Welcome New 4th Graders!

Hi all!

WOW, I feel so lucky already to have you in my class next year! What a fun idea to meet the kids at the end of the year.

I hope you all enjoyed your little S'Mores snack and that {parents} you received my note I sent home with your child on Thursday as well as our supply list.  If you missed any of those papers, please email me and I will get it to you!  Our Supply List is located on the right side tab of this blog.

Have a wonderful summer...see you in a few months!

If you go on any vacations, I'd love a postcard!! You can send it to the school address:
Garden Springs Elem.
Attn: Megan Burton
2151 Garden Springs Dr.
Lexington, KY 40504


I'll be checking my email periodically this summer. If you need something from me ASAP, please contact the school and they will get the message to me! Thanks! :) *859-381-3388

*If you'd like to read more about me, go to the right side tab and click Meet Mrs. Burton.*

LAST DAY!

LAST DAY OF 4TH GRADE!

WOW, I just cannot believe it! This year has flown by!

I hope your child has had a wonderful year. I sure have! Although it had its transitions with my maternity leave, I still have a special place in my heart for each child!

Enjoy your 2 months of SUMMER with your children! If you need anything, please feel free to email me! :)


*If you are subscribed to this blog, please unsubscribe so you do not receive posts next year!

Wednesday

Good Afternoon!
Hope you had a great Tuesday off! I did chasing Harper all over the house! She's loving her new found mobility of crawling!

Today:
*We made Father's Day crafts. They are SUPER cute! Please make sure to ask your child for them when they get home so you can save it for June!

*We completed our Year End Memories booklet. The kids had fun writing down all their favorite times.

*We made replicas of ourselves to pass to our 5th grade teachers tomorrow. The front looks like the child and the back has little bits of information about them!

*Students received their yearbooks and had time to sign each others! The kids who did not receive a yearbook got a copy of the class picture to have kids sign. What a great idea, Mrs. Hanlon! :)

*We also had some time outside enjoying Popsicles and talking about our favorite memories from this year!

FYI:
4th grade awards - tomorrow at 11:45
Move-Up Day - tomorrow at 1:30 (kids will find out their teachers)
Report Cards will come home tomorrow with a note about your child's next year's teacher
ALL papers and desk items are coming home TODAY!

Tomorrow kids are able to bring towels in to sit on. They are also asked to dress up, if they want! :)

Monday!

Welcome to the last Monday of the school year!! :)

FYI:
*No School TOMORROW
*Wed. is PJ Day
*Thurs. is Dress Up Day - we will be having our awards program and meeting 5th grade teachers/classes!
*Wed. we will be cleaning out our desks...so PLEASE LOOK OUT! We will also be sending home Wed. folders with ALL the graded work inside! :)

Michael M. from Mrs. Stith's class has invited ALL 4th graders to his pool party! How fun! Kids have a note they are bringing home today. It is on Friday from 5-8pm and the address is on the sheet.

Today we made crafts for the student's year-end gift from me.  Students painted pots with chalkboard paint. After they dried they were able to write in them with the chalk and we planted flowers. I've loved watching them *grow* this year! ;)

We also played some KY trivia and watched a Kentucky Today education episode.  The students worked on designing book marks for Joseph-Beth Booksellers, too! They are having a contest that is really cool! I will be turning in the book marks tomorrow for the kids! I hope one of ours wins!!

**Summer Packets are coming home today. I spoke with the kids about this and that they will receive an award/prize from me when they return to school for 5th grade! (remember, your child only receives one if you signed up for one about a month ago)

Have a good night,

Fun Day/Kite Day

Here's a few pictures from our day today!!

Thank you Mrs. Wiley for bringing us the funnel cakes!! SOOOO awesome!!

Thursday

Another great day!

Today we worked more on SS.  We did activities based on KY tourism and famous people that call KY their hometown.  We also learned about economics and how they are related to us!

Students also worked on mult. facts today - please try and work with your children on this over the summer! This is one skill they DO NOT need to lose before 5th grade!!

