Wednesday

FYI:
MAP testing is over! :) We completed the math this morning.
Kite Day is also Friday. Please have your child bring his/her kite Friday morning.
TOMORROW is KY day! Kids are to dress up like the person they chose to 'be' and we will do fun KY things all day! Kids will also be tasting some mini hot browns and hopefully ale-8 (still working on that!).
Students who did not turn in their Math HW can still turn it in tomorrow for partial credit.

Today we completed the MAP math all morning.  Then we worked on finishing our KY projects for tomorrow.  A few students still have a little bit to work on tonight as HOMEWORK.  Next, we began our Weather News Unit.  We decided we wanted to write a script and have a weather/news report but didn't have time during our weather unit and getting the other science content in before CATS.  So, now we have time! Each child got to pick their job (we did this back in Feb., and surprisingly I knew where to find the paper!) and each person has a neat part in the newcast! Can't wait to see the final product!

We did not have Specials today due to being in the computer lab this morning, so kids enjoyed watching The Jetsons during their specials time so I could still meet for my conferences.

Have a good night,

Fun Day is Friday!

Fun Day and Kite Day is Friday! Ms. Timaji has planned a fun day for the kids!

Here's what you need to know:
*have your child wear tennis shoes
*have your child wear something that can get dirty/wet
*Kids are scheduled to watch a G rated movie of the classroom choice - please have your child bring one in for us!
*We will not be having specials this day
*Kite Day part is at 12:20-1:20
*Have your child bring a large towel to sit on while we enjoy a picnic lunch outside and popsicles!

Monday

SO sorry about the lack of posting last week! ;)

Today we worked on our KY famous person project all morning.  Some students got finished!! Student's researched all about the life of someone they chose and are working on a speech or poster to present.  On Thursday we will dress like our famous KY person and do fun KY things all day! If you have an idea or want to do a KY craft with us, please let me know! I'd love it! :)  PS- please do not spend any money on the outfits - we can be very creative with paper here if we need to be!

We also reviewed lots of math today! We take our MAP math test on Wednesday morning.  We reviewed whole class and in small groups: addition (with decimals), subtraction (with decimals), multiplication, division, fractions, and measurement.
HW: complete a Drops in the Bucket Math sheet by Wed.

FYI:
No school tomorrow!
Cards and letters for May 27th - I will take those whenever! If you want to help - here are things we could use: white paper bags, volunteer to tie the bags, finger desserts, etc. (Special Day)
I will be speaking with the kids about their Summer Work packets, soon! I will also be sending home the conference forms to those of you who were not able to make a conference within the next week or so.

Have a good night,

Tuesday

Today we completed the ITBS test! :) Now, we just have our MAP test..and we will FINALLY be done! :)

* Don't forget to ask your child for the white envelope that is coming home with them today!! Very important!

Students also got to watch The Black Stallion movie today thanks to our Black Stallion literacy grant! :)  Students who passed the AR test on the book with an 80% or higher enjoyed cookies and coke during the movie. :) We had 13 kids pass the test out of 15 who took it!

TOMORROW'S Field Trip:
Please have your child:
-wear tennis shoes
-apply sunscreen to their face and arms as we will be outside a lot
-wear a hat or visor if you want them to
-if bringing own lunch, it needs to all be disposable - so plastic or paper bag, plastic utensils, plastic water bottle, etc.

We will be leaving around 9:15 and return to school close to 1:30 for specials class.

Important Info. Monday

FYI: Important Info. for the rest of the School Year:
Your child has written this in his/her planner, but here are the dates you may want to write down as well.

May 10 - students can take the Black Stallion AR test for a special treat during the movie
May 11 - Horse Park all day Field Trip

May 17 - No School
May 19 - Famous KY Day (more info. on this later)
May 20 - Fun Day and Kite Day

May 27 - Make sure your child is present this day! It is a day to remember!! Info. about this day coming in an email TODAY and in your child's Wed. folder in an envelope.

June 3 - Last Day for Kids, 4th Grade Awards Program for last 9 weeks @ 12:15

*Conference Forms were sent home last week and due Friday.  Your child should have brought you back the paper you filled out for me with the date and time to meet.  If you did not get your paper in, I will be sending home your child's conference form in a few weeks. 

***********************************************************************
Today we took one part of the ITBS.  Then we worked on our Opinion pieces for our portfolios.  This is the LAST piece we will write for these and then students get to start working on their blank books I bought for them! They are excited!

