5/22
Reading MAP testing begins next week. Please make sure that your child comes to school prepared to do their best and BEAT their goals! They have learned SO much this year. Now is the time to show it!
I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Reading MAP testing begins next week. Please make sure that your child comes to school prepared to do their best and BEAT their goals! They have learned SO much this year. Now is the time to show it!
I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
5/15
Reading: We successfully complete our first ever 4th Grade Book Club! Students have a final diorama project due on 5/29. The students really seemed to enjoy the book choices and I loved watching them as the plots unrolled. An informal polling of the students says that we'll do it again once more before summer.
We are currently reading a short biography of Gloria Estefan (and enjoying her music) and will then move onto our next unit: Quests and Challenges.
Final MAP testing for Reading is right around the corner! Please make sure you talk to your child about their scores and goals.
Writing: We are slowly working our way through a unit on pronouns.
Have a great weekend!
Reading: We successfully complete our first ever 4th Grade Book Club! Students have a final diorama project due on 5/29. The students really seemed to enjoy the book choices and I loved watching them as the plots unrolled. An informal polling of the students says that we'll do it again once more before summer.
We are currently reading a short biography of Gloria Estefan (and enjoying her music) and will then move onto our next unit: Quests and Challenges.
Final MAP testing for Reading is right around the corner! Please make sure you talk to your child about their scores and goals.
Writing: We are slowly working our way through a unit on pronouns.
Have a great weekend!
5/1
By now, I hope you've heard about our Book Clubs. The students are enjoying reading different books at their various reading levels. As they read, they are using their Notice and Note signposts (which we've learned in class) to find important themes, lessons, events, and conflicts in the text. Some books lend themselves more to signposts then others so don't worry if they only find a few as they read. It's quality, not quantity!
We also just finished a great story about Lou Gehrig. We continued with this theme to do some research on ALS. We also found a great poem presented to him by his teammates on Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day which the students will be presenting.
Gehrig's story leads right into our unit about Making the World a Better Place. We will be reading informational text about historical figures and events that helped shape our world.
Have a great weekend!
Ms. Weine
By now, I hope you've heard about our Book Clubs. The students are enjoying reading different books at their various reading levels. As they read, they are using their Notice and Note signposts (which we've learned in class) to find important themes, lessons, events, and conflicts in the text. Some books lend themselves more to signposts then others so don't worry if they only find a few as they read. It's quality, not quantity!
We also just finished a great story about Lou Gehrig. We continued with this theme to do some research on ALS. We also found a great poem presented to him by his teammates on Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day which the students will be presenting.
Gehrig's story leads right into our unit about Making the World a Better Place. We will be reading informational text about historical figures and events that helped shape our world.
Have a great weekend!
Ms. Weine
3/13
Reading: We're wrapping up our unit on Figurative Language with a nice pink bow. The students are working on foldables to display the different types of non-literal language they learned. We had a blast learning about puns and sharing them with each other. Ask your child to share a few with you!
Next week, we will be starting to read the novel, Dear Mr. Henshaw. We will read it as a class in order to learn new close reading techniques. Our hope is that in the coming weeks, students will be able to read leveled novels at home as they use these strategies to help them better understand and discuss their reading with classmates.
Reading: We're wrapping up our unit on Figurative Language with a nice pink bow. The students are working on foldables to display the different types of non-literal language they learned. We had a blast learning about puns and sharing them with each other. Ask your child to share a few with you!
Next week, we will be starting to read the novel, Dear Mr. Henshaw. We will read it as a class in order to learn new close reading techniques. Our hope is that in the coming weeks, students will be able to read leveled novels at home as they use these strategies to help them better understand and discuss their reading with classmates.
3/6
We will spend our during PARCC testing focusing on figurative language. We have been studying similes, metaphors, alliteration, repetition, and personification. We will continue next week learning about idioms, oxymorons, puns, and more!
We will spend our during PARCC testing focusing on figurative language. We have been studying similes, metaphors, alliteration, repetition, and personification. We will continue next week learning about idioms, oxymorons, puns, and more!
2/20
Reading: If I learned anything from our Mythology unit (besides a lot of information about different gods and goddesses) it's that students flourish when they enjoy what they are reading and learning about. They loved this unit and couldn't get enough of it! I wish it could go on all year. Head to the library and check out books that interest your child. If they are interested in the subject matter, they will read!
We have begun our unit on American Heroes. In this unit, students will continue to practice using context clues to figure out meanings of unknown words. We will also examine, compare and contrast, different types of literature (prose, drama, poetry) and points of view.
