Classroom News for the Week of March 2nd

News and Upcoming Events: 

BOOK PROJECT DUE DATES:

• 2/27 Hard copies of typed stories are due in class
• 3/2  Hard Copies will be returned to students with my notes
• 3/6 Final revised stories due in class. Please turn in a hard copy and a copy on the flash drive.

"VOICES WITHIN"- I am very pleased that this year our class, along with Ms. Lowery's fifth grade, will be working with a lyricist, composer, and vocalist from the Los Angeles Master Chorale. This 12 week artist-in-residency culminates in a concert where the students will sing songs they have written and composed with members of the Chorale. Please stay tuned for a performance date at the end of May. The artists will be working with our class every Friday for the next 12 weeks.

3/6 Report Card #2 Sent Home

SUPPLIES NEEDED
Room 17 is in need of the following supplies:

• Paper towels
• No. 2 Pencils
• Baby Wipes
• Swiffer duster refills
• Liquid Hand Soap   

Thank you for your donations! 

Smarter Balance Testing: 

* Your child can take the Smarter Balanced Practice (SBAC) test at home.  This is a preview of the test your child will be taking later in the spring. For the real SBAC your child will take the test on an iPad with an external keyboard. At home you may use a tablet or a computer, although the tablet will allow the student to manipulate the screen in a manner closer to the actual test.

Log on using "guest" (Confirmation Code and State SSID) at SBAC Practice Test. No score is given for the practice test.

Reminders:

* Tardies - Please make sure your child is at school and in line by the 8:06 bell. We try to start the school day at 8:11 promptly. Thank you for your help!

* Please check your child's Homework Log nightly and sign or initial after the work has been completed. Remind your child that completed homework and the HW log are due in class daily. 

What's Going On This Week In Class:

Health/PE:

Understanding How the Brain Works

Students are working in pairs and using a criteria chart to create an NBS Challenge: Design an NBS Dance

Math: 

Decimals on a Number Line, Comparing and Ordering Decimals. Money and Decimals

Multiplication Madness (Fact Practice) 

Accelerated Math (Individualized Practice)

Reading:

Bud, Not Buddy - This week the students are finishing the end-of unit projects. 

Identifying Signal Words of Cause and Effect in Expository Text and Historical Fiction

Writing:

Peer Review of Student Books

Students are also working with partners to write instructions for their NBS dance.

Social Studies/Science:

Earth Science- Physical Science Circuits

Social Studies: Rancho Era: Trade between California and the East Coast

Arts:

Using the Visual Thinking Strategy to analyze art.

Classroom News for the Week of February 23rd

News and Upcoming Events: 

BOOK PROJECT DUE DATES:

• 2/27 Hard copies of typed stories are due in class
• 3/2  Hard Copies will be returned to students with my notes
• 3/6 Final revised stories due in class. Please turn in a hard copy and a copy on the flash drive.

3/6 Report Card #2 Sent Home

Room 17 is in need of the following supplies:

• Paper towels
• No. 2 Pencils
• Baby Wipes
• Swiffer duster refills
• Liquid Hand Soap   

Thank you for your donations! 

Smarter Balance Testing: 

* Your child can take the Smarter Balanced Practice (SBAC) test at home.  This is a preview of the test your child will be taking later in the spring. For the real SBAC your child will take the test on an iPad with an external keyboard. At home you may use a tablet or a computer, although the tablet will allow the student to manipulate the screen in a manner closer to the actual test.

Log on using "guest" (Confirmation Code and State SSID) at SBAC Practice Test. No score is given for the practice test.

Reminders:

* Tardies - Please make sure your child is at school and in line by the 8:06 bell. We try to start the school day at 8:11 promptly. Thank you for your help!

* Please check your child's Homework Log nightly and sign or initial after the work has been completed. Remind your child that completed homework and the HW log are due in class daily. 

What's Going On This Week In Class:

Health/PE:

Students are working in pairs and using a criteria chart to create an NBS Challenge: Design an NBS Dance

Math: 

Multiplying Fractions; Fractions and Decimals

Multiplication Madness (Fact Practice) 

Accelerated Math (Individualized Practice)

Reading:

Bud, Not Buddy - This week the students are working on self-selected culminating projects.

