Tuesday Con't - Book Log

****Homeroom Book Log is due tomorrow! :) I forgot to put that on the earlier post.

Also, the kids will NOT be getting their new MAP Lexile reading scores on this next log as previously stated. So sorry! The MAP test was not ready for us today when we showed up to Computer class...but we have been promised we can take it for sure next week during computer! :)

I'll still put the kids 3rd grade Lexile score down and of course you can still look up books by going here: www.lexile.com

If you need a specific list of books for your child let me know and I can get you one as well.
Thanks! :)

Tuesday

Today will be short due to team meeting during planning and faculty meeting after school.

Math-Today we continued with Front-End Estimation. HW: pg. 18 in workbook 4A
*Some students chose to do x-tra credit. It is on a sheet titled Front End Estimation. That will be due tomorrow.

Reading- Today we continued with Problem and Solution.  Students read small leveled books and practiced. We also worked on our Author Study projects.
HW: Problem and Solution worksheet page
***I am having a VERY hard time getting HW back from several students in this class. It highly disappoints me! Please check your child's planner. Anytime I write that I didn't receive HW, please look at our HW policy to see how many points your child is losing each day it is late or never turned in. I NEVER give busy work, it is always practice from the day.

Science- Today we reviewed more concepts with Unity and Diversity.  Students took a practice quiz on the sidewalk today! We also ALL passed the Life Cycle quiz so we got to dissect a frog on the SmartBoard to learn about why the frog needs certain parts and adaptations.
No HW

Writing- Today we worked more on our Memoir and were able to begin our hook to our piece! Our writing groups also helped each other make up the hooks! :)
No HW

Have a great night,

Monday

Good Afternoon! I hope you all had a great weekend!
We are off to a good start to the week. The kids came in very well-behaved this morning and we earned 3 compliments today!

*FYI:
Picture Day is Sept. 7
Book Log for my HOMEROOM kids is due Wednesday (the kids will receive a new one Wed. with their new Lexile scores!!)
MAP Reading test is Tuesday during Computer Class
Math: Today in math we went over our test from last week. The kids did ok, but missed a few questions that I remember going over and over in class with them!! I know they were frustrated.  When going over the test tonight with your child, make sure to have them explain to you how they could have answered a question correctly.  We also completed a review sheet similar to the last page of the test as a review. Students will get extra credit added onto their grade if the new sheet is correct.  Next, we began our new unit on Estimating.  Today we worked on Front-End Estimation.  Kids used white-boards and the SmartBoard to practice and learn with.
HW: kids need to ask YOU to sign their test and bring back tomorrow; pg. 16 in 4A workbook (there is an example at the top of the page if they forget how to do the problems)
Reading: Today in reading we started with our new cycle of how we'll run our reading class.  (See the Check it Out side for more info)  We began by partner reading a mystery short story and looking for good clues to find the problem and solution.  We then participated in an activity to find the problem and solution with events leading up to the solution.  Next, students worked on reading the next chapter in their lit. book, and students had about 20 minutes to continue working on their Author Study.  Today we also were able to give half the students their fluency and comprehension assessment (which will be shown to you once conferences begin in Mid-October).
HW: Finish reading the following chapters from Lit. Books: Waffle-ch.6, Watson's-ch.8, BFG-ch.8. Also students were given vocabulary sheets from this week's vocab. from our whole group story.  Depending on which page a student has, it should say Vocab. at the top and page 1 at the bottom.

Science: Today we did a Candy Quiz - where I review everything we've learned so far in science and a child can earn a piece of candy by participating and getting an answer correct! I was impressed by everything the kids remembered! Everyone answered one question ~ ask your child what his/her question and answer was! We also began learning about Inherited and Learned traits.  Students participated in a question/tally/graph activity with this.
No HW

Writing: We began our Memoirs today.  I read 2 books that were able to help us get an idea of what we were writing and we made a list of important memories and places with the special person we chose to write about.
Have a great night,

Friday!

Happy Friday! This was our first FULL week back to school together! Whew! I'm tired! :)

Today was a great Review Day!

We started off the day by reviewing how to write a formal letter. The students then wrote letters to me about how their 4th grade year is going so far and anything else they wanted to tell me. I'm so excited to read them!

