Weeks of Nov. 13th and Nov. 19th

Families of Room 31 ~
I hope everyone enjoyed this extended weekend.  I know I was happy to catch up on some much needed sleep.  Just a few updates / reminders regarding the next few weeks.

NO SCHOOL - Wednesday, Nov. 21^st – Friday, Nov. 23^rd

BOOK ORDERS are due Thursday, Nov. 15^th.  If ordering online, the classroom code is DPQ8C.  Website is:  https://clubs.scholastic.com

Student Council collections: The 4^th grade Student Council is holding a supply drive for those in need. All donations will go to St. Anne’s to distribute to local families. Our class has been asked to donate SHAMPOO and $1.00! Let’s all do our part!  Orders are due by Nov. 19^th.  Thanks to those families who have already made their donations / contributions!

SCHOOL STORE - FRIDAY, Nov. 16^h - This year students will only shop with tickets earned based on their Reading and Math Incentive sheets!  Any student who turns in any sheets prior to Nov. 16^th will have tickets to shop with at the first school store.   

SCIENCE – Last week we created a classroom stream table to examine the destruction water can cause on the land.  This week we will be viewing various time lapsed photos looking at the changes in the earth’s surface.  The students will then have to write a C-E-R (Claim / Evidence / Reason) supporting their statement.

SOCIAL STUDIES – We have begun our project on the EAST.  This project demonstrates our knowledge of the concepts of climate, economy, natural resources and physical features of this region. This project will be completed in school, unless the students need some extended time to write their paragraphs.  This project needs to be completed before the Trimester ends.  

MATH – We are wrapping up Chapter 3 this week.   Our focus for early in the week will be to apply their knowledge of double-digit multiplication and long division to solve real world problems.  Students will be bringing home a study guide to review the concepts.  I believe the test will be on Friday of this week.  Students needing more time will complete the test on Monday

READING - We continue to use our INNER CONVERSATION and merge this with our thinking while reading nonfiction texts. We will focus on the difference between visual and text features.  This week I will model my thinking during whole group mini-lessons helping the students to key in to times when they are learning new information while reading.  We will also review the importance of being accurate with the information that they learn. Our hope in modeling these lessons is that the students will carry this over into their independent reading.  

WRITING – Although we are working on INFORMATIONAL jobs throughout some reading responses and our Social Studies Project, we are taking a step back to review our OPINION writing.  We will be taking a look at our early writing this year (Student Council) and review the strong opinion language used when writing an opinion piece.  I ask that students start thinking about something they have a strong opinion about as next week they will be completing their TRIMESTER ONE writing assessment.  The students will have 90 – 120 minutes to complete an opinion writing piece of choice. 

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions / concerns regarding our classroom.