Scholastic News: Main Idea and Details; Features of Diagrams

Writing:

Students will be writing an on-demand opinion piece this week based on a Scholastic News article.

Students will be writing about the theme of Bud, and describing how Christopher Paul Curtis builds to this theme.

Students are also working with partners to write instructions for their NBS dance.

Social Studies/Science:

Earth Science- Life Science: Animal Adaptations

Social Studies: Life on a California Rancho continued...

Arts:

Using the Visual Thinking Strategy to analyze art.

Classroom News for the Week of February 16th

News and Upcoming Events: 

Grade 4 Spelling Bee - We had a 28 4th grade students participate in the Bee. Congratulations to all the participants for trying their best! Special congratulations go out to our four-way tie winners:  Annie, Alyssa, Charlie, and Colt!

2/16 President's Day Holiday - School Closed

2/17 "My Favorite President" Poster due. Posters should be completed in pencil, colored pencil, and crayon. Neatness and thorough answers are required.

2/19 Science Quiz. Mrs. Paz sent study notes home Thursday 2/12. Please study a little each night.

• BOOK PROJECT DUE DATES:
• 2/27 Hard copies of typed stories are due in class
• 3/2  Hard Copies will be returned to students with my notes
• 3/6 Final revised stories due in class. Please turn in a hard copy and a copy on the flash drive.

3/6 Report Card #2 Sent Home

Room 17 is in need of the following supplies:

• Paper towels
• No. 2 Pencils
• Baby Wipes
• Swiffer duster refills
• Liquid Hand Soap   
• Kleenex

Thank you for your donations! 

Smarter Balance Testing: 

* Your child can take the Smarter Balanced Practice (SBAC) test at home.  This is a preview of the test your child will be taking later in the spring. For the real SBAC your child will take the test on an iPad with an external keyboard. At home you may use a tablet or a computer, although the tablet will allow the student to manipulate the screen in a manner closer to the actual test.

Log on using "guest" (Confirmation Code and State SSID) at SBAC Practice Test. No score is given for the practice test.

Reminders:

* Tardies - Please make sure your child is at school and in line by the 8:06 bell. We try to start the school day at 8:11 promptly. Thank you for your help!

* Please check your child's Homework Log nightly and sign or initial after the work has been completed. Remind your child that completed homework and the HW log are due in class daily. 

What's Going On This Week In Class:

Health:

Lesson Focus: Making a Character"Coat of Arms"

Math: 

Fraction Review; District Assessment; Fractions as Multiples

Multiplication Madness (Fact Practice) 

Accelerated Math (Individualized Practice)

Reading:

Bud, Not Buddy -This week we will finish the book.  We will also be looking at euphemisms in the book and discussing the author's theme. Students should be ready to take the AR quiz on Friday.

Using Depth and Complexity Icons to analyze Informational Text

Writing:

We are continuing to work on the student authored book project in class. On Wednesday, students will bring home detailed instructions for typing their book. Please review this letter carefully and contact me right away with any questions. There are several due dates associated with this project.

Mission Project: Students are finishing typing their reports.

Social Studies/Science:

Earth Science- Rocks and Minerals Quiz on Thursday

Social Studies: Life on a Rancho

Arts:

Using the Visual Thinking Strategy to analyze art.

Classroom News For the Week of February 9th

News and Upcoming Events: 

* Your child can take the Smarter Balanced Practice (SBAC) test at home.  This is a preview of the test your child will be taking later in the spring. For the real SBAC your child will take the test on an iPad with an external keyboard. At home you may use a tablet or a computer, although the tablet will allow the student to manipulate the screen in a manner closer to the actual test.

Log on using "guest" (Confirmation Code and State SSID) at SBAC Practice Test. No score is given for the practice test.


2/12 - Grade 4 Spelling Bee - Students who have chosen to participate should continue to study the word list. We will have "Bee" practice in class this week.

2/13 Valentine's Day - Students can bring valentines to pass out to their classmates (1:30- 2:00). Small treats attached to cards are fine, but please do not send cupcakes, cookies, donuts, etc. Thank you! Students brought home a class list last Thursday.

