Mangrove Wilderness

We also read Mangrove Wilderness on pages 629-645 in our Storytown book.    The mangrove is a very special tree that grows in salt water.  Students will be rereading this for tonight's homework assignment. We also completed a vocabulary workbook page.
Here's a link to the online book:  eBook
Here's a brief video about the mangrove tree:  http://video.pbs.org/video/2365052043/

Everglades Video

March Book-it forms (Optional) should be turned in prior to Spring Break.

We had our Chapter 6 Social Studies test today.  Students were allowed to reference their books (but not their study packets) during the test, so I do expect to see very good grades.  Our next Social Studies unit will be over the Midwest, so students can get a head start on learning these states, capitals, and the names of the Great Lakes.

States and Capitals Puzzle

Tour the States Video  (This is a huge classroom favorite)

Our spelling unit this week is a review.  Our test is on THURSDAY.  
Spelling Lists

Field Trip slips were sent home for the Earth Day Movie.

T-Shirt order forms were sent home last week for the after school "Walk for a Cure" event in May.

Fourth Graders will have "Pioneer Day" the Wednesday that we return from break.  This is an educational in-school "field trip" at no cost (partially funded by the PTO -- Thank you, PTO!).

Social Studies Test Tomorrow

Tomorrow is our "Growing Up" presentation.  Refusal slips were sent home early last week.

Field Trip slips were sent home for the Earth Day Movie.

T-Shirt order forms were sent home last week for the after school "Walk for a Cure" event in May.

Today students had a special Wheelchair Basketball presentation.  There is an activity tomorrow night at Oakview School that students are invited to attend.

We will be having our Chapter 6 Social Studies test tomorrow.  This test is over the Southeast region. Students WILL be allowed to reference their books (but not their study packets) during the test, so I do expect to see very good grades.  A study packet was sent home on Friday.  Our next Social Studies unit will be over the Midwest, so students can get a head start on learning these states, capitals, and the names of the Great Lakes.

States and Capitals Puzzle

Tour the States Video  (This is a huge classroom favorite)

Our spelling unit this week is a review.  We completed Practice Workbook pages 99-100 to prepare for our test on THURSDAY.

Spelling Lists

We also started to read Mangrove Wilderness on pages 629-645 in our Storytown book.  We started the story early since it ties i well with our learning about the Everglades in the Southeast region.  The mangrove is a very special tree that grows in salt water.  Students will be rereading this for Tuesday's homework assignment.
Here's a link to the online book:  eBook
Here's a brief video about the mangrove tree:  http://video.pbs.org/video/2365052043/

PARCC Testing Day 5 - DONE!

For students who have been present all week, we have completed PARCC testing!   All fourth grade students took Math Test 2 today!

We will have a Southeast (Chapter 6) Social Studies test on TUESDAY, March 31.

Tour the States (video & song)

Tour the World (video & song)

We will have a spelling test on THURSDAY, April 2.  This is a review unit that we can finish before Spring Break.  Newsletters being sent home have the spelling words on the back.  

Spelling Lists

PARCC Test Day 4

We continued our morning with PARCC today.  All fourth grade students took Math Test 1.  Tomorrow we will finish with Math Test 2.  

We will have a Southeast (Chapter 6) Social Studies test on TUESDAY, March 31.

Tour the States (video & song)

Tour the World (video & song)

We will NOT have a spelling test until next week, but we will have a test on THURSDAY, April 2, as this is a review unit that we can finish before Spring Break.

PARCC Testing Day 3

We continued our morning with PARCC today.  All fourth grade students took Language Arts Test 3.  Tomorrow begins our Math tests.  Students worked hard today!

In social studies we completed Social Studies pages 213-214.   We will have a Southeast (Chapter 6) Social Studies test on TUESDAY, March 31.

Tour the States (video & song)

Tour the World (video & song)

We will NOT have a spelling test until next week, but we will have a test on THURSDAY, April 2, as this is a review unit that we can finish before Spring Break.

