A look ahead...

Next week:

Math -
We will continue our work with rounding numbers to a variety of place values. We will review ways to determine the perimeter of numerous shapes and we will work on analyzing and interpreting bar graphs.

*Please make sure your kiddo is getting on xtramath.org to practice their math facts! This will help a great deal in everything we do in math!!*

Science -
We will begin comparing and contrasting a variety of mixtures and solutions such as rocks in sand, sand in water, and sugar in water. This exploration will involve a multitude of labs so it should be a lot of hands on fun!

Picture Day -
Wednesday, October 2nd is picture day. Be sure your kiddo brings their best smile...and their purchasing package if you are wanting to purchase pictures!

Friday, Friday, Friday!

Conference letters went home and are due back Monday. Please return all forms signed, even if you are opting out of a conference at this time. We would like to hear from each of you. Thanks!

Language Arts has had a busy but great week! The students really seem to be enjoying our first novel, Because of Winn Dixie. They are eager to read each day and moan when we stop. I will take that as a fabulous sign! Ask your child questions regarding this story thus far. If comprehension strategies are being used and details given, you may enjoy hearing the story just as much as we have enjoyed reading it.

Next week's spelling pattern will be using the suffixes -full and -less. I have uploaded a list for you to reference. Please remember, the pattern and examples are what we study, as test words may include examples given but not be limited to them only.

joyful                     powerful
helpless                  restless
restful                    playful
careless                  cheerful
useful                     thoughtful
thankless               powerless
peaceful                thankful
hopeless          


Over the next couple of weeks,Social Studies will cover early Texas settlers. We will explore tribes that inhabited Texas and early European explorers' journeys to Texas. Several art projects (in class) will accompany this unit, so I know we will enjoy ourselves.

Tardies

Tardies are still an issue with my class. Please know that we begin right at 7:30 and students leave our room for enrichment time. When students are even a couple minutes late, they come in frazzled and miss instruction time. Thank you for your help in this matter. :)

Snacks

We have run out of snacks in the room. If you would like to donate, we would appreciate it! You have some hungry kiddos in the morning!. LOL
Appropriate snacks would be pretzels, goldfish, cheez-its, honey graham bears. ***Please avoid any items with nuts, peanut butter, etc. Allergies are present.
Thank you VERY much!

Have a wonderful weekend!

A few more things...

Think Through Math

Today your kiddo brought home a letter that explains the math program previously mentioned (Think Through Math). Attached to this letter is your kiddos user name and pin. This information will help you to access this program at home. Please read over this letter and get your kiddo on when you can! It will help them succeed in Math!

Science Study Guide

Science Study guides were sent home today so that students could utilize them to study for the test on Thursday. Please look for these in your kiddos daily folder and start reviewing them. There will also be an email sent out with the answer key in case any kids "misplace" their copy.

Grade-Level T-Shirts

This is the last call to order grade level t-shirts!!!! Money was due today, but we are allowing money to be submitted through this week to allow for paychecks to come in. Please be sure to get your money and size in by the end of this week or you will miss the opportunity!

Thank you for all the support!

Mrs. M

Homework and Dates

Homework

Spelling Pattern for the Week- Words with double consonants in the middle and words with /l/ as the final sound spelled -le (Ex- giggle, rattle, bottle, table, ankle, jungle).

Today was the first day that a homework sheet was sent home. It is due back to the homeroom teacher by Thursday. Tuesday will continue to be the day homework is assigned unless otherwise noted. Additional homework/practice may be sent based on individual needs.

Below, we have listed websites for additional help at home. These are activities that we would like students to do on a regular basis...

• Read nightly; aloud and silently. Library books and leveled readers are available.
• xtramath.org:
• You will be receiving a paper tomorrow that explains this program. It is an online program that has your kiddo practicing their math facts on the computer. It is very quick and very effective practice. I will be able to view each students progress, so please have them get on nightly.
• Think Through Math:
• This is another online program that reinforces math concepts being taught in class. A paper will come home shortly regarding this program.
• iStation:
• This is an online program that supports reading concepts being taught in class. A paper will come home shortly regarding this program.

Dates

Please note the upcoming dates:

9/19 - Math Test

9/25 - Early Dismissal - Please complete a sack lunch form if you want your child to have one on this date, as NO hot lunches will be served. The forms will be sent home in the Thursday folders.

9/26 - Science Test

If your kiddo is involved in Rhythm Rockers please be aware of the following meeting days from 2:30-3:15:

10/1

10/8

10/15

10/22

10/29

11/5

11/12

11/19

12/3

12/10 (last meeting)

Fourth Grade Shirts

We are pleased that the kids are excited about the first ever 4th Grade shirt! Most have ordered, even though ordering is optional. 