Lastly, we did an edible science experiment with Mrs. Wiley! The kids got to make and enjoy Funnel Cakes! We reviewed chemical and physical changes.  Yummo! Thanks Mrs. Wiley!! :)

FYI:
PTA newsletter had a mistake - Move Up Day is May 24th in the afternoon.
Fun Day/Kite Day is TOMORROW! Bring your own kite if you'd like, and make sure your child wears: tennis shoes, sunscreen, and brings a towel!

PS-- we need a fun G movie for Fun Day! If you have one, please send it in with your child! I will make sure it gets returned to you Friday afternoon!

Have a good night,

Wednesday

Good Afternoon!

*WOW! Thanks sooo much for all of the appreciation gifts last week! I felt like one loved teacher!!

Today:
Today we focused on early settlements and Daniel Boone most of the day! Students took a virtual field trip to Ft. Harrods and Ft. Boonesborough.  Then they were able to search through the site and figure out what they would do for a job if they lived during that time period.  Afterwards, we wrote a Dear Diary paper on living during that time.  This will go into their writing folders for 5th!
Students also learned about log cabins! They were amazed there was no heat and no electricity! ha! Students were able to make their own! They were very creative with the amount of sticks they were able to use! :)

FYI:
Fun Day is FRIDAY:
Bring:
sunscreen
hat
sunglasses
towel
Wear:
old clothes
tennis shoes

LAST DAY~May 24th
Our 4th grade awards (regular 9 weeks awards) will be at 11:45 in the Gym.  Our classroom awards will be at 10:15 in our classroom.  I will be passing out awards to the students that their peers chose for them.  I will also be giving them their class gifts from me.  You are welcome to attend, but do not have to! From there, we will go to lunch and then have awards, then recess.  The Move-Up Day has been specified for the afternoon, but no time.

Have a good night,

Summer Tutoring

Hi all!

Some of you mentioned, and I've mentioned to some of you... that it would be beneficial for your child to receive tutoring this summer.  I have tutored the past 6 summers, but I have decided to take this summer off to spend with Harper! :)

I do have the name of a GREAT lady who tutors.  I actually had 2 of her students. She is certified in Elem. Ed. She is willing to take any of my student's first.  She can help your child with his/her Indiv. Summer Packet or just work on needed areas.  I'd be glad to sit down with her to tell her what your child needs the most help on.

Please contact Felicia Durham: home phone 296-1502 or cell 327-0257

Monday~ Pencils needed!

Good Afternoon! :)

I feel a little lost without our daily blog posts and planners!  Starting on Wednesday we will be back to normal with it all!!!

***We are in desperate need of pencils to finish out K-Prep. If you can send your child in with one or two that would help us out tomorrow!!! Thank you!!!!

More to come on Wednesday's post! :)

*Date Change*

I had mentioned to some of you our end of the year awards... THE TIME may change. I'm sorry about this.

We were just sent an email today that Move Up Day will now be on the 24th INSTEAD of the 21st, as originally set.

I'm assuming our 4th Grade Awards are still at 11:45 - but I am not sure. Our classroom awards may need to be at a different time depending on when Move Up Day is.

I will let you know AS SOON as I am told...

Thanks!

Monday

WOW! We have 7 kids out today and 1 sick teacher! Yikes! We've got to get better before Wed.!!!

FYI:
TESTING begins Wednesday. PLEASE make sure your child is here and ON TIME.
PLEASE do not make appointments during the tests.

No HW ~ we reviewed skills ALL day!

Wednesday

Look what our CATS players had to say about K Prep! :)
http://www.ukathletics.com/blog/2012/05/video-davis-miller-send-message-to-students-during-standardized-testing.html

HW: (sorry, lots of conferences today!)

Reading: work on completing Lit. packet, study for test

Math: pg. 108 in workbook, look at pg. 107 if need help

Finish coloring Derby horse

***WEAR a Derby hat tomorrow!*** {any hat that is fun!}

Tuesday

FYI:
No School for kids FRIDAY
KPrep is NEXT WEEK!

