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Our weekly news and information section will take the form of "Q and A."  I encourage you to ask  your child about each of the following topics to find out what was learned and/or discussed this week.  

• Mortal and Venial Sin: How are they the same?  How are they different?
• Lenten Sacrifices
• Collecting and Displaying Data
• Graphs
• Story Themes/Lessons/Morals
• Natural Processes 
• Classifying Triangles

This section of our classroom webpage will be updated daily (If I can keep up with it) with current information about classroom Assignments and Projects.

Today, we tried a different routine for getting our Assignment Notebooks ready.  If your child did not bring an Assignment Notebook home, I apologize.  After the 1st of the year, the kids will be filling out their Notebooks without approval from me and they will be responsible to make sure that the right materials make it into their backpacks.  Hope for the best. 

Friday, March 12th, 2010

Subject Assignment and Due Dates

Reading 20 minutes of Home Reading

Language Arts

Spelling

Activity #1: Writing-Write each word twice (REQUIRED for all).

Each 4th Grader will need to complete 3 activity choices for homework and spelling practice. The choices are listed on the back of your child's spelling list.

Math:

Science

Social Studies State and Capital Quiz #6 (Will be sent home on Wednesday) 3/26

Religion 

Spanish

Each 4th Grader needs to select a Natural Process that he or she would like to learn about.  

In their research, 4th graders need to find information that answers the following questions.  

1. Describe the process.  What is it?

2. What are its causes?

3. What are its effects?

4. How does it affect people?

5. How does it change the Earth?

6. How can the natural process be controlled.

7. Where does the natural process occur?

Research should be used to fill out a "Question Web."  We have practiced creating question webs

in class and your child should have at least 1 example.  Question webs will need to be handed in on

February 12th.  Once Question Webs have been turned in to me, I will look them over and then we will begin

talking about how we can demonstrate our learning.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  

Monday

Spanish and Phy-Ed

Tuesday

Library and Music

Wednesday

Mass and Phy-Ed

Thursday

Art and Music

Friday

Computer and Spanish

MAP Testing

On Monday and Tuesday of this week, 4th graders will be taking a "mid-year" test on our computers.  This test will be used as a "check-in" to see if we are making progress toward our goals.  If everything goes as planned, we will be taking Reading on Monday and Math on Tuesday.  However, plans may change so I will keep you posted.  At the end of the year, a third and final test will be taken.  

4th Grade Mass

4th Graders will be leading our school liturgy on Wednesday, March 17th.  Parts have been assigned as follows: 

1st Reading: Joe

Responsorial: Izzy

Banner Holders: Jake, Jacob H.

Petitions: Gunnar, Hans

Gifts: Eliot, Cole, Gavin

Mass will begin at 8:00

Missing Homework Slips

Your child may be bringing home a "Missing Homework" slip.  If you need any explanations or materials, please let me know.  I've been working hard to keep Powerschool current with my classroom homework chart, but let me know if there are any mix-ups.

Report Cards

Report cards were sent home on Friday, March 12th.  Envelopes do not need to be returned to school.  

3rd Trimester Expectations

Check back this week for updated information on the following:

Classroom Economy

Beginning on Monday, March 15th, the 4th Graders will be participating in a "Classroom Economy."  There will be many ways for the 4th Graders to earn money and there will some ways to lose money through "fines" and "rental fees."  Money will be payed-out on Fridays and the 4th Graders will be responsible for keeping track of their money.  At the end of the year, we will be having a "Book and Game" auction using the money that we have eared.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  Listed below is the first-draft of the economy details: 

Earn money by…

AR Points

Great job on our 2nd Trimester AR!!!  Our 3rd Trimester will have the expectation of 20 AR points.

Recess "Study Hall"

To help with our completion of homework, I will be hosting our 1st ever "Recess Study Hall."  Beginning Monday, March 15th, any incomplete homework from the previous week will need to be finished during AM and/or PM recess.  I hope to start every week fresh and get in the habit of getting all work turned in.  

March 18th

I will be taking a personal day on Thursday, March 18th.  Mrs. Svien will be subbing.  

4th Grade Rules

Take care of others.

Take care of ourselves.

Take care of materials.

Take care of God.

4th Grade Consequences

My goal this year is to use consequences that are logical.  As a class, we have discussed these consequences that "make sense." 

"Take a Break"

If 4th Graders are unable to follow rules, they will be asked to sit by themselves in various locations around our room.  

"You break it, you fix it."  

If 4th Graders make a mess, or even hurt someone's feeling, they will be responsible for making the situation right.

"Loss of Privlege"

If 4th Graders are unable to handle a material (i.e. classroom equipment), they will lose the opportunity to use that material.  

Throughout the year, I will be using the following progression of consequences:

1. Reminder about behavior ("What should you be doing right now?")

2. Redirection of behavior ("Put the ball down.")

3. Conference with teacher, and phone call/email to parent

In addition to this series of consequences, we will continue to practice classroom skills and behaviors.

"What does my child learn in 4th Grade?"

http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/browse.asp

"Is that a good movie for my child to see?"

US Conference of Catholic Bishops Movie Reviews (and many other interesting sources of information)

www.usccb.org

"My child doesn't understand that concept."

Math Websites (Practice and Demonstrations)

Science Websites (Demonstrations)

http://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/teacherslounge/articles/easy_crystal_experiments.php

"My child needs extra spelling practice."

http://www.teach-nology.com/teachers/lesson_plans/language_arts/spell/

"I would like to learn more about the election process."

http://bensguide.gpo.gov

"I need help studying the US States and Capitals."

http://www.eduplace.com/ss/maps/usa.html

My email at school is

Please feel free to me at school!
763-537-1329 ext. 217