Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Week of February 14, 2011

Vocabulary Words
1. magnificent (adj.) – Something magnificent is very beautiful and impressive.
2. insisted (v) – If you insisted on something, you said it very firmly and you
    refused to change your mind.
3. declared (v) – Something that has been declared has been announced in a clear
    way.
4. confidently (adv.) – When you do something confidently, you are sure about what
    you are doing.
5. distressed (v)– Someone who is distressed feels very sad and helpless.
6. gloated (v) – If someone gloated, he or she bragged about something in a mean
    way.
7. anxiously (adv.) – If you waited anxiously for something, you worried about how it
    would turn out.
8. adjective (n)- a word that describes a noun
9. simile (n)- comparison using like or as
10. adverb (n.)- a word that describes a verb

Spelling Words: babies’, baby’s, child’s, children, classes’, class’s, sheep, feet, elk, fish, goose’s, geese, jeans, mouse’s, mice, teeth, women, woman’s, moose

Weekly Objectives
MAIN STORY: “Juan Verdades: The Man Who Couldn’t Tell a Lie”
By Joe Hayes
                                                           2nd STORY: “Hard Cheese”
                                                                   Retold by Helen Ward      
Reading Skill:
Theme
Genre:
Folktale
Fable
Grammar Skill:
Comparing with Adjectives
Writing Skill:
   Form: Fable
   Trait:  Ideas
Spelling Skill: Words with Irregular Plurals and Possessives

Math: Fractions (Chapter 19 and 20 - textbook)

Science: Solar System, Cycles and Patterns, & Phases of the  
Moon (Chapter 1- textbook)
Social Studies- The War for Indepedence (Chapter 8)
Test Schedule

**4 Minute Timed
Test (basic facts)                   Daily

Wednesday 2-16-11              In-Class Social Studies 
                                              Review (Chapter 8)
 
Thursday 2-17-11               Adjectives, Adverbs, & Parts of           
                                            Speech Review Quiz / Fractions Quiz

Friday 2-18-11                   Vocabulary, Spelling & Reading 
                                             Comprehension Test

**The test schedule is tenative and is subject to change. The information listed here is intended to make parents aware of the upcoming test, quizzes, and materials covered in class.

What Students Should Know:

Math
* Basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts
* Whole number and decimal place value
* Rounding whole numbers and decimals
* Multiplication of 2 by 1-digit numbers, 2 by 2-digit numbers, and 3 by 2-digit numbers
* Division of  2 by 1-digit numbers, 2 by 2-digit numbers, and 3 by 2-digit numbers
* Polygons and Quadrilaterals
* Lines, line segments, rays, parallel, perpendicular, and intersecting lines
* Graphing / Order of Operations

Science
* Parts of Ecosystem (Chapter 7)
* Matter and Energy in Ecosystems (Chapter 8)
* Adaptation and Extinction (Chapter 9)
* Weather and Weather Data (Chapter 3)

Reading
* Reading fluency and comprehension
* Vocabulary recognition
* Word Attack (phonics)

E.L.A.
* Parts of speech (noun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition,etc.)
* Types of sentences (declarative, imperative, interrogative, & exclamatory)
* The writing process (Pre-write, Rough Draft, Edit-make corrections, Final Copy, & Publish)

Social Studies
** Map Skills
** Native Americans (Inuit, Nez Perce, Kwakiutl, Pawnee, Seminole, & Hopi Native Americans)
** Explorers (Juan Ponce de Leon, Christopher Columbus, Ferdinand Magellan) 
** Colonization (New England, Middle, and Southern Colonies)

Reminders:
The blue Godley Station Communication folder will is scheduled to come home every Wednesday. Parents please review the contents in the folder, and sign and return to school the following day. 


Absences:
As a reminder; whenever a student is absent please send an excuse when he/she returns to school. 

Volunteer Opportunities:
We still desire volunteer help at Godley Station School. If you desire to read to a small group, tutor a small group or individual student; please email days that you are available.



Communication Folders:
Students will bring home their blue Godley Station School communication folder each Wednesday. Please check the folder as it is the method used to communicate important school activities, dates, events, news, etc. Additionally, the folder will contain the students graded papers. Please review the papers, sign the cover sheets, and return them to school with students the next day. If folders are not sent home on Wednesday due to a short week, busy schedule, or technical issues it should be sent home on Thursday.

Homework Agenda:

 Students are responsible for and expected to write their homework in the agenda daily. Parents please initial the homework agenda each night.

Timed Test:
 Continue studying the basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts!! It is extremely important that all students learn their time tables.


Students take a 4 minute timed test several times each week. All students started with addition timed test and will continue to move on to subtraction, multiplication, and division as they demonstrate mastery (95% correct out of 100). Students will receive a sticker on the math chart next to their name each time they achieve 95% or higher on their timed test. 
Basic Math Facts
All students need to write, study, practice, and learn their basic facts; which is directly related to their performance/progress in mathematics.  