PARCC Testing Day 2

We continued our morning with PARCC today.  All fourth grade students took Language Arts Test 2.

In social studies we completed reading pages 206-211 about the Culture of the Southeast and took our section "Quiz."  We will have a Southeast (Chapter 6) Social Studies test on Tuesday, March 31.

Tour the States (video & song)

Tour the World (video & song)

We will NOT have a spelling test until next week. 

We worked on designing our own insects as we continue an insect unit from The Cricket in Times Square.

There will be no homework in my classes this week, as we are trying to keep things light and fun for the rest of the day after working hard on tests.  If students have extra time at home, they can do my favorite thing...READ!

PARCC Testing - Day 1

We started our morning with PARCC today.  All fourth grade students took Language Arts Test 1.

In social studies we started to read pages 206-211 about the Culture of the Southeast.

We will NOT have a spelling test until next week.

We worked on designing our own insects as we continue an insect unit from The Cricket in Times Square.

There will be no homework in my classes this week, as we are trying to keep things light and fun for the rest of the day after working hard on tests.  If students have extra time at home, they can do my favorite thing...READ!

Insect Research

Today we worked on writing very short insect research projects.  We worked to paraphrase rather than plagiarize information.  We focused on using a topic and ending sentence, as well as support statements to teach factual information.  

We took our spelling test.  New words are being sent home today, but there is NO SPELLING TEST next week. 

Monday will begin our PARCC tests.   Please see the PARCC example test (link on bottom of this page) to view sample test questions.  We have also been working on how to write (and type) our extended response essay on to the PARCC test format.  Students are not to worry about this test.  They are prepared and will do well.  I simply ask that they try to do their best by reading the material carefully and not rushing to finish.   

PARCC PRACTICE TEST

Spelling, Grammar, and Insects!

Today we practiced for our spelling test tomorrow and completed workbook pages 97 &  98. It is important to study the base word of each spelling word.  This will make the test much easier.

We practiced our grammar skill of linking and action verbs as we completed Grammar workbook page 77.

We also did a little "Insect Research" today in order to practice how to write a short report for the PARCC test.  Crickets (like Chester in "A Cricket in Times Square") are just one of many insects.  Insects have a head, thorax, and abdomen.  

What is an Insect?

Forms have been sent home for our "Growing Up" presentation at the end of the month.  Only refusal forms need to be sent back to school.

We read about the land and resources of the Southeast, and today we read pages 200-205 in our books.  After each lesson we take a mini-quiz to help us be prepared when test day rolls around.

On the upcoming PARCC test, it seems that students will be asked to write (type) an essay comparing the themes of two selections.  Please see the PARCC example test (link on bottom of this page) to view sample test questions.  We have also been working on how to write (and type) our extended response essay on to the PARCC test format.  Students are not to worry about this test.  They are prepared and will do well.  I simply ask that they try to do their best by reading the material carefully and not rushing to finish.   

PARCC testing begins on Monday, March 23.  

IF STUDENTS PRACTICE THE PARCC TEST ON THE COMPUTER AT HOME, I HAVE PROMISED THEM A TRIP TO THE "PRIZE BOX" IF THEY BRING IN A SIGNED NOT VERIFYING THAT THEY DID TRY THE TEST AT HOME.  

PARCC PRACTICE TEST

Cricket in Times Square Test

Cricket in Times Square

Today we took our vocabulary and comprehension test over "The Cricket in Times Square" on pages 600-617 in our Storytown book.
Here's the eBook link.

eBook

Cricket in Times Square Video (2 min.)

Cricket in Times Square Cartoon (25 min.)

We are reading about the land and resources of the Southeast, and today we read pages 200-205 in our books.  After each lesson we take a mini-quiz to help us be prepared when test day rolls around.

Forms have been sent home for our "Growing Up" presentation at the end of the month.  Only refusal forms need to be sent back to school.

On the upcoming PARCC test, it seems that students will be asked to write (type) an essay comparing the themes of two selections.  Please see the PARCC example test (link on bottom of this page) to view sample test questions.  We have also been working on how to write (and type) our extended response essay on to the PARCC test format.  Students are not to worry about this test.  They are prepared and will do well.  I simply ask that they try to do their best by reading the material carefully and not rushing to finish.   