We also went over and I modeled how our Writing Groups will be held between the kids when we begin editing each other's pieces and publishing pieces.  The kids did a great job with this helping to set up guidelines and then modeling it very nicely within their groups.

Next, we had SS for almost 2 hours! I had planned LOTS to get to, but our Internet was a bit slow on the mini-laptops, so we ended up doing the lesson on the SmartBoard. I love having this! It was a Landforms Webquest. I was very excited to see how wonderfully the kids navigated through the internet, could follow the webquest directions carefully, and able to write down the answers to the questions. This is going to make it much easier to do WebQuests in the future! :)  We did not get to our other SS items planned, so we've pushed that until next week!

Some of us got to enjoy Lunch Bunch today! It was great. The kids deserved it!

Next we met up with our 2nd grade Book Buddies from Mrs. Watts' class.  Her kids are working on their fluency skills so it was their job to read to my kids.  Next, my kids asked their buddies questions about the book so that they both could take an AR test and score a perfect 100! {Remember, the AR Goals are in the planners}

We then took time to have SSR where the kids could silently read and take AR tests while I pulled each kid back individually to discuss MAP scores from 3rd grade and set new goals for this Fall MAP test! We will be taking the MAP Reading on Tuesday of next week!

No HW this weekend!
Have a great one!

Thursday!

Short today! We had a meeting during planning and I need to work, work, work to leave by 5! :) Sorry but thank you for understanding! :)

Note from Mrs. Wagoner - the Music Teacher:

Tomorrow is when the parent info. forms are due in music class. About half of your kids have turned them in so far. Please remind them to bring them to school tomorrow and if they already have them, they can bring them to me right now.

Math: Students took their Test. I'll have it ready to send home early next week! No HW
Reading: Students worked on inferencing, context clues, and the author study.
Chapters read due by Monday:
Watson's - ch.6&7
Waffle- ch.4&5
BFG-ch. 5&6
Science: We worked on short answers about the life cycles. No HW
Writing: We had HEALTH with Ms. Timaji instead. No HW

Have a wonderful night!

Wednesday

*Check Wednesday Folders for important news and graded papers! Please have your child return the folder in the morning.

*If your child's homeroom teacher is Mrs. Maldonado ~ Welcome! Hopefully you received my letter today in the Wed. folder.  I have listed what I teach your child (either reading or math at the top of the page).  Please read that section to know what we did today!

Math: Today we had a short math class due to the Bus Safety assembly.  However, we had time to review 3 big items that are going to be on the math test tomorrow! We used practice problems on the Smartboard. Please help your child study by giving him/her practice problems from their study guide (pg. 23-26 in text).  Students should have the correct answers since we went over them today. If you help your child practice and study tonight please sign the top of the study guide. The students can earn extra bonus points on the test with your signature! :)
HW: practice & study for test tomorrow
Maldonado HW: study for test tomorrow

Reading: Today we continued with our grammar with our morning flashback. We also practiced more on inferencing with a partner activity.  Students have done very well with this! I think they are ready for their Exit Quiz tomorrow on inferencing!  We also went over the AUTHOR STUDY the students will begin tomorrow. Students were given a partner to work with. This will be completed in class. Each class period the students will get 10 minutes to work. If the kids work hard and do not play around they should have no problem getting it completed. We went over this in depth today, so they are asked to show it to you and have you sign the paper. I only ask that you sign it so that I know you know what 'extra' thing they are working on.  I've also placed a link to the websites for the project on my blog. Either click the all caps words above or look to the right of my blog under the "Check it Out" section and click.  Students were also given content papers to work on in their lit. groups.  All students were working on context clues and inferencing and how that was shown in their Lit. Group book.
HW: Get Author Study paper signed by a parent
Maldonado HW: none

Science: Today for science we reviewed the stages of the Life Cycle and completed an activity where students had to put together 2 different life cycles. Students did very well with this! We also labeled what each was with the stage.  Then students used different science vocab they have learned and created an animal.  They are really neat! I'll grade them tonight and hopefully get them back to the kids so they can show you! The students had to label and classify all different parts to that animal!
No HW

Writing: Today we went over how to edit correctly ~ getting us ready to meet our Writing Groups! Hopefully we will begin working on our first real piece soon! :)
No HW