Writing: We are wrapping up our Porquoi Tales and will start a unit on Adjectives next week.
Stay warm!
Reading: If I learned anything from our Mythology unit (besides a lot of information about different gods and goddesses) it's that students flourish when they enjoy what they are reading and learning about. They loved this unit and couldn't get enough of it! I wish it could go on all year. Head to the library and check out books that interest your child. If they are interested in the subject matter, they will read!
We have begun our unit on American Heroes. In this unit, students will continue to practice using context clues to figure out meanings of unknown words. We will also examine, compare and contrast, different types of literature (prose, drama, poetry) and points of view.
Writing: We are wrapping up our Porquoi Tales and will start a unit on Adjectives next week.
Stay warm!
2/9
Reading: Unfortunately, our Mythology Unit is coming to an end. We could go on forever with these amazing stories! We are working on an allusions project now. We will have a final mythology project to be mostly completed at home. Our mythology test will be on Thursday. Students have a graphic organizer which contains EVERYTHING they need to know! They should know the Greek gods and goddesses and their realms. They should be able to explain the allusions we've referred to in class (Herculean Strength, Pandora's Box, the Midas Touch etc.) They should know important vocabulary as well. Finally, the should be able to complete a story map about a new myth they will read. It will ask them to fill in characters, the problem, main plot points, the solution and the theme of the myth.
We will beginning a unit called American Heroes next. Students will read selections related to the American Revolution. They will read about both well-known and lesser-known people and events.
Writing: We will continue to work on our Porquoi Tales. Our next unit in our English book is Adjectives.
Reading: Unfortunately, our Mythology Unit is coming to an end. We could go on forever with these amazing stories! We are working on an allusions project now. We will have a final mythology project to be mostly completed at home. Our mythology test will be on Thursday. Students have a graphic organizer which contains EVERYTHING they need to know! They should know the Greek gods and goddesses and their realms. They should be able to explain the allusions we've referred to in class (Herculean Strength, Pandora's Box, the Midas Touch etc.) They should know important vocabulary as well. Finally, the should be able to complete a story map about a new myth they will read. It will ask them to fill in characters, the problem, main plot points, the solution and the theme of the myth.
We will beginning a unit called American Heroes next. Students will read selections related to the American Revolution. They will read about both well-known and lesser-known people and events.
Writing: We will continue to work on our Porquoi Tales. Our next unit in our English book is Adjectives.
1/29
Reading: We have transitioned seamlessly from focusing on cause and effect in Porquoi Tales (which explain how/why things happen in nature) to Greek Mythology. The students LOVE these ancient soap operas and explanations for why things happen in nature and why people act in certain ways! We've been having a lot of fun sharing our previous knowledge and reading new myths.
Ask them all about the Titans, Gods, and Godesses: Gaia, Uranus, Cronos, Zeus, Hera, Hades, Demeter, Hestia, Poseiden, Athena, Haephestus, Ares, Aphrodite, Hermes, Artemis, Apollo, and Dionysus.
Writing: We are finishing our rough drafts of our very own Porquoi Tales. After our final copies are written, we will illustrate and write our own hardcover books. More information to come on ordering extra copies. We are also continuing to work on our Verb Unit.
Remember, students should be reading a book for enjoyment for at least 20 minutes every night! See yellow box above.
Have a great weekend!
Ms. Weine
Reading: We have transitioned seamlessly from focusing on cause and effect in Porquoi Tales (which explain how/why things happen in nature) to Greek Mythology. The students LOVE these ancient soap operas and explanations for why things happen in nature and why people act in certain ways! We've been having a lot of fun sharing our previous knowledge and reading new myths.
Ask them all about the Titans, Gods, and Godesses: Gaia, Uranus, Cronos, Zeus, Hera, Hades, Demeter, Hestia, Poseiden, Athena, Haephestus, Ares, Aphrodite, Hermes, Artemis, Apollo, and Dionysus.
Writing: We are finishing our rough drafts of our very own Porquoi Tales. After our final copies are written, we will illustrate and write our own hardcover books. More information to come on ordering extra copies. We are also continuing to work on our Verb Unit.
Remember, students should be reading a book for enjoyment for at least 20 minutes every night! See yellow box above.
Have a great weekend!
Ms. Weine
1/23
Reading: We FINALLY finished our Earth's Changes unit. The students are still struggling, but are improving on the Common Core type reading tests. The text is difficult and the questions are worded in a complex way. This is new for them, but it looks like they are getting the hang of it! Next. we'll be doing a mini-unit on Greek Mythology which will lead us into a unit on Heroes.