PARCC testing begins on Monday, March 23.  

IF STUDENTS PRACTICE THE PARCC TEST ON THE COMPUTER AT HOME, I HAVE PROMISED THEM A TRIP TO THE "PRIZE BOX" IF THEY BRING IN A SIGNED NOT VERIFYING THAT THEY DID TRY THE TEST AT HOME.  

PARCC PRACTICE TEST

Cricket in Times Square

Today we read "The Cricket in Times Square" on pages 600-617
in our Storytown book. We also completed the Robust Vocabulary workbook page 132 in our Practice  workbooks.  Our story test will be tomorrow.

Here's the eBook link.

eBook

Cricket in Times Square Video (2 min.)

Cricket in Times Square Cartoon (25 min.)

On the upcoming PARCC test, it seems that students will be asked to write (type) an essay comparing the themes of two selections.  Please see the PARCC example test (link on bottom of this page) to view sample test questions.  We have also been working on how to write (and type) our extended response essay on to the PARCC test format.  Students are not to worry about this test.  They are prepared and will do well.  I simply ask that they try to do their best by reading the material carefully and not rushing to finish.   

PARCC testing begins on Monday, March 23.  

IF STUDENTS PRACTICE THE PARCC TEST ON THE COMPUTER AT HOME, I HAVE PROMISED THEM A TRIP TO THE "PRIZE BOX" IF THEY BRING IN A SIGNED NOT VERIFYING THAT THEY DID TRY THE TEST AT HOME.  

PARCC PRACTICE TEST

Students WILL need headphones for our March PARCC test, the week of March 23.  You can look at at examples of the PARCC test that we will be taking at the end of March.  You can find PARCC examples and games under the Nelson Ridge Essential Links.  This test will be very important and challenging for our students.

Spelling and Grammar

Spelling tests from last week were not the greatest.  Please continue to review any misspelled words as they will reappear on future spelling tests.  This week's test is much easier to study, as the base words are fairly simple.  Students have an index card that lists the base words to study.  Adding suffixes to the base word should simplify the learning.  

Spelling Lists

We completed Spelling workbook pages 95-96 to practice.

In grammar we reviewed subject and object pronouns, adjectives, and the proper use of good/better/best and bad/worse/worst.  We completed Grammar workbook pages 59, 64, 67, and 68 for practice.  

We also read Chapter 6, Section 2 in Social Studies and learned about hurricanes and floods in the Southeast, including building levees and sand walls. After reading, we used our books to take the Section 2 Social Studies Quiz.

We worked a bit further to learn about Theme, or the message in a story.  Here's a link to a quick video explaining Theme:

Theme Video

(Longer) Theme Video for Instruction

Find the Theme

On the upcoming PARCC test, it seems that students will be asked to write (type) an essay comparing the themes of two selections.  Please see the PARCC example test (link on bottom of this page) to view sample test questions.  We have also been working on how to write (and type) our extended response essay on to the PARCC test format.  Students are not to worry about this test.  They are prepared and will do well.  I simply ask that they try to do their best by reading the material carefully and not rushing to finish.   

PARCC testing begins on Monday, March 23.  

IF STUDENTS PRACTICE THE PARCC TEST ON THE COMPUTER AT HOME, I HAVE PROMISED THEM A TRIP TO THE "PRIZE BOX" IF THEY BRING IN A SIGNED NOT VERIFYING THAT THEY DID TRY THE TEST AT HOME.  

PARCC PRACTICE TEST

Students WILL need headphones for our March PARCC test, the week of March 23.  You can look at at examples of the PARCC test that we will be taking at the end of March.  You can find PARCC examples and games under the Nelson Ridge Essential Links.  This test will be very important and challenging for our students.

Theme

We worked to learn about Theme, or the message in a story.  Here's a link to a quick video explaining Theme:

Theme Video

(Longer) Theme Video for Instruction

Find the Theme

What is Theme?