We also had Ashley and her mom, Mrs. Elliott, present about bees and collecting honey! It was so neat! The kids and I learned a lot about bee's and their lives! We also had the most delicious cake ever afterwards!! :)
Here are some pictures ~

Ashley in the Bee Keeper suit

Mrs. Elliott and Ashley during the power point they made!



Ashley with the wax foundation



The adorable and oh-so-yummy bee hive cake made by Mrs. Elliott!!

*Please help your child read (or finish) the Black Stallion tonight if you can! :)

Have a good night,

Thursday ~ Cinco de Mayo

Today we focused our learning on Cinco de Mayo!
But first, I gave the Derby winner prizes! What cute jockey hats! :)  A lot of the other kids wanted them...they can be found at The Party Store for about $2 each.

Today we learned the days of the week and a song in Spanish, learned about different foods and their names, colors, learned about all the facial feature names, and the capitals and countries in South America! Ask your child to sing you the song!  All the stuff we did, the students have them in the red-take home folder.

We also watched an educational clip about Cinco de Mayo and made ponchos.

*FYI*
*Permission slip in planner for Tangled Movie tomorrow (for CATS celebration)
*Visor needed tomorrow (foam one found for $1)
*Horse Park permission slip due tomorrow
*If you want to send in anything for the CATS celebration tomorrow, feel free! :)

Have a great night,

Derby Day Wednesday!

We did Social Studies Derby stuff all day today!

First, we learned about Jockey silks and finished ours up from yesterday.  Aren't they beautiful?!

Then we learned all about the festivities that surround the KY Derby in Louisville.  We also learned when the Derby began and how it all got started.

Students also made their own horses and named them for our different Derby races!

Derby Race Winner ~ Brandon

Derby Multiplication Winner ~ Rhayna

Derby Dance Winner ~ Alex

Lastly, we made posters for the "Run for the Roses" events.  They looked great!

Ms. Timaji also taught Health today.

FYI:
*Your child is going to ask you to sign the permission slip written in the planner that looks like this:
Please sign only if you are OK with us watching Tangled (rated PG) as a part of our CATS celebration Friday.

*New permission slips are being sent home in the Wed. folders if your child hasn't turned in his/hers.

*The Black Stallion is due for the AR test on Tuesday of next week!

*Conference sign-up sheets will be in your child's Wed. folder.

**Would anyone be willing to bring in chips or something else that would go with Cinco de Mayo tomorrow?!?! Sorry for the late notice!

*We found out yesterday...we are having a GIRL! :) Her name is Harper Alan

Have a great night,

Monday

****Thank you to Mrs. Stathis on Friday for the yummy breakfast!!!****

****Thank you to Mrs. Sandy for the yummy breakfast today!!!****

I enjoyed getting to see a lot of your kids on Friday at the Carnival! What a great day it turned out to be! :)

Today we continued testing all day.  Students had a small break in between tests where we worked on our SS KY regions amusement park and had lunch. :)

*Tomorrow I will be taking a half-day in the afternoon so I will not be writing a blog post.  Mrs. Yeary will be the sub ~ We are going to find out what the gender is of our baby!
We only test in the morning tomorrow, so it will not mess up our testing. :)

**WOW! Thank you all SO much for the delicious lunch! That is always such a wonderful treat to get 'real food' at lunch time opposed to my Lean Cuisines or PB&J sandwhiches! I appreciate all the hard work you put in to making and bringing the food! It was so yummy!

Students need any color tissue paper tomorrow or by Friday as well as a $1 foam visor that can be found at Michael's or Hobby Lobby.  We will be starting our Derby Unit tomorrow after testing and continue it through the week. 

Thursday

***Thank you Ms. Mills for the yummy breakfast!!***

FYI:
Students need a hat they are allowed to decorate by next Wed.  There are some foam visors for $1 at Michael's! :)

Field Trip Permission slip and money needs to be turned in ASAP! :)

School Carnival is TOMORROW night!! Hope to see you there! I've looked at the auction baskets...they look like fun stuff!!

Wednesday

****Thank you Mrs. Judy for the yummy breakfast to help us get ready for CATS today!****

WOW! What a day!! We began testing as normal...but had to quickly take the booklets up and get into Tornado Mode. The kids were BEYOND amazing during this.  I am SUCH a proud teacher!!! They had to move fast and stay quiet in an uncomfortable position for almost 2 1/2 hours...and they did it wonderfully!!! That's really hard to do!! :)

So, they were rewarded with a movie, because, believe me, not all students acted the way our class did!!