***Thank you, thank you, thank you for your generosity, as a few parents have donated money for those students that may have difficulty purchasing a shirt. If you would like to donate a shirt cost or two, please let us know. You are awesome and exemplifying the Wylie Way!

Math Help Wanted!

As we close out our unit on place value, your kiddo will be creating a real world project demonstrating their knowledge of decimals. They will choose five items to purchase, create an ordered table of items, and represent the prices using two different decimal models. In order to complete this project, we are in need of store fliers, weekly advertisements, inserts, or circulars. These items must have dollar amounts listed that include values in the hundredths place. We are working on this project on Wednesday, so I would like to have these items by Tuesday, if possible. This project gives applicable value to all the hard work they have been doing! Thank you for your support!

Mrs. M

Homework

Homework will begin coming home next week. Mrs. Milot and I are aligned with our philosophy with homework. We feel that we have high expectations and work loads during the day and do not want to overload students (or parents) with homework. We feel that homework teaches responsibility and provides adequate review when necessary. One assignment per week, consisting of Math and Language Arts will sent home on Tuesdays and is due back on Thursdays. Should a student need more review during the week, contact will be made with the parent explaining expectations. 

Look for our first assignment next Tuesday. Thank you!

Starting our Morning with Lantern Time

We want to emphasize that our day immediately begins at 7:30 with Lantern Time (Math intervention/enrichment). Students may be with other Fourth Grade teachers during this time or in the computer lab. We appreciate the extra effort to have your child here on time so he/she may have time to unpack and go to appropriate classroom on time. This helps everyone start the day well! :) 

Curriculum Night Tonight!

We hope to see you here at 7:00 PM.

You may also order your FIRST EVER 4th GRADE T-SHIRT ($7) . Yahoo! 

Grades

We are beginning to enter grades, as students have now become acclimated to expectations and routines. As grading was completed by teachers over the weekend, it was evident that several friends did not meet their full potential and received grades lower than expected. For this first semester, we are allowing assignments to be "corrected". If your student comes home with a grade less than 70%, please know that the assignment can be corrected WITHIN THAT SAME WEEK and returned for an adjustment of no higher than a 70%. Thank you for your support!

Fourth Grade Shirt! How Cool!

This year, we have designed our very first fourth grade t-shirt! We are so excited! These shirts are, of course, optional. However, we KNOW all will want one. We designed this shirt around our grade level theme of The Green Lantern...slightly adjusted for educational purposes. These shirts will be able to be worn many times throughout the year; field trips, spirit days, etc. Please look for this order form in their folders today. The shirts are only $7 !!! What a deal!

Hold on to Your Hats! This is Long! :)

We have much to share so please read all. Thank you!

Spelling
Each Monday (Tuesday, if Monday is a holiday), we will have a pre-test. If a 100 is made, the student has alternative choices during Spelling for the week. This eliminates the student repeating material already mastered. I have been asked if spelling words are sent home and let me assure you that they are sent in the form of the pretest taken, not a handout from me. Students are taught a pattern for the weekly words which supports the philosophy that each should be able to transfer knowledge rather than memorize a list. Thank you for your support!

Green Team

Ms. Brandow runs the Green Team for the school and has the team collect the recycling bins each week. The team develops an awareness for global responsibility and is looked at as leaders. They will miss 15 minutes of recess one day a week to empty recycling bins in all classes. Green Team is exclusive to Fourth Grade. This year, Ms. Brandow is having students apply for these positions. Applications are being sent home and should be turned in by Monday.

Unfinished Work

The Fourth Grade Team has met to discuss options for unfinished work that should have been completely in the appropriate time given. One option is having the students stay after school. However, travel accommodations would need to be provided by parents. We want to provide this option so that students are not missing exercise during recess by having to stay inside yet realize the importance of staying on task and finishing the job. We will make you aware if your student is having difficulty finishing work on time so you may encourage your child to stay on task.

Upcoming Events

September 11th- Wear BLUE and support the Wylie Way.
September 12th- Curriculum Night and PTA Meeting- 7:00-8:00PM
Social Studies Test- Study guide will come home.
September 13th - Coyote Call-Out
**Note- Change in time- Call out begins at 1:30PM
Students and staff may dress as super heroes for this day.
September 19th- Math Test (place value)

Weekly Academic Goals

Language Arts
Students will:
use the context of a sentence to determine meaning of unfamiliar words.
make inferences about text.
create and edit sentences using correct subject-verb agreement.

Social Studies
Students will:
describe regions in Texas that result from physical characteristics and landforms.
explain how geographic factors have influenced economic activity.

Math
Students will:
use place value to read, write, compare, and order whole numbers through 999,999,999.

Science
Students will:
measure, compare, and contrast physical properties of matter.

Reminders

Please, please, please send your Super hero letter for your child to their homeroom teacher. We are still missing quite a few! Thanks so much!


Grandparent Breakfast- Friday, September 6th at 7:00AM