Hello Room 24 Students and Parents,

     This week we will be starting our narrative writing pieces in Write Steps, learning about the suffix -less, and continuing reading Shiloh. In math we will continue working with multiplication, using area models and the standard algorithm. We will also be continuing work on our California regions slide shows.

     Our math-a-thon is coming up on Friday, October 6th. If you haven't had a chance to gather sponsors yet, there is still time to do so. Every bit of help we get is appreciated!

 

Important Upcoming Dates:

Monday, 9/25 - College T-shirt Day

Wednesday, 9/27 - Character Counts Day (wear blue for trustworthiness)/Modified Day

Thursday, 9/28 - Student Council meeting (at lunch in Room 24)

Friday, 9/29 - Tie Dye T-shirt Day (spirit day)

Hello Room 24 Students and Parents,

     This is the week that we will begin reading the novel Shiloh. If you ordered a copy of the book through me, it has arrived and is ready for your child to use. This week we will also be working with the word root struct, learning how to use transitions effectively in our writing, and practicing writing and punctuating dialogue. With our Chapter 1 math test behind us, we will be diving into Chapter 2, which focuses on multiplication of larger numbers. Students will also be conducting research this week and beginning a slide show about California's regions.

     This week two important notices will be coming home. One is a homework report to let you know how your child has been doing with completing and turning in homework. The other is a notice about our Parent-Teacher conferences coming up in October. If you did not already sign up for a conference appointment at Back-to-School Night, I will be sending you a list of appointments that are still available so that you can sign up. Both notices will need to be signed and returned, so please ask your child about them.

 

Important Upcoming Dates:

Monday, 9/18 - College T-shirt Day

Wednesday, 9/20 - Character Counts Day (wear blue for trustworthiness)/Modified Day

Thursday, 9/21 - Student Council meeting (all officers and reps) - at lunch in Room 24

Friday, 9/22 - Birney Spirit Day (wear Birney shirts or Birney blue)

 

Hello Room 24 Students and Parents,

     The order for Shiloh has been placed. If you ordered a copy of the novel through me, it should be delivered to your child on Tuesday. Thank you to everyone who acquired a copy for their child to use. It has always been a popular story among the 4th graders I've worked with, and it is my hope that your child will enjoy it as well.

     This week we will be working with the word root graph, discussing the need for strong verbs and sensory detail in our writing, and reading an informational article about the sinking of the Titanic. In math, we will be wrapping up Chapter 1 in our book and taking our first chapter test before moving on to Chapter 2. (Our math test was postponed from last week, as it became clear that further reteaching and practice was necessary.) In social studies, we will begin creating slide shows about California's four regions. In science, we will be discussing the parts of a plant and how they help that plant survive.

     This Thursday, September 14th, is picture day. A flyer will be sent home at the beginning of the week with more detail.

     If your child is running for Student Council, this is election week. Students can start hanging their campaign posters on Monday. Speeches are due to Mrs. Oliver and myself by Tuesday. Speech practice will be Tuesday and Thursday during lunch. The election assembly, where students will present their speeches to their peers, will occur on Friday at 9:00 am in the cafeteria. (Parents are welcome to attend!) Voting will occur in individual classrooms directly after the assembly, and results should be announced by the end of the day. Best wishes to all of our candidates!

 

Important Upcoming Dates:

Monday, 9/11 - College T-shirt Day/Student Council election posters can be hung

Tuesday, 9/12 - Student Council speeches due/speech practice at lunch

Wednesday, 9/13 - Character Counts Day (wear blue for trustworthiness)/Modified Day

Thursday, 9/14 - Picture Day/speech practice at lunch

Friday, 9/15 -  Student Council election assembly (9:00 am in the cafeteria)

 Hello Room 24 Parents and Students,

      Our week may be short, but it will be busy! In Language Arts, we will be working with the prefix dis-, reading the story Finding the Titanic, continuing our discussion of the 6 traits of quality writing in Write Steps, and beginning AR in class. In math we will be working on addition and subtraction of large numbers, reviewing for our test, and taking our first chapter test on Friday. 

      Beginning this week, math homework assignments will be available online. Students should go to the Think Central website (a link is provided on this page) and use their Google account information (taped into their planners) to log in exactly as they do in class. The homework assignment for the evening will be listed by date under "Things to Do". The benefit of completing the math homework online is that the format and rigor of the problems is very closely aligned to what students will experience when they take the SBAC test at the end of the year. It is wonderful practice!

     On September 18th, we are planning to begin reading our first 4th-grade-wide novel, Shiloh. Some parents have expressed that, although they would like to provide their child with their own copy of the novel, they are having difficulty finding where to purchase it. The novel is currently available on Amazon for $4.50. If you would prefer to have me order the novel for you, I would be happy to do so. An order form will be sent home with students on Monday.

 

Important Upcoming Dates:

Monday, 9/4 - Labor Day holiday (school closed)

Tuesday, 9/5 - meeting for Student Council nominees (at lunch in Room 24)

Wednesday, 9/6 - Character Counts Day (wear blue for trustworthiness)/Modified Day

Friday, 9/8 - Birney Spirit Day (wear your Birney shirt or Birney blue)

 

 Hello Room 24 Students and Parents,

     It was a pleasure to meet all of you who showed up for Back-to-School Night. Thank you so much for attending! Please remember that I am always available to answer any questions that might arise as we progress throughout the year. 

     This week we will begin working with our Write Steps writing program, introducing students to the 6 traits of effective writing. We will also be working with compound sentences using the conjunctions and, but, and or. We will start with our first vocabulary list of the year, focusing on the prefix un-. Students will also learn a bit more about the Iditarod dog sled race by reading an informational article on the topic. In math, we will continue working with large numbers as we compare, order, round, and add. In social studies, we will be working at finding locations on a map using coordinates (absolute location). It promises to be a very busy and productive week.

     If your child is planning to run for Student Council this year, please remember that applications are due this Thursday, August 31st.

     

Important Upcoming Dates:

Monday, 8/28 - College T-shirt Day

Wednesday, 8/30 - Character Counts Day (wear blue for trustworthiness)/Modified Day

Thursday, 8/31 - Student Council applications due

Friday, 9/1 - Birney Spirit Day (wear blue or your Birney shirt)

Monday, 9/4 - Labor Day holiday (no school)

 Hello Room 24 Parents and Students,

     Our first week of school went very smoothly as students got to know one another, learned about our classroom routines, and worked on a few assessments.

     This week we will begin diving into our academics, reading the story Akiak, discussing homophones (commonly confused words), learning about place value, and working a bit with geography.

     This Monday, as many of you are aware, is the day of the solar eclipse. In order to keep our students safe and injury free, we will be operating on a rainy day schedule for the majority of the morning. Students will be kept indoors, and will be taken to and from the restroom under adult supervision. We will be watching the NASA livestream of the event in our classroom so that students do not miss out on this amazing event and wonderful learning opportunity.

     This Tuesday is our Back to School Night. The evening will begin in the cafeteria at 5:30 p.m. Our first classroom presentation will be from 5:55-6:25, and our second presentation will run from 6:30-7:00. I sincerely hope that you can all make it to our classroom so that you can pick up your child's tech packet, sign up for parent conferences, and learn about our classroom policies and procedures.  

 

Important Upcoming Dates:

Monday, 8/21 - College T-shirt Day

Tuesday, 8/22 - Back to School Night (5:30-7:00)

Wednesday, 8/23 - Character Counts Day (wear blue for trustworthiness)/Modified Day

Friday, 8/25 - Birney Spirit Day - wear Birney blue or your Birney t-shirt