Just showing HW today!
Science:
None

Reading:
finish lit. book if needed

Math:
workbook pg. 95 and tell parent Perimeter Body Chant

Writing:
None

Monday

FYI:
KPrep Guidelines are below! Please Read! I will also have this in the Wed. Folders
NO school on Friday - I will be here to meet with my conferences

Science:
We worked on our animotos for Miss Rickard!

Reading:
We worked on our vocab. skills. We will have our last test on Thursday.  We also spent lots of time today in Lit. Groups working on finishing up our books and working on our leveled assignments.
HW: read book if needed

Math:
We reviewed capacity and length. Then we began on area and perimeter.  Students did pretty well with this. We learned the formula to get area and perimeter.
A=LxW
P=2L+2W
Here's a great site to help: http://www.mathplayground.com/area_perimeter.html

Writing:
We watched our Parts of Speech Raps and worked on possessive nouns.
No HW

KPrep Info. - Will be in Wed. Folder, too!

K-Prep Testing Info.
Mrs. Burton

*K-Prep is the new standardized state testing for KY this year.  This is a new test to us all. Here are a few guidelines I want you to be aware of!

Cell Phones: I am mandated to take all cell phones, turn them off, and leave them in a plastic tub on my desk.  I will give them back when we are finished testing each day.  If you need your child for an emergency, please call the office, 381-3388, and they will get to us immediately.

Sleep: It is VERY important kids get adequate rest during the testing period.  Sitting for long bouts and testing takes a lot out of a kid! Getting enough sleep will help them feel confident for the test.

Breakfast: Below, there will be a sign up sheet to help bring in breakfast for the class. It is SO important that students eat a healthy breakfast – especially during test time!  Many of our students do not eat breakfast, so if you could help out that would be great!

Homework: There will be NO HOMEWORK throughout the testing days.  Kids need to get out and play! Of course, if you’d like for them to continue reading or playing educational website games, that will be up to you.  I will not have anything assigned.

Good Faith Effort: This is school-wide and state-wide. It is a reward system for students who try their best. OF COURSE we do not know how they do on the test; however, doing their best includes: getting enough sleep, being on time for school, reading all the questions, answering all the questions.  Fourth Grade will have a reward party on May 21^st for this.

Layering Clothes: You never know how our room will feel! So, please send your child with layers or a jacket.  They need to be comfortable for testing!

Appointments: PLEASE try very hard to not take your child out during testing. It is SO important for the kids to be here when we take the tests.  We have a small window to get all the tests completed and need the student here!

Blogging: I am NOT allowed to discuss the test at all. So, I will not be blogging much during testing. If there is important information that needs to get to you, I will have the kids write this in their planners or I will post something on the blog and put a note for you to read it in your child’s planner.

Breakfast Sign- Up

Possible Treats:
granola bars, muffins, fruit, go-gurt, etc.

We have 25 students in our class.

May 9^th –

May 10^th –

May 11^th –

May 14^th –

May 15^th –

K-Prep Schedule

May 9^th
Reading Part A
Reading Part B

May 10^th
Reading Part C
Math Part A

May 11^th
Math Part B
Math Part C

May 14^th
Science Part A
Science Part B

May 15^th
Science Part C
Language Mechanics

Thursday

FYI:
Mid-Terms are coming home TODAY. Please look, sign, and return.  Many students have been not turning in classwork. I was able to show them how greatly it affects their grade.  I am determined to get everyone to A's and B's this last few weeks!

*Students were told today they needed to earn 5 tally marks from me before lunch for good behavior! They ALLLLLLL did it! We enjoyed a lunch together as a reward!