Writing: Students have spent the past few weeks reading Porquoi Tales (not unlike mythology) to further analyze cause and effect. In writing, students will now be writing and publishing their own Porquoi Tales. We have started the pre-writing process and will work at school and at home to complete the project. We will be publishing our books through Student Treasures. Every child will get their book bound with a hardcover for free ad families will be able to purchase extra copies. We're also continuing our Verb unit.
Reading: We FINALLY finished our Earth's Changes unit. The students are still struggling, but are improving on the Common Core type reading tests. The text is difficult and the questions are worded in a complex way. This is new for them, but it looks like they are getting the hang of it! Next. we'll be doing a mini-unit on Greek Mythology which will lead us into a unit on Heroes.
Writing: Students have spent the past few weeks reading Porquoi Tales (not unlike mythology) to further analyze cause and effect. In writing, students will now be writing and publishing their own Porquoi Tales. We have started the pre-writing process and will work at school and at home to complete the project. We will be publishing our books through Student Treasures. Every child will get their book bound with a hardcover for free ad families will be able to purchase extra copies. We're also continuing our Verb unit.
1/16
Reading: We will conclude our Earth's Changes unit this week. Make sure your child is practicing vocabulary at home and reading for enjoyment every night. Ask them questions and talk to them about their reading. Reading is not just about memorizing what happened in a story, reading is THINKING! More and more, we are challenging your children to think about what their reading, discuss their thoughts and to put it down in words. This is not an easy task!
Writing: We completed our Nervous System reports and are continuing working on our Verbs unit. We will beginning a fun, new writing project soon. Details to come.
Reading: We will conclude our Earth's Changes unit this week. Make sure your child is practicing vocabulary at home and reading for enjoyment every night. Ask them questions and talk to them about their reading. Reading is not just about memorizing what happened in a story, reading is THINKING! More and more, we are challenging your children to think about what their reading, discuss their thoughts and to put it down in words. This is not an easy task!
Writing: We completed our Nervous System reports and are continuing working on our Verbs unit. We will beginning a fun, new writing project soon. Details to come.
12/12
Reading: We are in the midst of our Unit on Earth's Changes. This unit includes many different types of nonfiction text about Earth and how it's changes effect life on our planet. The reading is different from the typical "story" from our reading book and can be difficult to understand. We are continuing to find main idea and details and make inferences as we read.
English: We are going to start writing an informational piece about the Nervous System next week.
Have a wonderful holiday!
Ms. Weine
Reading: We are in the midst of our Unit on Earth's Changes. This unit includes many different types of nonfiction text about Earth and how it's changes effect life on our planet. The reading is different from the typical "story" from our reading book and can be difficult to understand. We are continuing to find main idea and details and make inferences as we read.
English: We are going to start writing an informational piece about the Nervous System next week.
Have a wonderful holiday!
Ms. Weine
11/21
Reading: We finished our first round of Performance Assessments which will be similar to tasks they have to complete on the new PARCC test. They were hard, but the students did their best. We have already grown alot this year and are learning new ways to think about our reading. Please be patient with us as we grow.
We have begun Unit 2: Earth's Changes. Students will begin reading informational texts. We will practice finding main ideas and supporting details and continue to make inferences based on implicit and explicit information.
Writing: We are cruising through our unit on Nouns (It's all fun and games until we get to posessives and apostrophes!). We will begin writing informational text soon.
Thank you!
Ms. Weine
Reading: We finished our first round of Performance Assessments which will be similar to tasks they have to complete on the new PARCC test. They were hard, but the students did their best. We have already grown alot this year and are learning new ways to think about our reading. Please be patient with us as we grow.
We have begun Unit 2: Earth's Changes. Students will begin reading informational texts. We will practice finding main ideas and supporting details and continue to make inferences based on implicit and explicit information.
Writing: We are cruising through our unit on Nouns (It's all fun and games until we get to posessives and apostrophes!). We will begin writing informational text soon.
Thank you!
Ms. Weine
10/31
Reading: We are finishing up our unit on Difficult Journeys. This is our first time using our new Common Core curriculum. It is rigorous and expects the kids to think in new ways about their reading. This may effect their grades. The standards have changed so our expectations have changed as well. Please be aware of this when you talk to them about their grades and see their report cards.
Writing: We are almost done with Unit 1: Types of Sentences. We are reviewing now and will have a test on Tuesday. We'll fit in another narrative writing piece before the end of the quarter.