On the upcoming PARCC test, it seems that students will be asked to write (type) an essay comparing the themes of two selections.  Please see the PARCC example test (link on bottom of this page) to view sample test questions.  We have also been working on how to write (and type) our extended response essay on to the PARCC test format.  Students are not to worry about this test.  They are prepared and will do well.  I simply ask that they try to do their best by reading the material carefully and not rushing to finish.   

PARCC testing begins on Monday, March 23.  

IF STUDENTS PRACTICE THE PARCC TEST ON THE COMPUTER AT HOME, I HAVE PROMISED THEM A TRIP TO THE "PRIZE BOX" IF THEY BRING IN A SIGNED NOT VERIFYING THAT THEY DID TRY THE TEST AT HOME.  

PARCC PRACTICE TEST

Students WILL need headphones for our March PARCC test, the week of March 23.  You can look at at examples of the PARCC test that we will be taking at the end of March.  You can find PARCC examples and games under the Nelson Ridge Essential Links.  This test will be very important and challenging for our students.

Theme in a Story

We worked to learn about Theme, or the message in a story.  Here's a link to a quick video explaining Theme:

Theme Video

(Longer) Theme Video for Instruction

On the upcoming PARCC test, it seems that students will be asked to write (type) an essay comparing the themes of two selections.  Please see the PARCC example test (link on bottom of this page) to view sample test questions.  We have also been working on how to write (and type) our extended response essay on to the PARCC test format.  Students are not to worry about this test.  They are prepared and will do well.  I simply ask that they try to do their best by reading the material carefully and not rushing to finish.  

We did take our States and Capitals of the Southeast test today.  

We read pages 180-185 in our Social Studies book, about the Southeast region.

States and Capitals Puzzle

Tour the States Video  (This is a huge classroom favorite)

This week's spelling list is a tough one!  Students will need to study at home.  Today we did some word search practice to help group the words into endings (-ition, -ation, -al).

Spelling Lists

 

PARCC testing begins on Monday, March 23.  

IF STUDENTS PRACTICE THE PARCC TEST ON THE COMPUTER AT HOME, I HAVE PROMISED THEM A TRIP TO THE "PRIZE BOX" IF THEY BRING IN A SIGNED NOT VERIFYING THAT THEY DID TRY THE TEST AT HOME.  

PARCC PRACTICE TEST

Students WILL need headphones for our March PARCC test, the week of March 23.  You can look at at examples of the PARCC test that we will be taking at the end of March.  You can find PARCC examples and games under the Nelson Ridge Essential Links.  This test will be very important and challenging for our students.  Here are 4th grade LANGUAGE ARTS PARCC GAMES:

States and Capitals - Southeast - Test Tomorrow

My Diary From There to Here

Today we took a story vocabulary, comprehension, and written response essay over  "My Diary From There to Here" from our Storytown reader, pages 574-592.  

This week's spelling list is a tough one!  Students will need to study at home.

Spelling Lists

We are learning the states and capitals of the Southeast.  We will have a test over this region on THURSDAY.  Here's a puzzle game your child can play at home to help them learn.  Be sure to click on the map of the Southeast if you are making the map specific to this area. 

We read pages 180-185 in our Social Studies book, about the Southeast region.
States and Capitals Puzzle

Tour the States Video  (This is a huge classroom favorite)

PARCC testing begins on Monday, March 23.  

IF STUDENTS PRACTICE THE PARCC TEST ON THE COMPUTER AT HOME, I HAVE PROMISED THEM A TRIP TO THE "PRIZE BOX" IF THEY BRING IN A SIGNED NOT VERIFYING THAT THEY DID TRY THE TEST AT HOME.  