Weekly Spelling Homework

Name _________________________         Spelling Tic-Tac-Toe
This board includes many different activities to help your child practice his/her spelling
words. Your child must choose at least three of the activities to complete for weekly  Lesson15 homework. The activities must make a tic-tac-toe line: horizontal, vertical, or diagonal three in a row. Please mark your choices with crayon, marker, etc. Parents, you are encouraged to assist your child as needed to make homework a positive learning       experience. This sheet should be turned in on Thursday. Have fun!                                       *NOTE: If flash cards or other items are created, these need to be attached with the
       papers. All materials will be returned after they are checked.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
Memory Match: Write each word on two cards and play concentration.Put all 20 words in alphabetical order.Write all your words once using something other than pencil.
Take a practice spelling test with an adult. Write any missed word 3 times each.Make and complete a word search using Your choice!
Write your words three times, once in your best handwriting, once as small as you can, and once in funny or fancy letters.Practice the words out loud with an adult.Silly Sentences: Use all your words in five silly sentences.



      


















Awards: Congratulations students on your recent awards! Keep up  the good work, and continue giving a great effort!


Note from the Teacher: To my students- I hope that you know that I care about each one of you, and it is my desire for you to do well and be a success as a student and as a person. 

Upcoming: Over the next 2 weeks, students will receive information about the Spring Science Fair. Fourth students must participate in the Science Fair. Information about the dates as well as project ideas will be sent home soon.


4th Grade Class Trip to St. Augustine, Florida: 
 
           You should have received a flyer related to our field trip planned to St. Augustine.  During this trip we will take a train tour of the city as well as visit the Fountain of Youth and the Ripley’s Believe or Not! Museum. The price of the trip is $99.  This fee includes roundtrip transportation in a comfortable bus, museum and tour fees, snacks, and a boxed lunch.  We will leave the school at 7:30am and return at 6:30pm.  We are so excited about this opportunity and hope that all students will be able to join us. Parents are welcomed to attend for the same cost as students $99. We will be exploring fundraiser options over the next couple of weeks. Parents I welcome your ideas and suggestions for fundraisers.  

Parent-Teacher Conferences: I requested conferences on all report cards at the end of the 2nd marking period. Please don't be alarmed; I simply requested conferences to give yourself and myself an opportunity to discuss your child's progress, areas of concern, strategies for improvements, and current testing data. I am currently scheduling conferences; however feel free to contact me at any time to discuss any concerns. Additionally, please share any ideas or suggestions that you have that may help me provide a better learning experience for your child. Your feedback is warranted and greatly appreciated.


Access Books via the Internet: Students can access their Science, Social Studies, and Math textbook by visiting
www.eduplace.com  Directions: Once you reach the website click on eservices at the bottom of the page, and the option for username and password should be available.
(Username: chathamstudent4 password: password) 

Parent/Guardian Information
Thanks parents/guardians for your continual support! You all are terrific, and so are your darlings that I have the pleasure and honor of working with daily!!!


Mrs. Ross Contact Information
Email: erica.ross@sccpss.com
Phone: 912-395-6000
Room: E-232 Godley Station School  
*** The site contains pertinent student information. However, if you need to contact or communicate with me please do so by phone, email, or letter not via blog.  

Monday, February 7, 2011

Week of February 7, 2011

      Vocabulary Words
      1.      mixed number- a number that has a whole number part and a fraction part
2.      improper fraction- a fraction that has a greater numerator than the denominator
3.      estimate- a number close to an exact amount
4.      star-a ball of hot gases that gives off light and energy
5.      season- one of the four parts of the year- spring, summer, fall, and winter
6.      new moon- the phase of the Moon when the near side receives no sun light
7.      full moon- the phase of the Moon when all of the near side is sunlit
8.      retreat- means to move away from the enemy
9.      A mercenary is a soldier who is paid to fight for a foreign country
10. A strategy is a plan of action.
11. To surrender means to give up.
12. inflation- A rise in the prices of goods
13. neutral- means not to take sides
14. independence- freedom from being ruled by someone’s government
15.  A resourceful person is good at finding ways to solve problems

Spelling Words: star, retreat, season, overactive, overheat, overboard, overdrive, subway, submarine, underline, underwater, strategy, traitor, mercenary, overlook, mixed number, waxing moon, waning moon, improper fraction, simplify

Weekly Objectives

Reading Skills:
Genre:
Fairy Tale
Grammar Skill:
Adjectives and Articles
Writing Skill:
   Form: Persuasive Paragraph
   Trait: Ideas
Spelling Skill: Words Parts over-, under-, sub-

Math: Fractions (Chapter 19- textbook)

Science: Solar System, Cycles and Patterns, & Phases of the  
Moon (Chapter 1- textbook)
 
Social Studies- The War for Indepedence (Chapter 8)
 
Test Schedule

**4 Minute Timed
Test (basic facts)                   Daily

Wednesday 2-9-11              Science Quiz
 
Thursday 2-10-11               Main Idea & Drawing Conclusions   

Friday 2-11-11                   Vocabulary, Spelling & Reading 
                                             Comprehension Test

**The test schedule is tenative and is subject to change. The information listed here is intended to make parents aware of the upcoming test, quizzes, and materials covered in class.

