Hello 4B Families!
This is it; the final push to Winter Break! I want to thank you all for the support you have given throughout the semester. I cannot believe how far we have come as a class, and a lot of that is due support from home. Mrs. King and I truly appreciate all you do for us. We love having the opportunity to teach your children, and you all make our jobs so much more fun!
Speaking of fun, our Robin Hood celebration is coming up on Thursday. Big big thank you to Mrs. Sinykin for helping to spearhead this for us. If you have any questions, or you are not receiving class liaison updates, please send an email to debbiemsinykin@me.com.
In the vein of Robin Hood, we are finishing the book right before the celebration takes place. Our last quiz will take the form of an in-class essay on Friday. The students will be getting a study guide on Wednesday, which we will go over on Thursday morning and afternoon (post-celebration). The study guide will have two possible essay questions, one of which will be their quiz. These questions will more open-ended with no true right or wrong answer. The purpose is to challenge the students to make a convincing case for their opinion using specific events from the book.
In History, the students will be taking an open-note quiz on Wednesday to assess their knowledge on Ancient China. The quiz will be multiple choice with no short answer, so each student has the opportunity to end history on a high note! I will be strongly reminding students tomorrow that they should check their Ancient China packets for completion.
In Science, we are going to be reviewing some topics that will be addressed on the AIMS science test all 4th graders take. This is usually a fun time, as we get to play a lot of jeopardy games and discuss topics that are not a part of our normal curriculum.
One final reminder, please sign up for a parent-teacher conference. Remember, they are mandatory!
Thank you and happy holidays!
Monday, December 12, 2016
Monday, December 5, 2016
Week 8 Updates
Hello 4B Families!
Wow, only two weeks left until the end of the semester! In typical Great Hearts fashion, we are pushing academics up until the bitter end. A couple quick announcements before I let you know what your scholars are learning about this week.
First, Mrs. Sinykin is collaborating with the other parent liaisons to create a SPECTACULAR Robin Hood feast. Last year, I had so much fun watching the students celebrate their knowledge and I look forward to doing the same this year. I am sure she will be updating you all with information, but also check the blog for updates on party details.
Second, I have updated the blog with a new sign up for parent-teacher conferences. Just a reminder, these are mandatory meetings that will take place on January 3rd and 4th.
Now, on to the academics!
In Language Arts, I received the final drafts for almost all scholars today. I was so impressed with their ideas and how focused they were on creating well-thought out rough drafts. The students will be receiving the final two stanzas for Paul Revere's Ride this week. I strongly encourage you all to keep up with the practicing as recitations will begin the first day back to school (January 5th). Our last comprehension-based exam for Robin Hood will take place this Wednesday. Students received a copy of the study guide today so they could start reviewing vocabulary. We will be going over the short answer questions as a class tomorrow. Our last Robin Hood "quiz" will take the form of an in-class essay, which will require them to reflect on the story as a whole. This quiz is scheduled for Friday, December 16th.
In Science, the students have been able to do some wonderful hands-on things with our electricity and magnetism unit. Today, they created their own electro-magnets by wrapping a wire around a nail and placing the ends of the wires on a battery. By doing this, the nail becomes "charged" and can pick up paper clips. The test for this unit will be on Friday, December 9th. I passed out the study guides today and recommended the students complete 5 vocab questions and 1 short answer question tonight. The completed study guides are needed in class on Thursday for review.
In History, we are having a wonderful time learning about ancient China. The students have been amazed at all of the inventions created by the Chinese. We have really enjoyed exploring another culture with such significant differences from our own.
In Math, the students are finishing up their workbook with a unit on the various units of measure. If your child is in Mr. Leonard's or Mrs. Gore's class, they will be taking a quiz on Thursday, December 8th. If your child is in Mrs. King's or my class, their quiz will be next week on Wednesday, December 14th.
Thank you for all of your continued support!
Wow, only two weeks left until the end of the semester! In typical Great Hearts fashion, we are pushing academics up until the bitter end. A couple quick announcements before I let you know what your scholars are learning about this week.
First, Mrs. Sinykin is collaborating with the other parent liaisons to create a SPECTACULAR Robin Hood feast. Last year, I had so much fun watching the students celebrate their knowledge and I look forward to doing the same this year. I am sure she will be updating you all with information, but also check the blog for updates on party details.
Second, I have updated the blog with a new sign up for parent-teacher conferences. Just a reminder, these are mandatory meetings that will take place on January 3rd and 4th.