AR Points: I've finally given all the kids their AR goals! If you are not familiar with AR, please look it up on our school website under the Library tab. It's really neat! The individual goals are set for each student based on their MAP Lexile score.  So, the goal given to your child is based on what he/she can read with reading 20 minutes per night.  If your child is not reading 20 min. per night please remind them it is daily homework with the Reading Log.  This goal will expire after the 1st 9 weeks and they will receive a new goal. *Please sign this sheet in their planner so I know you have seen this!*

Volunteers: Wow! I had a lot of parents willing to volunteer! Thank you! I am currently working on a monthly calendar to hand out so you know when we would love to have you! Most people signed up under 'copies' so I will try and accommodate that to you! :) I promise to have it out soon! I do appreciate you!

Have a great night,

Tuesday

Remember ~ short because of meetings during my planning and Staff meeting after school.

HW:
Math: complete study guide answers on pages 23-26 in the text book. Students had PLENTY of time to get this finished and should only have about 5 questions left. Test is Thursday

Reading: finish reading if not in the class and finish summary if not in class
Watson's - chapter 5
BFG - chapters 2 & 3
Waffle - chapters 3 & 4

Science: No HW, began Life Cycles

Writing: No HW, cont'd with senses and went on a Walkabout

Have a great night,

Monday

Hope everyone had a wonderful 3-day weekend! The teachers spent Friday learning more about SmartBoards and developing fun educational activities!

Math: Today we worked on place value more. Students used manipulatives in small groups to get the largest number, the smallest number, and odd and even numbers with both.  We also played a few fun SmartBoard activities! Ask your child about it!
HW: page 8 in workbook - there is a verbal part for you to participate in!
Maldonado Math HW: finish review questions from chapter 1
MY math group's test is Thursday.  We will begin the study guide tomorrow

Reading: Today in reading we reviewed context clues through an activity and began our new way of decoding unknown words-inferencing.  Students worked hard in pairs to figure out the inference of short stories! Some of these were hard!  Students also received their new Lit. Group books. As I explained last week - these books fit better with your child's Lexile score.  Most students will read all the books by the end of the year and of course the books I chose are challenging and mostly slightly above your child's Lexile score since I went off the 3rd grade Spring MAP.  ALL students will be working on the same core content but with different books! Please email if you are concerned with this.
HW: Everything on a Waffle-finish chapter1; Watson's-finish chapter 4; The BFG-finish chapter 2
If you want to get ahead, look over on the right-side of the blog under Check it Out.  The author study project is up. The kids will be getting this Thursday!
Maldonado Reading: no HW

Science: We continued learning about classifying animals and plants and how they are made.  We worked a lot of different adaptations including the look of animals but also mimicry, hibernation, migration, and coloring.  Students were able to play a fun game on the SmartBoard.  We also completed an ORQ orally.  The students are to come home and answer the ORQ verbally to you, too! :) I want to make sure kiddos can actually talk and use what we've learned, not just be able to write it in an ORQ format!
HW: Answer the ORQ verbally to an adult.  Have the adult sign the page when you are finished. 

Writing: Today we worked on our 5 senses! Yes, we related how our 5 senses could help us with our writing. We brainstormed and made a list in our Writer's Notebooks about 'better' words to use for common words like ~ look, hear, tasted, etc.  We will finish the list tomorrow!

*We were not able to walk or have outdoor recess today due to the issue you've probably seen on TV.  The safety of our kids was number one, so Mrs. Sharp asked us to stay inside. Of course, the convict was caught at 1:30 today. Our recess was already over :(.  Your child may need a few extra minutes outside today to get their energy out! :)

Today I had one of those 'feel good' teaching moments.  A boy in my class told me how he's been "so much better behaved this year than in previous years". I asked him why and he stated that the expectations were clear for him from the beginning and he can trust that I will keep my word.  My heart about busted after I heard this. What a great thing to happen on a Monday.  It's true for adults and kids, when expectations are clear and do not change it is easy to do what is expected! :)

Have a great night,

Thursday

Good afternoon! Sorry for the late post - our Internet at school did not work towards the end of the day, so I had to wait until I got home. :)

