Classroom News for the Week of September 30th

Notices and Reminders:

ONLY $138 LEFT TO GO! 

Our Donors Choose project is almost funded, but we still need your help: Thanks to the support of Veronica, and the Zakis, Zepeda, Harth, and Staley-Thomas families our project on Donors Choose is almost funded! Please click on this link: Donors Choose to read more about the project and to make a donation. It's fast, easy, and tax-deductible. Every little bit helps and will provide your child with some art wonderful materials (canvas boards for painting, individual high quality sketchbooks, ceramic tiles for a VERY COOL holiday project, and more.....) for this school year. Thank you!

LOTS OF REMINDERS: 

* Field Trip Coming Up: October 11th. Please make sure to return your child's trip slip right away.

* Picture day is this Friday, October 4th. Envelopes to order prints are going home Monday.

* Book orders due Friday, October 4th.

* Turn in September reading calendars by Wednesday,

* 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!!!

* Please join the PTA!

Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and Your Child:

Dear Families,

As you know, we are in the midst of a huge period of educational reform. There is a lot going on at the district, state, and national level regarding what and how students are taught. It is looking like we will be fully switching over to the Common Core standards this year. Questions regarding student assessment are still being worked out. In the meantime, 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: 

Using the standard algorithm to multiply greater 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:

This week we will begin a piece of writing based on an article we are reading about the life and works of John Muir.

Identifying and writing metaphors.

Identifying subjects and predicates; Distinguishing between run-ons, fragments, and complete sentences.

Reading:

Identifying themes of conservation in The Lorax.  Close reading of the article "John Muir". 

Identifying metaphors in poetry.

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: re = back, again & magn, magni, max = great, large

restrict

reimburse

reassure

regain

recede

magnate

magnificent

maximum

maximize

magnification

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:

Social Studies/Science:

This Tuesday, your child will receive instructions for a short home project that will be due October 18th. Please look for instructions coming home on Tuesday.

Class/Team Building:

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