Classroom News for the Week of February 22nd

News and Upcoming Events:

• Congratulations to all the Spelling Bee Participants! We had forty 4th graders participate. Kudos to room 12 winners: Sumi, Lucia, and Jimmy!
• Thank you to Renee and all the volunteers for making last Tuesday's Garden Feast happen! The students loved the fresh lettuces and sweet carrots.
• Thank you for all the donations of paper towels and cleaning cloths!
• 2/24 The science quiz will be on Wednesday (not Tuesday). Please study your notes.
• Student authored Book Project 2/25 -3/3 Students will be typing their tall tale stories at home in place of language arts homework. Typed stories will be due on March 4. Now is a good time to make sure your printer has ink, is working, etc. A detailed instruction letter will be sent home this week. Please be sure to read it and email me with any questions.
• 3/3 Wolf Pack Run
• 3/4 Report Card #2 will be sent home
  

What's Going On This Week In Class:

Math:

Math- Fractions - Using an area model and division to show equivalence; Reasoning- using benchmarks to compare fractions

Accelerated Math (Self-paced practice)

Multiplication Madness (Fact Practice) 

Reading:

 Reading in Science: Electricity and Magnetism

"Genre Genius" for the 2nd reporting period.

Writing:

Great Depression Inquiry Project continues. Projects are due March 4th. All work is done in class, but please talk with your child about his/her topic selection and progress.

Drafting original tall tales for the student authored book project continues...

Social Studies/Science:

SS: California Statehood & The Beginning of the Gold Rush
Science: End of unit quiz; Life Science unit begins

Visual Arts:

Creating captivating book covers for the student authored book project.

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.

Classroom News for the Week of February 8th

News and Upcoming Events:

• Orchestra is on Monday- Don't forget your instrument.
• Friday, February 12 - Valentine's Day Celebration 1:30 pm Students may bring valentines for their classmates. They will bring home a class list on Monday for those who want to personalize their cards. Students may attach small treats to their valentines, but please do not send any additional cupcakes, cookies, donuts, etc. Thank you!
• Thursday, February 11- Students entering the Fairy Tale contest - bring any part of your draft on Thursday to get feedback.
• Thursday, February 18 - Grade 4 Spelling Bee. 
• * Please view the following link to donate items for the upcoming  Design Challenge. Mission Solar System SignUp!

What's Going On This Week In Class:

Math:

Math- Fractions - Decomposing fractions; Using an area model to show equivalence

Accelerated Math (Self-paced practice)

Multiplication Madness (Fact Practice) 

Reading:

Chapters 17-19 of Bud, Not Buddy; Exploring Theme; Music of the era

Figurative language review: Metaphor, simile, hyperbole, personification

Characteristics of Tall Tales - We will be reading "Sally Ann Thunderstorm", "Pecos Bill", and "Paul Bunyan".

 "Genre Genius" for the 2nd reporting period.

Writing:

Student Inquiry Project continues: Taking notes, Sharing and discussing information in small groups

Writing original tall tales

Social Studies/Science:

California Statehood/ "Edison and Light"

Visual Art:

Creating the illusion of space through overlapping shapes and placement on the page.

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.

Classroom News for the Week of February 1

News and Upcoming Events:

• Orchestra is on Monday- Don't forget your instrument.
• Wednesday, February 3 Global Day of Play. Please see flyer coming home on Monday for details. No HW on Wednesday - Have fun and play!
• Thursday, February 4 Family Math Night 6:00 MPR. "No HW" passes to attendees.
• Thursday, February 18 - Grade 4 Spelling Bee. Study list will be sent home on Monday. 

* Please view the following link to donate items for the upcoming  Design Challenge. Mission Solar System SignUp!

What's Going On This Week In Class:

Math:

Math- Fractions - Unit fractions; Representing fractions as a whole number x a unit fraction

Accelerated Math (Self-paced practice)

Multiplication Madness (Fact Practice) 

Reading:

Chapters 13- 16 of Bud, Not Buddy; Analysis of author's use of "Show, Not Tell", Using text evidence to support conclusions. 

Figurative language review: Metaphor, simile, hyperbole, personification

Characteristics of Tall Tales - We will be reading "Sally Ann Thunderstorm", "Pecos Bill", and "Paul Bunyan".

 "Genre Genius" for the 2nd reporting period.

Writing:

Student Inquiry Project: Taking notes, Sharing and discussing information in small groups

Brainstorming characters for original Tall Tales

Social Studies/Science:

California Statehood/ "Edison and Light"

Visual Art:

Creating the illusion of space through overlapping shapes and placement on the page.

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.

