Halloween

Happy Halloween Weekend!  Thank you to the parents who worked hard on all of our classroom parties.

There is not homework, but Book-it is always an optional activity.  November Book-it forms were sent home today.

Parent Teacher Conference scheduling information was also sent home today.

Here's a link to our Spelling Words.  We are on Unit 10 (Review) this coming week.

http://highmail.highlands.k12.fl.us/~tarters/spelling - Spelling Lists

Bunnicula and Red Ribbon Week

Thursday - Super Hero Day

Friday - Costume Day

We are reading Bunnicula and completed Chapter 8 today.  Today Harold the Dog goes into action to find a way to get Bunnicula to eat.  We also took a story and vocabulary test over Chapter 7.  We also worked today on some Comprehension Skill worksheets.  

https://www.superteachertools.us/jeopardyx/jeopardy-review-game.php?gamefile=384585#.Vij_rniLRUQ  - Bunnicula Jeopardy

http://www.quia.com/hm/23758.html - Bunnicula Hangman Game

We are also working on our descriptive "Spooky House" stories that will be on display in the hallway.

For our classroom read-aloud, Block 1 is reading Sideways Stories from Wayside School and Block 2 is reading Athlete vs. Mathlete by W.C. Mack.  

We will take a break from spelling next week and will not have a test.  The following week, November 6, will be Review Unit 10. http://www.spellingcity.com/wisyanski/

We are also working to learn about prepositions.  

Bunnicula Chapter 7

Red Ribbon Week 

Wednesday - Athletic Wear Day

Thursday - Super Hero Day

Friday - Costume Day

We are reading Bunnicula and completed Chapter 7 today.  Students are assigned Chapter 7 to reread for homework.  We are really enjoying this story and the activities that go along with it.  

Here's a short video trailer of the story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY2PlQ_wdBk

https://www.superteachertools.us/jeopardyx/jeopardy-review-game.php?gamefile=384585#.Vij_rniLRUQ  - Bunnicula Jeopardy

http://www.quia.com/hm/23758.html - Bunnicula Hangman Game

Today for LRC we met with Mrs. Foley to learn about Safe & Caring Schools.

We are also working on our descriptive "Spooky House" stories that will be on display in the hallway.  

For our classroom read-aloud, Block 1 is reading Sideways Stories from Wayside School and Block 2 is reading Athlete vs. Mathlete by W.C. Mack.  

We will take a break from spelling next week and will not have a test.  The following week, November 6, will be Review Unit 10. http://www.spellingcity.com/wisyanski/

We are also working to learn about prepositions.  

Pajama Day

Today was a very relaxing Pajama Day!

Red Ribbon Week 

Tuesday - Neon Day

Wednesday - Athletic Wear Day

Thursday - Super Hero Day

Friday - Costume Day

We are reading Bunnicula and completed Chapter 6 today.  Is Bunnicula a vampire bunny?  Today Chester the Cat tries to pound a "steak" on his chest.  

Here's a short video trailer of the story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY2PlQ_wdBk

https://www.superteachertools.us/jeopardyx/jeopardy-review-game.php?gamefile=384585#.Vij_rniLRUQ  - Bunnicula Jeopardy

http://www.quia.com/hm/23758.html - Bunnicula Hangman Game

For our classroom read-aloud, Block 1 is reading Sideways Stories from Wayside School and Block 2 is reading Athlete vs. Mathlete by W.C. Mack.  

We will take a break from spelling next week and will not have a test.  The following week, November 6, will be Review Unit 10. http://www.spellingcity.com/wisyanski/

We are also working to learn about prepositions.  

Red Ribbon Week

Red Ribbon Week 

Monday - Pajama Day

Tuesday - Neon Day

Wednesday - Athletic Wear Day

Thursday - Super Hero Day

Friday - Costume Day

We are reading Bunnicula and completed Chapter 5 today.  

Here's a short video trailer of the story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY2PlQ_wdBk

https://www.superteachertools.us/jeopardyx/jeopardy-review-game.php?gamefile=384585#.Vij_rniLRUQ  - Bunnicula Jeopardy

http://www.quia.com/hm/23758.html - Bunnicula Hangman Game

For our classroom read-aloud, Block 1 is reading Sideways Stories from Wayside School and Block 2 is reading Athlete vs. Mathlete by W.C. Mack.  

