New Year!!

Hi! Welcome to our Class Site!
I am assuming you are visiting our blog from the postcard your child should have recently received! My hope is that your Summer Breaks have been relaxing and fun filled with great family memories in the making!

My Summer Break has been great as well! My daughter, Harper, and I have truly enjoyed spending our days together! We visit the Library, have play dates, and definitely hang out at the pool a lot! She's become quite the water baby in her ripe old age of 21 months! :)

My Summer Break has also included getting ready for YOU or your KIDS to come back! I am excited for another wonderful year in 4th grade.  It is truly my favorite grade.  I just love the kids at this age and think the range of learning is incredible!  We will have a slightly different start this year since all intermediate will be located in the portables...but as long as we look at it as an adventure, it will be great!  If you are a part of the GSE PTA page on Facebook, you've seen lots of updates of the building.  If not, join! It's a great way to stay in touch! If you do not have Facebook, don't worry! There are some pics on the GSE website.

**Home Visits**
Very soon you will be receiving another postcard from me that is from our school. It will let you know about Home Visits and when you should be looking for me to pop by! :) If you'd rather just meet at a general location, that will be fine, too.  I will also send that information on the postcard as well.  I'm sure you remember from last year, but these are short little visits to once again say hi (and meet the parents for the first time!!) and try to ease any anxiety about coming back to school.  I'll also have a little goodie for you, too! :)

Looking forward to seeing you soon!
Mrs. Megan Burton

(If you'd like notifications that I've posted in the blog you can type in your email to the right and it will send each post to you in email form.  I'll also have more info about our communication and some new things I may try out soon!)

LaSt DaY!

Can you believe it? Can you really believe it? I feel like this has been the fastest year yet!! You know what they say... Time flies when you're having fun!

I'm so proud of this group! I've seen them grow, grow, grow! We've worked on so much and I am so happy for them to get a break this summer!

Thank you parents who have trusted me with your most precious gifts! I love them!

A few FYI's to end our year...
*Yesterday was move-up day where they met their 5th grade teachers.
*Report Cards and Wednesday folder items will come home TODAY
*Our school will be undergoing Phase 1 of renovation as soon as Tuesday night of next week! So, the building will be in a bit of a crazy time, but we are already all preparing for next year!  Nothing to worry about! :)

Have an AWESOME Summer!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Love,
Mrs. Burton

End of Year Movie :)

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTwSe0GJ-o0&feature=youtu.be



Please let me know if this works!!!!! I don't know how to upload a Movie Maker movie to the blog!! :)

Wednesday

*Wednesday Folders will be coming home on FRIDAY with all the student work and office papers your heart desires! haha :)

*Report Cards will be inside Wednesday Folders on Friday

*If your child is receiving an individualized summer packet, that is coming home TODAY. It will be in a manilla envelope.

*We are still learning this week and working on our standards! We have "I Can" statements, too! 
Monday:
I can feel special all day! :)  (writing, grammar, math)
Tuesday:
I can research about a topic of my choice using the internet. 
I can create an article poster using text features. I can present my ideas using good eye contact and speaking skills. 
I can showcase my talents by using prepared speaking and listening skills.
I can create a thank you note using friendly letter details.
Wednesday:
I can compare and contrast a play and a drama. 
I can comprehend a drama using character traits and explaining how a character changes from the beginning of a story to the end.
I can plot the story map of a drama.
I can showcase my manners and my maturity by walking to Chik Fil A.
Thursday:
I can participate in good team building skills and good sportsmanship skills by playing games with my classmates.
I can use my writing and grammar skills to create a summer bucket list for my family. 
I can complete math word problems.
Friday:
I can survive the day. (ha, just kidding! :) )
I can use speaking and listening skills with my friends to showcase how to listen well when others are talking.
I can use comprehension skills when following a story/drama.

Summer Reading Lists

On your conference form I have a recommended reading list, but here are a few more resources on books, too!

*If you opted to not have a conference, the form will be in your child's Report Card envelope! :)

Summer Reading Resource Lists

Garden Springs Media Center Reading Lists (K-5):

http://staff.fcps.net/ksnyder/Reading%20lists/readinglists.htm

2014 Kentucky Bluegrass Award (KBA) Master Lists (K-2 & 3-5):

http://kba.nku.edu/participate/master_lists.shtml

 

 

2013-14 Elementary Battle of the Books Title List (3-5):

http://staff.fcps.net/ksnyder/BOB%202012-13%20Title%20List.htm

Assoc. of Library Service to Children Summer Reading Lists (K-2 & 3-5):

http://www.ala.org/alsc/compubs/booklists/summerreadinglist

Monday!