Today we had a great ending to a great week!
In Math we continued learning about place value with comparing, ordering, and finding number patterns.  The students worked hard on this.  We practiced together with the white boards as well as completed a few practice pages from the Singapore book independently.
No HW
The Place Value test will be next Thursday. Students will receive a study guide on Tuesday.  They are going to be ready!:)

In my Reading class today we went over our Watson's homework, modeled and participated in our first Book Talk, and worked a little more with context clues.  No HW
*In my reading class, I have very high expectations, as I do for all my classes.  This group has been great, but I am afraid I have tried to excel some of my kiddos a little too high too fast. Therefore, I've decided to not continue the Watson's book with the entire class. It was a great way for us to begin and model Lit. Groups, but I will be starting 2 other books with some kids on Monday.  These books will better fit their Lexile level as of now (Lexile based on the 3rd grade MAP Spring test).  But don't worry, the kids who don't get to finish the Watson's now will most likely get to by the end of the 4th grade year! :)

In Science today we continued with structures and functions.  We also reviewed all the content we've learned so far.  We completed an activity explaining the structure and function of a plant.
No HW

The kids really enjoyed their Sundae compliment party! Thank you to those of you who were able to send in items.  It went great!

We also got to meet our Math & Reading Buddies. This will be like Book Buddies, but we'll be doing a few fun content projects with our 2nd grade buddies ~ Mrs. Watts' class!

*Also, thanks for helping your kids keep up with the Book Logs! They are due Sept. 1.  Remember, all students should be reading 20 minutes a night!

Have a good night,

Wednesday

Wednesday Folders should be coming home tonight! They will have important info. from the office and graded papers from the mailboxes.
*I ran out of time to write a letter to my Math and Reading classes. Look for that next week! :)

Math: Today we worked more on place value. We worked on comparing numbers and ordering numbers up the the ten-thousands place. We even had a chance to play a game on the SmartBoard!
HW: page 7 in workbook 4A
Maldonado Math HW:

Reading: Today we continued with Context Clues. I graded the activity from yesterday. If students received anything lower than a 90% I've sent it back with them to re-do and get signed by a parent.  We also read more in our Lit. books. 
HW: finish reading Chapter 2 in Watson's and complete questions (4 on a small piece of paper - complete those on a lined sheet)
Science: Today we continued with classifying and learning more about adaptations.  We participated in an activity to show why birds have different beaks. It was so fun! Students had several items on their desk they had to pick up using different types of beaks made from toothpicks! Ask your child about it! Too bad I forgot my camera today!!! :(  Then we completed an ORQ together as a class over bird adaptations.  It is hanging in the hallway!
No HW

Writing: We continued with strong verbs to help our writing improve.  We are brainstorming the PTA reflections topic as well as getting ideas for our Memoir.
No HW

*Tomorrow we are having our compliment party! I am going to pick up the ice cream today, and I have someone bringing in bowls and spoons.  Would anyone be able to send in a topping?

Have a great night,

Tuesday

Tuesday posts will always be short :( 
I have meetings through our planning time and staff meeting for an hour after school. Thanks for understanding! :) Ask your kids about the fun activities today!

HW:
Math-page 3-5 in 4A workbook (we started each problem together to help kids)
Maldonado's Math HW-pages 3, 4,8 in 4A workbook

Reading-read chapter 1 in book and write at least 4 sentences about the setting
P.E. paper needs to be signed by parent and returned by next PE class.

Have a great night!



*****Also, the students voted on a sundae party for their reward. We will be doing that around 12:20 on Thursday.  If anyone is able to bring in some of the following items that would be great!
bowls, spoons, toppings, etc.

Monday

WOW! I just love my class!! They are so sweet, eager to learn, and well-behaved! We've only been working on our BasketPAWS for 4 days now....AND...the kids have set a new record! They've earned their first 15 PAWS! WOW! We will be voting tomorrow on the reward for the students.  Praise your child for excellent behavior when he/she gets home today! (and believe me, I am not easy to get PAWS from!!)Also, thanks for the smileys or star's today on the planners! I just want to make sure parents are remembering to read and hopefully this is a helpful tool for you!

