August 26- August 30 News

May 13, 2013- May 17, 2013

Announcements and Reminders:

• Please return the yellow Investigations Student Math Handbook (SMH) to school with your child no later than TOMORROW, Tuesday, May 14^th. If you cannot locate this book, please let me know and I will let you know the replacement cost.
• Field Day is scheduled for THIS Friday, May 17^th. Students will need to dress comfortably in shorts and tennis shoes and bring a water bottle to carry around with them for the day. 
• Several parents have asked about a 4th grade graduation ceremony. We are not having a formal graduation ceremony for fourth grade students. Students will wear special shirts on field day and walk the halls as tradition with the rest of the school cheering them on and celebrating their time at SSC.
• Lost and Found items that are not claimed by Monday, May 20^th will be donated to charity. Please encourage your child to check lost and found for missing items.
• On Wednesday, May 22nd, students will dismiss at 12:45 p.m. Lunch will be served prior to dismissal.
• On Thursday, May 23^rd, students will dismiss at 11:00 a.m. Students will have the opportunity to purchase a sack lunch prior to dismissal. This is the LAST day of school!
• Class photos are still available for sale in the office.  If you would like a copy, send in a check written to SSC in the amount of $7.00.

This week in fourth grade:
Math: We are exploring parts of Unit 7, 3-D Geometry and Measurement, in Investigations. Our objectives include:  recognizing how components of 3-D cube buildings come together to form the whole building, finding the volume of cube buildings, and drawing silhouettes of 3-D cube building from different perspectives. We will have our final computation quiz for the year on Thursday.
Vocab/Spelling: This week is our final week of Vocabulary and Spelling. Students will have nightly homework through Wednesday and the quiz will take place on Thursday.
Language/Reading: We are working on finding nonfiction text features in texts.  We will complete a nonfiction text feature project in class this week.  
Science: Last week we started our unit on Motion and Design. This is a hands-on unit that students love! We will discuss gravity, inertia, and Newton's Laws.

Thanks!
Mrs. Wilkes

May 6- May 10

Announcements and Reminders:

• Thank you all so much for sending in snacks for testing this week!!  The kids are really enjoying them!!
• Tomorrow and Thursday concludes ARMT+ testing. These two days are ARMT+ Math.
• ***Please look around your house for any of the books I have loaned your child to read this year.  My name would be written on the inside cover.  I really enjoy sharing my books with my students each year.  Parents are sometimes surprised with how many of my books they find around their house. 
• Yearbook distribution will take place THIS Friday, May 10! If your child did not purchase a yearbook, extra yearbooks will go on sale on Monday, May 13th for $25.00. This is first come, first serve!
• All SSC library books are due by THIS Friday, May 10!

·         We will be having a small end-of-testing/end-of-year celebration THIS Friday, May 10. We will have popcorn, popsicles, watch a movie, and participate in a few games on this day. The following week will be our last week of homework, tests, and quizzes. ***Due to field day, tests will take place on Thursday instead of Friday next week.

• May 15 Volunteer Breakfast (8:00-10:00a.m.)  This is for parents who have helped volunteer in the classroom this year.
• Field Day is scheduled for Friday, May 17^th.
• On Wednesday, May 22nd, students will dismiss at 12:45 p.m. Lunch will be served prior to dismissal.
• On Thursday, May 23^rd, students will dismiss at 11:00 a.m. Students will have the opportunity to purchase a sack lunch prior to dismissal. This is the LAST day of school!
• Please return the yellow Investigations Student Math Handbook (SMH) to school with your child no later than next Wednesday, May 15^th. If you cannot locate this book, please let me know and I will let you know the replacement cost.
• Class photos are still available for sale in the office.  If you would like a copy, send in a check written to SSC in the amount of $7.00.
• Lost and Found items that are not claimed by Monday, May 20^th will be donated to charity. Please encourage your child to check lost and found for missing items.

April 29- May 3, 2013

Just a heads up for next week's ARMT+ Testing!

Sign-up here http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4AABA82AA57-armt to bring snacks in by this Friday for ARMT+ testing next week. Thanks so much to our room mom, Mrs. Ballintine for creating this list!!!

I do need your help in reviewing these important testing tips with your child at home:

1. Read the directions carefully and don't forget to answer all parts of the question.
2. Listen carefully to the directions as given by the teacher.
3. Check over your test after you are done with it.
4. Use your scratch paper for math computation.
5. Look for careless mistakes such as making sure the decimal is in the right place, that you read the directions correctly, you are adding when you are supposed to add and subtracting when you are supposed to subtract, that you copied the numbers correctly, and most importantly, all of your math computation is accurate!
6. Write as neat as possible.
7. Be aware of key words that are bolded or italicized. Again, this goes back to reading each question carefully!
8. When asked to "show work" or "justify your answer", don't be lazy.  Write down EVERYTHING about the problem. Include equations and explanations written in complete sentences.  Now is the time to "show off" what you really can do with this problem.
9. Use RASC when responding to open-ended questions during the Reading portion of the test. This means your response should be at least 3 – 5 complete sentences.
10. Always refer back to the reading passage while answering a question. Use details to support your answer.
11. Use your time wisely. If you get stuck on a question, make the best guess and move on.
12. Stay focused on the test, even if other students finish early. There is no prize for finishing first! CHECK YOUR WORK!
13. Remain confident!  Focus on what you DO know, not on what you do not know.  You know a LOT!!

