Dear Parents,

There are only four more days in this school year.  I can't believe it!  It has been my pleasure to teach your children and share them with you.  We have worked hard and they have all grown academically this year.  I know you are as proud of them as I am. Thank you for sending me your sweet, respectful, well-behaved children.

I also want to thank you for your unwavering cooperation.  I have always known I had your support and prayers.  You have been there to meet any classroom need, driven on field trips, and showered me with birthday gifts and other tokens of appreciation.  I am very grateful!

I know that you are looking forward to the summer break, and the more relaxed routine it allows.  I pray that you have a wonderful, restful time with your family.

In Him,
Julia

Tuesday, May 15- 2:00- Wax museum for parents
                                       Report cards go home.
Wednesday, May 16-     Semester Celebtation- 8:15 in Willett Hall
                                       Dismissal at 11:15
Thursday, May 17-        Field Day- begins at 9:00
                                      Dismissal at 11:15

Dear Parents,

I have said several times that time was passing quickly, and I believe it's because I have enjoyed being with your children.  They are THE BEST!  We've laughed and learned together.  It's been a great year for me, and I hope you feel the same.

Wednesday, May 9th- We'll be going on a field trip to the Capitol.  We'll leave school around 8:30 and return in time for lunch.

Friday, May 11th- Students will present their famous Alabamian in class.

Tuesday, May 15th- Wax Museum presentation for parents at 2:00.

Wednesday, May 16th- Semester Celebration at 8:15- dismissal at 11:15

Thursday, May 17th- Field Day- dismissal at 11:15


Bible- Lesson 29, "Canaan Is Divided"
Spelling- Unit 35, Test on Thursday
Language- Unit 7, Test on Wednesday -I had originally told the children this would be Tuesday.
Reading- Blue
Math- Chapter 18, "Measure and Classify Plane Figures"
Science- Chapter 18, "Simple Machines"
Alabama History- Chapter 10, "A Time for Rebuilding"

Week of April 30th - May 4th

Dear Parents,

I hope you saw the paper about the wax museum.  The children are very excited!  They know their character and have at least one source of information.  Writing the short speech and assembling the costume should be done at home.  The children will present in class on Friday May 9th, and will present to a few lower elementary classes on the morning of May 15th.  Parents may visit the wax museum at 2:00 on May 15th. I will be talking to them about maintaining a stance, and the importance of remaining in character.
 
 I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Bible - Lesson 28, Joshua 9-10, "A Trick and a Miracle"
Spelling - Unit 34, Test on Thursday
Language - Unit 7, Adverbs, pages 242-251
Reading - Blue
Math - Complete chapter 20 (fractions), begin chapter 17 (geometry)
Science - Daily grade on Tuesday, Unit F, Chapter 15, Lessons 3 and 4
Alabama History - Chapter 9 Test on Friday (Civil War)

Week of April 23rd - 27th

I hope you've had a glowing report about our field trip to DeSoto Caverns.  It was a fun, educational trip!

Bible - Lesson 27, Joshua 5:13-8, "Jericho and Ai Taken"
Spelling - Unit 33, Test on Thurs.
Language - Unit 7, Adverbs, pages 236-243
Reading - City of Ember
Math - Chapter 20, "Add and Subtract Fractions and Mixed Numbers"
Science - Unit F, Chapter 15, Lesson 2 (daily grade on Tuesday)
Alabama History - Chapter 9, "Civil War"

Week of April 16th - 20th

The days are passing so quickly, and we still have busy days ahead.  We're looking forward to our field trip on Friday to DeSoto Caverns.  I'll send more information in Monday's signed papers.

Bible - Lesson 26, Joshua 1-4, "Preparing to Conquer Canaan"
Spelling - Unit 32, Test on Thursday
Language - Pronouns, Unit 6 Test on Tuesday
Reading - City of Ember, skill: story structure
Math - Fractions, chapter 19, Test on Wednesday
Science - Unit F, Chapter 15, Lesson 2, "How are Electricity and Magnetism Related?"
Alabama History -  Chapter 9, pages 208-216, "A Divided Nation"

Week of April 9th - 13th

Have  blessed Easter!

Bible - Lesson 25, Numbers 22-24, "Balaam"
Spelling - Unit 31, Test on Thursday
Language - Unit 6, pages 214-219, "Pronouns"
Reading - City of Ember
Math - begin Chapter 19, "Understand Fractions"
Science - Unit F, Chapter 15, Lessons 1 & 2
Alabama History - Chapter 9, pages 196-207, "A Divided Nation"

Week of April 2nd - 6th

Dear Parents,

I hope you are already enjoying this time with your family, and having some fun in the sun.  Our week will be a short school week, as we observe Good Friday.

