Week of 9.13 - 9.17

Hello Families!

This was the week of fantastic assemblies.  Monday we had a guest speaker who talked about the 7 traits of writing, Wednesday we had a school-based assembly about "Everyday Heroes," and today we watched President Obama's speech about the upcoming school year. 

My favorite quote of the week:  I told the kids to 'slither like snakes' back to their desks.  Tait's response?  "Why slither when we have feet!?"  An efficient thinker, indeed.

Reading:  We're still reading the "The View from Saturday," which fits into our "Cooperation and Competition" theme in Language Arts.  We've met all five main characters, and finally understand how they connect.  Ask your kids about how the characters are connected and how E.L. Konigsburg tells the story.

Writing:  We developed a timeline and created a calendar for our first published piece.  The kids submitted their writing plans to me (thank you for initialing!).  During the cycle, each student will share his/ her work in front of the class, and will be part of a table conference with their peers and me.  This will give them feedback on their own work, as well as practice in discussing and revising others' work.
Ask your kids about how a good author shows an emotion or action, rather than telling.  (Tell:  She was excited.  Show:  She jumped up and down, clapping and laughing with anticipation.)

Science:  We learned about the scientific method, and discussed how to develop a question that one could actually test to get conclusive results.  For example "Do mealworms like food?" is too vague.  A more specific question would be "Mealworms like juicy apples, do they also like peaches?"

The kids created their questions in pairs, made a hypothesis, listed the materials, and wrote the entire procedure necessary for their experiment.  Theywill actually do the tests on Monday!  Ask them about the question they developed, and how they plan to test their question.

Math:  4th graders will wrap up Unit 1 next week, which is "Naming and constructing geometric figures."  We are currently learning how to use a compass.  We will test on Unit 1 next Friday.  We'll go over how to study for a test at home, in addition to reviewing in class. 

Miscellaneous:

• If your kids bring snacks in tupperware, it would help if it were labeled with their initials.  If I know whose it is, I can return it if it gets left behind in class!
• I started collecting Camp Edwards permission slips and fees.  Send it in any time!
• If you didn't sign up for conferences at open house, please email me to schedule a time:  mklemchuk@op97.org

Historian's log:  This week's author: Ray

Monday we had a really funny assembly. The speaker brought in his parrot! Wednesday we also had an assembly with a cool slideshow of heroes.

Thursday we set up science experiments and got to look at the mealworms under the microscopes. One mealworm is turning into a pupa, the next stage of the life cycle! Friday we heard President Obama's "Back to School" speech.