What is your role?

1. Make sure your child gets a good night's sleep before a test.
2. Make sure your child eats properly the day of a test. We will have a granola bar and grapes each morning as a snack before we test.
3. Make sure your child has taken any needed medication.
4. Get your child to school on time the day of the test. We will begin testing each morning by 8:00 a.m.
5. If your child is too ill to attend, please call the school office. 
6. Wish your child good luck each morning of the test. Tell your child that he/she is special and that you believe in him/her!
7. Remind your child the test is important. Encourage him/her to do his/her best.

This week in 4th grade:
Math: We are reviewing for the ARMT+. As a reminder, many of you have asked about extra Math practice you can be doing at home. Hopefully I have a solution that meets your needs and your child will enjoy! Your child will have a 30-day free trial to website called IXL. IXL is a comprehensive math review site with an unlimited number of math practice questions in hundreds of skills — all of which are aligned to state standards. One of the best things about IXL is that your child can access it from home, so you have a chance to see your child's progress! Students were instructed on how to use this program last week in the computer lab, so be sure to check it out!

Vocabulary/Spelling: We will have a Vocabulary/Spelling test this week. We will have one final Vocabulary/Spelling unit the week after testing.

Reading: I will be working to complete all end-of-the-year Reading assessments by Friday. We will also be reviewing for the ARMT+.                                                                                                                                                              Science: We are concluding our study of animals this week and we will begin our study on motion and design next week after the ARMT+.

Thank you for encouraging your children to stay the course and work hard for the remainder of the school year! We can do it!!

Thank you!! 
Mrs. Wilkes

April 22- April 26

Please see below for reminders and announcements, as well as what’s happening in fourth grade this week.

• Parents are invited to attend an informational meeting at Brock’s Gap TONIGHT from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• We are taking a field trip to the Birmingham Zoo on Wednesday, April 24th. Students need to bring a lunch from home or order one from school. The forecast is calling for a chance of rain, so please have your child dress appropriately!
• Thank you for supporting the SSC Family Fun Fair!
• 4^th Nine Weeks Progress Reports are scheduled to come home this Wednesday, April 24^th.
• ARMT+ Testing will begin on Monday, May 6th and conclude on Thursday, May 9th. Monday and Tuesday will be ARMT+ Reading. Wednesday and Thursday will be ARMT+ Math.
• Be on the lookout for a sign-up to send in snacks for testing.
• I am forwarding a separate email from Brock’s Gap PTO regarding supply orders for the 2013-2014 school year.

This week in 4th grade:

Math: We are wrapping up Unit 8 in class practicing our division strategies. All this week, students will have nightly computation practice to prepare for the ARMT+.
Many of you have asked about extra Math practice you can be doing at home. Hopefully I have a solution that meets your needs and your child will enjoy! Your child will have a 30-day free trial to website called IXL. IXL is a comprehensive math review site with an unlimited number of math practice questions in hundreds of skills — all of which are aligned to state standards. One of the best things about IXL is that your child can access it from home, so you have a chance to see your child's progress! Students were instructed on how to use this program last week in the computer lab, so be sure to check it out!

Vocabulary/Spelling: We will NOT have Vocabulary or Spelling this week. We will have additional Reading assignments in preparation for the ARMT+. Enjoy the week off!

Reading: I will continue with end-of-the-year Reading assessments on students this week. This information will be provided to your child’s fifth grade teacher next year. We are also answering ARMT+ style questions which includes open-ended, written responses.

Writing: We are continuing with our expository writing unit.

Language: In combination with ARMT+ review, we will continue to look at multiple meaning words, prefixes, suffixes, and contractions.

Science: We will begin an exciting in-class project this week to conclude our study of animals. Students will be creating a new animal species that can live anywhere on Earth. Students will apply what they have learned about animal behavior, habitats, adaptations, and what every animal needs in order to survive in creating their new species.

Thank you for encouraging your children to stay the course and work hard for the remainder of the school year! We can do it!!!

Have a great week!
Mrs. Wilkes

April 15- April 19

Please see below for reminders and announcements, as well as what’s happening in fourth grade this week.

·         We are taking a field trip to the Birmingham Zoo next Wednesday, April 24th. Student cost is $12.50. Chaperone cost is $9.00. Money is due TOMORROW! You can pay online at www.myschoolfees.com or by check made payable to SSC.

·         The fourth grade will be taking a field trip to tour Brock's Gap Intermediate School next Monday, April 22nd. Please return permission forms for this trip by TOMORROW! Parents are invited to attend an informational meeting later that evening from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. A letter from Brock’s Gap should be forthcoming.

·         Get excited! The Annual SSC Family Fun Fair is this Friday, April 19th.