AWESOME Special Day!! It was great! Below are some pics!

*Tuesday: Performance Clothes
*Wednesday: GSE gear and tennis shoes
*Thursday: Beach wear (not bathing suits, yes to hats)
*Friday: Favorite Outfit!

**If your child earned the points for the Good Faith Effort Checklist, the permission slip needs to be turned in TOMORROW! Sorry for the quick notice, we aren't allowed to talk about it until the tests have been shipped off! I was waiting to get the "ok" but the trip is on WEDNESDAY!! :)

 

Fun Day!

Fun Day was SUCH a blast!!!! Thanks for the extra prayers! The weather was great and the kids had so much fun!! You can thank me later when they collapse tonight around 7! haha  They are so worn out!! :)

I took several pics on my phone through the activities, so I will be sure to post those on the blog by Monday so you can share in what we did!

Hope you have a great weekend!!

Thursday!

FYI:
*We had the girl/boy puberty talks.  The girls had previously received a letter for the parents telling them we would be talking about puberty/getting periods.  The boys did not receive letters. They talked about general hygiene and wearing deodorant daily. :)  Nurse Jayne did the girl talk with the 4th grade teachers and Mr. Bill and Mr. Rogers did the boy talk. Please follow up with your kiddos tonight in case they have any unanswered questions!

*Fun Day:
TOMORROW!
Kids bring:
towel, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, play clothes, tennis shoes, water bottle

LETTERS! Please get those to me ASAP! :)

Have a great night and pray for NO RAIN for tomorrow! Our kids deserve a fun day!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday!

We're back!

*Good Faith Effort reward letters will be coming home tomorrow. More info. on that later.
*Fun Day is Friday. Kids will have items listed in their planners tomorrow about it.
*Remember our "special stuff" is due! Please have that by Friday to me! :)

This morning we worked on a research project regarding famous Kentuckians.  Students were able to choose who they wanted to research.  The projects were great and the presentations were awesome, too! I was impressed!

For math we did a mixed review and graded those together.

For our writing time we worked on some class meeting items for our special day on Monday...although they don't know what or why we did that yet!! :) :) :)

Hope you have a wonderful afternoon.  There is NO HW today but we wrote in planners so I would like those signed again.

Thanks! :)

Tuesday

SORRY!
Another quick day!

HW:
Reading - finish #5 in packet

Science - begin working on a hand-made instrument (not due until Thursday)

Literacy Letter due TOMORROW! :)

Monday!

Quick post...heading BACK to the doctor for poor Harper!! I feel like we live there right now!

Sorry for not blogging last week, I was hit or miss with the Internet! :)

HW:
Writing: 5 question on grammar standards
Reading: finish up problem/solution text if not in class
Science: practice with science journal review page and review packet for TEST tomorrow

:)

Tuesday

Only showing HW today!! :)

Science: Reading packet with 3 questions




**No Fluency Folder or Test Prep this week! :)



Ask your child all the fun stuff we did to learn today!

Monday

I'm back! I missed teaching your kiddos this week! :)

FYI:
The kids made their 40 PAWS compliment party! They've decided to have a pizza party per the Class President's request! :)  So we will have a pizza snack on Wednesday afternoon.  If you are able to help out, please bring in $1! If not, it's okay!

MAP testing is THIS week! We started off today at 8:00 taking our MAP Math.  Most kids finished. I will send home results once our Reading test is finished as well (Wednesday).  Remember - this is ONE measurement of how your child is doing this year! Not all kids are test takers and that is OKAY!

Thursday is Sonic Night!

Science: I can explain electric currents and circuits.
Activity: Students learned through playing with light bulbs, batteries, and switches.  We learned about open and closed circuits and why metal plays a big role in conductors! 
No HW

Reading: I can explain why text structures help me comprehend.
Activity: We practiced the different text structures for non-fiction texts.  Students had 2 different activities to work on this.  The kids are really starting to get it! We will begin reading longer texts tomorrow.
HW: place the text structure cards together and glue on lined paper

No Writing or SS due to MAP testing.

