We are well into our classroom routines as we begin our fifth week of school. Last week brought us the introduction of our Word Wisdom vocabulary program.  This too will be rather routine as we begin part two of our first unit today. 

Each Monday will begin with a pretest. This is meant to be a qucik assessment of what the children already know prior to instruction. For that reason you should not be alarmed due to the possible  low scores that may come home in Monday homework folders.  We celebrate the fact of being familiar with just one of the new words! 

On Monday we will read the story from our Word Wisdom book together which introduces the week's ten words in context.  The bookwork will also be assigned, usually three pages, to be completed as homwork. This will be due on Thursday of each week when we will go over it together in class. Finally, there will be a post-test each Friday. Students need to study and prepare for this test each week. The goal of this program is to increase and and enrich the student's vocabulary; thereby strengthening their reading, writing and thinking skills. In addition we keep a Word Wisdom Sightings poster where students can note Word Wisdom words they encounter throughtout their lives. This keeps us connected to and thinking about the words we learn all throughout the school year.

Be sure to ask your child about Word Wisdom today!

Thank you to all of you who have so generously signed up to help with our classroom parties.  We are in need of a person or persons to take the lead role for our class.  If you are able to take on this leadership role, please contact Mrs. Peggy Brandenberg at pbrandenberg@yahoo.com.

It has been a great first full week here in Room 16! Thank you to all of the families who were able to attend last evening's curriculum presentation. There is always so much to share and so little time!
In case I did not say it in so many words last night please understand that the moment your child walked into our classroom, they also walked into my heart.  As I have told them, I carry them with me wherever I go. I think about them, wonder about them, and yes, worry about them. I am here to lift your child up. To help them reach just as far as they can go. One of my most important goals for the school year is to help "our" children become independent thinkers, problem solvers and learners. In the fourth grade we begin to shift more responsibility to the student for their learning. It has been my experience that when children realize that they have a stake, a say, if you will, they truly do "step up to the plate"! Everyone has strengths and challenges to celebrate and nurture. Together we will make this a year of tremendous growth and accomplishment!

This week we've been busy...

...in Math, refreshing our memoriesand practicing place value and rounding. Today your child is bringing home thier login information for Think Central the website that supports our Math Expressions curriculum. 

...in Writing, collecting potential story ideas from topics we feel that we are "authorities" about and special people that are important parts of our lives. We also completed our annual "Fall Writing Sample". A personal narrative written completely on our own to show off our awesome beginning of fourth grade writing skills!

...in Reading, identifying and practicing behaviors that support reading; such as, getting started right away, rading the whole time, and selecting "just right" books using the IPICK method.

...in Social Studies, using several different types of maps to learn more about the state of Michigan.

...in Science, investigating our "mock rocks". Man-made rocks that will allow us to become better geologists as we learn about physical properties of rocks.

In the effort to create a class email group, I would appreciate if each family could send me a quick email so that I can capture your email address for sending out reminders and other information throughout the school year.