Winter Packet

For the two week break, students have two assignments to complete.  Also, I had a few students ask for extra credit.  My policy is to offer extra credit to EVERYONE not just those who ask and it seems only fitting to give extra assignments while we are not on a regular homework load.

See the Winter Packet here and download your copy via Google Docs.

If you have questions, leave a comment or email me.

Mrs. Siegel

Science Unit 7 Review

Today in class we reviewed this worksheet.  It is quite similar to the test which is tomorrow.  Each student was expected to copy the answers written on my example.  In case your child was absent or did not record the information accurately, here it is ;)

Ready...Set...Study!!

Benchmark Testing this week

This week all students will participate in Broward County's Benchmark Testing (also know as BAT).  These assessments in Reading and Math will provide all stakeholders with information about each student.  Once the results are shared (usually in January), we can identify strengths and weaknesses to drive instruction before the FCAT in April.

There is no "preparing" for this test as it is solely to identify each student's current level BUT, please consider the following:

1. Students should have ample sleep
2. Students should NOT come to school sick (Friday is a makeup day) - scores are better when students are working at their optimum potential
3. Students should eat a healthy breakfast - protein is great brain food ;)
4. Students should NOT engage in any serious family conversations (i.e. illness of family member, divorce, etc. unless necessary)
5. Students should refrain from engaging in "arguments" with siblings or family members  
6. Parents should give pep-talks NOT threats

Again, this just a snap shot of each student's current levels.  When we receive the data, we can move forward.  In the meantime, make sure your child is reading for enjoyment (including nonfiction like magazines) and practicing math in daily life situations when possible.

Summyr Siegel

Math Notes 11/13

Today we forged ahead in math.  We completed two lessons.  First, we set our objectives:

click photo for a larger view

For lesson 5.4 we learned how to use a model to represent mulitplication equations.  Parents, this is different than what WE learned in school - so please use your patience when using this method.  And YES, the kids need to know this!

click photo for a larger view

 

In addition to the model, 85% of the students (those who were able to prove their knowledge of the first part of the lesson) were able to stay for the second part of the lesson which was the algorithm.  Parents, THIS is the one WE learned in school!

click photo for a larger view

 

 

Students may use either method when solving multi-digit mulitiplication problems.

Math Notes 10/29

Below are the math notes students took in their notebooks.  I've heard it a bajillion times how "difficult" the math is for the parents.  I hope you find the notes (my shortened version of the book) helpful.

The book teaches several strategies for solving multiplication.  We (meaning the adults) learned the algorithm.  The book teaches that as well as "Partial Product".  WE know Partial Product as the Distributive Property.  It's also referred to the "Break Apart" method - where you break apart the larger number, multiply it by the single digit and add the products together.  See the notes for examples:

First Quarter Grades Close Thursday

The last day I can accept late work is this Thursday October 25th.  Check Engrade often.  Anywhere there is a Zero or "M", the student can make up that work and turn it in.  THURSDAY is the LAST day!  Report cards are being printed Friday.

Tonight's Homework (10/6)

Below is some clarification for two of tonight's assignments.  One is a Social Studies Project and the other is the Writing Worksheet.

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Tonight the children have a Social Studies project to finish at home.  Projects are worth the same weight as tests (35%) so if they choose not to do this, their grade will be effected greatly.  I explained the assignment and the children started it in class. 

On page 37 of the Social Studies book (see below) they are to follow the check list to complete the display map of Florida.  I went through each part and wrote which page they can use to find help.  If your child forgot their book, they will need to rely on the Internet.

Here is page 37.  One thing that is NOT explicitly stated that IS in the illustrated example, is that each "region" of FL is colored.  That is a nice touch ;)

Here is one I started with them in class.  They are to finish it using the checklist on page 37.  This part is taped at the top on the panhandle and the northeastern part of FL so it will fold up.

Here is the under part of the FL map.  This is glued onto the blue paper. Students are to write what they learned in Unit 1.

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Also, students were to write three introductions from some a pulled from last Friday's writing prompt.  All three had mistakes.  The first just has spelling and grammatical mistakes.  The other two have structural mistakes.  They need to rewrite these introductions.

