Don't Forget

Please do not forget that Book-it is due on December 2, including one book review.

Today we finished working on our "Mountain" posters, took a spelling test, and spent a little bit of time recopying Three Branches of Government essay.

Students will not be coming to language arts class tomorrow due to the half day of school.  Have a great Thanksgiving Holiday!  See you at Conferences!

Spelling Test

Our spelling test will be on Thursday (tomorrow) since we have early dismissal on Friday.  Our spelling test focuses on the prefixes un, non, and re.

Today students worked on their "Mountain" assessment.  They started a poster that identified and provided examples of at least three of the four mountain types.  Reading books were used for reference and spelling.

Book-it is due right after the Thanksgiving break, on December 2nd.  A neatly completed book review is also part of the requirement.

Please let me know if you have any report card questions.  Although you may not have scheduled a conference time with me, please know that you can email at any time with questions or concerns.  I'm happy to speak with you by phone as well; just send a message letting me know the best time and number to reach you.

Mountains

Today we read the Semour Simon story, "Mountains."  Students should reread this story again for homework (and count it toward Book-it).  The purple story sheet is due tomorrow with a parent's signature.  Tomorrow's story test will be for students to create an informational poster about mountains.  Please see the guideline sheet in your child's folder tonight.  This poster will be created in school.  The poster is not a homework assignment.

Spelling Test THURSDAY

Due to the half day early dismissal (10:30) on Friday, we will be taking our spelling test over the Unit 12 words on THURSDAY.  These words all contain suffixes.  (re = again/ un = opposite of/ non = not)

Book-it is also due right after the Thanksgiving break.  A book review is also due with the calendar. Book reviews can be short and simple, but they should be neat and of good quality.  Pen is not allowed in fourth grade.

Today we spent a good part of our time recopying our Three Branches of Government essay in to final format.

Tomorrow we will be reading a very scientific story about mountains.

Book-it and Book Fair

Keep reading for November Book-it!

Just a reminder that the Book Fair starts on Monday.  Mrs. Danforth's homeroom will attend from 9:15-9:45, Mrs. Hickey's homeroom will attend from 10:15-10:45, and Mrs. Rick's homeroom will attend from 12:15-12:45.

Spelling Test Tomorrow

Today we worked on writing a short descriptive Thanksgiving paragraph.  Don't forget that our spelling test is tomorrow, and Book-it is due at the end of the month (December 2).

Story Assessment

Today we took or comprehension and vocabulary assessment over "Mimicry and Camouflage."  Please remember that students should record their at-home reading on their Book-it log, which is due on December 2nd.

There is a spelling test on Friday over our Vowel/Consonant/Vowel pattern words.

Mimicry and Camouflage

Today we read about animals and plants that use adaptations called mimicry and camouflage to survive. This story is found in the reading book and should be reread for homework.  Students should also be familiar with the vocabulary words found on pages 284-285.  Please remember that the book can be found online from home.

Here's one link to the story text online (Theme 3/Lesson1):

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

We also went over the unit 11 spelling words for Friday's test.  They are VCV (vowel/consonant/vowel) words.

Government Essay

This week we are taking a break from our reading book and spelling.  We are using the week to focus on grammar and writing skills.  Today we worked on our ending paragraph for an expository essay about the three branches of government.  Each day we read several fact books about the government.  We are also working on simple, complex, and compound sentences.

Just a reminder that Book-it is a homework requirement in class.  November calendars and one book review are due at the end of the month.

Judicial Branch of Government

This week we are taking a break from our reading book and spelling.  We are using the week to focus on grammar and writing skills.  Today we worked on our judicial paragraph for an expository essay about the three branches of government.  Each day we read several fact books about the government.  We are also working on simple, complex, and compound sentences.

Just a reminder that Book-it is a homework requirement in class.  November calendars and one book review are due at the end of the month.

Executive Branch of Government

This week we are taking a break from our reading book and spelling.  We are using the week to focus on grammar and writing skills.  Today we worked on our executive paragraph for an expository essay about the three branches of government.  Each day we read several fact books about the government.  We are also working on simple, complex, and compound sentences.

Just a reminder that Book-it is a homework requirement in class.  November calendars and one book review are due at the end of the month.

Expository Essay

This week we are taking a break from our reading book and spelling.  We are using the week to focus on grammar and writing skills.  Today we worked on our legislative paragraph for an expository essay about the three branches of government.  We are also working on simple, complex, and compound sentences.

Just a reminder that Book-it is a homework requirement in class.  November calendars and one book review are due at the end of the month.

Three Branches of Government

This week we are taking a break from our reading book and spelling.  We are using the week to focus on grammar and writing skills.  Today we worked on our introductory paragraph for an expository essay about the three branches of government.  We are also working on independent and dependent clauses, as well as complex sentences.

Just a reminder that Book-it is a homework requirement in class.  November calendars and one book review are due at the end of the month.

November Book-it

New Book-it calendars were distributed today for the month of November.  Students are required to read for 4 hours per month.  Students should also complete one neat, carefully done book review to be turned in at the end of the month as well.  Students should not use pen on this assignment.

There will be NO spelling test next week, but it's a good time to get a jump on the spelling list for the following week.  Refer to the list in their Friday packet ("Danforth's Jungle") There will be NO Tuesday reading story either.  We are using the week to work on expository essay writing and to "catch up" on some grammar skills.