School Home UPDATE

As the second grading period begins to come to a close, several grade 4 students are distinguishing themselves as outstanding mathematicians, honorable students, and trustworthy classroom leaders. I would like to recognize a few of those students here:

• Blessing Williams has completed 3 of our Multiplication Fact speed drills with 100% accuracy.
• Shelbi Brown earned 100% in our At the Circus homework and a Speed Drill as well. Shelbi is also our most recent Student of the Month which means she has consistently been respectful, responsible, on time, and prepared.
• Sadeja Carter has done the same and achieved Student of the Month in August as well as earning Student of the Week a total of 5 times, approximately.

My thanks goes out to each and every student who inspires me to continue doing my best to help them achieve their best. 

Along the lines of that goal, I have watched the homework completion rate over the last two weeks and decided to no longer post homework assignments here. In the event that you need a homework reminder, please email/ call for assistance. One of the greatest areas to focus on now is multiplication. There are numerous resources available online, such as the flashcards and games on Study Island. As well as, the Multiplication Youtube channel listed on our blog. 

Friday September 30, 2011 School-Home Connection

Math: N/A
ELA: Complete Spelling Menu (4 tasks total)
Science: Read Interactive Text pages 209-216
Social Studies: See planner

School-Home Connection

Math: Complete "Amusement Park Reading Reward"
ELA:N/A
Science: Complete & return Field Book
Social Studies: See planner

School-Home Connection

Math: Complete "At the Circus"
ELA: Complete 2 Tic-Tac-Toe tasks
Science: Continue Field Observations
Social Studies: Complete Chart (Upcoming project due October 3rd)

As Grade 4 continues to study life science, we will watch living things grow in our classroom. That includes animals and plants. Currently, we have a guest frog and we look forward to growing several plants. Please consider supporting our project at http://www.donorschoose.org/lprep4penn. 

In the Depths of the Summer Pond

"Here hang the algae, green and small,

in the depths of the summer pond.

Here floats the flea, waving antennae,

that eats the algae, green and small,

in the depths of the summer pond.

Here nods the nymph with feathery gills,

that drinks the flea,

that eats the algae, green and small,

in the depths of the summer pond.

Here dives the bug, sleek and swift,

that nabs the nymph

that drinks the flea,

that eats the algae, green and small,

in the depths of the summer pond . . ."--from Song of the Water Boatman, c. 2005, All rights reserved. http://www.joycesidman.com/songofthewaterboatman.html

School-Home Connection

Math: Complete Wall of Posters worksheet
ELA: P.B. pp. 31-33
Science: Take Field notes (due Friday)

School-Home Connection

Greetings once again,
I was pleased to see some of the students improve their homework completion rate last week. However, there has not been an overall improvement so I will continue to observe for improvement this week to continue posting homework here.

School-Home Connection 9/26/11
Math: Penn- Complete p.177 in notebook using grid paper for assistance
ELA:
Complete 2 Spelling Tic-Tac-Toe tasks
Science: N/A
Social Studies: N/A

School-Home Connection

Math: Bring a calculator
ELA: N/A
Social Studies: N/A
Science: I.T. pp.198-209, Bring an item to reuse/recycle or educe waste

School-Home Connection

Math: Complete Study Island Rounding and Estimation Test Mode
ELA: Practice Book pp. 24-27
Science: N/A
Social Studies: N/A

School-Home Connection

Math: Complete page 161
ELA: Complete Spelling Tic-Tac-Toe
Science: pages 195-197
Social Studies: N/A

School-Home Connection

Homework 9/20/11
Math: Complete the Place Value (Test Mode) in Grade 4 Penn Math Class at http://www.studyisland.com/. Username (first name last name initial.Leadership - no spaces) & Password chosen during class.
ELA: 2 Spelling Tic-Tac-Toe tasks
Science: N/A
Social Studies: N/A

School-Home Connection

Homework 9/19/11
Math: Head- Basic Facts Worksheet
          Penn-N/A
ELA: Penn- Practice Book pp. 28-30
Science:N/A
Social Studies: Complete classwork (Native American chart)

Offered by Popular Demand- Homework Posts!

During the remaining two weeks of September, I will post homework here. Under posts entitled School-Home Connection. At the end of the month, I will evaluate whether this service has helped students to better meet expectations which both parents and teachers are holding them accountable for reaching. Please continue to sign your child's planner as you monitor their responsibile study habits.

Composting with Mrs. Brodd

Fernbank Science Center "Night Lights"

As the nation remembers the tragedy and celebrates the triumphs in the 10 year anniversary of the Septemeber 11, 2001 attacks, we are discussing the importance of recovering together. Your family may relate and commemorate with the following links: The Little Chapel that stood and 911 Babies pay homage to their hero parents.

Grade 4 Garden Project

Help fund our project at DonorsChoose!

Our Gardening lesson with UGA Master Gardener Mrs. Brodd.

Useful weblinks from the DCSS Grade 4 Syllabus

There are so many wonderful resources available online and I would like to share them throughout the school year. Let's begin with links to our textbooks and other educational websites presented in the syllabus on Curriculum Night.

Listed below are the websites, usernames, and access codes to retrieve online textbook resources per grade-level and content area for grades K-5.

	English Language Arts SCIENCE	Math Social Studies
Grade 4	www-k6.thinkcentral.com Username: 4classdekalb Password: dekalbstudent4 (Select an alternative DCSS elementary school until further notice)	http://www.eduplace.com/eservices Username:  4classdekalb Password:  dekalbstudent4

English language Arts  Web Links for Parental Support 

• Discovery School.com           http://school.discovery.com
• Family Education        http://school.familyeducation.com/reading/cognitive-development/38329.html
• Web English Teacher             http://www.webenglishteacher.com/readingmain.html
• Reading Websites for Parents http://kisdwebs.katyisd.org/campuses/PE/parentresources/Documents/Reading_Websites_For_Parents.pdf

Mathematics  Web Links for Parental Support:

• U.S. Dept. of ED.                    www.ed.gov/pubs/parents/Math/index.html
• Bi-Lingual Math Ed.                http://www.aaamath.com/
• Math Education                       http://www.math.com/parents.html
• Online Math Games               http://www.coolmath4kids.com/

Science  Web Links for Parental Support

• Released test items from state testing program http://www.edinformatics.com/testing/testing.htm
• Ask-a-scientist.  http://www.madsci.org/
• Genetics Resources written at the Elementary Level http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/
• Volcanoes http://volcano.und.edu/
• www.hspscience.com

Social Studies  Web Links for Parental Support

• National Geographic http://www.nationalgeographic.com/kids/
• World Almanac for Kids http://www.worldalmanacforkids.com/explore/timeline.html
• Statistical data for countries that are a part of the United Nations Social Studies Sites for Elementary Students http://www.ortegaelementary.org/socialstudiessites.htm
• http://www.un.org/Pubs/CyberSchoolBus/infonation/e_infonation.htm
• Learn about everyday habits and customs from various cultures around the world. http://www.netlaputa.ne.jp/~tokyo3/e/