PARCC PRACTICE TEST

Students WILL need headphones for our March PARCC test, the week of March 23.  You can look at at examples of the PARCC test that we will be taking at the end of March.  You can find PARCC examples and games under the Nelson Ridge Essential Links.  This test will be very important and challenging for our students.  Here are 4th grade LANGUAGE ARTS PARCC GAMES:

PARCC 4th Grade LANGUAGE ARTS GAMES

My Diary From There to Here

Today we read "My Diary From There to Here" in our Storytown reader, pages 574-592.  Students are to reread for homework.  Here's the link:
eBook

We also completed vocabulary practice from pages 127 in our Practice workbook.  The story comprehension and vocabulary test will be tomorrow.

This week's spelling list is a tough one!  Students will need to study at home.

Spelling Lists

We are learning the states and capitals of the Southeast.  We will have a test over this region on THURSDAY.  Here's a puzzle game your child can play at home to help them learn.  Be sure to click on the map of the Southeast if you are making the map specific to this area. 

States and Capitals Puzzle

Tour the States Video  (This is a huge classroom favorite)

PARCC testing begins on Monday, March 23.  

IF STUDENTS PRACTICE THE PARCC TEST ON THE COMPUTER AT HOME, I HAVE PROMISED THEM A TRIP TO THE "PRIZE BOX" IF THEY BRING IN A SIGNED NOT VERIFYING THAT THEY DID TRY THE TEST AT HOME.  

PARCC PRACTICE TEST

Students WILL need headphones for our March PARCC test, the week of March 23.  You can look at at examples of the PARCC test that we will be taking at the end of March.  You can find PARCC examples and games under the Nelson Ridge Essential Links.  This test will be very important and challenging for our students.  Here are 4th grade LANGUAGE ARTS PARCC GAMES:

PARCC 4th Grade LANGUAGE ARTS GAMES

Figurative language has been difficult for our class.  We are continuing to work on different types of figurative language.   Figurative language includes similes, metaphors, personification, onomatopoeia, alliteration, and idioms.  See the link below for examples of each. 

Figurative Language - definitions and examples

Figurative Language Games

Idioms for Kids

EXTRA CREDIT:

Students are welcome to research and create a dog breed poster or report to present or display in the classroom.  We've already seen some exciting samples on display.  It is fantastic to see the students motivated and asking to do research on this topic.  Students who are interested in a specific topic are always welcome to ask for assistance or materials in getting a research project started.  

Here's my favorite sites to use for this research:

www.enchantedlearning.com
http://www.dogchannel.com

Spelling -ation, -ition, -al, -ial

Scholastic Book orders are due March 11. 

This week's spelling list is a tough one!  Students will need to study at home.

Spelling Lists

We are learning the states and capitals of the Southeast.  We will have a test over this region on THURSDAY.  Here's a puzzle game your child can play at home to help them learn.  Be sure to click on the map of the Southeast if you are making the map specific to this area. 

States and Capitals Puzzle

Tour the States Video  (This is a huge classroom favorite)

PARCC TESTING:

PARCC testing begins on Monday, March 23.  

IF STUDENTS PRACTICE THE PARCC TEST ON THE COMPUTER AT HOME, I HAVE PROMISED THEM A TRIP TO THE "PRIZE BOX" IF THEY BRING IN A SIGNED NOT VERIFYING THAT THEY DID TRY THE TEST AT HOME.  

PARCC PRACTICE TEST

Students WILL need headphones for our March PARCC test, the week of March 23.  You can look at at examples of the PARCC test that we will be taking at the end of March.  You can find PARCC examples and games under the Nelson Ridge Essential Links.  This test will be very important and challenging for our students.  Here are 4th grade LANGUAGE ARTS PARCC GAMES:

PARCC 4th Grade LANGUAGE ARTS GAMES

Figurative language has been difficult for our class.  We are continuing to work on different types of figurative language.   Figurative language includes similes, metaphors, personification, onomatopoeia, alliteration, and idioms.  See the link below for examples of each. 

Figurative Language - definitions and examples

Figurative Language Games

Idioms for Kids

EXTRA CREDIT:

Students are welcome to research and create a dog breed poster or report to present or display in the classroom.  We've already seen some exciting samples on display.  It is fantastic to see the students motivated and asking to do research on this topic.  Students who are interested in a specific topic are always welcome to ask for assistance or materials in getting a research project started.  

