This week and next we will be doing some fun holiday crafts and activities. On December the 18th, we will be having a classroom party for all the hard work the kids have done in ST Math. I will be providing pizza. If you would like to contribute any drinks, other snacks or desserts, please send it in with your child on Friday. It is not required that anyone bring anything but if your child would like to bring in something, please make sure there is enough for the whole class (26 students).
Our class will have a chance to visit the Holiday Shop this Wednesday the 9th. Please send your child with money in an envelope if they are interested in shopping. Lastly, Grades will be posted by December 16th. The window doesn't close till the 18th and report cards wont go home until after break! Please let me know if you have any questions.
Math:
We are working on a variety of skills this week. All of the skills include: pattern, sequence, addition and subtraction rules, multiplication and division rules and order of operations (Parenthesis, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction...PEMDAS). I have looked up a few games to extend your child's learning at home! We will have a test next Tuesday that will include all of these concepts.
Patterns
Patterns #2
Associative Property Game
Pattern and Sequence (Choose level-easy)
Ordering and Sequencing (There are a TON of fun games)
Input and Output
Input and Output #2
Input and Output #3
Order of Operations (A bit of a challenge, but fun)
Order of Operations #2 (Be sure to check parenthesis, add, subtract, multiply, divide and also make sure it is on whole numbers....do not check exponents)
Science:
I am not sure if your child has told you but for the next few weeks, they are working on their natural disaster project. They picked their favorite natural disaster as well as partners. They have been researching and are almost ready to write their essay. This is an in-class assignment. If your child would like to do research on their own at home that is ok but not required. This will be a big part of their science grade as they will be writing an essay and presenting!
Language:
On Friday we will be tested on week 15. Here is a the spelling city website again where your child can practice the words: https://www.spellingcity.com/ckowal2/
Reading:
We are taking a week off on StoryTown and going to be reading the book called Snow Globe Family. The will be working with the skills compare and contrast and using evidence! The comprehension test is on AR which will be for a grade.
Writing:
To go along with our reading book they will be write a story about being trapped in a snow globe themselves. Once they have written their story then we will make snow globes.
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Sunday, November 1, 2015
Welcome to November!
Yay, it's finally starting to feel like Fall! Thank you to all who participated in DEAR Day! It was so fun to see all the students dressed up. I can't believe the first quarter and parent teacher conferences are over. Thank you so much for coming and meeting with me. It's so nice to get your feedback and hear your questions. If we did not get to meet, please feel free to email me and we can schedule a phone conference.
Our Food Drive kicks off Monday! We are asking for every student to at least bring in one can of food. A flyer will be coming home explaining what the students can contribute (peanut butter, jelly, macaroni, and anything in a can). This will be going on till November 17th! This Wednesday, Cactus View is hosting a library night at 4:30pm
Obviously last week was a short week for us. We strictly reviewed and did not learn any new content. We reviewed multiplication, factors and multiples. This still seems like a tricky concept for them. Please have them continue practicing the games on the blog.
Reading: We are reading a scholastic news(non-fiction). Each day we will read a different section and complete and activity on it. The article is about soldiers which ties into our writing for this week as well. On Friday, they will have a comprehension test about the article. Also, they will be learning about author's purpose. There are three many reasons why someone writes (PIE) persuade, inform, and entertain.
Language: On Friday your child will be tested on week 11. As a team we decided to skip week 10. Here is a great website where they can practice each word for the week: https://www.spellingcity.com/ckowal2/
Writing: Since Veteran's Day is coming up, this week we will be writing a friendly letter to the troops.
Math: This week we will be introducing division! Division can be fun with the strategies I will be teaching them. Since I will be teaching them a strategy you may not be aware of, I have attached a picture of our anchor charts we are going over this week. The strategy is called "Big 7". I also have a quick video that my mentor teacher did a few years back that you can watch or the kids can watch at home. We will be doing division all week long and into next week.