We will take a break from spelling next week and will not have a test.  The following week, November 6, will be Review Unit 10. http://www.spellingcity.com/wisyanski/

We are also working to learn about prepositions.  Today we worked on descriptive adjective stories, read a poem for fluency, and took our spelling test.  

A Cat Prepares - Bunnicula Chapter 4

Some Unusual Goings - On 

In class this week and next we are reading the story of Bunnicula  written by Deborah Howe and James Howe. Today we read together chapter 4, "A Cat Prepares."  Is Bunnicula a vampire or a bunny?  

Here's a short video trailer of the story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY2PlQ_wdBk

https://www.superteachertools.us/jeopardyx/jeopardy-review-game.php?gamefile=384585#.Vij_rniLRUQ  - Bunnicula Jeopardy

http://www.quia.com/hm/23758.html - Bunnicula Hangman Game

For our classroom read-aloud, Block 1 is reading Sideways Stories from Wayside School and Block 2 is reading Athlete vs. Mathlete by W.C. Mack.  

Just a reminder that this week's spelling words are very difficult.  We spent some time practicing in the computer lab using the Spelling City site.  They all have Vowel-Consonant-Consonant-Consonant-Vowel patterns.  We will continue to practice during the week.  I would encourage every student to use the Spelling City link to Unit 9 words below to practice at home.  

http://www.spellingcity.com/wisyanski/

We are also working to learn about prepositions.  

Red Ribbon Week starts Friday (tomorrow).  

Friday - Ridge Spirit Day

Monday - Pajama Day

Tuesday - Neon Day

Wednesday - Athletic Wear Day

Thursday - Super Hero Day

Friday - Costume Day

Some Unusual Goings - On

In class this week and next we are reading the story of Bunnicula  written by Deborah Howe and James Howe. Today we took our Chapter 2 story test and read Chapter 3, "Some Unusual Goings-On."  Is Bunnicula a vampire or a bunny?  

Here's a short video trailer of the story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY2PlQ_wdBk

For our classroom read-aloud, Block 1 is reading Sideways Stories from Wayside School and Block 2 is reading Athlete vs. Mathlete by W.C. Mack.  

Just a reminder that this week's spelling words are very difficult. Today we completed Spelling workbook pages 37 & 38 for practice.  They all have Vowel-Consonant-Consonant-Consonant-Vowel patterns.  We will continue to practice during the week.  I would encourage every student to use the Spelling City link to Unit 9 words below to practice at home.  

http://www.spellingcity.com/wisyanski/


We are also working to learn about prepositions.  

Chapter 2 Bunnicula Homework

In class this week and next we are reading the story of Bunnicula  written by Deborah Howe and James Howe.  Today we read Chapter 2 and discussed the vocabulary words and genre of this story.  Students will be taking this chapter home to reread tonight as a homework assignment.  Bunnicula is about a vampire rabbit, but the horror aspect of the plot is mild.  It's a wacky story, told from the point of view of a dog named Harold and sprinkled with goofy one-liners.  We will be reading this book in place of our Storytown book.  (https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/bunnicula-a-rabbit-tale-of-mystery)

Here's a short video trailer of the story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY2PlQ_wdBk

Today are scheduled campus and bus evacuation drills. Because of the drill time, Block 2 will have LRC/Library on Thursday.

For our classroom read-aloud, Block 1 is reading Sideways Stories from Wayside School and Block 2 is reading Athlete vs. Mathlete by W.C. Mack.  

Just a reminder that this week's spelling words are very difficult.  They all have Vowel-Consonant-Consonant-Consonant-Vowel patterns.  We will continue to practice during the week.  I would encourage every student to use the Spelling City link to Unit 9 words below to practice at home.  

http://www.spellingcity.com/wisyanski/

Our grammar skill is focusing on prepositions this week.  We will be creating buried treasure maps using prepositions to describe the location of the treasure.    Funbrain has many enjoyable grammar games to play at home. 

http://www.funbrain.com/tour/gg.html - Funbrain grammar games

Spelling Unit 9 and Bunnicula Story Introduction

This week's spelling words are very difficult.  They all have Vowel-Consonant-Consonant-Consonant-Vowel patterns.  We divided them in to categories and completed Spelling workbook pages 35 and 36 together today for practice.  We will continue to practice during the week.  I would encourage every student to use the Spelling City link to Unit 9 words below to practice at home.  

