Weekly Letter October 5 - 9th

Hi Everyone!

It was sooooooo nice to be back at school today. On Monday my daughter had a fever. She is feeling better. She was happy I was able to stay home and take care of her. Thanks to all my students for understanding Ms. D is a teacher and a mom.

Don't forget ~ NO SCHOOL Oct. 9th & 16th

LITERACY BLOCK:
I was very happy to see all the wonderful puppets today. I knew each of you had a creative side. Now I have proof! Five students presented their book reports and puppets. We will continue to share throughout the week. The October book report is a mystery book. Book selections are due Monday, October 12th. The project is to create a 'Setting Map'. Setting maps are due Monday, November 2nd. All students have a project description in their notebooks.

MATH BLOCK:
We are continuing our study of place value. You can support this skill by encouraging the reading of numbers up to one million. You can also ask your child questions such as, "If you add 30,000 to 245,600, what number do you have? Students should be able to express numbers to 1,000,000 in three different ways by the end of 4th grade. For example the number 245,467 can be expressed as a number, in words, and in expanded notation.

HOMEWORK: (You can click on the assignment to download a pdf version)

Reading Log ~ Due Oct 12 Please read 20 minutes, 5 times per week.
Quick Write ~ Due Oct 12 Prompt ~ In class we discussed beginning every piece of writing with a great grabber. The grabber should pull the reader into your writing. In the space below please write 3 – 5 great grabbers.

Oct. Mystery Book Selection ~ Due Oct 12

Complete reading your October Mystery Book by Oct 26
Setting Map Project ~ Due Nov 2nd (pdf coming soon)


SCIENCE:

There have been some questions regarding the science curriculum. Traditionally, in the fourth grade students study Microworlds, Land & Water, and Motion & Design. Students are also exposed to science inquiry strategies and will complete a science work sample in the spring. As a team we are working to ensure all science state standards are met this year through a combination of projects offered, and through integrating science into the literacy block. At a state level, the science standards have been updated as of 2009. You can visit the Oregon Department of Education website to find out more. :-)

Have a wonderful week!
~Ms. D