What Students Should Know:

Math
* Basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts
* Whole number and decimal place value
* Rounding whole numbers and decimals
* Multiplication of 2 by 1-digit numbers, 2 by 2-digit numbers, and 3 by 2-digit numbers
* Division of  2 by 1-digit numbers, 2 by 2-digit numbers, and 3 by 2-digit numbers
* Polygons and Quadrilaterals
* Lines, line segments, rays, parallel, perpendicular, and intersecting lines
* Graphing / Order of Operations

Science
* Parts of Ecosystem (Chapter 7)
* Matter and Energy in Ecosystems (Chapter 8)
* Adaptation and Extinction (Chapter 9)
* Weather and Weather Data (Chapter 3)

Reading
* Reading fluency and comprehension
* Vocabulary recognition
* Word Attack (phonics)

E.L.A.
* Parts of speech (noun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition,etc.)
* Types of sentences (declarative, imperative, interrogative, & exclamatory)
* The writing process (Pre-write, Rough Draft, Edit-make corrections, Final Copy, & Publish)

Social Studies
** Map Skills
** Native Americans (Inuit, Nez Perce, Kwakiutl, Pawnee, Seminole, & Hopi Native Americans)
** Explorers (Juan Ponce de Leon, Christopher Columbus, Ferdinand Magellan) 
** Colonization (New England, Middle, and Southern Colonies)

Reminders:
The blue Godley Station Communication folder will is scheduled to come home every Wednesday. Parents please review the contents in the folder, and sign and return to school the following day. 


Absences:
As a reminder; whenever a student is absent please send an excuse when he/she returns to school. 

Volunteer Opportunities:
We still desire volunteer help at Godley Station School. If you desire to read to a small group, tutor a small group or individual student; please email days that you are available.



Communication Folders:
Students will bring home their blue Godley Station School communication folder each Wednesday. Please check the folder as it is the method used to communicate important school activities, dates, events, news, etc. Additionally, the folder will contain the students graded papers. Please review the papers, sign the cover sheets, and return them to school with students the next day. If folders are not sent home on Wednesday due to a short week, busy schedule, or technical issues it should be sent home on Thursday.

Homework Agenda:


 Students are responsible for and expected to write their homework in the agenda daily. Parents please initial the homework agenda each night.

Timed Test:
 Continue studying the basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts!! It is extremely important that all students learn their time tables.


Students take a 4 minute timed test several times each week. All students started with addition timed test and will continue to move on to subtraction, multiplication, and division as they demonstrate mastery (95% correct out of 100). Students will receive a sticker on the math chart next to their name each time they achieve 95% or higher on their timed test. 
Basic Math Facts
All students need to write, study, practice, and learn their basic facts; which is directly related to their performance/progress in mathematics.  

Weekly Spelling Homework

Name _________________________         Spelling Tic-Tac-Toe
This board includes many different activities to help your child practice his/her spelling
words. Your child must choose at least three of the activities to complete for weekly  Lesson15 homework. The activities must make a tic-tac-toe line: horizontal, vertical, or diagonal three in a row. Please mark your choices with crayon, marker, etc. Parents, you are encouraged to assist your child as needed to make homework a positive learning       experience. This sheet should be turned in on Thursday. Have fun!                                       *NOTE: If flash cards or other items are created, these need to be attached with the
       papers. All materials will be returned after they are checked.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
Write a song or a rap using all of your spelling words.
Use a dictionary to write a definition for each word.
Write each spelling word three times.
Write your spelling words in crayon or pen. Write each consonant letter in red and each vowel in blue.
Make a memory match with the words and the abbreviations. Ex. chapter and Ch. would be matches.
*Remember not all words make abbreviations.
Write each word using syllables.
Write all your words in bubble letters.
Spelling Pyramid: Write your spelling words using the pyramid format Ex.
O
Or
Orb
Orbi
Orbit

Write your spelling words in alphabetical order.



      




















Access Books via the Internet: Students can access their Science, Social Studies, and Math textbook by visiting
www.eduplace.com  Directions: Once you reach the website click on eservices at the bottom of the page, and the option for username and password should be available.
(Username: chathamstudent4 password: password) 


Parent/Guardian Information
Thanks parents/guardians for your continual support! You all are terrific, and so are your darlings that I have the pleasure and honor of working with daily!!!



Mrs. Ross Contact Information
Email: erica.ross@sccpss.com
Phone: 912-395-6000
Room: E-232 Godley Station School  
*** The site contains pertinent student information. However, if you need to contact or communicate with me please do so by phone, email, or letter not via blog.