http://www.spellingcity.com/wisyanski/

In class this week and next we are reading the story of Bunnicula  written by Deborah Howe and James Howe.  Bunnicula is about a vampire rabbit, but the horror aspect of the plot is mild.  It's a wacky story, told from the point of view of a dog named Harold and sprinkled with goofy one-liners.  We will be reading this book in place of our Storytown book.  (https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/bunnicula-a-rabbit-tale-of-mystery)

Here's a short video trailer of the story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY2PlQ_wdBk

Our grammar skill is focusing on prepositions this week.  We will be creating buried treasure maps using prepositions to describe the location of the treasure.    Funbrain has many enjoyable grammar games to play at home. 

http://www.funbrain.com/tour/gg.html - Funbrain grammar games

The Three Little Pigs Revisited

Our Unit 8 VCCV pattern words for spelling are a bit difficult.  We completed spelling workbook pages 33-34 today for practice, and students had some time to play spelling games on the computer using the Unit 8 Spelling City link below.  

http://www.spellingcity.com/wisyanski/

This week we learned some cyber safety / internet safety tips.  We learned about the "Big Bad Wolf" that can cyber bully us, and that the best thing to do is to TELL AN ADULT if anyone is bothering you online.  We also talked about computer viruses and how to properly follow internet safety rules at home.  Here's a short internet safety video that you can watch at home:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPFZObMOPuA - Part 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1XjTwZg_hg - Part 2

We read several versions of the Three Little Pigs in class today.  Here's a link to an original version of the story.  We talked about Point of View as we read The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, as well as  a variation of The Three Little Pigs called "The Three Pigs Revisited" on pages 226-231 in our Stortytown book.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXcccTEY6h4 - Three Little Pigs (Original Story)

Cyber Pigs!

Our Unit 8 VCCV pattern words for spelling are a bit difficult.  I'd suggest using the links below to practice at home. 

http://www.spellingcity.com/wisyanski/


For homework students reread the play Three Little Cyber Pigs.  We took our story test today and presented the play as a class.  We also discussed some of the nursery rhyme characters in the story.  Here are some funny fido clips about the original nursery rhyme characters that walked into Ann's Cybershop:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rmwFQTrtvk - Humpty Dumpty

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slnSqnVQ7yg - Three Little Pigs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGHspuNSqcE - Jack and Jill

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AXsMkYV5ms  Little Miss Muffet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwUy9lf8zgs - Little Bo Peep

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEZNyBwXTIU - Little Jack Horner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRPqOzxLW_E - Jack Be Nimble

  

Three Little Cyber Pigs: eBook

Three Little Cyber Pigs

Today we completed Spelling workbook pages 31 & 32 as we talked about the Unit 8 VCCV pattern words and divided them into syllables.  This is a rough spelling week.  I'd suggest using the links below to practice at home.

http://www.spellingcity.com/wisyanski/


We have a homework assignment to reread the play Three Little Cyber Pigs.  We completed our vocabulary workbook page in class and practiced reading this play for fluency.

Here's a Quizlet link to practice Vocabulary words:

https://quizlet.com/subject/vocab-4th-lesson-4-storytown-spelling/

Three Little Cyber Pigs: eBook

Presenting a Recipe

Today we took our Unit 7 Spelling test.  We also worked on our "Steps in a Process" posters that the class has been working on with partners this week.

It was fun to hear the special recipe presentations that students showcased today for extra credit.  This extra assignment required both fluency and knowing the steps in a process.  Students received bonus points on their Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World test if they chose to complete this extra credit project.

Party Money ($5) is nearly all collected for our class.  If you still have not yet paid, please do your best to send this money to school so that our room moms and dads will have funds to plan our upcoming Fall and Winter parties.  We appreciate their help very much.  

Here's another "Steps in a Process" idea.  This shows how to draw a haunted house.  We had fun trying this out in class today.  

Draw a Haunted House

Important Web Sites:

Spelling City

Quizlet - Spelling & Vocab Units  -  You can use this site to practice today's vocabulary words as well

Spelling Lists:  Spelling Lists

Book-it is OPTIONAL but highly encouraged.  Please read at home each evening, even if you are not keeping track on the Book-it calendar.