The 4th grade model introduction goes like this:

          It doesn't take much thought for me to figure out who is special to me.  That's easy!  It's my mom because she takes me to great places and helps me with anything.

The parts that are crossed off are the parts that change depending on the prompt.  On Friday the students were asked to write about why they like school.  So where is says "who is special to me", the student writes, "why I like school".  Then they are to look at the three student samples on the worksheet they received to fill out the two reasons why the writer likes school.  Also, they need to correct the spelling and grammar.












Math Notes 3.3

These are the math notes taken in class today. First is the objective, prior knowledge and what the student learned. Students were to write their own information where the stars are.

Next, is the notes for chapter 3 lesson 2 Students copied my example on the left and made their own in pencil on the right.

Students should use this page in their composition notebook when they need help with tonight's homework.

Week of 10-1-12

This week we willcover the following content:

 

Reading

-The focus skillis compare & contrast;  More practice here: http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/4th-comprehension_MBQD.htmlsearch for Boa or Python! (article)

-The story thisweek is Danitra Brown Leaves Town (Test Monday 10-8)

 

Vocabulary

-Vocab from DanitraBrown Leaves Town (on Reading Test) Practice on Spelling City

-Vocab from Writer'sLog Lesson 5 (on Reading Test) Practice on Spelling City

 

Science

-Unit 4: PhysicalProperties of Matter (cont)  TestThursday (10-4)

 

Math

-Chapter 2 TestThursday (10-2) begin Chapter 3 (Algebra: Expressions, Equations, and Patterns)

-Topics include: Algebra,Expressions, Equations, Patterns, Functions

-If your childdoes not know his/her multiplication facts (they will struggle with thischapter and the chapters following), it is their responsibility (with yourencouragement of course) to practice at home.  There are tons of onlineresources available.  http://www.multiplication.com/games

 

Writing

-Writingexpository (essay) writing – first solo writing on 10-5

 

Grammar

Fragments and Run-onSentences (on Reading Test)  Practice: http://www.time4writing.com/sentence-writing/fragments-run-ons/

 

Spelling

See Spelling Cityfor your list of words (10-1 assignment).  All assignments due beforeschool Friday (Test Friday)

 

Scholastic Book Orders

You can order through me, or click on the link to the right to order using your own credit card.  I still get the points ;)

Math Fact Showdown

Tomorrow we begin our Math Fact Showdown.  Students will be given 90 seconds to complete 40 basic math problems.  Students who meet the expectation will move on the next level – those who fail will continue until they pass.  This will separate the “boys from the men” so-to-speak.  I would hope each of your children knows their basic facts.  Have them practice (even if they say they know them…).  I’m going to try to make a big deal out of this because if I don’t, the children who do not know their basic facts will flounder when we move to two and three-digit multiplication. 

 

I hope you hear the “nudging” in my words *wink wink*. 

 Again, there are tons of apps and online games for practice J

<3 Mrs. Siegel

Week of 9-17-12

Dear Families, This week we will cover the following content:


Reading-The focus skill is cause & effect;  More practice here: http://www.studyzone.org/testprep/ela4/o/causeeffectl.cfm-The story this week is Mountains (Test Tuesday 9-25)


Vocabulary-Vocab from Mountains (on Tuesday’s Reading Test) Practice on Spelling City-Vocab from Writer's Log Lesson 4 (on Tuesday’s Reading Test) Practice on Spelling City


Science-Unit 4: Physical Properties of Matter


Math-Chapter 2 continued-Topics include: basic multiplication and division, models that represent multiplication/division, story problems related to multiplication/division-If your child does not know his/her multiplication facts (they will struggle with this chapter and the chapters following), it is their responsibility (with your encouragement of course) to practice at home.  There are tons of online resources available. http://www.multiplication.com/games


Writing-Writing expository (essay) plans


GrammarCombining Sentences (on Tuesday’s Reading Test)  Practice: http://a4esl.org/q/h/vm/m-sco01.html


SpellingSee Spelling City for your list of words.  All assignments due before school Friday. (Test Friday 9-21)

Purple Letters

Purple letters will go home next week. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Mrs. Siegel