Now, on to the academics!
In Language Arts, I received the final drafts for almost all scholars today. I was so impressed with their ideas and how focused they were on creating well-thought out rough drafts. The students will be receiving the final two stanzas for Paul Revere's Ride this week. I strongly encourage you all to keep up with the practicing as recitations will begin the first day back to school (January 5th). Our last comprehension-based exam for Robin Hood will take place this Wednesday. Students received a copy of the study guide today so they could start reviewing vocabulary. We will be going over the short answer questions as a class tomorrow. Our last Robin Hood "quiz" will take the form of an in-class essay, which will require them to reflect on the story as a whole. This quiz is scheduled for Friday, December 16th.
In Science, the students have been able to do some wonderful hands-on things with our electricity and magnetism unit. Today, they created their own electro-magnets by wrapping a wire around a nail and placing the ends of the wires on a battery. By doing this, the nail becomes "charged" and can pick up paper clips. The test for this unit will be on Friday, December 9th. I passed out the study guides today and recommended the students complete 5 vocab questions and 1 short answer question tonight. The completed study guides are needed in class on Thursday for review.
In History, we are having a wonderful time learning about ancient China. The students have been amazed at all of the inventions created by the Chinese. We have really enjoyed exploring another culture with such significant differences from our own.
In Math, the students are finishing up their workbook with a unit on the various units of measure. If your child is in Mr. Leonard's or Mrs. Gore's class, they will be taking a quiz on Thursday, December 8th. If your child is in Mrs. King's or my class, their quiz will be next week on Wednesday, December 14th.
Thank you for all of your continued support!
Monday, November 28, 2016
Week 7 Update
Hello 4B Families!
I hope you all had a wonderful, restful Thanksgiving break. I want to also thank you all for the celebratory breakfast we had on Tuesday. The students really enjoyed themselves!
In Language Arts this week, we are working on the rough drafts of the persuasive essays. I will be providing feedback to all students on their drafts and return them so they can be typed over the weekend. We are continuing with Robin Hood and our next quiz will take place on Wednesday, December 7th.
In History, we started our unit on ancient China. Ask your scholar about the different ways Emperor Shi Huangdi would punish criminals.
In science, we started our work with circuits. The students were able to make a light bulb light using two wires and a battery. The electricity unit will dovetail off of what the students already know about magnets. There will be lots of opportunities for hands-on learning!
Thank you for all you do and have a wonderful week!
I hope you all had a wonderful, restful Thanksgiving break. I want to also thank you all for the celebratory breakfast we had on Tuesday. The students really enjoyed themselves!
In Language Arts this week, we are working on the rough drafts of the persuasive essays. I will be providing feedback to all students on their drafts and return them so they can be typed over the weekend. We are continuing with Robin Hood and our next quiz will take place on Wednesday, December 7th.
In History, we started our unit on ancient China. Ask your scholar about the different ways Emperor Shi Huangdi would punish criminals.
In science, we started our work with circuits. The students were able to make a light bulb light using two wires and a battery. The electricity unit will dovetail off of what the students already know about magnets. There will be lots of opportunities for hands-on learning!
Thank you for all you do and have a wonderful week!
Monday, November 21, 2016
Week 6 Updates
Hello 4B Families!
Since it is such a short week, I will keep the post nice and simple with a few reminders:
Thank you for all you do and have a wonderful holiday!
Since it is such a short week, I will keep the post nice and simple with a few reminders:
- Our breakfast is tomorrow! Thank you so much for all of your support; the students cannot wait.
- There is a literature quiz for chapters 1-6 of Robin Hood.
- There is a math quiz on adding, subtracting, and multiplying fractions.
- R&R for Thanksgiving weekend...woo hoo!!
Thank you for all you do and have a wonderful holiday!
Monday, November 14, 2016
Week 5 Updates
Hello 4B Families,
Only 7 more school days until the holidays are officially upon us...I think I am feeling a mix of excitement and and panic. I have a few classroom announcements before I let you know what your scholars are learning this week.
First, our classroom has reached their goal of 100 boxes of stuffing! In fact, we have collected an amazing 123 boxes. Thank you so much for your support, it really means a lot to the students to reach their goal. As promised, I am organizing a classroom breakfast for Tuesday, November 22nd. If you would like to help by bringing a breakfast item, I will be sending a sign-up by Wednesday. Please keep an eye out for more details.