·         Spring testing dates have CHANGED! Testing has been condensed into one week. Testing will begin on Monday, May 6th and conclude on Thursday, May 9th. Monday and Tuesday will be ARMT+ Reading. Wednesday and Thursday will be ARMT+ Math.

·         Be on the lookout for a sign-up to send in snacks for testing.

This week in 4th grade:

Math: In Unit 8, we are continuing to work on multiplication problems. All students should have at least one strategy for solving multiplication problems that they are comfortable with. I am seeing students struggle in making simple, careless mistakes in computation (this includes in multiplying numbers and adding numbers). It is important that students learn to recognize these mistakes in their own work, especially as the problems we are solving are growing larger and more complex. I emphasize daily in class about slowing down and checking for accuracy. This is a valuable skill that needs to be nurtured.

By the end of the week, we will once again review division strategies. We will use story problems represented by a division expression to keep track of parts of the problem. We will also use what we know about multiplication to solve division problems. Again, this is a review from our division unit earlier in the year.

We are also continuing with ARMT+ review daily in class. Additional homework assignments to prepare students for ARMT style questions will come home weekly.

Many of you have asked about extra Math practice you can be doing at home. Hopefully I have a solution that meets your needs and your child will enjoy! Your child will have a 30-day free trial to website called IXL. IXL is a comprehensive math review site with an unlimited number of math practice questions in hundreds of skills — all of which are aligned to state standards. One of the best things about IXL is that your child can access it from home, so you have a chance to see your child's progress! I will walk the students through how to log-in during our computer lab time this week.

Vocabulary: Our focus this week is on reading vocabulary. Students WILL NOT be assessed on the spelling of these words. Students will be assessed on Friday. The format for this test will be matching word with definition.

Reading: In Reading, we are continuing to work on exploring expository text and text structure. The non-fiction texts we have been studying have direct correlation to our Science unit on Animals. We are learning to use questioning to make sense of the text. Again, we are combining this with daily ARMT+ review. This is necessary so that students may be prepared in answering ARMT style questions which includes open-ended, written responses. Also, I will begin end-of-the-year Reading assessments on students this week. This information will be provided to your child’s fifth grade teacher next year.

Writing: We also began exploring expository texts in writing.  We will be looking at different ways to organize and present information in nonfiction.   

Language: In combination with ARMT review, we are looking at multiple meaning words and contractions.

Science: We are continuing our study of animals. This week we are learning about types of adaptations and animal defense. We will also examine food chains, food webs, and animal life cycles. We will have a second quiz on Animals this Friday. Much like last week, students will be provided with guidelines as to what to study. 

Have a great week!

Mrs. Wilkes

March 18-22

I wanted to tell you again, I am so proud of every student for how well they took on all parts of the wax museum.  They did such a WONDERFUL job and I was very impressed!!  I also wanted to thank all the parents that came and helped set up for the wax museum and Evan's mom even added her crafty/decorator twist to the display.  The wax museum could not have looked so awesome if not for the parents that helped! THANK YOU!!

Please see below for reminders and announcements, as well as what’s happening in fourth grade this week.

 *   Thank you so much for sending in the playdoh!! We are using it to build our landforms this week.
 *   Graded papers will go home the week we come back from Spring Break.  Report cards will go home on Wednesday, March 20th.
 *   Spring Break for Hoover City Schools is next week, March 25 – 29th.
 *   Save the date...The Annual SSC Family Fun Fair will be Friday, April 19th.
 *   Mark your calendar...Dates for Spring testing will be May 7th, 8th, 14th, and 15th.

This week in 4th grade:

Math: This week we are concluding our unit on fractions and decimals. We will work on identifying decimal and fraction equivalents, representing tenths and hundredths as part of an area, using representations to combine tenths and hundredths, adding decimal numbers that are multiples of 0.1 and 0.25 (Ex: 2.3 + 3.25), and ordering decimals and justifying their order through reasoning about representations and the meaning of the numbers. Thursday will be a day of review. Our end-of-the-unit test will take place on Friday. Unlike our weekly quizzes, this is a major test grade. I highly encourage you to use the Student Math Handbook (pages 64-70) as a resource to help your child with decimals at home. We are also working on additional ARMT+ review.

After Spring Break, we will dive into our final unit on multiplication and division. It is within this unit that I expect students to master solid strategies for both operations. These strategies will continue in fifth grade at Brock’s Gap. Many of you have asked for descriptions of the strategies we are using in class. I will email you a handout and you can look at your child's math journal where these strategies should be written from our work in class. I expect that students be able to use at least one of these four strategies for solving multiplication problems.

Vocabulary: We will continue to combine Spelling and Vocabulary activities each week. Students will be assessed on Fridays. Nightly homework will be given. Don’t forget to use Spelling City as a resource. Also, students were instructed on how to use the Wordly Wise website as another resource.

Language Arts: This week we are discussing comparing and contrasting in literature and how to write an open-ended response to compare and contrast questions. We will also complete some additional ARMT+ review.

Science: Our landform project will take place in-class this week.  We will review for the quiz on Thursday and take our quiz on Friday.

Have a great week!

Mrs. Wilkes