Math: I can determine the perimeter of irregular shapes./ I can measure different amounts of time and length.
Activity: Today I pulled small groups during math class to work on area and perimeter and measurement.  I also pulled small groups to work on a review of measurement they learned last week with Miss Kirk.  While I was pulling groups, students who were not with me were working on their math Study Island practice.  This is a FREE site your child can use, too!
HW: complete the area and perimeter sheet - each child has 1 problem to complete, please check!

Have a good night,
Mrs. Burton

Wednesday

Happy Wednesday!!

Science
LO: I can explain how light interacts with a variety of surfaces.
Activity: Today we talked some more about reflection and absorption. We predicted angles of reflection by drawing diagrams on individual whiteboards, and then we watched a short video about absorption. Students each had one Post-It note and wrote something they learned from the video on it. Then, we put our Post-Its on the board and shared with each other. Now we know why objects appear to be the color that they do!
No HW

Reading
LO: I can create a writing piece with the same theme as something I have read.
Activity: We read three short stories and students worked together with a partner to identify the theme. Tomorrow, we are going to write a new story based on one of those three themes, then we will compare our piece with the original to see how the same theme can be approached in different ways.
No HW

Math
LO: I can solve word problems involving time.
Activity: We started out with a fun SmartBoard activity where we were "Math Detectives" using time word problems to solve a mystery. Then, students worked on some word problems that involved elapsed time and time conversions. These are still a little tricky, but I can already tell that we are getting the hang of it!! :)
Homework: Students have a sheet with three word problems for homework

Tuesday

From Mrs. Burton:
*Hi! I need Conference Forms back by FRIDAY so that I can schedule your choices and let you know!! If you can turn them in before that would be great! Thank you to those of you who have already returned them!!
*Also, I know that May is a very busy time of year, but I'd like to see what interest you would have to have a class end of the year picnic on one of the nights of the last week of school.  We can plan to have it at a park, my home, or your home! Please email me or write me a note in the planner to let me know if this would be possible or if the end of the year is just too busy! :) Thanks!
*The KPrep booklet is coming home today. This will give you information about testing. PLEASE try and not schedule doctor appt's during this time! Also, I will NOT be blogging during KPrep testing. There are MANY rules and communication with testing and I surely don't want to accidentally mess up!! :) I will remind you closer to the time!
*If you received your calendar of April and May, you would have noticed the "Just Because You're You Day" schedule for May 20th. This is an AWESOME and annual event that happens in my room each year. I will be getting you information in about a week or so about this event. Get excited! It's a great day to showcase your great child!

Now On To Miss Kirk...

We had a little bit of a different day because of our field trip, so we only did reading and math today. The kids were fabulous on the field trip!! Ask them to tell you about the story "War Horse" that was performed for us, and about the awesome horse tricks that we saw after the performance! :)

Reading
LO: I can compare two texts with the same theme.
Activity: We finished up skits from yesterday, then we read a play and a fantasy short story. We worked together to find the theme and then we answered an extended response together comparing and contrasting the two pieces.
No HW

Math
LO: I can work word problems involving time.
Activity: To go along with our horse-themed field trip, we measured things around the room in "hands" (the measurement system that is used to measure horses), then we converted those measurements into inches. After that, we went back to working on time. We did some more time conversion problems and began adding amounts of time together.
Homework: Students have one homework problem in their planner to practice adding amounts of time together.

Monday

**Miss Kirk's Solo Week**

FYI:
Field Trip Tomorrow - please have child wear Gray GSE shirt and tennis shoes!!! :) Also, an inhalers need to be brought to school if not already here - there is lots of dust that sometimes gets allergies!! :)

Science:
LO: I can explain how light travels.
Activity: We tried to figure out how to place three cards with holes in the center in order to shine a light through all three, then we looked at a laser beam by spraying water in the air. We learned that light travels in a straight path. After that, we thought about what would happen to light if it "ran into" something, then we watched a short video and started learning about reflection.
No HW

Writing:
Activity: We are working on creating pod casts of our articles about weather! We also reviewed the parts of speech during writing today.
No HW

Reading:
LO: I can identify the theme of a story.
Activity: We read a story together and found the theme, then students worked in pairs to find the theme of a different story. Then, we finished up an activity from Thursday where students acted out short stories and we tried to find the theme of them. The kids loved this and it was so fun to see their acting skills! :)
No HW

Math:
LO: I can review how to tell time and time conversions.
Activity: First, we had some students show different times with their bodies by using their arms as the hands of a clock. Then, students practiced showing different times on their own mini-clock. We talked about the phrases "quarter to" "quarter after" and "half past". Then, we worked on some time conversion problems. We even figured out how many minutes there are in a week!
No HW

Friday

SEE YOU AT THE CARNIVAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our Class Basket!!