Here's my favorite sites to use for this research:

www.enchantedlearning.com
http://www.dogchannel.com

PARCC Practice & Figurative Language

Rocket Town is Friday after school TODAY from 3:30-5:00 for Fourth Grade.  

Scholastic Book orders are due March 11. 

PARCC TESTING:

Yesterday we took a practice PARCC test in the computer lab as a class.  We went through directions and completed the assessment together so that students would know what to expect in language arts for the week of March 23 to 27.  IF STUDENTS PRACTICE THE PARCC TEST ON THE COMPUTER AT HOME, I HAVE PROMISED THEM A TRIP TO THE "PRIZE BOX" IF THEY BRING IN A SIGNED NOT VERIFYING THAT THEY DID TRY THE TEST AT HOME.  

PARCC PRACTICE TEST

Students WILL need headphones for our March PARCC test, the week of March 23.  You can look at at examples of the PARCC test that we will be taking at the end of March.  You can find PARCC examples and games under the Nelson Ridge Essential Links.  This test will be very important and challenging for our students.  Here are 4th grade LANGUAGE ARTS PARCC GAMES:

PARCC 4th Grade LANGUAGE ARTS GAMES

Here is a sample PARCC test for 4th Grade:

Figurative language has been difficult for our class.  We worked on learning different types of figurative language all week.   Figurative language includes similes, metaphors, personification, onomatopoeia, alliteration, and idioms.  See the link below for examples of each. 

Figurative Language - definitions and examples

Figurative Language Games

Idioms for Kids

We are learning the states and capitals of the Southeast.  Here's a puzzle game your child can play at home to help them learn.  Be sure to click on the map of the Southeast if you are making the map specific to this area. 

States and Capitals Puzzle

Tour the States Video  (This is a huge classroom favorite)

EXTRA CREDIT:

Students are welcome to research and create a dog breed poster or report to present or display in the classroom.  We've already seen some exciting samples on display.  It is fantastic to see the students motivated and asking to do research on this topic.  Students who are interested in a specific topic are always welcome to ask for assistance or materials in getting a research project started.  

Here's my favorite sites to use for this research:

www.enchantedlearning.com
http://www.dogchannel.com

PARCC Practice

Rocket Town is Friday after school.  Scholastic Book orders are due March 11. 

Our Spelling test on Friday will be over unit 22.  Today we completed Spelling practice pages 89-90.

Spelling Lists

PARCC TESTING:

Today we took a 'arctic PARCC test in the computer lab as a class.  We went through directions and completed the assessment together so that students would know what to expect in language arts for the week of March 23 to 27.

Students WILL need headphones for our March PARCC test, the week of March 23.  You can look at at examples of the PARCC test that we will be taking at the end of March.  You can find PARCC examples and games under the Nelson Ridge Essential Links.  This test will be very important and challenging for our students.  Here are 4th grade LANGUAGE ARTS PARCC GAMES:

PARCC 4th Grade LANGUAGE ARTS GAMES

Here is a sample PARCC test for 4th Grade:

PARCC PRACTICE TEST

We continued working on figurative language today.  Figurative language includes similes, metaphors, personification, onomatopoeia, alliteration, and idioms.  See the link below for examples of each. 

Figurative Language - definitions and examples

Figurative Language Games

We are learning the states and capitals of the Southeast.  Here's a puzzle game your child can play at home to help them learn.  Be sure to click on the map of the Southeast if you are making the map specific to this area. 

States and Capitals Puzzle

Tour the States Video  (This is a huge classroom favorite)

EXTRA CREDIT:

Students are welcome to research and create a dog breed poster or report to present or display in the classroom.  We've already seen some exciting samples on display.  It is fantastic to see the students motivated and asking to do research on this topic.  Students who are interested in a specific topic are always welcome to ask for assistance or materials in getting a research project started.  

Here's my favorite sites to use for this research:

www.enchantedlearning.com
http://www.dogchannel.com