Thank you,
Ms. Weine
Reading: We are finishing up our unit on Difficult Journeys. This is our first time using our new Common Core curriculum. It is rigorous and expects the kids to think in new ways about their reading. This may effect their grades. The standards have changed so our expectations have changed as well. Please be aware of this when you talk to them about their grades and see their report cards.
Writing: We are almost done with Unit 1: Types of Sentences. We are reviewing now and will have a test on Tuesday. We'll fit in another narrative writing piece before the end of the quarter.
Thank you,
Ms. Weine
10/20
READING: We are continuing to work on our supplemental textbook. This new book will help us further reach the new, rigorous, Common Core State Standards. It's not easy and the students are struggling, which will be reflected in their grades. Please continue to read with them at home. Question their reading. Discuss books and articles. Model reading for them.
SPELLING: Spelling units will be done at home and due Friday. Tests are Friday. Students know my expectations for their work. Please help them if they are stuck or confused!
WRITING: We are working on Unit 1 in our book: types of sentences.
READING: We are continuing to work on our supplemental textbook. This new book will help us further reach the new, rigorous, Common Core State Standards. It's not easy and the students are struggling, which will be reflected in their grades. Please continue to read with them at home. Question their reading. Discuss books and articles. Model reading for them.
SPELLING: Spelling units will be done at home and due Friday. Tests are Friday. Students know my expectations for their work. Please help them if they are stuck or confused!
WRITING: We are working on Unit 1 in our book: types of sentences.
10/10
We are finishing our unit on Journeys in a new supplemental textbook. This book was created to fit the Common Core State Standards. It has complex texts and is quite rigorous. it asks great questions which really makes the students think. Expectations have changed with the new standards. Students are expected to read complex texts and show their thinking. This may be a tough adjustment for some students.
In addition to all other homework, spelling will be completed 100% at home. Each unit (4 pages) will be due on Friday, the day of the test. As with all homework, please go over it with your child.
Writing: We are putting the finishing touches on our second personal narrative and will start Unit 1 in the grammar book next week. It is about different types of sentences.
Have a great weekend!
We are finishing our unit on Journeys in a new supplemental textbook. This book was created to fit the Common Core State Standards. It has complex texts and is quite rigorous. it asks great questions which really makes the students think. Expectations have changed with the new standards. Students are expected to read complex texts and show their thinking. This may be a tough adjustment for some students.
In addition to all other homework, spelling will be completed 100% at home. Each unit (4 pages) will be due on Friday, the day of the test. As with all homework, please go over it with your child.
Writing: We are putting the finishing touches on our second personal narrative and will start Unit 1 in the grammar book next week. It is about different types of sentences.
Have a great weekend!
10/3
Reading-- We took our Finding the Titanic final test today. We'll continue our unit in a new, supplementary,has reading book which we hope will help prepare students for the new PARCC test. It has great reading passages, tough questions, and a lot of vocabulary! Being able to read the words isn't enough anymore, we've got to THINK and WRITE about our reading.
Writing- We are putting the finishing touches on our personal narratives. I can't wait to read them. We edited and peer edited them this week and we'll learn how to self-assess next week. For our next personal narrative, we will be pretend to be a character from one of the stories we've read together.
In addition to Compass Learning, I set up my homeroom with their own online IXL accounts. It's another fun way for them to practice skills. They know how to use it!
Have a great weekend!
Ms. Weine
Reading-- We took our Finding the Titanic final test today. We'll continue our unit in a new, supplementary,has reading book which we hope will help prepare students for the new PARCC test. It has great reading passages, tough questions, and a lot of vocabulary! Being able to read the words isn't enough anymore, we've got to THINK and WRITE about our reading.
Writing- We are putting the finishing touches on our personal narratives. I can't wait to read them. We edited and peer edited them this week and we'll learn how to self-assess next week. For our next personal narrative, we will be pretend to be a character from one of the stories we've read together.
In addition to Compass Learning, I set up my homeroom with their own online IXL accounts. It's another fun way for them to practice skills. They know how to use it!
Have a great weekend!
Ms. Weine
9/26
Reading:
1. Too much vocabulary! I'll back off on the vocabulary book for now, but it may creep back into our lessons shortly. For now, we'll focus on the spelling book, which has great critical thinking skills! As soon as they are very comfortable with the lessons, spelling will be done at home each night and due on Friday, the day of the test. This way, we can spend our valuable class time working on other lessons!
2. We finished reading our story about the Titanic. We will continue working with the story and other skills next week. The test will most likely be on Friday. After that, we will work in an additional series that is correlated to the Common Core.
