Hello parents! Here is a quick curriculum update of what we will be covering in class this week:
Language Arts: Our essential question is, "What are the most important ideas about amphibians?" We will be discussing and reading various non-fiction texts about amphibians and figuring out the main idea behind a piece of writing. We will also be discussing what makes a good journal entry in writing. Students are continuing to read their chapter books for the novel unit.
Spelling: This week's pattern has to do with words that end in the "el" sound, spelled "el" "al" or "le"
1. title
2. towel
3. battle
4. pedal
5. metal
6. simple
7. eagle
8. special
9. total
10. trouble
11. nickel
12. gentle
13. barrel
14. model
15. tangle
16. ankle
17. marvel
18. juggle
19. squirrel
20. riddle
Math: This week we continue our work in Chapter 9 with fractions, decimals, and percentages. Tonight's homework involves converting fractions into decimals and percentages with a calculator!
Science: Today we observed soaked lima beans and identified the parts of a seed. Tomorrow we will be creating our very own planters and planting seeds to observe the growing process! Graded social studies tests will be sent home this week.
Other items/events:
-Wednesday is an all school photo! Students are encouraged to wear Lemme gear and/or colors.
-Students should be continuing to read at least 10-15 minutes a night and be recording it in their reading log.
More updates coming soon!
-Ms. Shapleigh
Monday, April 21, 2014
Sunday, April 13, 2014
April 14th-18th, 2014
Hello parents! Wow- we are already halfway through April! This next month is going to fly by with a lot of end of the year assessments, assemblies, and other fun activities! Here is a quick overview of what we will cover in class this week:
Language Arts: We are starting a new unit this week with a new big idea: Exploration leads people to discovery. Our essential question is, "How does exploring nature build story events?" This week we will be focusing on story structure such as setting, plot, characters, and events. In small groups we are starting our novel unit, which will be small group discussion centered around a chapter book, spanning over a few weeks. In writing this week we will be dissecting and creating our own poems!
Spelling: The spelling words are getting longer and trickier! This week's words focus on words that end with the "r" sound.
1. enter
2. banner
3. sugar
4. shower
5. motor
6. collar
7. labor
8. finger
9. mirror
10. beggar
11. favor
12. bother
13. fever
14. doctor
15. temper
16. actor
17. polar
18. sweater
19. traitor
20. whenever
Math: We will be finishing up the teacher-created unit on measurement and conversions this week and starting Unit 9 on fractions, decimals, and percentages. The conversion unit has been difficult but the students are working hard! A family letter about Unit 9 will be sent home during the week.
Social Studies: This past week we have been learning all about government! We have reviewed various concepts such as local, state, and federal government and learned all about the three branches of government. (We even watched School House Rock a few times- I watched those when I was in school!) We have covered discussions on how a bill becomes a law and will be finishing up discussion by writing local leaders about passing new laws. I will be absent on Tuesday because of jury duty and we spent a whole day talking about that and civic duties! The students were very intrigued. :) We will begin our science unit on plant life later on in the week.
What a storm last night- April showers bring May flowers! Have a good week everyone!
-Ms. Shapleigh
Language Arts: We are starting a new unit this week with a new big idea: Exploration leads people to discovery. Our essential question is, "How does exploring nature build story events?" This week we will be focusing on story structure such as setting, plot, characters, and events. In small groups we are starting our novel unit, which will be small group discussion centered around a chapter book, spanning over a few weeks. In writing this week we will be dissecting and creating our own poems!
Spelling: The spelling words are getting longer and trickier! This week's words focus on words that end with the "r" sound.
1. enter
2. banner
3. sugar
4. shower
5. motor
6. collar
7. labor
8. finger
9. mirror
10. beggar
11. favor
12. bother
13. fever
14. doctor
15. temper
16. actor
17. polar
18. sweater
19. traitor
20. whenever
Math: We will be finishing up the teacher-created unit on measurement and conversions this week and starting Unit 9 on fractions, decimals, and percentages. The conversion unit has been difficult but the students are working hard! A family letter about Unit 9 will be sent home during the week.
