Donations Needed/Week of January 20th

We will need Skittles for a Social Studies lesson at the beginning of next week. If you are able to donate, we would appreciate it greatly!

Also, please check in with your child to see if he or she needs fresh supplies. Many students don't have glue, scissors, crayons, or paper.

In Social Studies, we are beginning the American Revolution unit. We are starting to learn about the causes of the American Revolution. This week, we are focusing on the French and Indian War, The Proclamation of 1763, and the Stamp and Sugar Acts. Students are reading passages about the causes leading up to the Revolution, and recording thoughts about these events in their Social Studies interactive notebooks.

In Reading, we are reviewing compare and contrast. Students will be reading passages and finding similarities and differences within one text. Students will also work on Greek and Latin Roots (i.e. uni- means "one") and Study Island 6c:  Root Words and Affixes. We have also focused on how to choose "Just Right" books. I have asked that students choose books that help them grow as readers (known as "dinner" books). I have asked that they keep books like "Diary of a Wimpy Kid,"  "Big Nate," "Junie B. Jones," etc. be left at home to read as "dessert books" on the weekends for fun. Thank you for your help in growing healthy readers.

Math-We are still working on chapter 8.   The students are having a quiz Friday that will cover all the lessons from 1-7.  This won’t be a test grade, but will give the students an idea on what they need to study.  The actual test on fractions is slated for Thursday 1/29.

Also students are receiving forms for our upcoming project this week.  The due date will be in February, and more information about this is on the forms.

Science-Thank you very much for the donations on paper plates and cookies.  The students built a diagram on phases of the moon that they found tasty.  This week, we are studying space and will begin a book study on that.

Week of January 12th

Good afternoon!

     In reading this week, we will be focusing on drama and beginning Greek and Latin roots and derivatives. This will be our new "Word Work" or vocabulary skill. For drama, we will be practicing The Frogs in the Well skit that we will perform on March 3rd during our 4th grade PTA performance. All students will practicing reading parts, and if your child is interested, he or she can choose to audition for a speaking part for the performance. These auditions will be held during class as students are all performing the skit at that time. A letter is going home with your child today, so please sign and return by Thursday if your child is interested in auditioning. Also, students are asked to complete Study Island module 2i:  Poetry, Drama, and Prose by Friday this week.

     In Social Studies, we are finishing up colonies with the lives and skills of artisans. You may choose to view this website to learn about the various special skills each artisan had. We will be taking the Colonization test on Tuesday, January 13th. After that, we will begin our American Revolution unit. We will be exploring causes leading up to the American Revolution and the Revolution itself. This unit will last for about 6 weeks or so.

     In math, we are issuing new books (volume 2).  This week we begin chapter 8.  This is the first chapter that explores fractions. 

     In science, the students have learned what makes the seasons and we will finish this week with the phases of the moon with a edible project.

Important Dates:
Tuesday 1/13:  Colonization Test
Thursday 1/15: Eagle Eye on Reading Awards Party (1:15 in Media Center)
Friday 1/16:  Blue and Gold Eagle Awards 8:15 in Cafeteria
Monday 1/19:  MLK Staff and Student holiday
Tuesday 3/3:  4th Grade PTA performance @6:00

Report Cards!

I hope you are all having a great weekend! Report cards went home on Friday. Please sign and return the report card signature card and envelope. You may keep the report card for your records.

Week of January 6th

Welcome Back!

It’s a new year and a new quarter.  In math, we are skipping chapter 7 Patterns and Sequences to focus on fractions.  Don’t worry, your child isn’t missing out on anything, as this material is represented in the numbers of the week.  Chapter 8 Fractions will begin Monday January 12^th.  There will also be a new book for the remainder of the year.  This week, students will review and extend on division and multiplication. 

Eagles Eyes are going to be due every Wednesday.  The first Wednesday due date for these is  January 14^th. 

Science has the students learning about the phases of the moon and the tilt of the Earth.  This material will last to Friday January 16^th.

Thank you,

Bobby Desin

January 6, 2015 (2015 still sounds so strange, doesn't it?!?)

     I hope you all had a fantastic break with lots of family time! We are hitting the ground running this week. In Reading, we will be focusing on Poetry. We will emphasize stanzas, lines, rhythm, rhyme scheme, mood, and theme. Students will be working on analyzing these elements independently and in small group. Students will also work on writing their own poems and completing a Study Island module. In Language, we will switch back to using Grammar Mini Bites for this nine week period. We are finishing up our Colonization unit in Social Studies. We will be looking at how the lifestyles of large landowners, farmers, artisans, women, indentured servants and slaves differed. We will finish this unit on Monday next week. There will be a test on Tuesday, January 13th. A study guide was sent home today with your child. 

January 13th-Colonization Test (study guide given)

January 14th-Eagle Eye on Reading due (Please note that both the Fiction and Nonfiction forms have changed for the second semester).

Have a great week!

Mrs. Gordon

Colonial Day

Colonial Day will be on Wednesday, December 17th, 2014! Please have your child wear something that reflects Colonial dress. All activities that day will revolve around the colonies!

Please let me know if you are interested in helping out with an activity that day. Also, we would love donations of feather quills and liquid ink. These should be available from craft stores.

It should be a very fun day!!!

Colonial Project

Students in Mrs. Gordon's Social Studies class has been asked to complete a project on the New England, Mid-Atlantic, and/or Southern colonies. Students were given a choice board to choose which project he or she would like to complete. Students will be given time in class to work on the project, but the project should be completed by Wednesday, December 17th. Your child will present to the class on that day as part of Colonial Day.

Mythology Project

In Reading, we have been working on a Mythology project. The students have been working on story maps, story summaries, character trait organizers, and a paragraph about a mythological allusion (today, a "Herculean" task means a difficult or seemingly impossible task. This was taken from the myth of Heracles/Hercules). Students will be creating a poster that combines these things in class. I ask that students try to dress up in a Greek style on the day of his or her presentation. You can make this as simple (bedsheet toga) or as complicated as you like. Please, don't feel that your family needs to purchase anything for this presentation. Try to use items from around the house.

Reading 1 will present on Monday, December 15th.
Reading 2 will present on Tuesday, December 16th.