BOOOO-K-it!

Boo!  October Book-it is due on Friday.  I have been reminding the students to try their best to hand in Book-it before Halloween so that they don't need to worry about completing homework when they can be Trick-or-Treating!

There is a review spelling test on Friday.

Emerald's Eggs

Today we read the Readers' Theater selection "Emerald's Eggs."  Students enjoyed learning about the different kinds of sea turtles.   Students are expected to reread the story for homework.  Please remember to count this toward Book-it.  Calendars are due on Friday along with one book review.

Spelling Review & Emerald's Eggs

This week will be a spelling review unit.  There will be a test on Friday over 20 of the words that have been practiced previously.  Book-it is also due on Friday.  I've encouraged the students to finish October Book-it prior to Halloween, as no one wants to be left completing homework while their friends are out Trick-or-Treating.

We will be reading Emerald's Eggs on Tuesday.  NEXT week we are going to take a break from BOTH reading AND spelling so that we can focus on expository essay writing and use the time to catch up on some grammar and study skills.

A new Book-it calendar for November will be sent home on Friday.

Story Assessment

Today we took our story assessment over "Weaving a California Tradition."  I'm really pleased with the way that students are using and understanding our "Robust Vocabulary" words with each story.

Tomorrow we will be taking the second part of the Discovery Education Reading Practice Test in the computer lab.  This is a test that helps me to see what areas are strengths and weaknesses in our language arts classroom.  It helps me to be a better teacher for your child by tailoring instruction to our classroom needs.  It does not count "for a grade."

Please continue to read for Book-it and prepare for Friday's spelling test.

Story Link

Today's story, "Weaving a California Tradition," was a little longer and more difficult than recent selections.  Here's a quick link to the ebook version of this story, but you will need to click on Theme 2, Lesson 9.

https://www-k6.thinkcentral.com/content/hsp/reading/storytown/na/gr4/se_9780153597763_/grade4/shell.html?grade=4

VCCCV Spelling Words

Our spelling list today has a vowel-consonant-consonant-consonant-vowel pattern (VCCCV).  There are some challenging words on this list; please set aside some time to practice at home.

Tomorrow we will be reading a story about a basket weaving tradition taking place in California. Remember that the nightly reading story can count toward Book-it, which is due at the end of the month.

Students also have a fun poem to practice at home for fluency.

Tomorrow is Neon Day -- "Be Bright, Make Good Decisions."

Keep Reading!

Please continue to read for Book-it, and please take a look at the spelling words listed in "Danforth's Jungle" for next week.

Field Trip Tomorrow

Our spelling test is tomorrow, and Book-it is due at the end of the month.  Tomorrow is also our field trip.  We will have a fun, busy day.

Cyber Piggies

Today we read "Three Little Cyber Pigs" and discussed many internet safety tips.  Please do take a moment to review these important safety guidelines at home.  Students should re-read the story again at home for fluency and return their story sheet.  We also went over the spelling list for the week.  The words are again VCCV patterns (Vowel/Consonant/Consonant/Vowel).  Our spelling test will still be on Friday, even though Friday is also our field trip.  

Keep Reading!

Keep reading for Book-it, and you can get a head start studying next week's spelling words that were on your Friday newsletter.

Keep Reading!

Keep reading for Book-it and preparing for tomorrow's spelling test.  Today we learned a bit more about the jobs of a cowboy (or cowgirl!)

Spelling & Book-it

Today we reviewed "Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World" and took our comprehension and vocabulary assessment over the selection.  We reviewed the requirements for Book-it, which are 4 hours of reading during the month, plus a short book review to be handed in when Book-it is completed.  Our spelling test over VCCV (vowel/consonant/consonant/vowel) words is on Friday. Continued practice reading out loud helps with fluency.  Students have a "Breakfast" passage in their folder that would be great to practice reading aloud.

Bonus assignment: Students can bring in an easy recipe to present to the class.  They will NOT be "making" the recipe, but volunteers will read their recipe aloud in order to practice fluency and sequence.

Justin & the Best Biscuits in Town

Please help your child reread our story, "Justin and the Best Biscuits in Town." This can (and should!) count for Book-it.  Our story assessment tomorrow will include comprehension and vocabulary.  Don't forget about Friday's spelling test.

Reading for Fluency

Students have a passage in their folder that is "just for practice."  Reading and rereading a story can help a child with confidence and fluency.  I will pass out a poem or short story to be used for practice each week.  The story can be read at home, and volunteers will be accepted to read it aloud in class at the end of the week.

Keep reading for Book-it, and don't forget there is a short book review due at the end of the month. Spelling words are VCCV (Vowel/Consonant/Consonant/Vowel) patterns.

Keep Reading

Please keep reading for Book-it.  Calendars and one book review are due at the end of each month.

Spelling Test & Book-It

Tomorrow will be our unit 6 spelling test.  Please also keep reading for Book-it!  Today we worked on learning about compound subjects and predicates.

On the Banks of Plum Creek

Today we read a selection from the Laura Ingalls Wilder story, "On the Banks of Plum Creek."  The class also received a Book-it calendar for the month of October.  Rereading this story tonight can also count toward the Book-it requirement of reading 4 hours for the entire month.  This can be divided into 1 hour per week or 15 minutes per night 4 times each week.  Tomorrow we will have a story test over the vocabulary and comprehension.  We will also have a visit from the Robert Crown Center tomorrow, and tomorrow is Picture Day!