3. Please make sure your child is reading at home! Read to them! Listen to them read! Model it! See yellow box above.
Writing: We are working on personal narratives about a time that we learned an important lesson.
Thank you!
Ms. Weine
Reading:
1. Too much vocabulary! I'll back off on the vocabulary book for now, but it may creep back into our lessons shortly. For now, we'll focus on the spelling book, which has great critical thinking skills! As soon as they are very comfortable with the lessons, spelling will be done at home each night and due on Friday, the day of the test. This way, we can spend our valuable class time working on other lessons!
2. We finished reading our story about the Titanic. We will continue working with the story and other skills next week. The test will most likely be on Friday. After that, we will work in an additional series that is correlated to the Common Core.
3. Please make sure your child is reading at home! Read to them! Listen to them read! Model it! See yellow box above.
Writing: We are working on personal narratives about a time that we learned an important lesson.
Thank you!
Ms. Weine
9/18
Reading: Today we are taking our final test on Akiak. Students have been practicing backing up their answers with evidence from the text and answering in complete "4th grade" sentences, both written and orally. Next week, we will begin a story called Finding the Titanic, which is always a favorite.
The students had their first vocabulary quiz today (\which I thought was pretty easy) and did not do too well. I will give the quiz again on Monday. Next time we take a vocab quiz, I will make sure they have the words and definitions so that they can practice throughout the week.
Writing: We are wrapping up our first unit on Capitalization. Students will take a test next week and begin working on our first writing project.
Reading: Today we are taking our final test on Akiak. Students have been practicing backing up their answers with evidence from the text and answering in complete "4th grade" sentences, both written and orally. Next week, we will begin a story called Finding the Titanic, which is always a favorite.
The students had their first vocabulary quiz today (\which I thought was pretty easy) and did not do too well. I will give the quiz again on Monday. Next time we take a vocab quiz, I will make sure they have the words and definitions so that they can practice throughout the week.
Writing: We are wrapping up our first unit on Capitalization. Students will take a test next week and begin working on our first writing project.
9/12
Yesterday, Room 212 read "The Man Who Walked Between the Towers" by Mordechai Gerstein. It's a beautiful book which describes the day in 1974 that Philipe Petit walked between the Twin Towers on a tightrope. We found a cool video on youtube which I promised to share so they could watch it at home too. I hope the link works. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ddpV1GvF7E
Reading: We are reading Akiak, a story about a dog who ran the Iditarod Race. As we read, we are working on comprehension and making inferences. Next week, we'll swap out spelling for vocabulary. Quiz will be on Friday.
Writing: We are mastering CAPITALIZATION! It may not be used in texting, but it's still important!
Yesterday, Room 212 read "The Man Who Walked Between the Towers" by Mordechai Gerstein. It's a beautiful book which describes the day in 1974 that Philipe Petit walked between the Twin Towers on a tightrope. We found a cool video on youtube which I promised to share so they could watch it at home too. I hope the link works. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ddpV1GvF7E
Reading: We are reading Akiak, a story about a dog who ran the Iditarod Race. As we read, we are working on comprehension and making inferences. Next week, we'll swap out spelling for vocabulary. Quiz will be on Friday.
Writing: We are mastering CAPITALIZATION! It may not be used in texting, but it's still important!
9-4
We are starting off this year with unit on Difficult Journeys. We've had great discussions about how journeys change us and effect our lives. This year will have a heavy focus on drawing conclusions and making inferences. You make an inference when you use clues from a story and things you are already know to figure out something that the author doesn't tell you.
Next week, we will begin reading Akiak, a story about a brave dog participating in the Iditarod race in Alaska.
We will be alternating each week between spelling and vocabulary. Test scores will count for 10% as part of their Writing grades.
Students should be reading for at least 20 minutes every night. If they tell you that they don't have homework, it is not true! They should be reading! We will have monthly book reports due the last school day of every month. More information to follow.
Have a great weekend!
Ms. Weine
We are starting off this year with unit on Difficult Journeys. We've had great discussions about how journeys change us and effect our lives. This year will have a heavy focus on drawing conclusions and making inferences. You make an inference when you use clues from a story and things you are already know to figure out something that the author doesn't tell you.
Next week, we will begin reading Akiak, a story about a brave dog participating in the Iditarod race in Alaska.
We will be alternating each week between spelling and vocabulary. Test scores will count for 10% as part of their Writing grades.
Students should be reading for at least 20 minutes every night. If they tell you that they don't have homework, it is not true! They should be reading! We will have monthly book reports due the last school day of every month. More information to follow.
Have a great weekend!
Ms. Weine