Week of 9-10-12

Dear Families,

A few things before we go into the "to dos" for the week.  First, I (reluctantly) will not be in school this week.  I have a kidney stone that needs attending.  I hope I can feel better as soon as possible so I can be back at school.  In the meantime, Mr. Cook has taken the reigns and knows all the drills (literally and figuratively).  No need to worry – your children are in great hands.  I will be in close contact as well as accessible by email.  So don't feel like you are "bothering" me.  I'll be bored enough sitting at home ;)

Also, for those of you who asked about the Think Central extra-credit, it seems as though some say "In Progress" which means the assignment was not yet complete.  Your child may have forgotten to do one last thing, so just log on again and finish it up for the extra credit.  Then log out and back in to see if it says "Complete".

This week Mr. Cook and the kids will cover the following content:

Reading

-The focus skill is cause and effect (Test Monday 9-24)  Extra Practice on www.superteacherworksheets.com 

-The story this week is Mimicry and Camouflage (Test Friday)

Vocabulary

-Vocab from Mimicry and Camouflage (on Friday's Reading Test) Practice on Spelling City

-Vocab from Writer's Log Lesson 3 (on Friday's Reading Test) Practice on Spelling City

Science

-Unit 1 continued (Test Thursday 9-13)  There are videos on Think Central for more practice.

Math

-Chapter 1 Test was today

-Begin Chapter 2 Tuesday - Topics include: multiplication, division, real-world application of said concepts, inverse operations

-Students who failed the timed multiplication test during the first week of school should be doing extra practice to catch up with the class.  They can do this at the following sites: http://www.multiplication.com/games/play/quick-flash-ii http://www.multiplication.com/games http://www.coolmath4kids.com/times-tables/Timernator-multiplication.html and dozens of apps for the iPhone

Writing

-Writing expository (essay) plans

Grammar

Simple Subject/Simple Predicate (on Friday's Reading Test)

Spelling

See Spelling City for your list of words.  All assignments due before school Friday. (Test Friday)

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Cook AND me.  

His email is seafire13@gmail.com

Friday Math Centers

Here are some pics from Friday.  The kids practiced for their math test Monday while working with their classmates.

Reading Test

The Reading test has been graded.  The class average is an 80%.  This is with a curve of 6%.  The highest without the curve was 94%.  I will curve a test when no student gets a 100%.  The test your child is bringing home today in the Wednesday Folder reflects their raw grade (before the curve).  I have applied the curve on Engrade.  The reading test includes the 9 questions about the story as well as the 8 vocabulary words (on the last page).  You will also see in the stabpled packet the grammar quiz and the Writer's Log quiz.  These are separate grades.  You will also see this in Engrade.

Today you will get several pieces of work in your child's Wednesday Folder.  I ONLY need the test back.  Anything with a "Sign and Return" stamp needs to be returned.

Happy Wednesday!

Mrs. Siegel

Week of 9-4-12

Dear Families,

This week we will cover the following content:

Reading

-The focus skill is main idea and details (Test Monday 9-10)  More practice here: http://www.k12reader.com/subject/main-idea-worksheets/ 

-The story this week is The Grand Canyon (Test Friday)

Vocabulary

-Vocab from The Grand Canyon (on Friday's Reading Test) Practice on Spelling City

-Vocab from Writer's Log Lesson 2 (on Friday's Reading Test) Practice on Spelling City

Science

-Unit 1 continued (Quiz this week and Test Thursday 9-13)  There are videos on Think Central for more practice.

Math

-Chapter 1 continued (Quiz Thursday and Test Monday 9-10)

-Topics include: place value, forms of numbers, rounding/estimating, number lines

-Students are having difficulty recalling procedures for rounding/estimating numbers (2nd and 3rd grade skill).  Here is a site for practice. http://www.funbrain.com/cgi-bin/tens.cgi?A1=s&A2=5 

Writing

-Writing expository (essay) plans

Grammar

Subject/Predicate (on Friday's Reading Test)

Spelling

See Spelling City for your list of words.  All assignments due before school Friday. (Test Friday)

Engrade is ready for you!