Math Videos:
Division Relations
Big 7 Division
Math Anchor Charts:
Our Food Drive kicks off Monday! We are asking for every student to at least bring in one can of food. A flyer will be coming home explaining what the students can contribute (peanut butter, jelly, macaroni, and anything in a can). This will be going on till November 17th! This Wednesday, Cactus View is hosting a library night at 4:30pm
Obviously last week was a short week for us. We strictly reviewed and did not learn any new content. We reviewed multiplication, factors and multiples. This still seems like a tricky concept for them. Please have them continue practicing the games on the blog.
Reading: We are reading a scholastic news(non-fiction). Each day we will read a different section and complete and activity on it. The article is about soldiers which ties into our writing for this week as well. On Friday, they will have a comprehension test about the article. Also, they will be learning about author's purpose. There are three many reasons why someone writes (PIE) persuade, inform, and entertain.
Language: On Friday your child will be tested on week 11. As a team we decided to skip week 10. Here is a great website where they can practice each word for the week: https://www.spellingcity.com/ckowal2/
Writing: Since Veteran's Day is coming up, this week we will be writing a friendly letter to the troops.
Math: This week we will be introducing division! Division can be fun with the strategies I will be teaching them. Since I will be teaching them a strategy you may not be aware of, I have attached a picture of our anchor charts we are going over this week. The strategy is called "Big 7". I also have a quick video that my mentor teacher did a few years back that you can watch or the kids can watch at home. We will be doing division all week long and into next week.
Math Videos:
Division Relations
Big 7 Division
Math Anchor Charts:
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
The Next Two Weeks...
Math: It is a big two weeks for math! We will be exploring multiplication. This week we will talk about different ways you can figure out a problem and some of the most important steps and things to remember during the multiplication process. Yesterday went very well and the students did a great job! Next week, we will be learning 4 different strategies to solve a 1 digit x up to a 4 digit numbers and 2 digit x 2 digit numbers. I know this is definitely not how you guys learned multiplication. I will be sending home a cheat sheet of the different ways. I let the students pick the best strategy for them. If they are not understanding at home, please look at the cheat sheet and guide them through whatever strategy that have picked (the cheat is the picture below labeled, "Multiplication Strategies"). This is what we will be looking at in class.
Resources:
Here are two videos my mentor created on two of the different strategies:
Bow Tie (Multiplication)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMqeTcAe5X0
Lattice (Multiplication)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE93kCeU-qI
Multiplication Games #1 (Choose any game)
Multiplication Games #2 (Choose double digit)
Science: We will be learning about the water cycle!
First quarter ends today and report cards will be going home soon! I will send an update on Dojo when they go home!
::::IMPORTANT::::
October is a busy month! I wanted to let you all know of some important upcoming events and information. The most important is conferences. I sent out a letter yesterday explaining the process of signing up. I have already gotten a notice that some have you signed up and that's great!! Just like last year we are using the online service where you schedule your own conference. Here are the instructions:
1. go to www.ptcfast.com/schools/Cactus_View_Elementary
2. Select my name: Miss Kowal
3. Fill out the form
4. Select a time
If you have any trouble with this, please email me or send me a note with a time and day I can schedule it on my end. Conferences are first come. If a time doesn't work out for you, please let me know and we will go from there. Conferences are the week of October 26th. We will have a half day October 28th, and 29th and no school on October 30th. Tuesday, October 27th is our late night. Conferences will be going till 8pm.
Wednesday, October 28th will be DEAR Day (Drop Everything And Read) and a half day! Your child will be allowed to dress up as their favorite book character. The costume needs to be school appropriate ) no weapons, scary mask, etc). More information will be coming home on this.
Wednesday, October 21st in a Peter Piper Pizza Night Boo Bash at 5pm. Wear your costumes!
Thursday, October 29th we will have a spirit assembly at 9:30am. I send home little notes if you child is going to be receiving an award.