Our Class Project!!!!!










Math: I can convert capacity units for real world problems.
Students had to figure this out...

1.        1/2 pint of ice cream
(need to know in cups)

2.       3 cups of milk
(need to know in pints)

To make and enjoy a milkshake!

We had a great day full of pulling small groups on math and reading. Students performed on their own on some skills and earned points.  The points led them to a few extras today. I was impressed!

We also learned about Area and Perimeter during our Friday Geometry learning.

Ask your child about today!

Thursday

FYI:
*1 More day until the Carnival!!! Our basket is starting to look great! Thanks so much for donating items!!

Science: I can describe how heat moves.
Activity: Today we discussed different ways heat moves.  As in, how heat is transferred and items that help or stop heat transfer (conductors/insulators).  After we learned about this, students made their Shark Tank activities! We didn't present them - we will tomorrow! Unfortunately all of the ice cubes melted!! I will bring in bigger ice cubes to see if they do better tomorrow! Then we will write our synopsis!
No HW

Writing: I can use Word to type my article. OR I can use Podcasting to speak fluency my article.
Students who are finished typing their articles are now working on their speaking and listening skills by recording their articles on a podcast.  I am looking for good fluency! We will hopefully get to share these with you!
No HW

Reading: Miss Kirk will have her solo week next week (where she teaches everything) so she started with her reading unit this week.  We are going back to review theme in different genres as this is a very important skill and we needed extra help on this!  She had the kids work on a whole class activity and then were able to act out a fable and tell the theme of the fable.
No HW

Math: I can convert capacity units of measurement.
Activity: Students worked on different word problems involving capacity.  Students did a great job with this but we are still working to make sure we are Common Core ready! We also started learning the metric length measurements. 
HW: learn the first 3 units of measurement on their measurement conversions sheet

Have a great night,

Wednesday

FYI:
*Wed. folders coming home
*Bring in camping items for the class basket if you can!!!
*Carnival this FRIDAY!
*No Fluency Folder - students have a reading Comprehension packet to complete instead

Science: I can describe ways heat can be produced. I can describe ways heat transfers.
Activity: We did a series of group learning, tech. time, and writing to learn all about heat!
HW: Reading Page with Science questions, bring in items for the Shark Tank activity tomorrow!

Writing: I can use Word to type my article.

Reading: I can describe how visuals help me understand and comprehend text better.
Activity: We worked on an article together using the graphics, then students tried one on their own.  Students who are able to score an A get lunch in the room! We used the RAP method to answer.

Math: I can convert units of measurement.
Activity: We somehow managed to learn this in our hot room today!! :)  Students did a nice job working on tough word problems involving lots of different units of measurement changes.
HW: 1 word problem

Technology Time Today:
SuccessMaker
Typing Article
Heat Lesson on BBC America
Math Review games

Tuesday

Class Basket:

We Need Your HELP!!

Our Class Carnival Basket is very empty!! Please if you can, send in a money donation or items that we can auction off this Friday!

Camping Basket

A few less costly ideas: (a lot found at Walmart or Dollar Store)
S’Mores Kit (graham crackers, chocolate bars, marshmellows)
flashlight
small cooler (or big!)
bug spray
skewers
grilling utensils
small grill
sunscreen
magazines
kid fishing poles
kid bug catcher
butterfly catchers
frisbee
Ghost Story Book (kid friendly!)
poison ivy relief
pocket knife
aluminum foil
small cooking pan
water bottle/thermos
snack foods
matches
tent
Drink koozies                                 
throw away camera
ground cloth/tarp
kid collapsible chairs (cute and cheap at Walmart!)
bubbles
bug repellent

(Meeting today - only showing HW)

Math: Look at this problem Hannah ans Sarah made up! It's the HW tonight! 

My mom is anemic so she needs 3 pints of blood, but the doctors only have quarts of blood. How many quarts of blood do they need?

HW is also to tell you about the story, The Land of Gallon and draw it for you.

 

Reading: no Fluency Folders this week - students have a reading comprehension packet they will work on and be due MONDAY. Please work with them on this - 5 Min. a night is all I'm asking, just like FF time.