Social Studies: This past week we have been learning all about government! We have reviewed various concepts such as local, state, and federal government and learned all about the three branches of government. (We even watched School House Rock a few times- I watched those when I was in school!) We have covered discussions on how a bill becomes a law and will be finishing up discussion by writing local leaders about passing new laws. I will be absent on Tuesday because of jury duty and we spent a whole day talking about that and civic duties! The students were very intrigued. :) We will begin our science unit on plant life later on in the week.
What a storm last night- April showers bring May flowers! Have a good week everyone!
-Ms. Shapleigh
Sunday, April 6, 2014
April 7th- April 11th, 2014
Hello 4th Grade Parents! Here is a quick overview of what we will be doing in class this week:
Language Arts: Our essential question this week is "Why might an author write about change?" Our main selection, The Fun They Had: from Isaac Asimov will help us in discussing an author's purpose for writing a text.
Spelling: This week's pattern focuses on words that have two vowels in a row. Here is a friendly reminder that students should be studying their words a few times a week! Also, I grade the tests on Friday or over the weekend and usually have the students bring them home the following Monday or later in the week. If you are curious on your student's score check their Leopard Book! :) They should be coming home every week.
1. idea
2. lion
3. usual
4. radio
5. liar
6. poem
7. India
8. piano
9. January
10. poet
11. quiet
12. science
13. diary
14. period
15. violin
16. February
17. cereal
18. video
19. meteor
20. rodeo
Social Studies: This past week we finished up Chapter 13 on various types of Western Cities! Students were put into groups and had to present a commercial to the class persuading people to come visit their city. The students had a blast with it! We will be starting Chapter 17 this week, which focuses all on state government.
Math: We finished up Unit 8 last week and tests should be signed and returned tomorrow. Keep in mind that the Profile of Progress sheet is more crucial than the student's score on the test. The past few days we have been reviewing concepts of data such as range, median, and mode. On Tuesday we will have a quick assessment and then begin a 5-day review unit on measurement conversions. Unit 9 will resume next week.
Other items: Tomorrow we have visitors from Opera Iowa coming to complete class workshops with all 4th-6th graders. After the workshops they will perform for students. We are so excited and lucky to have these guests!
We had the Optimist Good Reader Program Award ceremony! Students did a fabulous job and were rewarded for all of their hard work. Pictures can be seen at here.
Students worked all week before spring break to complete a biography research paper and then record their work! To see the videos from the presentations, click here.
Thanks everyone and have a great week!
-Ms. Shapleigh
Language Arts: Our essential question this week is "Why might an author write about change?" Our main selection, The Fun They Had: from Isaac Asimov will help us in discussing an author's purpose for writing a text.
Spelling: This week's pattern focuses on words that have two vowels in a row. Here is a friendly reminder that students should be studying their words a few times a week! Also, I grade the tests on Friday or over the weekend and usually have the students bring them home the following Monday or later in the week. If you are curious on your student's score check their Leopard Book! :) They should be coming home every week.
1. idea
2. lion
3. usual
4. radio
5. liar
6. poem
7. India
8. piano
9. January
10. poet
11. quiet
12. science
13. diary
14. period
15. violin
16. February
17. cereal
18. video
19. meteor
20. rodeo
Social Studies: This past week we finished up Chapter 13 on various types of Western Cities! Students were put into groups and had to present a commercial to the class persuading people to come visit their city. The students had a blast with it! We will be starting Chapter 17 this week, which focuses all on state government.
Math: We finished up Unit 8 last week and tests should be signed and returned tomorrow. Keep in mind that the Profile of Progress sheet is more crucial than the student's score on the test. The past few days we have been reviewing concepts of data such as range, median, and mode. On Tuesday we will have a quick assessment and then begin a 5-day review unit on measurement conversions. Unit 9 will resume next week.
Other items: Tomorrow we have visitors from Opera Iowa coming to complete class workshops with all 4th-6th graders. After the workshops they will perform for students. We are so excited and lucky to have these guests!
We had the Optimist Good Reader Program Award ceremony! Students did a fabulous job and were rewarded for all of their hard work. Pictures can be seen at here.
Students worked all week before spring break to complete a biography research paper and then record their work! To see the videos from the presentations, click here.
Thanks everyone and have a great week!
-Ms. Shapleigh
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