Wonderful Weekend

On Saturday, I spent the day at the Dublin Literacy Conference.  I had a fabulous time learning new literacy activities to implement into my classroom.  I think my favorite part of the day was meeting four fabulous authors, Kate Messner, Louise Borden, Ralph Fletcher, and Jarrett Krosoczka.  I can't wait to share my new book purchases with the kids tomorrow.  I am sure they will fight over who gets to read the new Lunch Lady books first.

This week in the classroom:

MATH - We are beginning our Geometry unit.  The students have a Geometry Folder that will hold all of their notes.  I will have them bring them home for you to see later in the week. 

SCIENCE - The Weather unit continues.  This week we will focus on warm and cold fronts.  We will discuss what types of weather and air they bring to the area.  

SOCIAL STUDIES - We are learning about the historic Indians that lived in Ohio during the 1600's.  Each tribe has it's own unique culture and life style.  There will be a test over both the Prehistoric and Historic tribes on Thursday.  The students will be able to use their notes for this test.  

READING -- Students are finishing up their Civil Rights ABC books.  We are also beginning to research their Ohio Heroes.  We will write the reports and speeches at school.   Don't forget your child needs a costume for the wax museum.  I will send out more information about the wax museum as time gets closer.  

Thanks for all you do to help your child be successful.  

Meetings, Meetings, and more Meetings

I'm sure the kids told you I was at a district meeting today.  The district is asking teachers for input regarding technology in the schools.  We certainly have lots to consider and are carefully looking at all of the available options. Also, I will be out next Monday and Tuesday for the Ohio Technology Conference in Columbus.

At my meeting today,  I was asked to pilot a new program called Class Dojo.  This is a classroom behavior management tool.  I will introduce it to the kids on Tuesday.  You will receive a parent letter  explaining how you can view your child's classroom behavior.  We will give it a try.

Other tech news, I introduced your children to Biblionasium.   This is a reading network for kids under 13 (imagine GoodReads for kids).  Here the students can keep track of the books they are reading and review books they have finished.  They can even recommend books to other students in our class and to me !!  Check it out.

On to classroom news. . .

Math - We have been adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators.  Next, we will use unlike denominators.  Then, we will move onto decimals.

Science - The plant unit is finally over and we have moved onto weather.  This is one of my favorite units.   I think the students enjoy this unit as well.

Social Studies - We are still learning about the Prehistoric Indians that lived in Ohio.  The students are taking notes and then creating a visualization for each of the tribes.  It is important they be able to read their notes about these tribes.  When they take a test over this material, they will be able to use their binders.

Reading -  Hopefully, your children have been talking to you the about the Civil Rights Movement.  I know they are constantly asking me questions and wondering about this topic.  I love the fact that they can't imagine why anyone would be treated differently because of their skin color.   Cool huh!?  This week we will look at Jackie Robinson's integration into Major League Baseball.

On to building news . . .

KME Extravaganza - February 23rd - Our basket theme is Ladies Knight.  Please send in any items that  would make a ladies night fantastic.

Snowy Friday

The kids certaintly are excited to see the snow flakes flying today.  They can hardly keep their attention on the tasks at hand.  I have to admit it is nice to finally have some snow along with this bitter cold air.

Hopefully, you recieved your child's report card on Tuesday.  If not, you might want to search in their backpacks.  Now is a good time to set some goals for the upcoming quarter.  Typically, the third quarter is the hardest for fourth graders.  The material being covered is new, therefore students really need to buckle down and focus.  I will try to keep you up to date on upcoming tests and quizzes.  We always write them down in the planbook, so look there as well.

Located in the Friday Folders this week is the Social Studies test on Economics.  Feel free to make test corrections and turn it back in on Monday.

Coming up this week:

Math - Fractions  -  We will begin adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators as well as unlike denominators.

Social Studies - Ohio History - This is my favorite unit in Social Studies.  We will first look at the Prehistoric Indians that once lived in Ohio.

Science - Plants - We are wrapping up the plant unit.  We will look at parts of a flower and then types of leaves.  Change in plans  - TEST ON FRIDAY.

Reading - Civil Rights Movement - We have learned about Ruby Bridges and Martin Luther King Jr. and how they impacted the Civil Rights Movement.  Next week, we will take a closer look at Rosa Parks and Jackie Robinson.  The kids are really enjoying learning about this time in American History.

Long Weekend Ahead

I hope everyone has wonderful things planned for this weekend.  The kids have NO homework next week. but we will have 2 tests.   I will remind them to take home their binders over the weekend.

As you know, I have been out all week.  I have been attending a Google for Education Training Camp.  It has been very intense, but extremely informative.  I hope to begin using Google more with the kids as we move through the year.