2/16 President's Day Holiday - School Closed

2/17 "My Favorite President" Poster due. There will be no other language arts homework assigned this week so that students can concentrate on their posters. Posters should be completed in pencil, colored pencil, and crayon. Neatness and thorough answers are required.

Reminders:

* Tardies - Please make sure your child is at school and in line by the 8:06 bell. We try to start the school day at 8:11 promptly. Thank you for your help!

* Please check your child's Homework Log nightly and sign or initial after the work has been completed. Remind your child that completed homework and the HW log are due in class daily. 

What's Going On This Week In Class:

Health:

Lesson Focus: Making a Character"Coat of Arms"

Math: 

Improper Fractions & Mixed Numbers; Adding & Subtracting Mixed Numbers

Multiplication Madness (Fact Practice) 

Accelerated Math (Individualized Practice)

Reading:

Bud, Not Buddy - This week we will continue to look at Author's Tools and Techniques: Foreshadowing, Flashback, Showing not Telling, Use of Vernacular Language; Figurative Language.
Students will also examine main events in the book so far.

Using Depth and Complexity Icons to analyze Informational Text

Writing:

Students have begun drafting stories for the school's annual book project.  Students will begin writing the book's  "About the Author" section.

Mission Project: Students are working in pairs to research and write about a California mission. Students are using websites and several text sources to gather information and take notes. Students will be typing their reports in the computer lab. They will also be making a simple line drawing of their mission. This project is being completed at school. Due date is 2/13.

Social Studies/Science:

Earth Science- Rocks and Minerals

Social Studies: The End of the Mission Era

Arts:

Line Drawing of Missions

Valentine's Day Sewing Project

Classroom News for the Week of February 2nd

News and Upcoming Events: 

* Your child can take the Smarter Balanced Practice (SBAC) test at home.  This is a preview of the test your child will be taking later in the spring. For the real SBAC your child will take the test on an iPad with an external keyboard. At home you may use a tablet or a computer, although the tablet will allow the student to manipulate the screen in a manner closer to the actual test.

Log on using "guest" (Confirmation Code and State SSID) at SBAC Practice Test. No score is given for the practice test.

Volunteers Needed: This Friday from 9 to 10 a.m., the students will be working on a sewing project. We need volunteers to work with small groups of students to assist in threading needles, tying knots, etc. Please email me at slc5001@lausd.net if you would like to assist us. Thank you!

2/12 - Grade 4 Spelling Bee - Students who have chosen to participate should continue to study the word list. We will have "Bee" practice in class this week.

2/13 Valentine's Day - Students can bring valentines to pass out to their classmates (1:30). Small treats attached to cards are fine, but please do not send cupcakes, cookies, donuts, etc. Thank you! Students will bring home a class list this Thursday.

2/16 President's Day Holiday - School Closed

Reminders:

* Tardies - Please make sure your child is at school and in line by the 8:06 bell. We try to start the school day at 8:11 promptly. Thank you for your help!

* Please check your child's Homework Log nightly and sign or initial after the work has been completed. Remind your child that completed homework and the HW log are due in class daily. 

What's Going On This Week In Class:

Health:

Lesson Focus: Your Character; Making Positive Self-Statements

Math: 

Improper Fractions & Mixed Numbers; Adding & Subtracting Mixed Numbers

Multiplication Madness (Fact Practice) 

Accelerated Math (Individualized Practice)

Reading:

Bud, Not Buddy - This week we will continue to look at Author's Tools and Techniques: Foreshadowing, Flashback, Showing not Telling, Use of Vernacular Language; Figurative Language.
Students will also examine main events in the book so far.

Evaluating Primary Sources

Writing:

The students will begin choosing a piece of their writing to develop for the school's annual book project. Students will also begin writing the book's dedication and "About the Author" section.

Mission Project: Students are working in pairs to research and write about a California mission. Students are using websites and several text sources to gather information and take notes. Students will be typing their reports in the computer lab. They will also be making a simple line drawing of their mission. This project is being completed at school. Due date is 2/13.

Social Studies/Science:

Earth Science- Rocks and Minerals

Social Studies: The End of the Mission Era

Arts:

Line Drawing of Missions

Valentine's Day Sewing Project