Fall Campfire

Our fall campfire/storytelling event is almost here!  We have been working hard on memorizing our assigned poem, and are all do a fine job preparing ourselves for this exciting literacy event.  Each student will be graded within these categories:  preparedness, prop usage, enthusiasm, listening to others, and enthusiasm.  Please have fun at home preparing for Thursday!  I can't wait to see their creativeness!

The Rock Cycle

We are learning about The Rock Cycle!!! 

In cooperative learning groups, students were asked to create a poem, song, or skit explaining The Rock Cycle!  Make sure to ask them about Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic rocks.

Think Pink Basket Raffle

Our PTO's fall fest is right around the corner.  Our class signed up along with Mrs. Briscoe's class to build a "Think Pink" themed basket.  Our basket will be raffled at the PTO fest on Friday, October 28th.  We are asking any families to make a small donation to our basket to help make it spectacular.  If you find anything great and PINK, please consider making a donation.  Many pink items benefit Breast Cancer Research and are easily found in October.  It would feel great to support such a wonderful cause!  Thanks in advance for your contributions!

Spelling Update

Look out for your child's recent spelling test.  There is a note attached to it explaining what to do with any words that were missed.  Our tests are cumulative, so words that are on this test could very well show up on future tests.  We are working through the units within 2 weeks, with a test at the conclusion of each unit.

Geometry Updates

We took our first geometry quiz last week from Unit A.  After Ms. Korkus and I analyzed the results, we thought it would be beneficial to reteach a few of the concepts and give the students an additional opportunity to increase their scores.  With that said, we will retake our first practice quiz tomorrow, October 18th to help solidify these very important geometry concepts.

Tonight's geometry homework is A-6.  This assignment reviews perimeter and area of complex figures.  We are learning and reviewing the concept of perimeter, and relating the fact that it is similar to building a fence around the shape.  We relate area to the number of units inside a figure, similar to imagining the shape being tiled like a floor.  It is important to remember that area is labeled in square units (i.e. square yards, square kilimeters, etc.)

Here are some freebies for this week's homework:
Tonight's math homework is page A-6.  Number 3 is a complex figure that looks like the letter "U".  ***Don't forget to add the missing 2 sides that are not labeled when finding the perimeter and area.  The perimeter ends up being 52 cm, with the addition of the missing sides, 6cm and 3cm.  The area totals up to 78 square cm.  Remember to divvy the complex figure into 3 shapes, find the area of each, then add the 3 areas all together.

Classroom Storytelling/Campfire

Our classroom campfire will be on Thursday, October 28th.  Each student will select a fall-themed poem to recite at our campfire.  This is an exciting day where students show off their performance skills.  Props will be expected, so please plan with your child to ensure they do their best!  Classtime will be given to work on memorizing their poem.   I will send home a rubric ahead of time so you know how your child will be graded.  Also, as an added treat, I like to have a traditional campfire snack, probably smores, for this day.  Let me know if you are able to contribute chocolate or graham crackers for our class.  Thank you for your support!

Field Trip - Creative Writing Event, Woodstock Opera House

Our first field trip for this year is scheduled for next week.  We will be going to the Woodstock Opera House next Tuesday, October 18th.  It is a half-day of school but we will be able to squeeze it in!  The 4th graders were asked to submit a creative writing piece last month.  Ten stories were turned in.  I wonder if any of our students will be represented on stage next week?

Xtra Math

Be sure to click on this link to practice math facts.  Each session is only a few minutes long.  Students' progress is reported back to Mrs. Laidig via the website.

Math Fact Support

Math Book Glossary

Looking for some help on math homework?  Click on the link to our 4th grade math book's online glossary.  You can look up hundreds of terms, including visual and audio help, that we study in 4th grade.
Math Book Glossary