Bible - Lesson 25, Numbers 22-24, "Balaam"
Spelling - Unit 30, Test on Thursday
Language - Unit 6, pages 208-213, "Pronouns"
Reading - Begin City of Ember, skill: making inferences
Math - Chapter 16, pages 306-309, begin Chapter 19
Science - Unit F, Lesson 1, "What Is Electricity"
Alabama History - Begin Chapter 9, "A Divided Nation"

Week of March 19th - 23rd

Dear Parents,

Today was an especially exciting day at TPS.  Our visiting author, Eric Litwin, is talented as an author and musician.  The children were so engaged, and I believe they enjoyed him almost as much as I did.

Lower school Science Fest is this coming Friday, March 23rd, and we have an early school dismissal.
Have a wonderful Spring Break!

Bible - Complete Lesson 23, begin Lesson 24, Numbers 13-14;16;21:4-9, "Forty Years in the Desert"
Spelling - Unit 29, Test on Thursday
Language - Begin Unit 6, pages 204-209, "Pronouns"
Reading - Peppermints in the Parlor
Math - Chapter 15 Test on Tuesday, begin chapter 16
Science - Daily grade on Tuesday covering Chapter 12, Lesson 3 then begin pages 603-609, "What is Electricity"
Alabama History -  Test on Wednesday covering pages 160-174

Week of March 12th - 16th

I can hardly believe that on Monday we'll begin the last nine weeks.  The grade sheet in Monday's folder will be the final average for this nine weeks.  Have a great weekend!

Bible - Lesson 23, Numbers 11-12, "The Israelites Complain"
Spelling -  Unit 28, Test on Thursday
Language - quotation marks, Unit 5 Test on Friday
Reading - Peppermints in the Parlor, skills: predicting outcomes, noting details
Math - Begin Chapter 15, 2-digit divisors
Science - Chapter 12, Lesson 3, pages 514-520, "How Does Matter React Chemically"
Alabama History - Chapter 8, pages 160-170, "Early Statehood"

Week of March 5th - 9th

March has certainly come in like a lion.  The weather is up and down, but we are holding steady in fourth grade.  I continue to be proud of the progress the children are making in division.  Please note the addition and multiplication timed tests in your child's folder.  It is so important that they master these facts.  I will give a subtraction timed test this coming week.

We have finished reading The Circus Came to Town and will compare it to a short story, The Day the Circus Came to Town. We have been using the Venn diagram and other graphic organizers to compare and contrast information as we read.

Looking ahead: AR deadline - March 8th
                         nine weeks end - March 9th
                         class pictures - March 14th
                         visiting author - March 16th

Bible - Lesson 21, Exodus 35:4-Exodus 40, "The Tabernacle"
Spelling - Unit 27, Test on Thurs.
Language - Unit 5, pages 178-185, titles and quotations
Reading - The Day the Circus Came to Town, and begin Peppermints in the Parlor
Math - Chapter 14, Test on Friday
Science - Chapter 12, Lesson 2, "What Are Physical Changes in Matter?"
Alabama History -  complete chapter 7, begin chapter 8

Week of February 27th - March 2nd

We had a great week and I hope you have a great weekend.  This coming week looks like a lighter test week, but we will be busy.  There are two weeks left in this nine weeks.  It will be Spring Break before we know it.

Bible - Lesson 20, Exodus 34:1-5, 29-35- Recite 10 commandments on Friday- Children were given a list of these on Friday.
Spelling - Unit 26, Test on Friday
Language - Unit 5 - abbreviations and using commas
Reading - We'll finish When the Circus Came to Town, and compare it to the short story, The Day the Circus Came to Town
Math - Chapter 14, pages 264-270, 1 digit divisors
Science - Begin Chapter 12 - Lesson 1, "What is Matter Made Of?"
Alabama History - Chapter 7, pages 150-157

Week of Feb. 21st- 24th

Thanks to all the moms who helped us have a wonderful Valentine's party.  We had a great time, and I certainly appreciate the special treats that you were so kind to give me.

I am so proud of the progress the children are making in mastering division.  They made so much progress this week.

I hope you enjoy the long weekend.  Here's a look at the week ahead.

Bible - Lesson 20, Exodus 19; 20:1-17; 32; 34:1-5; 29-35- "The Giving of the Law"
Spelling - Unit 25, Test on Friday
Language - Unit 5, pages 176-179, commas in a series, writing good sentences
Reading - When the Circus Came to Town
Math - division, pages 258-266
Science -Unit E, Chapter 11, Lessons 1-3, Test on Friday
Alabama History - writing newspaper articles about Creek War

Week of Feb. 13th - 17th

Excitement is building for Valentine's Day.  The children have been designing their boxes in anticipation of our party on Tuesday.  They may bring their cards on Monday.

I hope you have a good weekend.  Remember that next weekend, Feb. 17-20, will be a long holiday weekend for us.

Here's a look at the week ahead.