Engrade is our online grading program.  You will need an access code to log in.  I will glue the codes in each student's agenda when we return to school.  If you would like the code before then, just shoot me an email.

Accessing Grades on Engrade
To see your grades, do the following:

1. Get Your Access CodesYour teachers will need to give you your Access Codes. These codes tell Engrade which grades belong to you. Your codes should look similar to teacher-xxxxx-yyyy. You will need one code for each of your teachers using Engrade. If you do not have codes that look like this you will not be able to see your grades.

2. Sign UpOnce you have your codes, you will need to sign up for an Engrade account. Signing up lets you create a username and password that you can use to quickly log in and see all of your grades when you return to Engrade. Students under 13 years old will need parental consent to sign up. Sign up for an account here.

3. Log In
Whenever you want to check your grades, just log in here and you'll see your up-to-the-minute grades and assignment scores.

School closed Monday 8/27

Due to tropical storm Isaac, school will be closed Monday.

Here is a link to great kid-friendly resources which explain about hurricanes. This may help ease any worries the children have.


Be safe!

Mrs. Siegel

First Day of School!

Wow!  The day seemed to fly by!  All of the kids did such a good job today :)  Although it was full of procedures and expectations, we did get to squeeze in some fun.

Some words of wisdom... send your child with a water bottle, snack, and a sweater.

Remember to send in all forms that are sent home.  Also, the Wednesday folder will be coming home this week - I'm sure it will be full of more forms ;)

Right now, I can only get my school email on my phone.  If you send me an email, I can save you as a contact.  That will help me update my contacts until I can get in my email at school.

I look forward to an awesome year!  Check back regularly :)

First Test of the School-Year

During the first week of school, students will perform several diagnostic tests.  This helps me gather more information about their strengths and weaknesses.  These tests are not figured into their first quarter grades.

In addition to these UNGRADED assessments, students will have their first GRADED test on Friday, August 27th.  Students will have a timed (one-by-one digit) addition, subtraction, and multiplication test.  So get studying :)

Here are a few ideas for making studying fun:

Card Games

• War - (2 players) Separate a deck of cards evenly.  Each player flips TWO cards, (add, subtract, or multiply) them together.  The player with the higher answer will get all four cards.  When both players have the same answer, another two cards are flipped and solve.  Winner gets the cards.
• Salute - (3 players) Two players flip a card without looking at it and hold it on their forehead facing the third player.  The third player tells the two players the (sum, difference, or product).  Then, by looking at their opponenets card, the player tells their OWN card.  First to say their own card wins the pair.  Give values to face cards.

Online Practice

• Multiplication.com
• Play Kids Games

Apps for iPhone

• Math Fact Master
• Kids Math Game
• 2nd, 3rd and 4th Grade Math: Splash
• Fast Facts Multiplication

Spelling

When your child enters fourth grade, they will take several diagnostic assessments as I determine their strengths and weaknesses.  One of those assessments will be a spelling inventory.  I will assess their level of spelling knowledge (patterns, blends, sight words, etc).  As I'm sure you are aware, every child is different and has different abilities and challenges.  With that, there will be several spelling levels within the class.  Each group of students will have their own spelling list to study.  I use a well-developed program called Words Their Way.  

This year, students will be expected to access an online spelling program as part of their Language Arts homework grade.  This program is available now for all to try.  As I do not have a class list for the upcoming school year, I cannot create individual user names and passwords.  In the meantime, all students can try out the website using the following information:

username: scholar

password: abc

Click on the graphic below to access the site.  

I have set up practice word lists on the following "beginning of the year" topics:

Math - Base-Ten Operations

Scientific Inquiry

Social Studies - Landforms, Resources, and Regional Characteristics

Commonly Misspelled Words

Enjoy!

2012-2013 Supply List

Greeting Parents!

Here is your child's suggested school supply list.  We will be sharing many materials, so please do not break the bank getting these supplies.  Also, check around your house before you go out for those bargains.  You may have many of the materials already ;)  Click on the imagine below to print.  If you have questions, do not hesitate to contact me.

Many stores have penny and dollar sales!  Here are links to the weekly ads of store which carry school supplies:

• Office Depot
• Office Max
• Staples
• Target
• Walmart