We will resume with testing tomorrow morning and complete what we missed today and complete what was on schedule for tomorrow.

We worked on the regions of KY today and began learning about what makes each region special.

FYI: In Wednesday Folders - mid-terms

Tuesday

Another day of CATS testing!

****Thank you Ms. Rehm for the great breakfast this morning!****

Today we reviewed decimals and division with a game called Decimal Dare.  The kids brought home the cards to play with you!

We also reviewed moon phases.

Students had health with Ms. Timaji.

No HW

Monday

We began State Testing today!

**** Thank you Mrs. Long for a wonderful breakfast this morning!! ****

Today we reviewed Moon Phases and reviewed double digit multiplication and 3 digit division.

There will not be any HW this week due to testing.  Your child can still read, though!! :)

*Don't forget our Field Trip on May 11th.  Also, please read with your child The Black Stallion so they can prepare for the AR test on May 10th!

Have a good night,

Friday

FYI:

*I apologize for not keeping my grade book in I.C. updated as usual since we've been back from Spring Break.  With last planning/specials period, it seems we always have the programs, concerts, performances, and meetings during this time and honestly, I have had about a half-time planning once in the past 2 weeks! It's been nuts!! I also haven't been able to stay after school much either.  I WILL have grades updated by Monday evening as I will be working on them after school on Monday.
Thanks for understanding...I'd certainly rather be teaching our kids during the day and not sitting in front of the computer during learning time! :)

*CATS begins MONDAY!!! We had a great (and funny!) celebration today to pump the kids up.  Please make sure your child goes to bed at a decent time Sunday night and serve them a healthy breakfast Monday morning.  ALSO, tell your kid how proud you are and how you KNOW they can do this!! :)

*Field Trip money for the May 11th trip is due anytime.  Please have it in by Wednesday.  The Horse Park is only allowing 2 adults per classroom besides the teacher.  I have already had 2 parents request to come.  Thanks.

*There will be NO Homework AT ALL next week due to CATS testing.

****IMPORTANT**** By law, I am NOT allowed to write/talk/etc. anything about CATS testing.  Therefor, I will not be blogging that 'your kids did great' or anything like that because I have no idea if they did or not! {I can't read or see any part of the test}  :)  So, blogging will be short and I will just tell you about what we did the rest of the day!  If you want a reminder of what test we are taking each day, please look at your testing sheet you received in the latest Wed. folder from Mrs. Moses or contact her.  I know it seems silly...but believe me...people take this seriously!! :) :)

Have a wonderful Easter Weekend and enjoy Good Friday!!

Thursday

FYI:
Chick-Fil-A Night is tonight at the Turfland Mall Center. Hope to see you there! Please try and bring your pink slip so GSE can get a % of the sales!
TOMORROW is the last day to donate for our class basket for the Carnival auction!! Any amount donated is helpful or any items (like Lego's, etc.) is appreciated as well! BIG thanks to Ms. Long for working so hard on our basket and class gift!

Great Job Orchestra Kids - way to go Julia and Bailey! :)

Math HW:
Students have individualized HW in Math.  If your child sees Ms. Trahan for individual groups he will not have HW tonight.

Have a great night,

Wednesday

FYI:
From Mrs. Wagoner:

Students are to return their music test signed by a parent. It was due April 11. Could you please remind them? Those who haven’t turned it in are Kaitlynn, William, Julia, Branden, Bailey, Aaron, Haley and Miranda. Not turning in the test will damage their music grade.

From Ms. Long about Carnival Basket:
Quick reminder: Donations for our themed basked “Future Builders of America,” are due this Friday, April 22. If you do send in an item, please write down the retail price on a piece of paper and tape it to the item. This information is needed to itemize the basket contents and to estimate the total worth of the basket for the auction. If you choose to send in cash, it will be added to the $100 in Walmart donations to purchase final items to complete the basket. If you prefer to send in a check, please make it payable to Amanda Long. If you have any questions, or need additional information, please contact Mandy Long (email-along@uky.edu, day phone: 859-323-0521, evening phone: 859-223-9448). Thank you in advance for your help.


Black Stallion Field Trip Permission Forms can be turned in any day! :)

Wednesday Folders will be coming home today.