Steps in a Process

Party Money ($5) is nearly all collected for our class.  If you still have not yet paid, please do your best to send this money to school so that our room moms and dads will have funds to plan our upcoming Fall and Winter parties.  We appreciate their help very much.  

Today we worked on reviewing for our Spelling Unit 7 test tomorrow and completed practice workbook pages 29-30.  We made an "ER" list of spelling words that end in -er (ladder, letter, soccer).
We are also working to learn "Steps in a Process." We worked with a partner to complete a "Steps in a Process" direction poster.  Students have been offered a challenge (Bonus) assignment to present a short "Steps in a Process" recipe to the class on Friday.  This helps with fluency and presentation, as well as keeping events in sequence.  Here's a "Cooking for Kids" video that can help to show how steps in a process are important:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuiSB6M-Imk

Here's another "Steps in a Process" idea.  This shows how to draw a haunted house. 

Draw a Haunted House

Important Web Sites:

Spelling City

Quizlet - Spelling & Vocab Units  -  You can use this site to practice today's vocabulary words as well

Spelling Lists:  Spelling Lists

Book-it is OPTIONAL but highly encouraged.  Please read at home each evening, even if you are not keeping track on the Book-it calendar.

Story Test

Party Money ($5) is nearly all collected for our class.  If you still have not yet paid, please do your best to send this money to school so that our room moms and dads will have funds to plan our upcoming Fall and Winter parties.  We appreciate their help very much.  

We read Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World.  Our story test was over comprehension, vocabulary, and a written response.  Because today was Picture Day, some students in Block 1 were unable to finish, so students are welcome to continue working on their test tomorrow in class.  I'd rather students take their time than rush!  Students also have  a Bonus crossword vocabulary puzzle that they may choose to complete.

Here's the link to the book on line:

eBook

Justin and Best Biscuits Vocabulary Games

In the story, Justin's grandfather taught him about famous black cowboys.  Here is a documentary about the history of some of these great men: African-American Cowboy: The Forgotten Man of the West

We are also working to learn "Steps in a Process."  Students have been offered a challenge (Bonus) assignment to present a short "Steps in a Process" recipe to the class on Friday.  This helps with fluency and presentation, as well as keeping events in sequence.  Here's a "Cooking for Kids" video that can help to show how steps in a process are important:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuiSB6M-Imk

Here's another "Steps in a Process" idea.  This shows how to draw a haunted house. 

Draw a Haunted House

Important Web Sites:

Spelling City

Quizlet - Spelling & Vocab Units  -  You can use this site to practice today's vocabulary words as well

Spelling Lists:  Spelling Lists

Book-it is OPTIONAL but highly encouraged.  Please read at home each evening, even if you are not keeping track on the Book-it calendar.

Justin and the Best Bisuits

Tomorrow is Picture Day and Cubs Day.  Students who would like to participate in Cubs Day can change after their photo is taken, if they wish.

Party Money ($5) is nearly all collected for our class.  If you still have not yet paid, please do your best to send this money to school so that our room moms and dads will have funds to plan our upcoming Fall and Winter parties.  We appreciate their help very much.  

We read Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World and students should be rereading it tonight for homework.  We will have a story test tomorrow over the comprehension, vocabulary, and a written response.  Because tomorrow is Picture Day, we may not be able to complete our test due to scheduling issues, but we will just continue on Thursday if necessary.

Here's the link to the book on line:

eBook

Justin and Best Biscuits Vocabulary Games

In the story, Justin's grandfather taught him about famous black cowboys.  Here is a documentary about the history of some of these great men: African-American Cowboy: The Forgotten Man of the West

Today was an LRC day.  Students checked out new books and reviewed fiction vs. nonfiction books.

We are also working to learn "Steps in a Process."  Students have been offered a challenge (Bonus) assignment to present a short "Steps in a Process" recipe to the class on Friday.  This helps with fluency and presentation, as well as keeping events in sequence.  Here's a "Cooking for Kids" video that can help to show how steps in a process are important:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuiSB6M-Imk

Here's another "Steps in a Process" idea.  This shows how to draw a haunted house.