**Miss Rickard's last day with us is on TUESDAY. I'd like for each child to bring 1 flower to give her on TUESDAY. This can be one from your yard, or a single rose, whatever! I will also have some flowers for students to use who forget!! :)

Science:
Students were assigned a topic we've learned this year. They re-researched the topic and worked on an Animoto to share with the class as a review, and to show my kids next year! We hope to share them on Monday!
No HW

Reading:
Today we continued with cause and effect in stories.  Students worked on their own cause/effect story comic strips. They are awesome! Students also practiced their vocab. words and have Lit. Group time.
HW: complete comic strips if not in class

Math:
We are continuing with capacity and measurement in length.  Students worked on making a Gallon Man, while I pulled small groups to work more on measurement.
HW: complete gallon man

Writing:
We finished up the Parts of Speech rap.  Everyone did a great job! I am going through the media papers to make sure who can/cannot have their face on our Internet, and then I will upload the videos!  If you change your mind about letting your child be on the Internet for our songs, please let me know! :)

Wed.

FYI:
Wed. Folders coming home tonight
Mid-Terms will be TOMORROW

Science:
No HW

Reading:
read 20 minutes

Math:
complete Land of Gallon sheet and tell someone the Land of Gallon fairy tale for extra credit

Writing:
No HW

Monday

Good Afternoon!

FYI:
*Thursday night is Sonic Night
*ALL 4th grade teachers will be out tomorrow for the PLC from Fayette Co. I have Mrs. Yeary as my sub and my student teacher will be here. If you need a transportation change, please call or email the office as I will not get to check my email from the PD.  There will also not be a blog post tomorrow.
There WILL be tutoring tomorrow. I will come back for it and Ms. Layton is getting a sub for her group.


Science:
Miss Rickard led the kids through a study lesson for their test tomorrow. Students have a guide and notes in their science journal to study from.
HW: study

Reading:
Today students reviewed chronological order in reading and writing.  Students did a practice writing piece on making a PB&J sandwich. Next, they chose their own topic to write. They will share them tomorrow.  Students also received their new vocab lists (and last ones of 4th grade!!). Book 1 and 2 have new words, while SAT has review words from all their lists.  Lastly, students worked in their Lit. Groups on their books.
HW: practice spelling of words (all groups) with fun spellings (they have the sheet), finish chrono. piece if not in class

Math:
Students started a new unit today. We re-learned how to read a ruler by 8th's and 4th's.  Students did seem to have a little trouble with this, so they have practice HW.
HW: complete 1 sheet with ruler on it, please look and sign

Writing/Specials: We had to take ANOTHER MAP test. Poor things! I think they are totally tested out...and we haven't even started the major one - KPrep! Ahh! Today they took their MAP Science or finished their Math MAP.  We finished the rest of writing time taking a much needed Brain Break!

Have a good night,

Friday

*Kids who scored above their Winter Reading MAP test received a McDonald's treat today from me! I let them choose between ice cream or french fries. I had to buy lots...yay! :) We will do it again next week for Math MAP.  AND I'd like to give a special shout to Peyton who was the ONLY one who thanked me! Way to use your manners, Peyton!!!
~Mrs. Burton
Carnival: 5:30-7:30 - see you then!!!!


Friday!
 
    I hope everyone's Friday has been awesome! We had a busy day in 4th grade today!

Social Studies- We have started our Kentucky unit and kicked it off by making a salt dough map of all the regions of Kentucky. The kids formed the state, painted the regions, and outlined it with a fact about each region. We worked on this in the morning and also after lunch. They look awesome!! The salt dough recipe is super easy, 2 cups of flour, 1 cup of salt, and 1 cup of cold water.

Reading- The kids finished up their reader's theaters. We switched for an hour this morning so we could get it in.We picked out the climax of each play and they were so good!!!

Math-We had a shortened math groups time because of the social studies. We squeezed in factors, multiplication, and word problems in 30 min!

Writing- We finished up our poetry this week by sharing some of the poems. They were so creative and cute! I will have these graded and sent home next week.


Have a fabulous weekend and enjoy the carnival! Happy Birthday to Charlie and Mrs. Burton!:)

Miss Rickard

*Looking For...

Hi! I'm looking for bottle caps! If you happen to drink sodas or 2-liters, could you save me the bottle cap only? I would really appreciate it! I'll be creating a game once I've collected several.

THANKS!