In my math class today we worked more with place value.  Students worked in pairs exploring standard and word form and also recognizing what each place value number meant.  We also worked together on both forms. 
HW: students have 2 problems to work out for you on a 3x5 notecard. They are to ask you to sign the page as well.
Mrs. Maldonado's Math Class HW: pages 1-2 in workbook 4A - only do circled problems

Reading today was cut short to due a behavior assembly.  However, we were able to get our novels passed out and begin context clues.  IF you are able to check out our reading book (The Watson's Go To Birmingham) from the public library I would really appreciate it! I have 24 copies and we have 29 students in the class.
No HW

The Behavior Assembly was with all 3-5th graders.  Mrs. Sharp went over expectations and model good behavior.  My class did an awesome job listening!

In Science today we learned more about classifying animals.  After reviewing Thursday's lesson, the kids explored Herbivore, Carnivore, and Omnivore through an activity.  We also used our science journals to record what we learned today.  The kiddos took an exit slip at the end of the lesson.  We had almost everyone score perfect!
No HW
*We are going to do a small lesson on classifying tomorrow as well and I need some Silly Bands to use for our lesson! I've asked the students to bring some in. I promise to return all the bands to the rightful owners! :)

In Writing today we went over adjectives and nouns for our mini-lesson.  I was surprised at how many students forgot what each were! But no worries, we read a book about adjectives to jump-start our memory as well as played a game using nouns and adjectives.  Students were also given time to answer a writing prompt about their weekend.
No HW

Tomorrow we have PE. Please remind your children to wear tennis shoes!

Have a great night,

Friday!

We've made it!
Today we participated in a lot of placement assessments. :(  Once they are all graded I will be sending the scores home with your child as well as having your child chart and graph his/her score in the data folder. We also were able to get 2 Dunbar community service students so they will help me grade some of these assessments!

We also had a chance to make a Topography map using landforms to get us excited for Social Studies Fridays.  The students were able to choose 5 landforms from a list we read about and make them from Salt Dough. Although I mixed and made the dough, the students made their maps. They are so cool! We also painted them and have a definitions page to go along with it. Ask your child to see it!

HW: If students did not finish the Reading assessment it is HW and due Monday.
Hopefully Monday I will have the Book Log for the month copied and sent. This will be a nightly requirement to read 20 minutes per day.

Thanks again for all the supplies sent in. I really appreciate it!
Just to get a heads up if you are remembering to read this, place a star on Monday morning's planner page!
Have a great weekend!

Good Afternoon! Thursday~

We had another great 2nd day of school!

Today the kids came in wonderfully and got started on their work.  We switched classes for Reading and Math today with Mrs. Maldonado.  Ask your child who their teacher is for Reading and Math class!

These are NOT permanent lists.  We went off the MAP scores from 3rd grade Spring test, but we will re-group if needed by next Friday according to the MST scores and progress within the classes. 

In Math today we made a Number poster to describe our life in numbers.  Ashley won having 30 different numbers describing herself!  We also worked on reviewing place value with candy. Here are a few pictures to demonstrate what we did. No HW tonight.

Our Math and Reading classes were cut a little short today due to an orchestra meeting with Mrs. Higgins. Your child has a info paper in their Red take-home folder for info for you.

In Reading today we began our new book we will be reading as a class, The Watson's Go To Birmingham.  We will read this book together to model and learn how my Literature circles will go. Activities will be differentiated as needed.  We also played a review game with adverbs, adjectives, homonyms, etc.  We will be working on those items soon! :) No HW

For Science today we went over the Scientific Method by watching an experiment.  Ask your child how you can see all 3 states of matter all at once! :)  We then began our new unit on Unity and Diversity beginning with Living, Non-Living, and Once-Living.  We took a very short science walk to classify what we saw into these groups. No HW

Unfortunately we were not able to go outside for Recess due to the heat advisory--so we played 4 Corners in our classroom.

For writing today we decorated our Writer's Notebooks, went over what I expect and what they are able to write about in their notebooks, and then worked on prompts.

HW:
Finish decorating the writer's notebook IF WANT
Finish the All About Me poster from Wednesday

**Please help your child remembering to ask you to sign their planner! IF you read this, put a smiley face next to your initials on the planner. Thanks!!
Have a great night,

First Day of School!

WOW! I can't believe today was the first day back! The kids were GREAT! Everyone was a bit quiet and shy in the beginning, but that did not last long!!!