Here's a look at next week

MATH - We will continue working with fractions.  We will compare and order them using like and unlike denominators.  It is important that they understand how to create equivalent fractions and simplify into lowest terms. 

SCIENCE - We have a test on Thursday over the life cycles of a plant as well as the material covered on the last quiz.  We will make a review windowpane when we come back from the weekend.

SOCIAL STUDIES - We are finishing up the Economics Unit.  The students have learned about Productive Resources and Entrepreneurship.  We will have a test on Wednesday over the Economic Unit.  

LANGUAGE ARTS - The Civil Rights Movement Unit is in full swing.  The kids have spent the week learning about Ruby Bridges and her brave integration into the New Orleans schools.  They have learned so much about her struggles.  Next week, we will look at Martin Luther King Jr. and his impact on this movement.


** Grade cards are coming home on Tuesday.  Don't forget you can check your child's grades on Progressbook at anytime.

Crazy Few Weeks

Well it seems as if the past few weeks have been extra busy around KME and I don't see it letting up anytime soon.

Math -

We will investigate place value until Thanksgiving Break.  We are currently looking at how to write and read large numbers.  The Common Core Standard requires students to be able to write and read numbers up to the millions. Feel free spend some time at home working on this skill.  You could play a game with dice or cards to see who can write and read the largest number.

Science -

We are finishing up our Earth Changing Processes Unit.  The students will have a test over this unit on Thursday.  They will need to know all the material in this section of their binder.  We will be making a review booklet on the next few days to help your child study.

Social Studies -

The study of Ohio's Government is our next unit in Social Studies.  The kids will look at each of the branches of government and their responsibilities.

Reading -

Gordon Korman is our new hero !!  We love this author. The kids complain each time our reading session is finished.  They just can't wait to read more.  How cool is that?

Each group is reading book one of a fantastic series.  Your child will be reading either  Island - Shipwreck or Everest - The Contest.  Be sure to ask them which one they are enjoying.

Looking for a Christmas gift?  The next two books in the series is always a good gift. Or think about buying one of his other series, each one is fantastic!

Enjoy the rest of the week.

Happy Halloween

What a crazy first quarter this has been at KME.  I am so sorry I have been neglecting the blog.  Hopefully things will calm down and I will update more frequently.  

Report cards are in your child's Friday Folder.  Please take some time to look this over with your child.  Now is the time to set new goals for second quarter.  

MATH —

We have begun our third unit in Math—Multiple Towers and Division.  The students are currently working on two digit multiplication problems.  Please continue to practice multiplication facts at home as it will help your child greatly in the next coming weeks.  

SCIENCE — 

Next week we will look at weathering and erosion and how it changes the earth.  The kids can see many of these changes occurring right here near their homes.  If you happen to see some weathering or erosion going on as you are driving around Landen, take some time to point it out to your child. 

SOCIAL STUDIES

We looked at the different types of Ohio maps.  The students looked at population maps, precipitation maps, and resource maps.  It is important that they know how to read different types of maps and answer questions about them. We have the unit test scheduled on Wednesday.  Your child will be responsible for knowing all the information pertaining to this unit.  

READING —  

We are moving on to the reading strategy questioning.  In this strategy, students need to ask questions as they read.  As they do this, they begin to look for answers and ultimately become engaged in the text  We are beginning new novels on Monday.  Be sure to ask your child what they are reading.  

REVIEW SHEETS  - 

Due to Beggars Night, we have only handed out Reading and Social Studies homework this week.  They will be due on their normal day - Wednesday.  

UPCOMING EVENTS 

Veteran's Day Parade - if you or a family member is a military veteran, we would love to have you participate in our annual Veteran's Day Parade.  Please contact Mrs. Presnall at npresnall@kingslocal.net to sign up for this fabulous activity.

Holiday Art Fair - Mark your calendars for the art fair scheduled December 13th.  In your Friday Folder you will find an RSVP, please be sure to send it in as soon as possible so Mrs. Heagan can have everyone's art work ready and framed.  

Welcome Back to School

We had a fantastic first week of school.  The kids did a great job listening to all of the beginning of the year reminders and housekeeping stuff.

SCIENCE

We began our first unit this week—Process Skills.  This unit will focus on the skills that are needed to be a great scientist.  We discussed this week what it means to make good observations, and how it important it is for a scientist. 

MATH

We are beginning the year with a quick review of the addition and subtraction strategies the students learned in third grade.  

SOCIAL STUDIES

We began our map skills unit.  Our first two lessons discussed the solar system and our planet.

READING

We have been building our reading stamina this week.  Each day we are discussing the best ways to read a book,  We have also been practicing the length of time we are really reading.  Next week I will meet with each student to discuss their reading needs