Second, the Winter Concert is nearly upon us! Call time for 4th grade is 7:00 and the concert will end at 8:00. I believe the students are able to meet in the classroom by 6:40 as we need to be in the gym at 7:00. Please keep in mind that attendance is mandatory and your child must stay for the entire concert in order to receive all participation points. If you have any other questions, please look at Ms. Blasi's blog for additional details.
Third, the PSO is hosting at movie night on Friday, November 18th at 6:30. Please visit the PSO website for additional information.
Finally, Performance Notices will be going out tomorrow. I will send an email to the parents of scholars who are currently receiving a low C and below. There is still plenty of time to turn grades around and, as I explained to the students, this form simply acts as a yellow "slow down" light. In addition to sending an email, I will be providing students a hard copy to take home. The signed copies are due back on Monday, November 21.
In Language Arts this week, we have started reading Robin Hood and the students are having a great time listening to the adventures of the different characters. While the book has a lot of unfamiliar vocabulary, the students are doing a wonderful job using their dictionaries to find the correct definition. We will be having a quiz on the first 6 chapters on Tuesday, November 22nd. As far as writing, we are beginning the process for our first 5 paragraph essay, which will be a persuasive argument for adding a new virtue.
In History, we are finishing up our study of Europe in the Middle Ages. We had a wonderful discussion about Joan of Arc today; one of my favorite historical figures when I was in fourth grade. Our end of the unit quiz will be on Monday, November 21st.
In Science, we started a new unit on magnetism. We had a lot of fun today testing our bar magnets against various objects and finding similarities among the objects of attraction. Eventually, this unit will expand to include electricity and how it influences the magnetic field. This is a fun, hands-on unit; I am excited to be starting on it!
In Math, we are really hammering home multiplication of fractions and bringing back some of the other operations on fractions. There is a math test on Tuesday, November 22nd with a focus on multiplying whole numbers against fractions.
Thank you for all of your continued support and have a great week!
Only 7 more school days until the holidays are officially upon us...I think I am feeling a mix of excitement and and panic. I have a few classroom announcements before I let you know what your scholars are learning this week.
First, our classroom has reached their goal of 100 boxes of stuffing! In fact, we have collected an amazing 123 boxes. Thank you so much for your support, it really means a lot to the students to reach their goal. As promised, I am organizing a classroom breakfast for Tuesday, November 22nd. If you would like to help by bringing a breakfast item, I will be sending a sign-up by Wednesday. Please keep an eye out for more details.
Second, the Winter Concert is nearly upon us! Call time for 4th grade is 7:00 and the concert will end at 8:00. I believe the students are able to meet in the classroom by 6:40 as we need to be in the gym at 7:00. Please keep in mind that attendance is mandatory and your child must stay for the entire concert in order to receive all participation points. If you have any other questions, please look at Ms. Blasi's blog for additional details.
Third, the PSO is hosting at movie night on Friday, November 18th at 6:30. Please visit the PSO website for additional information.
Finally, Performance Notices will be going out tomorrow. I will send an email to the parents of scholars who are currently receiving a low C and below. There is still plenty of time to turn grades around and, as I explained to the students, this form simply acts as a yellow "slow down" light. In addition to sending an email, I will be providing students a hard copy to take home. The signed copies are due back on Monday, November 21.
In Language Arts this week, we have started reading Robin Hood and the students are having a great time listening to the adventures of the different characters. While the book has a lot of unfamiliar vocabulary, the students are doing a wonderful job using their dictionaries to find the correct definition. We will be having a quiz on the first 6 chapters on Tuesday, November 22nd. As far as writing, we are beginning the process for our first 5 paragraph essay, which will be a persuasive argument for adding a new virtue.
In History, we are finishing up our study of Europe in the Middle Ages. We had a wonderful discussion about Joan of Arc today; one of my favorite historical figures when I was in fourth grade. Our end of the unit quiz will be on Monday, November 21st.
In Science, we started a new unit on magnetism. We had a lot of fun today testing our bar magnets against various objects and finding similarities among the objects of attraction. Eventually, this unit will expand to include electricity and how it influences the magnetic field. This is a fun, hands-on unit; I am excited to be starting on it!
In Math, we are really hammering home multiplication of fractions and bringing back some of the other operations on fractions. There is a math test on Tuesday, November 22nd with a focus on multiplying whole numbers against fractions.
Thank you for all of your continued support and have a great week!
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