Thank you again for all your support! Please don't hesitate to email or call if you have any questions or concerns. I look forward to seeing you all of you at conferences and going over your child's progress.
Enjoy the rest of your day,
Miss Kowal
Monday, September 14, 2015
Happy Day Off,
I hope everyone has been enjoying their three day weekend! I know I have been able to get things done around the house. This Wednesday the 16th, is Family Fitness Night at 5pm-6pm and a PTSA Meeting at 6pm. The following Tuesday the 22nd, is Yogurtini Night. Also we have more days off in Septemeber, Wednesday the 23rd - Friday the 25th. Mark your calendars!
Math: The chapter test on adding and subtracting with whole numbers (4.NBT.4) is on Wednesday! Tuesday we will do a review and the students will have extra homework. It will be from their MyMath Book pages 113-114 due back on Wednesday. I am assigning this to prepare them for the chapter test.
On Thursday we will start a new chapter about factors and multiples (4.OA.4). Once the students have a learned this concept they will be creating a project in school about the concept. They will be assigned a number and have to find the factors and multiple of that number, as well as definitions. This project will be take us to September22nd. Once they are finished they will present and take the test. I have also updated the Math Resources page on the blog to include games about 4.OA.4. They will have opportunities to play them in class, but they can always play them at home. This are games I have played myself, therefore they will be reinforcing the concept.
Reading: In StoryTown we are reading the same story from last week, since they are both shorter. The focus skills are historical fiction and subject and predicate. The Reading/Writing has been updated with educational games about subjects and predicates.
S.S.: On Wednesday September 16th, we are having a guest speaker come in to talk about Constitution Day (which is Thursday).
Love,
Miss Kowal
ckowal@pvlearners.net
Math: The chapter test on adding and subtracting with whole numbers (4.NBT.4) is on Wednesday! Tuesday we will do a review and the students will have extra homework. It will be from their MyMath Book pages 113-114 due back on Wednesday. I am assigning this to prepare them for the chapter test.
On Thursday we will start a new chapter about factors and multiples (4.OA.4). Once the students have a learned this concept they will be creating a project in school about the concept. They will be assigned a number and have to find the factors and multiple of that number, as well as definitions. This project will be take us to September22nd. Once they are finished they will present and take the test. I have also updated the Math Resources page on the blog to include games about 4.OA.4. They will have opportunities to play them in class, but they can always play them at home. This are games I have played myself, therefore they will be reinforcing the concept.
Reading: In StoryTown we are reading the same story from last week, since they are both shorter. The focus skills are historical fiction and subject and predicate. The Reading/Writing has been updated with educational games about subjects and predicates.
S.S.: On Wednesday September 16th, we are having a guest speaker come in to talk about Constitution Day (which is Thursday).
Love,
Miss Kowal
ckowal@pvlearners.net
Friday, August 28, 2015
September Updates
Happy Friday,
This coming week on Tuesday, September 1st is a half day. Please make arrangements, your child will be getting out of school at 12:30. Now, get ready to mark your calendar for some fun functions and days off! September 7th, 14th, 23rd-25th days are no school. On Thursday, September 10th is Family Game Night starting at 4:30pm. Also on Wednesday, the 16th is Family Fitness Night at 5pm with a PTSA meeting at 6pm.
Math: For the next two weeks we will be learning how to add and subtract multi-digit whole numbers using multiple methods (4.NBT.4). Some of the methods include using the properties of operations, which include the Associative, Commutative, and Identity property. Students will practice identifying the properties and solving a problem using the properties. Other methods include, looking for patterns, mentally, and estimating.
Teaching this last year I noticed subtract across zeros was more challenging for students than any other method. A problem could look like this 508,200 - 136,118. If you would like me to send home more practice on subtract across zeros or any of the methods, just email me. On Friday the 11th, I plan for the students to take the chapter 2 test.
