Jan. 19th Update

Families of Room 31 ~

For those whom are Patriot Fans – GO PATS!  I also hope you enjoy the wintery mix mother nature is sending us this long weekend!  Stay warm and safe!

MATH STUDY GUIDE - You child brought home their Chapter 6 MATH STUDY guide Friday, January 18^th.  Please make sure that they review it over the long weekend.  The study guide also needs to be signed by an adult and returned on TUESDAY, January 22^nd.    We will be having our math text on this chapter on Tuesday.  If students need more time than a class period, we will continue it on Wednesday.

Just a reminder that there is NO SCHOOL on Monday, January 21^st as it is Martin Luther King Day.

CHORUS CONCERT – the first 4^th grade Chorus Concert is on January 31^st at 7:00 PM.  Students need to arrive at 6:45.   They will be wearing their red concert T-shirts which they will receive on Friday Jan. 25^th for our school concert (dress rehearsal!). If you have any other questions, please reach out to Mrs. Falvo, they students’ music teacher.

MATH – We will complete our Chapter 6 math test on Tuesday (possibly Wednesday) of this coming week.  We then move on to Chapter 7  - Decimals!

READING – Students have been busy in their guided reading groups focusing on various skills.  During this reading block they also work on individual assignments connected to grammar, vocabulary, and often are assignment independent reading and writing assignments using their Story Works magazines.  It is great to see so many students taking responsibility for their own learning and feverously working to complete these assignments. 

WRITING – We are wrapping up our review of opinion writing with a focus on expanding our details.  We are moving on to a combine reading / writing unit where we will be focusing on three articles connected to segregation and will use our inference skills to come up with a theme of these articles.  Along with a writing assignment will be the review of annotation and recording our inner conversations!  This will be a two week focus for our entire fourth grade.

SOCIAL STUDIES – We continue our study of the South, focusing on the physical features, climate, economy and natural resources.  Their South map assessments will be coming home on Tuesday, January 22^nd to be signed.

SCIENCE – I hope many of you enjoyed your child’s SEESAW photos of our roller coaster experiment.  We are exploring the concepts of kinetic and potential energy as well as the ability to transfer energy.  This unit is very “hands-on” and engages our class in some great scientific discussions as well as leaving us with many unanswered questions to explore!

PARENT DROP OFF – For those families whom regularly drop their child off to school in the morning, I have noticed many are slipping back to arriving closer to the 9:00 time.  Although your child is not tardy, they are arriving in their classroom well after most of their peers.  It would be great if they were in the classroom by the 8:45 time.  When they enter this late, their classmates are already settled in and working or we have even begun our daily routine of morning meeting.  Arriving earlier is also GREAT PRACTICE as the students will been to arrive much earlier for start of middle school next year.  Please reach out if you have any questions. 

HOMEWORK PLANNERS  / READING LOGS – Another reminder – please make sure you are checking to see your child completed their homework and you sign both their planner and reading log every night!  I have had to hand out more than the usual amount of homework slips for missing / incomplete homework or missing signatures.

The education of your child truly “takes a village,” and without your efforts, I could not do my job as effectively.  As always, I truly appreciate your continued support. 

Stay warm!

Week of Jan. 7th Update

Families of Room 31 ~

It is wonderful to be back in the swing of things with the students.  Since our return from break, we have been spending some time reflecting on year and working to set new individual learning goals.    Below is a few curriculum updates and dates to keep in mind.

Monday, January 21^st – NO SCHOOL – Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Thursday, January 31^st – Chorus Concert.  Be on the lookout for more information from Ms. Falvo – our chorus / music teacher

MATH – We are continuing to work on our Chapter 6 – FRACTIONS.  There are a few more lessons to complete prior to our assessment.  Please remember that you can always access the student book through our Schoology account in the Math Resources or find it on the class blog - http://kfinneran31.blogspot.com/

SCIENCE – We have begun our second unit – ENERGY!  The week we will be learning about kinetic and potential energy.  We will be creating “cars” to show how stored energy can be converted into energy of motion.

SOCIAL STUDIES – Our focus is learning about the SOUTH.  Students have completed their maps of the south in class focusing on learning about the land forms and waterways.  They have also been assigned their MAP QUIZ which is Jan. 18^th.  This gives the students a little over two weeks to study and be prepared.    Students will need to know the names / locations of the 14 states, all the landforms (mountains, delta, peninsula) and waterways (rivers / oceans).  Capitals are a bonus.  If you child needs another study map they may find in on our Schoology account in our social studies resources or they may ask me.

WRITING – the focus of our writing over then next few weeks takes us back to OPINION writing.  We are focusing on EXPANDING our writing by elaborating the supporting facts / details. 

READING – along with our guided reading groups, we are also focusing on whole class lessons connecting to the concept of INFERRING.  We have been using an article on the TITANIC for students to practice this skill.

BOOK ORDERS – a new order was sent home today.  If you are interested in placing an order for your child, please do so by Wednesday, January 16^th.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.  As always, thank you for your continued support!

Kelly Finneran