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