September 2, 2021

Dear Parents,

Happy Thursday! I hope everyone is having a great week. We have had a pretty good week in 4th grade. We have spent the week really sticking to the schedule. The kids and myself are finding there is just not enough time in the day to do it all. They are working on learning to be more organized and when it is time to change classes they have to stop talking and pack up so we are not wasting time. I am finding some get frustrated because they want to finish what they are doing before packing or moving and most of the time that can't happen. They are also learning that they need to talk quietly and not yell in the classroom. All of them want to talk at the same time and very loudly. We have a long ways to go yet, but I know they will adjust. I didn't expect it to happen in a week's time. Everything is so very routine, they will catch on sooner or later. I am very happy with the week we have had. Each week will get better!

Language Arts

We have begun our first week of language arts. We have a lot that we accomplish throughout the week. Our language arts class is split into two sessions. Our first session is from 10:45 - 11:30. The 2nd session is from 1:15-1:45. I have never had to split it before so I am trying to come up with a routine of teaching conducive to this divide. I may play with it for the first 5 weeks and make changes as we go. But I hope to have it worked out by the end of 3 week. Wednesdays language arts is also split up but differently. It is 8:30 - 9:00 then again 10:00 - 10:45. I think I have Wednesdays figured out all ready.

I would like to clarify spelling for 4th grade. I have had a couple emails asking about it. I think I do it much differently from 3rd grade. We work with the spelling words everyday of the week. Monday is spelling pretest day. They take the test and we correct it. If the students miss more than half of the words I will shorten their list for Friday to 10 words. If it is shortened they will receive a list of highlighted words when I return their pretest. This list is to be kept in their expanded file. That list can be used at home as long as it is replaced in the expanded file and not kept at home. On Tuesday, the students will do a worksheet over their spelling words. On this worksheet is a list of the spelling words. You can take a picture of this list or copy it. On Wednesday the students will be assigned to practice their words 5 times in their notebooks. If they don't finish that at school they will bring their notebooks home to do that. They can bring their notebook home at any time but they must bring it back. If it is left at home and we need it, they will receive a late slip. On Thursday, they will have a worksheet to do on the spelling words and the list is again on the side of that paper. Friday is post test day. Some students will have all the words and some will only have 10. Again those that miss more than half the words on the pretest will only have 5 words and those words will be given to them on Tuesday. If you want your child to write them into their assignment in the given space that is between you and your child, I do not require it. Let me know if there are any other questions about spelling.

Tomorrow is a test day. They will take a pretest ( so study the words tonight. The words are on the worksheet or on their list of words in expended file.), we will also reread the story together going over comprehension questions to help prepare them for the end of the week test which is next.

Math

We have finished lesson one and are working on lesson 2. The first lesson was on the 3 ways to write numbers, Standard form, Number name (word form), and expanded form ( values). Also they reviewed how to put numbers into a place value chart. Lesson 2 is on base ten blocks and how each place value is 10 times the one before it. We looked at some examples and discussed. They have a worksheet for homework. During intervention time I grab a couple students whom I feel are not getting it and try to reteach and help them. So far they have been doing a great job getting their work finished.

Social Studies

We are working in chapter 2. We are learning about very early America. How did the Native Americans get here? The students have written two theories in their notebooks of how they may have arrived. We also have talked about the many explorers that explored the area and why they explored. We have started working on Vocabulary words also. They had one vocab word today. They wrote it on a note card and the note card is in there expanded file. They will add more vocabulary note cards to it throughout the chapter. They will need to keep these until the end of the chapter when I tell them they may get rid of them.

NO SCHOOL - Labor Day

Just a reminder that Monday is Labor Day and school will not be in session. WOOT! WOT!

I know that learning to navigate 4th grade can be frustrating. I try and walk your kids through everything daily. We have a lot of learning to do and late slips are the way they learn the fastest. I have given a few out. The student must learn how to be responsible for themselves. We have to learn to put away and pack up without talking so we do it more efficiently. They miss directions when they are talking. Many have found out they really do miss directions. Again it is a work in progress and I have faith that all kids will have it down by October.

I do appreciate when you email me questions. I feel if you are asking many others may need to know the same information, so if I receiver an email I try to address the question in my blog for clarification. This week is was spelling words,and notebooks. I hope I cleared that up in Language arts. Keep the questions coming. I sometimes forget you are all new!! Thank you for sharing your precious children with me. It may be hard work in the beginning but I truly do love what I do!

God Bless,

Mrs. Sickels