abide by these expectations can bring their yoga balls home.  I have been informed that Target, Academy, and Wal-Mart sell these balls.  Wal-Mart seems to have the best price if you do not already have one at home.  Of course this is only an option for you to decide with your child.  This is not a requirement by any means.  Please feel free to make your own decision as to whether to send one with your child or not.  It looks like students may start to bring in the balls on Monday.

Going home on Thursday:

 Progress reports will be going home in the Thursday folders.   Please sign and return.

 If you child has any missing work or work requiring corrections, I have also sent home a letter with a required signature from you at the bottom.  Missing and corrected work will receive/raise your child's grade to be a 70 on that assignment. 

 I believe it is the child's responsibility to locate the missing paper, or to make the request for another one (once they have thoroughly looked through their desk, backpacks, homes, etc.) 

If students have work that is below a 70, I will attach the failing paper(s) to the correction letter and list it (them).  I ask that students make ALL CORRECTIONS ON A DIFFERENT PIECE OF PAPER.  I don't want them to erase the wrong answers and write over them with the correct answer because they need to be able to see the errors they made the first time, in order to compare them to the new answers. 

How you can help your child is by noting if your child has corrections, and strongly encouraging him/her to do them immediately, and not put it off.  Corrections or notification of missing work that are coming home this Thursday are due back to school no later than the following Thursday. Work can be turned in as soon as they are completed and you have signed them.  I do not accept work later than the next Thursday (unless your child is absent that day) OR if there is no signature from you!  I think it is important that your child take responsibility for his/her missing work, but I also think it will make a more meaningful impression on them to be responsible if they understand that YOU are insistent they be responsible for the grades they get. I will send these notifications home periodically or if I notice a pattern of students not turning in work.

Lastly it is time to sign up for fall parent/teacher/student conferences.  Please sign up for a conference and return the form as soon as possible.  There is also a goals sheets and instructions for students and parents to complete.  This will be a homework grade, so please take the time to go over your child’s goals with him or her. 

Thank you so much for your help.  I am love working with your child!  As always, please contact me with any questions or concerns.

Janie Couture

Janie_Couture@roundrockisd.org

                We have been busy!  Last week students completed a unit on science processes and safety procedures.  This week we began a Social Studies unit on the regions of Texas.  We will be studying about the Coastal Plains, Central Plains, Great Plains, and Mountains and Basins.  We will focus on Native Americans, latitude and longitude, major cities and rivers, while practicing our basic map skills.  We will culminate our unit with a fun educational cookie map project and unit test at the end of the month.           

                In math we took a quiz on place value and ordering/comparing of large numbers.  This week we are using our rounding and estimation skills to solve problems.  There will be a short quiz on Friday.

                In reading we have been monitoring our comprehension skills by asking thoughtful questions of the stories and books we are reading. We have also developed a list of ideas to help us try if we don’t understand a particular section.  Students started book clubs this week.  Based on personal choice, students were placed into groups to read the book they selected.  They are developing a time line/calendar.  Students will discuss their book twice a week.  Once the book is finished, the group will decide on a culminating activity in order to share their book with the class.  Students also brought home their Reader’s Response Journal for homework.  In the future, students will be bringing this home on Mondays and Tuesdays for homework.  The expectation is for them to have the correct heading in their journal, connections, predictions, feelings, and at least one question regarding the book.  The entry should be based on what book they are reading at home.  The class went over the rubric a few times this week and will continue to review so that everyone knows what is expected of the assignment.

Students have completed a special poem about themselves.  They were featured outside our door for Back-to-School night.  We have the unique opportunity to compile these poems in a hardbound class book.  You have the option to order a personal copy for your household is you wish.  Going home in the Thursday folders this week is the order form if you wish to have a copy of our class book.  However, even if you do not wish to order, please return the order form marked NO with a signature.  If you can do that, your student will receive a free bound copy of their own personal compilation of stories that we plan to complete in the spring of 2010.                                    

               If you are planning on bringing in a snack to share with the class for a celebration of your child’s birthday, please remember the following:

                               The law allows you to bring in any snacks meant to share with the

                               class only after lunch time.  This can be healthy or non-healthy,

                               however, the treats must be brought in after ALL classes have

                               finished in the cafeteria.  For us, this means after specials at

                               about 1:45 or so.  Please ensure that there are NO peanut or milk

               If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.  I usually check my email and phone messages at the beginning and end of the day.  If you need to get a message to your child before the end of the day, please call the office.  Thank you for sharing your child with me.  We have an awesome class!

Janie Couture

Janie_Couture@RoundRockisd.org

512-464-5386

                I enjoyed seeing many of you at Back-to-School Night.  The fourth grade team presented a lot of information and expectations for fourth grade.   If you were unable to come, I will send home the handouts, our daily schedule and a packet explaining writing expectations.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions

                This week we leaned some more vocabulary words and practiced our spelling words for our first spelling and dictation test which we took on Friday.  We also continued cursive handwriting practice.     In reading, we explored genres, author’s purpose, and making personal connections with our independent reading books.   

On Monday, we visited the Forest Creek Library and reviewed expectations.  We will not typically go to the library as a class unless we are working on a special project.  However, students may sign up and go to the library for check out as they need to.  I will have a sign up list on the chalkboard daily. 

In writing, we shared The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown.  We explored similes and metaphors and used them in the poem each student wrote.  Come and read our wonderful Important Poems.

                In math we used the RUMOR method as a checklist to problem solve.  Please ask your child what this acronym means. 

                In science, we explored measurement tools.   We used some measurement tools to determine if our body shape is a square or rectangle.  We also talked about physical fitness and exercise.  Lastly we used our skills of inference to analyze advertisements.

                In class this week we are going to be talking about memories.  I asked each student to make a memory box.  I am asking all of the students in the class to begin working on this project this weekend.  The final boxes, with a presentation prepared, are due next Thursday, September 10^th.  Items inside the box can be photos, keepsakes, or even strips of paper with a memory written on it.  The box itself can be nearly anything – but please no plastic bags.  Students might use a lunchbox, a shoe box, a wicker basket with a lid, or any odd-shaped container.  They are welcome to decorate it or not, but it should reflect who they are.

This will be presented to the class, so keep that in mind when deciding on the personal things to share.  I also recommend NOT including an item of very great value, either sentimental or monetary, as we will share over a period of three days (better safe than sorry).  Students need to be prepared to present the boxes, the items in the boxes, and share a story about ONE of the items.  All items must have a direct connection with the student presenting.

Grades will be determined with the following rubric:

At least 5 but no more than 10 objects in your container.                           50 pts.

Your container (not a plastic bag, decorating optional)                               10 pts.

Items in container must be directly related to you.                                       10 pts.

Tell a story orally about one of the objects and yourself.                        20 pts.

Make eye contact with your audience as you present                                 10 pts.

your box and tell your story.

Don't forget:

  Reading logs with a parent signature are due Tuesday due to the Labor Day Holiday.  Every student should be reading at least 100 minutes weekly.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Janie Couture

Janie_Couture@RoundRockisd.org

(512) 464-5386