Draw a Haunted House

Important Web Sites:

Spelling City

Quizlet - Spelling & Vocab Units  -  You can use this site to practice today's vocabulary words as well

Spelling Lists:  Spelling Lists

Book-it is OPTIONAL but highly encouraged.  Please read at home each evening, even if you are not keeping track on the Book-it calendar.

Spelling Unit 7 and Steps in a Process

This week we will be working on Spelling Unit 7, words with vowel, consonant, consonant, vowel patterns.  Today we completed workbook pages 27-28 in Spelling.

We also are preparing to read Justin and the Best Biscuits in Town tomorrow.  Here's the link to the book on line.

eBook

Justin and Best Biscuits Vocabulary Games

We are also working to learn "Steps in a Process."  Students have been offered a challenge (Bonus) assignment to present a short "Steps in a Process" recipe to the class on Friday.  This helps with fluency and presentation, as well as keeping events in sequence.  Here's a "Cooking for Kids" video that can help to show how steps in a process are important:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuiSB6M-Imk

Important Web Sites:

Spelling City

Quizlet - Spelling & Vocab Units  -  You can use this site to practice today's vocabulary words as well

Spelling Lists:  Spelling Lists

Book-it is OPTIONAL but highly encouraged.  Please read at home each evening, even if you are not keeping track on the Book-it calendar.

Robert Crown Presentation

Today we took our Unit 6 Spelling test, and we also learned a bit more about simple and compound subjects and predicates.  Students have their new spelling words on their Friday packets.  AIMS reading scores from the first month of school and online textbook log-in codes were sent home in last Friday's packets.

We had an in-school field trip today from Robert Crown.  https://www.robertcrown.org


SCIENCE BEHIND DRUGS AND PREVENTION – Grades 4-6; 85 Minutes

Using interactive, proven methods and visual tools, this program teaches skills for living substance-free in the face of an ever changing range of mental, physical and social pressures. Educators demonstrate the neurological cause and effects of addiction and use role play to practice their resistance skills. 

Program Goals:
Students will…

1. Increase knowledge about drugs and their effects on total wellness (physical, mental social, emotional) with intense focus on neuroscience. 
2. Feel empowered to take personal responsibility for increasing their total wellness and increase disapproval of alcohol and other drug use. 
3. Develop strategies/tools to make healthy decisions and explore alternatives to alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use/abuse. 

Standards Alignment:
Social Emotional Learning:  1B.2b, 2D.2b, 3B.2b
Common Core Reading Literature:  4.1, 5.1, 4.4, 5.4
Common Core Reading Informational Text:  4.1, 5.1, 4.2, 5.2, 4.4, 5.4
Common Core Speaking and Listening:  4.1, 5.1, 4.2, 5.2, 4.3, 5.3
ISBE Health:  22.B.2a, 23.A.2a, 23.B.2a, 23.D.2a, 24.B.2a, 24.C.2a
*Meets IL school code section 105ILCS-110/3

Important Web Sites:

Spelling City

Quizlet - Spelling & Vocab Units  -  You can use this site to practice today's vocabulary words as well

Spelling Lists:  Spelling Lists

Book-it is OPTIONAL but highly encouraged.  Please read at home each evening, even if you are not keeping track on the Book-it calendar.

Book-it Begins Today

October BOOK-IT forms were sent home today.  Book-it is OPTIONAL but HIGHLY encouraged. Students who choose to participate should strive for a goal of 300 minutes of reading (5 hours) for each month.  Calendars can be turned in when the goal has been met, prior to the start of the next month.  Even if you are not reading for the Pizza Hut Book-it goal, please do keep in mind that fourth grade students are expected to read at home on most evenings. 

We are working on the skill of Plot: Conflict and Resolution.  Here's a short rap song about the 5 parts of a story:

Story Elements Rap

We completed Practice Workbook page 33 about Conflict, and we created conflict drawing.

We also practiced our Spelling Unit 6 words that end in -le.  Our test is on Friday.  Here are some practice spelling sites:

Spelling City

Quizlet - Spelling & Vocab Units  -  You can use this site to practice today's vocabulary words as well

Spelling Lists:  Spelling Lists


Friday we will have an in-school "field trip" presentation about staying Drug Free.  This trip is presented by Robert Crown.