We participated in lots of get-to-know-you activities as well as went through all our procedures and my Expectations.  Students also made an expectation list for one another and one for me as their teacher.  The kids all have positive and note-worthy things to say. I can tell we are going to have a wonderful community in my class once again.

A few of our get to know you activities included:
Talking Time with students who had the same color Jolly Rancher
2 Truths and 1 Lie game where we had to guess which was the fib
Completing an All About Me poster
Listing 3 things the kids wanted to know about me (and I answered the questions)
The kids listing 3 things they wanted me to know about them

A few Procedures we went over included:
Hallway Behavior
Lunch behavior (the monitors only had WONDERFUL things to say to us)
Class behavior
HW policy
Planner policy
Library check-out

We also created our own animal involving different structures, which we'll share the next time we have science.

All in all our day was great! Thanks for sending them reading to learn this morning! We even earned 4 BasketPAWS already!!!! (check the Behavior button on the side to find out how we earn those)
Tomorrow we will begin our regular schedule except with a few interruptions with Fire Drill's and the Orchestra teacher meeting the kids.

Hope your child has lots of positive things to say about the day!

Have a good evening,

PS--Please try and get the FORMS filled out ASAP. Thank you to those who already sent them in today!

Open House Night!

It was great meeting so many of you last night! Thank you for making the effort to come in, drop off supplies, and meet me! I am excited for our first day tomorrow.  I'm still like a kid after 6 years and anticipate the day so much! I probably won't sleep tonight, so I'll be drinking coke zero's all morning! :)

If you were not able to come to Open House, I'd love to meet you soon. Since your child is in the 4th grade, you know how the first day of school goes - very busy! I probably won't be able to talk with you a lot in the morning as I will be helping all my new kiddos find their desks, get started on work, etc.

Also, if you haven't turned in your Transportation info, I need it ASAP! :) I want to make sure we have no glitches in getting your child home safe.
If you have the Volunteer sheet filled out, I will take that ASAP as well! Our assistants are not going to be able to work with us as much as in the past, so I will need help with filing, copying, making activities, etc. Let me know if you are interested.

Again, let's have a great first few days of school!

PS--If you came to Open House and filled out the 3x5 card with your email on it, you should have received an email from me today. If you did not please email so I know if I have your correct email! Thanks!
megan.burton@fayette.kyschools.us

Blogging

Welcome New Parents!
I have been blogging for about 5 years now for my classroom. It all started during my 2nd year of teaching when I had a parent inform me that my weekly newsletter was "way too overwhelming". After the initial reaction of "really?!" I starting looking through the newsletters and she was right! I was trying to pack in what we had learned in the previous week, give a heads-up on what the students were going to learn, and then give FYI items.

So, I took to the wonderful world of technology and began a daily blog.  From almost 100% of previous classroom parents this seems to be an easy way to stay current with what's happening in our room as well as be able to get the stuff your child accidentally forgot to tell you! :)  I think the hardest part is to remember to check it! Hopefully you can bookmark the web address and click on it each afternoon.

The lengths of the posts will vary depending on the day or what afternoon activities I need to participate at school.  But most always it will state if the students have homework (HW) and what they learned.  This address is for educational purposes, so if it is blocked on your work computer, please let me know and I will try and contact your server to allow you access!

Although this blog will not take the place of Planners, it's again another way to keep up with what is going on.  Since Mrs. Maldonado and I will be switching students, I will try my best to write what HW she has given to either her math or reading class (that could contain some of my homeroom students) and I will label my own reading and math posts for those of you who I do not have your child in homeroom. Make sense??

Of course, if I (or you) need to contact me directly we can use email/phone/note/etc.  Please do not post personal items on the Blog posts that concern your child for privacy issues. 

I will also be adding videos and pictures to this site, but only if your child has turned in the media release. If not, no worries! Your child will not show up on here!

Again, I look forward to meeting each of you and having a wonderful 4th grade year with your precious students!

Have a wonderful night! ~Mrs. Burton

Disclaimer - I will try my best to spell check, use proper grammar, etc. in this Blog. But please remember, I am trying to post everyday and have lots of other items on my daily teacher agenda to get to. Please don't be too hard on me! :)

Welcome!

Welcome to our Class Blog! I am excited to meet each of you on Open House night. See you on Monday between 5:30-7:30! :)