If your 4th grader is in need of a home book log please click on the picture to print out a copy :)
Friday, January 10, 2014
Gear Up for Reading Olympics 2014!
Get ready for the 2014 Reading Olympics! We will be chasing gold this year while reading some fabulous texts! Each 4th grader has been selected as a top reading athlete and has been invited to participate in this years reading olympics! There will be 10 events: Realistic Fiction, Fantasy/Science Fiction, Fables/Folktales/Legends, Periodicals, Poetry, Narrative Non Fiction, Expository Non Fiction, Biographies and Battle Books! Each Reading Athlete can read from any event, choose to read in multiple events or choose to try for the time honored decathlete. In each event books have been selected that are quality pieces of work that may not be on your athletes radar normally. Each athlete has a list of these books. Books are also being added to the list from awesome finds in our classroom library, and any athlete is able to make the case for any book they think should also be included. The olympics will last for almost 2 months. In each event if a athlete reads 5 books they will receive a bronze medal, 6 books will receive a silver medal, and 8 books will receive a gold medal. Athletes may medal in more than one event. If an athlete would like to read for the coveted decathlete trophy they must read 5 books in each category. The only category that an athlete may count previously read books is the battle book category. Athletes are encouraged to do much of their Olympic Reading at home. Use of public libraries is strongly encouraged! Each athlete has been given a training log to keep track of the books they have read, and need a parent or teacher signature upon completion. They must also fill out a book score card for each event. Click on the pictures below to access both the training log and the book list! GOOD LUCK!
Monday, January 6, 2014
Save Fred!
To start our scientific brains back up we reviewed the scientific method and used it to complete a fun activity which required us to question, make hypothesis', create procedures, experiment, observe, and reflect. Our Mission: Save Fred.
Fred was out on a nice boat ride when suddenly, his boat tipped over. Luckily Fred was able to make it to the top of his flipped over boat but unfortunately his life preserver is stuck under the boat.
Our Challenge? Get Fred into his life preserver without using any part of our body, but with the use of up to 4 paper clips.
Fred was out on a nice boat ride when suddenly, his boat tipped over. Luckily Fred was able to make it to the top of his flipped over boat but unfortunately his life preserver is stuck under the boat.
Our Challenge? Get Fred into his life preserver without using any part of our body, but with the use of up to 4 paper clips.
Challenge Accepted!
New Year, New Goals!
Happy New Year! In honor of the new year our class sat down to think of some new class goals to ring in the new year:
- Pay attention to classroom expectations: listen, raise your hand, transition quickly and quietly, and be a respectful classmate
- Read at least 150 Battle Books
- Everyone moves up one level in Xtra Math
- Everyone moves up at least one reading level
- Everyone learns all multiplication facts 1-10
Exciting yet challenging goals, which I know we will all work hard to accomplish!
Monday, December 16, 2013
Holiday Book Exchange
2013 Holiday Book Exchange
This year our class will be partaking in a book exchange within our classroom for the holidays!
Do you have book that you have read already, that is just gathering dust on a shelf?
Wrap it up, and bring it by Friday, December 20th for our Holiday book exchange!
You’ll walk away with a new to you book, and someone will be able to enjoy the book you already read and loved!
Boys will gift to boys and girls will gift to girls!
Any questions? Please email me cbecker@marshallschools.org, or call me (608) 655-4403 ex 1222
Thanks! ~ Mrs. Becker
As a side note: Our holiday party will be Friday Afternoon :)
Friday, December 6, 2013
What's Happening in Room 222?
Hey all! Sorry for the delay in posts lately! Take a look at what is going on across all subject areas this month!
Reading: We have just begun our next unit on Non Fiction. We first learned that there are two main types of non fiction: expository and narrative. Ask your student if they remember what the difference is! We will first be focusing on ways to read expository fiction. The 4th graders have also stocked their book boxes with all types of non fiction, but are also still reading battle books, and independent choice books. We continue to individually conference during, but have also begun some different strategy groups and book clubs tailored to students needs.
Writing: We have just begun our essay writing unit. We started the unit off by learning about boxes and bullets (main idea and supporting details) as well as writing a thesis statement/ sentence. We then began writing essays based on these thesis statements (in our box) and the supporting details we wrote down as our bullets.
Math: We have just began unit 4 which centers primarily on decimal points. We are learning how to add, subtract, order, and turn fractions into decimals and decimals into fractions. During math we have many groups working with these concepts in different ways, whether it be in a small learning group, with a teacher, with the use of technology, or in an extension. Look for study links to come home on a nightly basis.
Word Work: We started a new word program recently that focuses on word creation, word patterns, and word parts. Students work through different activities with words and patterns at their level. In general work within this program is done at school, but occasionally some home work may be given as practice.
Social Studies: Currently in Social Studies students see Mrs. Michalak every day, and are developing an understanding of WI geography. Most recently they have been discovering the regions of WI
Important Dates:
12/6/13: Report Cards sent home: please let me know if you have any questions
12/9/13: Book Fair Begins (purchases can be made during both library time, or passes will be given during the day, the fair will also be open after both holiday performances on Tuesday and Friday)
12/11/13: Half Day
12/13/13: 3rd and 4th grade holiday performance.
Reading: We have just begun our next unit on Non Fiction. We first learned that there are two main types of non fiction: expository and narrative. Ask your student if they remember what the difference is! We will first be focusing on ways to read expository fiction. The 4th graders have also stocked their book boxes with all types of non fiction, but are also still reading battle books, and independent choice books. We continue to individually conference during, but have also begun some different strategy groups and book clubs tailored to students needs.
Writing: We have just begun our essay writing unit. We started the unit off by learning about boxes and bullets (main idea and supporting details) as well as writing a thesis statement/ sentence. We then began writing essays based on these thesis statements (in our box) and the supporting details we wrote down as our bullets.
Math: We have just began unit 4 which centers primarily on decimal points. We are learning how to add, subtract, order, and turn fractions into decimals and decimals into fractions. During math we have many groups working with these concepts in different ways, whether it be in a small learning group, with a teacher, with the use of technology, or in an extension. Look for study links to come home on a nightly basis.
Word Work: We started a new word program recently that focuses on word creation, word patterns, and word parts. Students work through different activities with words and patterns at their level. In general work within this program is done at school, but occasionally some home work may be given as practice.
Social Studies: Currently in Social Studies students see Mrs. Michalak every day, and are developing an understanding of WI geography. Most recently they have been discovering the regions of WI
Important Dates:
12/6/13: Report Cards sent home: please let me know if you have any questions
12/9/13: Book Fair Begins (purchases can be made during both library time, or passes will be given during the day, the fair will also be open after both holiday performances on Tuesday and Friday)
12/11/13: Half Day
12/13/13: 3rd and 4th grade holiday performance.
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