Classroom News for January 25th

News and Upcoming Events:

• Orchestra is on Monday- Don't forget your instrument.
• 1/28 Field Trip to JPL - All chaperone spots are filled. Students should eat a large breakfast this days there may not be time for snack on the tour. We will be back at school for lunch at approximately 12:45. All students should bring a lunch from home (we will not be able to have cafeteria service) and a small snack. Don't forget to wear your trip T-shirt!
• 1/29 Showing of "Akeelah and the Bee"; please send back parent permission slips asap.

* Please view the following link to donate items for the upcoming  Design Challenge. Mission Solar System SignUp!

What's Going On This Week In Class:

Math:

Math- Multiplying 2 digit by 2 digit numbers.

Accelerated Math (self-paced practice)

Multiplication Madness (Fact Practice) 

Reading:

Chapters 8-12 of Bud, Not Buddy; Analysis of author's use of "Show, Not Tell", Using text evidence to support conclusions. Students will view a portion of the PBS film "Riding the Rails" to learn about train hopping during the Great Depression.

Figurative language review: Metaphor, simile, hyperbole, personification

 "Genre Genius" for the 2nd reporting period.

Writing:

We will be starting a research & project unit based on students' interests. This week: Using Inquiry charts (I-Charts)  to develop research questions.

Students continue typing their persuasive essays in the computer lab - creating subheadings, inserting relevant graphics, and creating text boxes.

Social Studies/Science:

California Statehood

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.

Classroom News for the Week of January 18

News and Upcoming Events:

• 1/18 MLK Holiday
• 1/22 Field Trip to Leonis Adobe Rancho - 1 chaperone spot available. Please email me if you would like to attend. This is an all day trip (8:30-2:30) and you would need to drive/carpool to the museum (located in Calabasas).
• 1/28 Field Trip to JPL - All chaperone spots are filled.

* Please view the following link to donate items for the upcoming  Design Challenge. Mission Solar System SignUp!

What's Going On This Week In Class:

Math:

Math- Interpreting division word problems; Multiplying 2 digit by 2 digit numbers.

Accelerated Math (self-paced practice)

Multiplication Madness (Fact Practice) 

Reading:

Chapters 4 -8 of Bud, Not Buddy; Analysis of author's use of "Show, Not Tell", Using text evidence to support conclusions.

 "Genre Genius" for the 2nd reporting period.

Spelling & Vocabulary:

Due to the short week and field trip on Friday, there will be no vocabulary words this week.

Writing:

Using VTS (Visual Thinking Strategy) to think about images from the New York Times. Writing captions to images.

Students continue typing their persuasive essays in the computer lab - creating subheadings, inserting relevant graphics, and creating text boxes.

Second Step/Health:

"Showing Compassion": There will be a short family exercise on Thursday night to complete this lesson. Please help your child complete it, and sign off on the sheet.

Arts:

Warm and Cool Color Collage


Social Studies/Science:

Field Trip to Leonis Adobe Museum to learn about daily life in the Rancho Period. 
http://www.leonisadobemuseum.org

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.

Classroom News for the Week of January 11th

News and Upcoming Events:

• Reminder- Bring your instruments every Monday.
• 1/14 California Mission Project due. 
• 1/18 MLK Holiday
• 1/22 Field Trip to Leonis Adobe Rancho
• 1/28 Field Trip to JPL

Please click on the link to view my Amazon wish list.Ms. Convey's Amazon Wish List

What's Going On This Week In Class:

Math:

Math- Wrap-up and review of long division, factors & multiples, prime and composite. There will be a short quiz on Friday

Accelerated Math (self-paced practice)

Multiplication Madness (Fact Practice) 

Reading:

This week we will be reading biographical texts about Mahatma Ghandi,  Dr. King, and Rosa Parks to help understand the Modern Civil Rights Movement.

We will begin reading a new historical fiction novel: Bud, Not Buddy. This is a Newbery Award winning novel about a boy's search for family during the Great Depression. Students will be assigned their own copy of the book. Please make sure your child takes good care of the book and has it each day at school. Talk with your child about what we are reading.

 "Genre Genius" for the 2nd reporting period.

Spelling & Vocabulary:

Writing:

Using VTS (Visual Thinking Strategy) to think about images from the New York Times. Writing captions to images.

Students continue typing their persuasive essays in the computer lab - creating subheadings, inserting relevant graphics, and creating text boxes.

Second Step/Health:

"Showing Compassion": There will be a short family exercise on Thursday night to complete this lesson. Please help your child complete it, and sign off on the sheet.

Arts:

Warm and Cool Color Collage


Social Studies/Science:

Social Studies: The Rancho Period

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.