Week of Oct. 31st - Nov. 4th

Dear Parents,

I enjoyed meeting with you and having a face to face conversation about your child.  You have given me insight that will help me in the classroom.  Please let me know if you ever have concerns, or need further clarification, about any issue.  The education of your child, at its best, is truly a partnership.  

This coming week will  be another busy one.  I probably say that every week, but it's true.  Fourth graders are an active group.  The pumpkins are due on Monday.  If you are able, please come inside this week and have a look.  I'm always amazed!  The children are usually very proud when the finished product is their own work.  

Our Ft. Toulouse field trip is this Friday, Nov. 4th.  We will leave the school after lunch, about 12:00.  I hope we have nice weather and you enjoy the afternoon.  If you have never been to Frontier Days, it is a treat.  When you see the area with the presenters and hear the cannons firing, it is almost a glimpse back in time.  

I look forward to seeing you on Friday, if not before. 

Bible - Finish Lesson 10, begin Lesson 11, Genesis 29;31-33, "Jacob Becomes Israel"

Spelling - Unit 12 Test on Thursday, I will give the children a list of 25 words, from the unit, on Monday.  I have already entered those 25 words on www.spellingcity.com

Language - begin Unit 3, verbs

 

Reading - finish Wanted Mud Blossom, using the basal series to teach skills: story structure, author's point of view- We will also reflect on the trade books we have already read, to identify story structure and author's point of view in those books.

Math - Chapter 4 Test on Wednesday, begin chapter 5, "Collect and Organize Data"

 

Science - review digestive system and begin study of respiratory system.  Words related to the study of these systems are on www.spellingcity.com

 

Alabama History - Chapter 4 Test on Friday  

Homecoming Week 2011

We began the week by dressing in one color.  We were bright and comfortable.  Who is that on the far right of the top row?

                                

                  

Tuesday was "Book Character Day."  We really had some stories to tell!

Everyone cheered for their favorite college team.

It looks like the boys have been reading some good books.  

Week of Oct. 24th - 28th

This was a great week!  Homecoming certainly added a higher level of energy to each day, and I really enjoyed seeing the children in their outfits.  We had a good time being together,  enjoying the moments, and making memories.  


The children also worked hard this week on their animal posters.  They should use these ideas to decorate their pumpkin.  The pumpkins are due Oct. 31st.


This coming week will be a short week, as Friday is the day for parent conferences.  I look forward to seeing you then. 


Bible - Lesson 10, Genesis 25:27-34; 27-28, "Jacob the Deceiver"
Spelling - Unit 11, Test on Thursday
Language - Unit 2 Test 2 on Wednesday
Reading - Wanted Mud Blossom, skills: compare/contrast, making judgments
Math - Chapter 4, pages 64-71
Science - digestive and respiratory systems, pages 168-173 
Alabama History - Chapter 4, "Historic Indians"

Week of Oct. 17th - 21st

We are so very excited about Homecoming Week.  We have discussed the special dress days, parade, Friday's lunch options, and early dismissal.  Our afternoon dismissal on Monday may be delayed about five minutes due to our pep rally at 2:30.  Please be sure to visit the Trinity website and the quick link regarding Homecoming.  I showed the children this information.
               
                Monday: Crayon Day- dress in one color
                Tuesday: Book Character Day
                Wednesday: Crazy Hair and Hat Day
                Thursday: College t-shirt Day with uniform bottom and shoes
                Friday: HOMECOMING or Trinity issued t-shirt, long jeans or uniform bottoms 


Parent conference day is Friday, October 28th.  I hope you've had a chance to look at the tentative schedule that was included in the report card.  You may swap times with anyone, take any of the free spaces, or request another day and time.  Please let me know if changes have been made.

Bible - Lesson 9, Genesis 22:1-19; 24, "Isaac's Birth, Sacrifice, and Marriage"
Spelling- Unit 10 Test on Thursday
Language- Unit 2, singular and plural possessive nouns
Reading - Wanted Mud Blossom, skills: noting details, compare/contrast
Math - Chapter 4, pages 58-65
Science - Please send your child to school with a piece of poster board.  They may choose the color.  They will be designing and creating their imaginary animal posters in class.  This imaginary animal will be the basis of their "pumpkin" which they will make at home.  The decorated pumpkins are due Oct. 31st.
Alabama History - Chapter 4, Historic Indians

Friday's Fun

We had a great time on our field trip.  We ate lunch first and so did the ducks.  They were really glad to see us.  Our tour of the art museum was informative.  Our docent did a good job of showing us works by artists from Alabama, and relating the information on our fourth grade level.  

Week of Oct. 10th - 14th

Dear Parents, 


We enjoyed the beautiful days this week as we came to the end of our first nine weeks.  The final averages will be shown on the grade sheet in Tuesday's signed papers.  Please let me know if you have any questions.


We really enjoyed the field trip on Friday and look forward to our field trip on Tuesday, Oct. 11th.  Our field trip to Ft. Toulouse is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 4th.  The field trip to Ft. Toulouse is not limited to fathers.  Any adult is invited to accompany their child.  You will receive more information about this field trip.


Homecoming is Friday, Oct. 21st, and we will be participating in "theme days" during the week.  Please see the Trinity homepage and quick links for more information.


You will receive information in the folders about the decorated pumpkin the children will bring to school at the end of October.  This pumpkin will be decorated as an animal that the children will "invent" in class.  The pumpkins may be real or artificial, but small enough for your fourth grader to carry.  The pumpkin/animal will be done at home.  PLEASE DON"T CARVE THE PUMPKIN.  


I hope you enjoy the long weekend.

Now for the upcoming week:

Bible - Lesson 8, the story of Sodom and Gomorrah- This will be read from a Bible story book.
Spelling - Unit 9, Test on Thursday
Language - Unit 2, pages 73-77, plural nouns and singular possessive nouns
Reading - Wanted Mud Blossom
Math - Begin chapter 4, "Algebra: Use Addition and Subtraction" (see note below)
Science - Begin chapter 4, "The Human Body"
Alabama History - Begin chapter 4, "Historic Indians"

NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

Students should have quick recall of their addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts.  This means not having to rely on their fingers to calculate the answers.  Repeated practice with flash cards will help in faster recall of the basic facts.  I have added a new math link on this blog that will provide timed practice of facts.  It is a link to harcourtschool.com.  We will soon begin timed tests of basic facts.