Welcome Back..

Welcome Back!  I hope everyone had a great vacation week!  I can't wait to hear about the fun that the kids had throughout the week.  

Spine Poetry

Before vacation we created Spine Poetry.  The kids got into groups and used the books from our classroom library to create these poems using the spine of the book.  They arranged books into a way that created a poem that made sense (sort of!).  They had a lot of fun creating these poems.  I wasn't sure how it would be, but the kids started to get on a roll and they came out great!! 

Having Fun in Math....

Before vacation we had been learning about line plots.  One of the skills that the kids need to learn is how to plot fractions on a number line. To practice this skill, they competed in two events.  One event was using a straw to blow a dice across the table, and the other was the standing long jump. They each got a chance to complete each activity and they got practice measuring distances as well.  We will be using the data we collected before vacation to place on a line plot this week during math!

Researchers....

In writing we will continue to research the regions of the United States.  If you visited another state on vacation, it would be fun if you could share a few pictures of this state.  The kids really enjoy researching the different regions, but it becomes more meaningful if they can connect with real pictures of the region they are learning about.  I will encourage the class to share their adventures from vacation with their classmates as well.

Book Clubs

Before vacation the kids were placed into Book Clubs based on their interests.  Many are reading an I Survived book that goes along with an event that occurred in the United States. This goes along with our Regions work in social studies as well.  Since I Survived books often go along with a weather related or historical event, the kids will be meeting with me to learn about this event as a way to integrate nonfiction reading with fiction.

To help move the Book Clubs along, the students have created a calendar of the days that they are going to meet to talk about their book that they are reading.  Your child will be given time in school to read, but some kids might have to finish reading at home.  Please encourage your child to take responsibility for their Book Club reading so that they are prepared when they go to meet with their group.

I hope everyone has a great week!

~Jen

This Week in LL38.....

It was great to be able to meet with so many parents during conferences last week.  It is always nice to be able to check in with families and share all of the progress the kids are making up to this point in the school year.

This week will be a full week!  Yikes!  After last week and testing the week before, it will be a nice way to head into April vacation.

We do have O'Connor Studios coming to Farley on Thursday for the Fourth Grade picture.  Your child should have come home with the picture form last week.  If your child didn't come home with it, remind him/her to check his/her desk or locker!

Tomorrow, April 11th, is Red Sox Day to celebrate the home opener.  The kids are encouraged to wear their Red Sox gear and/or red, white, and blue.

Writing Workshop

We are starting to work on our research unit in writing.  Last week each student shared the regions they were most interested in learning more about.  Each of the kids were placed into one of three region groups.  Over the next few months we will be putting together a research paper using writing strategies that we have learned throughout the school year as well as learning new strategies that writer's use.  Be sure to ask your child about the region that he/she will be learning about!

Thanks to Laura Atwater for reminding me that all fourth graders get free admission to all National Parks through the summer.  This would be a great opporutnity for your child to see the different states that we have learned so much about throughout the year!!

www.everykidinapark.gov

I hope everyone has a great week!  

~Jen

This Week in LL38....

      Last week was a busy week in fourth grade, but this week will certainly be busier!!  We are in the middle of working on a few projects that the kids are excited about!  We have MCAS testing on Monday and Tuesday this week.  Also, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are 1/2 days.  We will also be going to the Scholastic Book Fair on Wednesday and Friday this week.  Phew!

Parent-Teacher Conferences
  Thanks to those of you have signed up for a conference time.  Conferences are on Thursday and Friday this week.  I am pretty sure that parents aren't able to sign up for conferences on the website from this point forward, but I can add your name if you let me know the day/time that works best for you.
     I sent a Conference Questionnaire home with your child last week.  I am attaching a copy below as well.  If you could get those in to me by Tuesday, that would help me plan for our meeting and make the most of our 10 minute time block!  If you would rather email me your answers/thoughts, feel free to do that as well.
                                                                                                                                      March 2016

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I thought it would be helpful to get some information from you before we have our conference next week.  By your child’s conference you will have received your child’s report card, so this conference allows us to have a discussion about what we all see happening right now and where we need to strengthen your child’s academic and social skills. With that in mind, please answer these questions as best you can and return it to school by Tuesday, April 5th so that we’re all ready to discuss your child in a timely manner.

          1. What strengths/improvements do you see your child showing?

          2. What weaknesses do you see your child still needing to work on?

3. What social concerns do you have for your child?

4. What other topics would you like us to discuss?

Sincerely,

                                                                                                                       Mrs. Lewis 

Math Workshop

     The kids took a Mid-Module Assessment last week.  I am going to be sharing the assessment with the students this week, and then they will be sent home for you to go over and review with your child.  As usual, please sign the bottom portion and send it back to school with your child.  You can keep the assessment at home.
     We are continuing to work on adding and subtracting mixed numbers  and improper fractions.  We are also working on solving word problems with fractions.

I hope everyone has a great week.  I look forward to meeting with many of you at conferences later this week.