Back in the Swing

We had a good first week back. The kids seem refreshed and ready for second semester. This will be a busy semester and always seems to fly by.

Mid Year Benchmarks are next week; Math will be given on Tuesday followed by Reading on Wednesday. Thank you for making sure your child gets to bed early, eats a nutritious breakfast, and gets to school on time.

AIMS Web Winter Progress Testing window opens at the end of the month. Results will be sent home and mid-year conferences will be made, if necessary.

Please keep in mind that tutoring has resumed in the computer. If your child was asked to partake in this opportunity, please efforts to be there during the session you chose (7:00-7:30  OR 2:30-3:00)

Class pictures will be taken next Wednesday, January 15th. An envelope regarding cost was sent home in yesterday's folder.

Have a great weekend!

Happy New Year!

We hope you and your loved ones had a restful holiday! It is wonderful to see the bright faces back in our classroom and everyone looks mysteriously older. Yikes!

Intervention/Enrichment Folders

A brown manila envelope (folder) was sent home on the Friday before the winter break. I want to explain these folders in a little more detail so that they are used effectively and aid in success.
There are 2 items that REMAIN IN THE FOLDER AT ALL TIMES...
-The letter of explanation
-The Reading Response Log

All else will be changed out EACH FRIDAY.
**The important thing to understand is that the Reader's Response Log is only used WHEN A BOOK IS SENT HOME IN THE FOLDER. There will not be a book sent every week. Also, answers to the questions do not need to be written down, only discussed. Of course, the option to write is yours.

 Mrs. Milot will be providing Math and I will focus on reading/comprehension/fluency. Work in the folder will vary and focus on skills needed at that time for your child
For instance, I (Mrs. C) will be placing AIMS progress monitoring practice in the folder this Friday since we will have our second round of testing at the end of the month. ***The directions for how to complete and aid in this work IS ON THE BOTTOM OF THE PARENT LETTER. Hence, the reason for it to stay in the folder with the Reading Log. Both assignments are timed. Students may use phone, iTouch, iPod, etc to set 1 minute and 3 minutes sessions.Thank you for your support!

**Please make sure that your child turns in their folder EACH FRIDAY. Thank you!

Pizza, pizza, pizza

The wonderful parents are providing pizza for lunch tomorrow before Early Release. No lunches are necessary unless your child chooses to not eat pizza. Thank you, PTA!!!

Shirts

Please have students wear their Green Lantern grade level shirts tomorrow (Friday). Luckily, they are festive green!

Intervention and Enrichment Folders

Folders are coming home today with your child. We have provided a parent letter and work to review over the holiday and/or week of return, as they are not due back to us until Friday, January 10th.

Blessing

We hope you enjoy your holiday break and catch up on time with family. Please know that you and your child are blessings to us! Stay safe and we look forward to seeing you next year!

Holiday Party and Early Dismissal Friday

Our holiday party will take place on Friday at 11:00AM.
**Early dismissal will be at 12:30.
Please bring a sack lunch or let us know you need to order a sack lunch from the cafeteria.
We know that some students may choose to eat at home after dismissal, however, we are providing a lunch time to ensure all students have an opportunity to be fed. Thank you!

Homework and Testing

This week we are administering our Writing Benchmark. These tests will guide our instruction as we move into the winter term. Today, we completed Day 1 and we will wrap up with Day 2 tomorrow. Please make sure your child gets plenty of rest and a sensible breakfast. Thank you!
Due to this testing and our short week, we will not be handing out homework.

Holiday Store

Due to our campus being closed yesterday, the Holiday Store schedule needed to be adjusted. Please note our times below:

Christian homeroom- Thursday- 10:30-11:00AM
Milot homeroom- Friday- 11:15AM- 11:45AM

Coyote Call-Out- Friday

This week hosts our next Coyote Call-Out. Please join us at 2:00PM.
Students are encouraged to bring/ wear holiday hats and maracas (or other shakers) if you have them.

Texas Revolution Project

Your kiddo will be bringing home a paper that outlines a home project they will be working on during the week before the holiday break. Please look for this paper in their folders tomorrow. There will be three projects from which to choose. Please read all directions and choose the one that best fits your child's learning style.

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like.....Ice !!!

Yikes! I have to say that I am beginning to think this field trip to the museum is NOT supposed to happen. LOL  After having to be rescheduled in 3rd Grade, a hassle to iron out details this year, and now possible ice in the forecast for Friday... one can't help but wonder.

At this point, everything is still on schedule. Unfortunately, we will not know anything for sure until Friday morning. With temperatures dropping so suddenly and weather patterns constantly changing, we will have to see whether we have just a cold rain or a sleet/ice when we are ready to go and what the weather will do while we are there. Dr. Truncale is watching everything closely, as are we.
**I will be updating the blog and emailing to keep you informed. Please check before contacting us.
A sound/safe judgment will be made and we are prepared to stay here, if needed. Thank you for your patience, as we are in the same holding position. The good thing is that this trip should only take 2 hours. Short and sweet.
Please check back for updates.

MOCK STAAR TESTING NEXT WEEK

The district is giving a "mock" STAAR WRITING test next Monday and Tuesday to all 4th Grade students. These two days will run just as the actual STAAR test in April. We will test each day from 8AM- 12PM- (Less if everyone finishes early).
Each day will consist of writing one paper addressing expository or narrative text, as well as, multiple choice questions focused on revising and editing.
**If at all possible, please make sure that your child is present for these two days. This benchmark is very important, as scores will be used to guide future instruction. Thank you!

 Did Someone Say...Santa??

Holiday shopping is right around the corner for us! The Holiday Store will be open next week. Our scheduled time to visit is Wednesday 10:30-11:00. Please feel free to join us or send money for your child to shop for gifts.

Grades, Grades, Grades

Yes, the expected and feared "Drop" has hit 4th Grade. At this time in the year, we start to allow students to become more responsible for their learning. During this transition process, it is not uncommon for grades to fall slightly. Reading directions effectively and following through appropriately until the end is imperative. Many times, it is not the skill that is weak, but the amount of effort put into the assignment without the teacher guiding them through it several times. Our goal is to help each student become a successful, independent learner.

Cox Coyote Jingle Run 5K

Please join Mrs. Milot and I in our "jingly" shoes as we take part in our Cox fundraiser on Saturday, December 14th at 5:00PM. We hope to see you!

Holiday Joy and Supplies!

Happy (early) Thanksgiving! 

While you are traveling (or just lounging around the house J) this break please have your kiddo study for their Social Studies test that will be on the Tuesday we get back. They brought home the study guide today. I have emailed it to you as well for those study guides that have “wondered off.” The more they know this material, the better they will do! This test will end our unit on Colonization and guide us to our unit on the Revolution in the coming weeks.

                                                                             

In science, we are continuing our study of soil when we return. One of the experiments we will do involves a need for knee-high nylon hose. We will use this item in our exploration of soils capacity to retain water. In order to do this experiment I will need 16 pairs of knee-high nylon hose. I would like to do this experiment on Thursday. If you happen upon some inexpensive nylon hose in the next week or so, please contribute to our exploration. 

When we return, math will have us begin our studies of combinations. This is a fun concept and can easily be applied to everyday life. How many different combinations of Thanksgiving food can you create on your plate?

Thank you for all of your support. I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday!

Mrs. Milot