Here are some practice websites:
Adding Five Digit Numbers
Missing Digit Addition Problems
Subtracting Multi-Digit Numbers
Missing Digit Subtraction Problem
Reading: Our next story is called Danitra Brown Leaves Town. The genre is a narrative poem. We will be learning what makes a story a narrative and a poem. The focus skill is on compare and contrast.
S.S.: This week we are diving deeper into maps skills. Students will be learning all about the compass rose.
Love,
Miss Kowal
ckowal@pvschools.net
This coming week on Tuesday, September 1st is a half day. Please make arrangements, your child will be getting out of school at 12:30. Now, get ready to mark your calendar for some fun functions and days off! September 7th, 14th, 23rd-25th days are no school. On Thursday, September 10th is Family Game Night starting at 4:30pm. Also on Wednesday, the 16th is Family Fitness Night at 5pm with a PTSA meeting at 6pm.
Math: For the next two weeks we will be learning how to add and subtract multi-digit whole numbers using multiple methods (4.NBT.4). Some of the methods include using the properties of operations, which include the Associative, Commutative, and Identity property. Students will practice identifying the properties and solving a problem using the properties. Other methods include, looking for patterns, mentally, and estimating.
Teaching this last year I noticed subtract across zeros was more challenging for students than any other method. A problem could look like this 508,200 - 136,118. If you would like me to send home more practice on subtract across zeros or any of the methods, just email me. On Friday the 11th, I plan for the students to take the chapter 2 test.
Here are some practice websites:
Adding Five Digit Numbers
Missing Digit Addition Problems
Subtracting Multi-Digit Numbers
Missing Digit Subtraction Problem
Reading: Our next story is called Danitra Brown Leaves Town. The genre is a narrative poem. We will be learning what makes a story a narrative and a poem. The focus skill is on compare and contrast.
S.S.: This week we are diving deeper into maps skills. Students will be learning all about the compass rose.
Love,
Miss Kowal
ckowal@pvschools.net
Sunday, August 23, 2015
Getting Into the Swing!
Happy Sunday Everyone!
I hope you had a fantastic weekend! I wanted to updated you on what has been going on in our classroom. We have been doing so well the past two weeks. We are really starting to understand the expectations and building an amazing community! If you are still wondering about Class Dojo, please email me or write a note.
This Tuesday is Curriculum Night with two sessions. The first session start at 5:30-6:30pm and the second session is at 6:30-7:30pm. Were I will go into more depth of your child's learning, but here is a quick view into the coming week.
In math, we have been working with place value. I noticed last year that place value is the CORE of math. If the students do not know place value they tend to struggle down the road. Therefore, I have been making sure students really understand place value and pulling students who seem to not. This week our focus is on comparing, ordering, and rounding numbers. I know it seems like a lot to cover in one week! The students took a pre-test and comparing and ordering numbers was one of the strengths. We will be taking the first chapter test this Friday!
During our reading and language block we have been learning about character traits. This coming week our story continues with character traits. Last week we did activities with sorting different character traits and acting them out. This week will be focusing on identifying the character's trait while reading a story. Also, there is a new list of spelling and vocabulary words to learn and practice that goes along with our new story.
For Social Studies, we have been learning map skills and will continue to read the parts of a map.
I also use this blog to easily add games or websites for the students to do during the school day (which they are more than welcome to do at home as well). Here are some resources that I use if you ever want to take a look or have further questions!
Math: https://grade4commoncoremath.wikispaces.hcpss.org/Assessing+4.NBT.3 (you can click on the standard we are learning and watch videos)
Reading:
https://wwwk6.thinkcentral.com/content/hsp/reading/storytown/na/gr4/se_9780153597763_/grade4/shell.html?grade=4
The link above is the book we use for reading. You can read the story with your child and other activities. We are currently on theme 1 and lesson 2.
Class Dojo: https://www.classdojo.com/
Enjoy the rest of your weekend and as always, contact me if you ever have any questions or concerns. I hope to see you all this Tuesday at Curriculum Night! Email: ckowal@pvschools.net
Love,
Miss Kowal
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