Bible - Lesson 19, Exodus 15:22-Exodus 17, "Grumblings and Miracles"
Spelling - Unit 24- review unit, Test on Thurs.
Language - Unit 5,  pages 174-177, "Capitalization and Punctuation"
Reading - When the Circus Came to Town, skills:prefixes, suffixes, using mechanics of capitalization and punctuation when writing
Math - Chapter 13, division with 1 digit divisors
Science - Unit E, Chapter 11, Lesson 3, pages 476-482, "What Are Mixtures and Solutions?"
Alabama History - Chapter 6 Test on Wed.

Week of Feb. 6th - 10th

Dear Parents,

We have reached the midpoint of this nine weeks.  Hard to believe, isn't it?  The children have mastered the process of two digit times four digit multiplication.  Any mistakes seem to be in addition and multiplication facts.  We have also been gaining a better understanding of matter and its properties.  Ask your child to tell you about our experiments, and why one egg floated and the other didn't.


Here's a look at the week ahead.

Bible - Lesson 18, Exodus 12:35-15:21, "The Israelites Leave Egypt"
Spelling - Unit 23, Test on Thursday
Language - Begin Unit 5, Pages 166-171, "Capitalization and Punctuation"
Reading - When the Circus Came to Town, skills: prefixes and suffixes- identifying and learning their meanings
Math - Chapter 12 Test on Wednesday, then begin division
Science - Unit E, Chapter 11, Lesson 2, pages 468-473, "How Does Matter Change States?"
Alabama History - Chapter 6,  pages 119-123, "Creek Indian War"

Week of Jan. 30th - Feb. 3rd

Our Spanish Spotlight Day was a huge success.  We enjoyed visiting other classrooms, and we certainly enjoyed presenting our interpretation of a Spanish fairy tale.   The children did a great job!


Bible - Continue with Lesson 17, "Ten Plagues and Passover"
Spelling - Unit 22 Test on Thurs.
Language - Unit 4, adjectives, Test on Fri.
Reading -The Circus Came to Town, skills:prefixes and suffixes
Math - chapter 12, multiplication - using traditional method
Science - begin Unit E, chapter 11, Lesson 1, "Matter and Energy"
Alabama History - chapter 6, Creek Indian War, pages 116-120

Week of Jan. 23rd - 27th

We had a short but very busy week.  Our field trip on Thursday was great.  The children were very well behaved, and the presenters were appreciative of having such an attentive group.  We added many links to our compliment chain.  I believe the children gained a better understanding of that period of Alabama's history.

Bible - Exodus 9-11; 12:1-36- Write the 10 plagues on Friday.
Spelling - Unit 21 Test on Thurs.
Language - Unit 4, comparing with adjectives, pages 142-145
Reading - I've decided on a different book.  We'll be reading When the Circus Came to Town.
Math - chapter 12, 2 digits X 3 digits
Science - We'll be studying Spanish fairy tales instead of starting a new topic in Science.
Alabama - Chapter 6, The Creek War

Old Alabama Town pictures

We spent the morning at the Grange Hall, where we experienced how  difficult everyday life was for pioneers.  We made candles, churned butter, made starch, and candles.

We worked with basic tools.

Learning to use the loom was fun, but keeping the shuttle moving in the right direction was a little tricky.  We gained an appreciation for how hard it was for pioneers to get new clothes.

This school master gave new meaning to being disciplined. 

We were so well behaved, and looked so cute in our pioneer outfits, that we were able to sit in the desks.  

Week of Jan. 16th - 20th

We had a busy week this week and are looking forward to the long weekend.  Remember that Monday is a holiday.  Next week will also be a busy time with a field trip on Thursday to Old Alabama Town.  The children should wear their pioneer clothes for the field trip.  We will leave school by 8:40 and return by 2:00 at the latest.

Bible - Lesson 17, Exodus 7-11; 12:1-36, "The Ten Plagues and the Passover"
Spelling - Unit 20, Test on Friday
Language - Unit 4, adjectives, pages 141-142
Reading - begin City of Ember
Math - multiplication, 1 digit times 3 and 4 digits, then begin 2 digit multiplication
           Keep studying those multiplication facts.
Science - Test on Friday- skeletal, muscular, nervous systems, and joints
Alabama History - Pioneer test on Wednesday

Week of January 9th - 13th

 We had such a good time during Pioneer Days.  We had two guest speakers, sampled pioneer treats, played pioneer games, used the Bible and slates to complete our lessons, and rolled hoops.  We will have a field trip to Old Alabama Town on Thursday, January 19th, and will wear our pioneer clothes again.

We'll shed our pioneer clothes until our field trip, and on Monday we will dress casually for a cause.

Bible - Lesson 16, Exodus 2-4, "Moses' Birth and Call"
Spelling - Unit 19, Test on Thursday
Language - Unit 4, adjectives, pages 136-140
Reading - Trouble River
Math - multiplication, pages 212-219, timed test on Friday
Science - nervous and skeletal systems
Alabama History - pioneers, pages 130-143