News and Upcoming Events:
9/4 Labor Day - School Closed
9/5 Students, this week we will be decorating the covers of our Writer's Workshop Notebooks in preparation for our unit opener. Please bring in quotes (handwritten or typed), photos, and drawings that inspire YOU to write. Bring them in an envelope. We will decorate on Wednesday.
Field Trip Donation: Please turn in your donation of $48 by this Friday, if possible. The $48 covers costs for buses, entrance fees, and a field trip t-shirt for your child. Checks may be made payable to Mt. Washington Elementary. In the subject line write "Field trip Donation Grade 4". Thank you!
Other Donations: If you would like to make a donation to our class (this allows me to turn in receipts for purchases I have made for the students), you can write a check to "Mt. Washington El." In the subject line write, "Donation to Room 12". Any amount is appreciated! Thank you!
Volunteer Opportunity: Mrs. Paz and I are looking for a regular volunteer who can come in anytime on Thursdays or Fridays and make copies for the following week(s). We can train you to use the copy and duplo machines. We estimate this to be a one to two hour commitment each week. If you are interested, please email me at slc5001@lausd.net. Thank you!
Birthday Celebrations: If you would like to send treats to celebrate your child's birthday, please email me a day or 2 in advance so that I can make time in our schedule for it. Treats must be something small and easy to pass out. Donuts, cookies, muffins, and mini cupcakes all work great. We currently have 30 students in our class. Your child will distribute them at the end of the day as their classmates are leaving the room.
Other Donations: If you would like to make a donation to our class (this allows me to turn in receipts for purchases I have made for the students), you can write a check to "Mt. Washington El." In the subject line write, "Donation to Room 12". Any amount is appreciated! Thank you!
Volunteer Opportunity: Mrs. Paz and I are looking for a regular volunteer who can come in anytime on Thursdays or Fridays and make copies for the following week(s). We can train you to use the copy and duplo machines. We estimate this to be a one to two hour commitment each week. If you are interested, please email me at slc5001@lausd.net. Thank you!
Birthday Celebrations: If you would like to send treats to celebrate your child's birthday, please email me a day or 2 in advance so that I can make time in our schedule for it. Treats must be something small and easy to pass out. Donuts, cookies, muffins, and mini cupcakes all work great. We currently have 30 students in our class. Your child will distribute them at the end of the day as their classmates are leaving the room.
What's Going On This Week In Class:
Math:
Rounding numbers in isolation; Problem solving using "just right" numbers
Fluency with Math Facts
Reading:
Chapters 7-9 of Katherine Peterson's Newbery-award winning book, Bridge to Terabithia (realistic fiction). Our focus will be on drawing conclusions and making inferences about characters based on their thoughts and actions and identifying plot conflicts.
We will also be reading our first issue of Scholastic News. This week we will examine non-fiction text structures with an emphasis on Problem & Solution.
Genre Blackout: Students are challenged to read books from 9 different genres in the first reporting period. Ask your child about his or her progress.
We will also be reading our first issue of Scholastic News. This week we will examine non-fiction text structures with an emphasis on Problem & Solution.
Genre Blackout: Students are challenged to read books from 9 different genres in the first reporting period. Ask your child about his or her progress.
Writing:
This week we begin our first unit of Writer's Workshop: The Arc of A Story. This unit focuses on the skills and concepts young writers needed to craft realistic fiction stories.
Spelling & Vocabulary:
This week we begin studying Greek and Latin prefixes, suffixes, and roots. This week's prefixes are sub (below, under) and trans (across, over).
Our words are:
- subway
- subject
- submerge
- subset
- subterranean
- translate
- transfer
- transform
- transparent
- transplant
Students should study both the meanings and spellings of these words. They will bring a study guide home on Tuesday. We will also complete activities and a pre-test in class to help them prepare for the quiz. The quiz will be Friday.
P.E.:
P.E. collaborative project: the Never-Before-Seen (NBS) Dance
Social Studies/ Science:
World Geography; Rock Formation and Layers
Arts:
P.E. collaborative project: the Never-Before-Seen (NBS) Dance
Social Studies/ Science:
World Geography; Rock Formation and Layers
Arts:
Drama with Ms. Beret on Wednesday- Performing Pantomime Plays. Giving and receiving critical feedback.
Visual Arts- Students will be introduced to the Visual Thinking Strategy (VTS). This is a way to look, think, and critically discuss media.
Visual Arts- Students will be introduced to the Visual Thinking Strategy (VTS). This is a way to look, think, and critically discuss media.
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!
Homework:
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.
