Classroom News for the Week of October 28th

Notices and Reminders:

HALLOWEEN: 

I can't wait to see the students in their costumes! This is always a fun and exciting day for the children. Here are couple of reminders:

• Bring costumes to school in a bag/backpack.
• Fake weapons aren't allowed at school.
• Parade begins at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. Students will have time to change into their costumes after lunch. You are welcome to come to the classroom to assist your child. We will partner with another class to have boys change in one room, girls in another.
• Please do not send any candy, cupcakes, goodie bags, etc. to school on this day. Any treats arriving will remain in the office for you to pick-up.
• I will not be assigning homework Thursday evening. However, students have a science test and their root work will be due on Friday. Students: Plan and work ahead, so you can enjoy the evening.

FIELD TRIP:

We will be visiting the Museum of Contemporary Art on Monday, November 4th. Look for your child's trip slip coming home on Monday,

REMINDERS: 

* Mrs. Paz will be giving a science unit test on Friday. Students received study sheets on last Thursday. Please review your study sheet nightly.

* Please make sure to check (and sign) your child's Homework Log each evening.  

* Check out the class garden bed outside of room 17. Wow! Thank you Garden Team!!!

What's Going On This Week In Class:

Math: 

Multiplication Quiz on Monday. We will also review the concept of dividing and begin long division (with remainders).

Fact Practice: "Multiplication Madness" (daily, 1 min. multiplication fact practice). Please work with your child to help him/her memorize facts x1-x12.

Writing:

We are continuing to work on:

Organizing ideas for powerful paragraphs.

Publishing (typing ) our Make-A-Wish stories.

Writing scripts for our NBS Halloween Skits.

Reading:

We will continue reading Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis. In addition to receiving the Newbery Award and the Coretta Scott King Award, this novel had been identified as a Common Core exemplar text. This week our discussion will center on the author's use of foreshadowing and flashback. We will also be making character maps of Bud.

We will also be reading this week's issue of Scholastic News, "I Survived Hurricane Sandy", and completing exercises interpreting diagramd and identifying sequence in a narrative.

Wondering if that book your reading has an AR quiz? Wondering what level that book is?

Go to www.arbookfind.com to find out.  Remember, you can (and should!) be taking quizzes on the books you are reading at home.

Greek and Latin Roots Homework:

Here's a way to practice your words: Visit www.spellingcity.com. From the blue bars at the top of the page, click on "Find A List". Search lists by Teacher's Name -> enter "Safini Convey". You will see a link to this week's word list. Use the many free games and puzzles (there is even a practice test you can take) to help you learn this week's list. Let me know if you have any problems. Have fun!

This week's prefixes (ant, anti, contra, counter = against) and roots (labor, oper = work) 

antiseptic

antibacterial

antonym

contradict

counterfeit

cooperate

operable

laboratory

labored

operator

Students should turn in their completed work (between 70 and 100 points) on Friday this week. A quiz on the word spellings and meanings will also be on Friday.  If students choose to make crossword puzzle, they may use an online free puzzle maker such as www.puzzle-maker.com. Students must make a crossword puzzle (not a word search) and the must generate their own definitions of the word. Please have your child do his or her own typing.

Arts:

Music: Orchestra with Mr. Carter is on Monday. Don't forget your instrument!

Visual Arts: In preparation for our field trip to MOCA, Using the Visual Thinking Strategy (VTS) to look at and think about art.

Theater: Performing our NBS Skits

Dance: PE Project (see below)

PE Project:

"The NBS Dance" - This week students will continue working in small groups to create a never-before-seen dance. They will use a criteria chart to guide them through the process, making sure they have specific elements incorporated into their dance. Students will perform their dances for one another on Friday  Tuesday. Groups are welcome to bring their own music as long as lyrics/content are appropriate for school.

Social Studies/Science:

Geography of California (urban, rural, and suburban areas)/ Earth Science unit test.

Class/Team Building:

This week our focus will be on listening and using our time in class wisely.

Classroom News for the Week of October 21

Notices and Reminders:

REMINDERS: 

* Mrs. Paz will be giving a science quiz (landforms) on Thursday. Students will receive study sheets on Monday. Please review your study sheet nightly.

* Please make sure to check (and sign) your child's Homework Log each evening.  

* Check out the class garden bed outside of room 17. Wow! Thank you Garden Team!!!

Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and Your Child:

You may want to read this brochure from our national PTA, Parents' Guide to Student Success, to learn about new benchmarks for grade 4 students in language arts and math. The guide also gives suggestions for helping your child succeed.

What's Going On This Week In Class:

Math: 

This week Group 1 students will continue to practice multiplying 2x2 and 2x3 digit numbers. Group 2 students will begin working on multiplying with decimals and multiplying 3x3 digit numbers.

Fact Practice: "Multiplication Madness" (daily, 1 min. multiplication fact practice). Please work with your child to help him/her memorize facts x1-x12.

Writing:

Organizing for powerful paragraphs; publishing (typing ) our Make-A-Wish stories.

Reading:

This week we will begin a new literature unit. We will be reading Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis. In addition to receiving the Coretta Scott King Award, this novel had been identified as a Common Core exemplar text. 

We will also be reading this week's issue of Scholastic News and completing exercises on identifying the main idea of non-fiction texts.

Wondering if that book your reading has an AR quiz? Wondering what level that book is?

Go to www.arbookfind.com to find out.  Remember, you can (and should!) be taking quizzes on the books you are reading at home.

Greek and Latin Roots Homework:

Here's a way to practice your words: Visit www.spellingcity.com. From the blue bars at the top of the page, click on "Find A List". Search lists by Teacher's Name -> enter "Safini Convey". You will see a link to this week's word list. Use the many free games and puzzles (there is even a practice test you can take) to help you learn this week's list. Let me know if you have any problems. Have fun!

This week's prefix & root: co,col,com,con = with, together and ques, quir, quer, quis = ask

condense

companion

confer

collide

conspire

requirement

questionnaire

inquisitive

quest

request

Students should turn in their completed work (between 70 and 100 points) on Friday this week. A quiz on the word spellings and meanings will also be on Friday.  If students choose to make crossword puzzle, they may use an online free puzzle maker such as www.puzzle-maker.com. Students must make a crossword puzzle (not a word search) and the must generate their own definitions of the word. Please have your child do his or her own typing.

Visual Art:

PE Project:

"The NBS Dance" - This week students will continue working in small groups to create a never-before-seen dance. They will use a criteria chart to guide them through the process, making sure they have specific elements incorporated into their dance. Students will perform their dances for one another on Friday. Groups are welcome to bring their own music as long as lyrics/content are appropriate for school.

Social Studies/Science:

Natural Resources of California/ Landforms wrap-up and quiz

Class/Team Building:

This week our focus will be on listening and using our time in class wisely.