Math: We started a new unit in Math last week. This is the first unit in Investigations titled Factors, Multiples, and Arrays. Students are using arrays to model multiplication situations. Our objectives this week include: Finding the multiples of a number by skip counting, using arrays to find factors of 2-digit numbers, and identifying features of numbers, including prime, square, and composite numbers. Having a solid understanding of key vocabulary is extremely important throughout this unit. Students have a Math Vocabulary Organizer inside their BEE binders to keep up with these words. **Please review over these frequently with your children. For more information about this unit, please see the letters below.
Mastery of multiplication facts is also critical in this unit. Students are expected to know these facts with automaticity (respond within 3 seconds or less) and accuracy. In general, students are familiar with fact families 1 – 5. Fact families 6 – 12 need continued practice at home. Students are making flashcards for these fact families at school. Encourage your child to practice at home, on the bus, in the car, etc. Last week we had timed quizzes on 2's and 3's facts and 4's and 5's multiplication facts. **Wednesday they will have a quiz on 6's and 7's facts.
Spelling: This week is a Spelling week. Students have been a spelling menu with activities attached to 3 sheets of paper to use to complete for homework. Students are expected to complete three activities to turn in on Friday morning. The Spelling test will take place on Friday. Words and definitions can be found behind the Spelling/Vocab tab in the BEE Binder and online at www.spellingcity.com<http://www.spellingcity.com/>. There has been a delay in individual student accounts for Spelling City. This issue should be resolved by October. Again, thank you for your patience.
Reading: Individual beginning-of-the-year Reading assessments continue. Because of the current excitement of our class read-aloud, Flying Solo, much of our time this past week has been spent discussing this book. Through this book, we are modeling what it means to make predictions, ask questions, clarify meaning of unknown words using context clues, and summarizing what we have read. These are skills students will be expected to complete on a weekly basis in their own Reading Response Journals. Last week we finished our study on literary genres and I was very impressed with the test scores!!
Writing: Last week students finished up nouns and this week we will be learning about pronouns. Having a solid foundation of the parts of speech will make for an easier transition into future Writing projects.
Science: Students have shown great excitement during our study of space. They have done a great job observing and charting the different moon phases. Students have done a wonderful job researching their planets and this week we are finishing up with our presentations. We will have an end-of-the-unit test this week and students will receive a study guide in order to study for the test.
Other Reminders:
* Today was the first day for "Change for Change." This is a school wide event where students are encouraged to collect and bring in all types of coins/bills. This fundraiser is taking the place of two previous fundraisers, Gift Wrap and Fun Run. Our goal is $20,000. Monday-pennies, Tuesday-nickels, Wednesday-dimes, Thursday-quarters, Friday-anything goes...paper, coins, or checks. Your child will be bringing home a Ziploc bag to return to school each day with their money.
* SSC Spirit Night at Chick-Fil-A
(MAKE SURE TO TELL THEM YOU ARE IN MRS. WILKES CLASS)
When: 5:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25th
Where: Chick-Fil-A inside the Galleria
Why: For fun, good food, and catching up with SSC friends
During the hours of 5:00-8:00 p.m.-10% of the proceeds will go to SSC Care and Needs Fund
*The classroom with the most participation will win a free ice-cream party.
Mrs. Wilkes will also give homework passes to students who bring back a receipt.
* Today students who brought back their graded papers and signed progress report were given a copy of the progress report for you to keep at home. If your child did not bring home a copy of the progress report, please return the graded papers after you have reviewed them with your child and their signed progress report and I will send them home with a copy.
* From the Library: Be a Champion and Read! Information and reading logs for the contest were sent home on August 29th. Just record six books that your child reads (or has read to them) and turn in to your child's teacher by October 19th. Be sure to mark which team your child read for - Alabama or Auburn! Teachers will then enter your child into the contest for a chance to win 3 tickets to the Iron Bowl! Need another reading log? Go to http://www.myaea.org/2012BeAChamp/2012ParentLetter.pdf
* Personal Technology Device forms were sent home for students who are interested in bringing their personal technology devices (kindles, nooks, ipads, itouches, ipods, or other e-readers) with them to school for aid in classroom instruction. These forms must be returned to school before your child is permitted to bring his/her own personal technology device. If you are in need of another form, please let me know!
* Help SSC: We are collecting Box Tops to help raise money for our school. These are collected year-round, so send them in! Thanks for supporting our school!
If you have any questions, please let me know!
Thanks for sharing your children with me each day! They are such a blessing!!
Mrs. Wilkes
Jennifer Wilkes
Fourth Grade Teacher
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