Month: October 2020

October 26 -30

Thank you for collecting the educational materials from school! We will be using the projects, books and packets beginning Tuesday. The goal is to provide educational hands-on opportunities for the next few weeks. Students will continue to be independent for the most part. With our new writing unit students will seek parent input and support when directed. Stay tuned for more information on that later!

I look forward to talking with parents and students this week for our conference. The link for the conference is the same one we use on the Google classroom.  Please be sure your child is with you for our Zoom conversation. My plan is to discuss what is working for your child during virtual learning. We will also discuss what could be shifted to improve the experience. This is a chance for us to commend hard work and progress. I see better educational and emotional results when excellent habits are highlighted and the not so great habits are problem solved. We will go into our conversation with the mindset that everyone is currently doing the best we know how to do!

 

 

 

October 19 -23

The Fourth Grade team is assembling educational activities for your students.  Math, reading, writing and science projects are being prepared. Almost everything the students need will be provided. We ask that you have tape (scotch and masking), glue sticks and scissors.  Please note the science materials contain some treats that are needed for experiments. Please remind your student not to eat the treats! We will begin using these items October 27.  Designated pick up times will be this Thursday and Friday. You will be alerted to the pick up times via email very soon! We are flexible and will be sure to make the pick up easy. I am happy to hand off the materials to siblings who are on campus.

A meaningful tradition in Fourth Grade is lead by Senora Blanca. El dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a uniquely Indo-Hispanic custom that demonstrates a strong sense of love and respect for one’s ancestors. The Day of the Dead is not a sad day. It is a celebration of the continuance of life, family relationships, community solidarity.  Information from Senora will be in a letter attached to the parent email.

Curriculum this week:

Religion: We will continue to talk about Mary. We focus on her compassion, and strength.

Math: Students will work on multistep words problems using multi-digit subtraction, addition and place value understanding. Also, we will continue to perfect fluency with math facts.

Reading: More main idea and supporting details. Plus the students will be rehearsing a Halloween Readers’ Theater.

Writing: Finishing up personal narratives. Students who have finished will be writing Halloween stories.

Grammar: Adverbs

Social Studies: Geographical Regions of Washington State

 

 Heads up on Spanish Materials for Monday: Students were told this last week 😊

Papel Picado Banners: Monday 10/19

2 sheets of tissue paper, any color.

1 sheet of white paper

Scissors

Some yarn or ribbon, any color.

 

I hope you have had a chance to sign up for a conference. Link here!  

Please reach out with questions and concerns!

October 12 – 16

We look forward to another great week! Class will begin at 8:30 am as usual Monday morning. At 9:15 students will be directed to leave our Zoom and log on to the all school mass via the St John facebook page. We will return to class after mass. 

This Friday students will not have class, it is a teacher in service day. Progress reports, Map Scores and Achieve Level Set will be put in the mail on Friday so be on the look out!  After you have an opportunity to review the information we will discuss scores and student goals during conferences which are scheduled for Monday, October 26 and Friday, October 30. A sign-up Genius will be sent out through the school .

Halloween will be here soon! The Fourth Grade will have a virtual Halloween celebration on Thursday, October 29th.  Students may come to on-line school in costume.

Academics for the coming week:

Math: Students will use place value understanding to round multi-digit numbers using real world applications, add multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm, solve word problems and work on a collaborative math activity.

Religion: According to Archdiocesan policy I will teach the Safe Environment lesson to the students on Thursday from 1:00 to 1:45. The topic: Boundaries: You Have Rights.  An opt out form is attached to this email.

Reading with Mrs Halley: We will continue our quest to determine main ideas and supporting details in both fiction and non-fiction.

Social Studies: We will read about Indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest.

Writing: Students have chosen a topic for their personal narrative and will continue writing, revising, and editing.

Grammar: Relative pronouns.

Items to Note:

  • Monday, October 12 
  • October 16
    • School not in Session: Teacher Inservice Day

October 5 – 9

Thank you for your continued support. The students do excellent work on line by sharing new knowledge in large and small groups. They also follow through with all assigned work and assessments.  Let your student know we are so pleased with the progress!

Academics this week:

Religion: October is the month of the Rosary. We take time daily to ask Mary for strength and guidance. Here is a video refresher of the Rosary

Math: Big Concept this week:Use place value understanding to round multi-digit numbers to any place value. We continue fluency practice of basic facts. Please work with your student 10 minutes a day on math facts and if time play games that require logical reasoning or math understanding.

Reading with Mrs Halley: Students will wrap up our novel study of Bunnicula by sharing their book report projects with classmates. Our focus this week will be on reading, comprehending, and responding to non-fiction. Our topic focus is Hispanic Heritage Month

Social Studies:  Students will share their “Washington State Symbols” project. The class will read and discuss parts of chapter 1 from the Washington Adventure Book.

Writing: Our young authors will learn how to write a strong lead this week to hook the reader’s attention. We use mentor texts and give plenty of free write time.

Important News to Note:

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