Math:
HW: 2 sheets of review HW

Reading:
differentiated compare/contrast sheet

No Science or Writing HW

Tuesday

FYI:

Quick reminder:  Donations for our themed basked “Future Builders of America,” are due this Friday, April 22.  If you do send in an item, please write down the retail price on a piece of paper and tape it to the item.  This information is needed to itemize the basket contents and to estimate the total worth of the basket for the auction.  If you choose to send in cash, it will be added to the $100 in Walmart donations to purchase final items to complete the basket.  If you prefer to send in a check, please make it payable to Amanda Long.   If you have any questions, or need additional information, please contact Mandy Long (email-along@uky.edu, day phone: 859-323-0521, evening phone: 859-223-9448).   Thank you in advance for your help.

*Coming home today is the book, Black Stallion with an informational sheet.  Please read with your child ~ this is a great opportinity! :)

Math:
Today we worked on input/output functions.  We also worked on double digit multiplication and division.  Students were to have a homework sheet but it was not copied in time of dismissal...so they just have their Mon-Fri packet for HW! :)

Reading:
Today we focused on opinion and facts.  We reviewed this skill in several different ways, but I think the best way was our 3 facts and 1 opinion game!
HW: differentiated HW sheets on this skill

Science:
Today we finished up presenting our review posters! The students did a great job and their quiz questions were very good! :)

No Writing Today

Monday

FYI:
CATS testing begins next Monday
5th Grade is selling eggs for their Field Trip in the front hallway
Math:
Today we worked more with variables in number sentences.  We played a few games on the smartboard that you could play at home, too! Some of them were hard for the students - so if they practice tonight they can get extra credit! The sites are below.  We also learned about input/output functions and to find the rules.  Kids did great with this...if they knew their facts!
HW:  front/back worksheet, Mon-Fri Packet
http://www.ixl.com/math/grade-4 - Games G6 and H1
http://teams.lacoe.edu/documentation/classrooms/amy/algebra/3-4/activities/functionmachine/functionmachine3_4.html

Reading:
Today we reviewed almost all of our sub-groups of reading for the CATS test.  We reviewed by playing a Jeopardy game.  Most students did a great job with this.  We will be reviewing the items the students did not get as well as others.
No HW

Science:
We began presenting our review posters and quizzes.  Students who presented did a great job!
No HW

Writing: We had Health today with Ms. Timaji.

Thursday

FYI:
CATS breakfast letters went home yesterday! Please send in if you are available to help! :)

*We did not have Reading today due to Mrs. Maldonado's class testing in MAP.

Today we worked on our review science projects and will be presenting them tomorrow! They look really good! :)  The kids have done a wonderful job working in pairs.

We also got to use our extra time together to get a little more geometry in.  We learned about similar and congruent figures.  Ask your child about them tonight! They also brought home some shapes to teach you with! :)

Math: Today we finished our coordinate grids lesson.  Students did a great job on the exit slip.  We then started learning about variable in number sentences.  The kids were loving this today, actually! :)  They enjoyed making up different symbols to mean numbers.
HW: 5 problems (with an example as one) on variables in number sentences, due tomorrow, Mon.-Fri. Packet due tomorrow

Writing:  We began brainstorming for our opinion piece.  The students thought it was weird to write a piece without researching information! ha! We hope to begin writing them on Monday.

Have a good night,

Wednesday

*FYI
Wednesday Folders
CATS breakfast schedule ~ if you can help that would be great!
CATS testing schedule included.  I will NOT be able to write/blog about the tests the kids take {it's a rule for liability reasons for me!}, so PLEASE keep this brochure to hang on to so you know when/what your child is being tested on. 

This morning we had our Spring MAP Reading test.  A lot of the kids did wonderfully! Most children gained, and if not, their score stayed pretty high! The score sheet is coming home tonight for you to look at and sign.  I will then let them bring it home to stay, but I want it signed to make sure they showed it to you!

*We did not switch for Math today because of my class MAP test.  Tomorrow we will not switch for Reading because of Mrs. Maldonado's MAP test.

Reading:
Today we continued our review of reading for details.  Students used kcct-like questions to play a game.  Then they had a few minutes to read from their Lit. Books.
No HW {unless they need to finish the quiz}

Science:
Today we continued with our review over what we've learned so far this year! The review is very helpful for the kids! :)
No HW

Writing:
DEAR time and AR points.  Students received their points from the last 9 weeks as well as the new 9 week goal.

Have a good night,

Tuesday

Short Post due to Faculty Meeting and a busy day! :)

HW:
math Mon-Fri packet and coordinate points HW