Day 12: Wednesday, August 31st

It's hard to believe it's the end of August already!

Room 36 students have been working hard for the past few weeks, and they will have their first real assessments tomorrow, in both math and language arts.

The math assessment will cover all of the topics I have mentioned here: place value, ordering numbers, and rounding.  We spent some extra time working on rounding this week, and the students have one more rounding worksheet to complete tonight.

For our language arts unit, we read the story, "My Diary From Here to There," by Amada Irma Perez.  In that context, we have been working with some new vocabulary, and talking about making inferences.

Room 36 students made flash cards for both language arts and math vocabulary this week to help them study.

Today the students got to have fun with Mr. Bryant in the Earth Science lab. Please ask them what they learned about rocks and minerals!

Homework:
- Read 20 minutes + reading log
- Study vocabulary flash cards
- Practice place value & rounding
- Rounding worksheet
- Science: read pages 182-185, answer questions 1-2

Day 11: Tuesday, August 30th

Hi Room 36 Families:

If at all possible, please send your students with a bottle of water in the morning.  It has been very hot this week, and it is difficult for them to stay properly hydrated using the water fountains.

Today I showed the class the math games I have posted on this page, so hopefully some of them will give them a try!

Homework:
- Read 20 minutes + Reading Log (on the back of homework sheet)
- Close Reading: A Real Life Batman
- MyMath: Lesson 6
- Rounding Worksheet

Day 10: Monday, August 29th

Hi Room 36 Families,

We are nearing the end of Chapter 1 (Place Value & Rounding) in our math program.  Today we focused on rounding.  This is not a new concept for 4th graders, but it is somewhat abstract, which sometimes makes it difficult to understand.

In addition to multiplication practice and practicing saying large numbers out loud, your students could definitely use more practice rounding.

Here are a few fun rounding games (and there are MANY more out there!):

Soccer Math: Rounding

Fly Delivery: Rounding

Brain Racer: Rounding

Today, your students made vocabulary flash cards to help them prepare for the ELA test on Thursday. (Vocabulary words: opportunities, border, unions, strikes, boycotts, and citizen.)

Homework:
Read 20 minutes + reading log
ELA worksheet (Non-fiction: Find the main topic)
Study Language Arts vocabulary
MyMath Lesson 5

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Table 6 for winning Table Points this week! Every day, I give tables points during class for good behavior; at the end of the week, the winning table gets to pick from the prize box.

Also, congratulations to Table 4 for winning Place Value Jeopardy! All week, the tables competed to answer math questions, and Table 4 came out on top.

Keep up the good work everyone!

Fun Math Practice

There are lots of great math practice games out there.

Here are a couple that address what we are working on now: place value and comparing numbers:

Fruit Splat: Compare Numbers

The Number System

Day 9: Friday, August 26th

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Back to School Night has been moved to Tuesday, September 13th at 5:00.

The students in Room 36 worked hard today!  Have a great weekend!

Day 8: Thursday, August 25th

Hi Room 36 Families,

We had a great conversation during our ELA block today.  We are working on making connections to what we read -- the kids did a fabulous job!

I'm still waiting for the parent information packets from a few families.  (The Emergency Information Form is the most important piece.)  If you have not done so already, please return yours to school as soon as possible.

Also: Instrumental music starts tomorrow.  Students who play an orchestra instrument (not recorder, guitar, accordion, piano, or drums) and have had at least one year of experience are welcome.

Homework:
Read 20 minutes
Math: Lesson 4
Grammar worksheet: Sentences (GR1 & GR2)
Study spelling words (test tomorrow!)

Did you know?

Did you know there is a hidden sidebar on this site?

Scroll over the right side of the screen, and the hidden sidebar will pop out!  It's full of lots of great sites for the work we're doing this year.

Day 7: Wednesday, August 24th

Hi Room 36 Families!

The kids had fun with Mr. Bryant in the Earth Science Lab today.  Make sure you ask them about it!

A couple reminders:

• If you have not returned the information packet with the Emergency Contact Form you received on the first day of school, PLEASE DO SO ASAP.
• All students need to have an Earthquake Kit stored in the classroom. Please have them bring one in as soon as possible.  There are lots of places you can buy them online, but it is really better if you can put one together your own.  Here are some suggested contents:  

In a gallon size ziploc bag:

a small bottle of water

non-perishable snacks (nuts, chips, energy/fruit bars, hard candies)

a family photo

a small toy or memento that will remind them of home

a 3 day supply of medically prescribed medications ONLY

a small packet of tissues

anything else you think that should be included in this emergency kit

Students received their first Scholastic book order form today! (Book order forms were always one of my favorite things when I was in elementary school.)  The deadline is September 9th.  Our class code to order online is Q26XL.

Homework:

• Read 20 minutes
• MyMath: Lesson 3
• RemarkableRoom36.com parent check (Secret password:  SNICKERDOODLE.  Make sure your child knows this password so they can tell me tomorrow!)

Please scroll down to read past posts for more pertinent information.  :-)

Instrumental Music!

Just a quick note:  Instrumental music begins this Friday, August 26th.  This program is for students who play an orchestra instrument (not recorder, guitar, accordion, piano, or drums) and have had at least one year of experience.

Thanks!

Day 6: Tuesday, August 23rd

Happy Tuesday, Room 36 Families!

We have been continuing to work on place value in math.  Today we addressed the difference between standard form, expanded form, and word form.  Please have students practice saying large numbers as often as possible!

We also had a chance to visit the Laptop Lab.  Students practiced logging onto their Class Dojo accounts.  (Please check your email, because you may need to approve them.)  

If possible, please try to buy a set of earbuds or earphones for your student. (I've seen them at the 99¢ Store and Daiso.)  Students will be working on various websites that require listening, and it will get loud in the Lab without them.

Also, please remember to: 

1) Send in the student information packet that went home the first day of school -- We really need the Emergency Contact Form.

2) Fill out the lunch application, available online here: LAUSD Meal Application  

Homework:

- 20 minutes reading

- MyMath homework (p. 21-22)

- Study spelling and/or vocabulary as time permits 

Happy Monday!

We worked hard in Room 36 today:

We started the MyMath program, with a unit on place value.  A great way to reinforce this would be for your kiddos to practice saying 7, 8, and 9-digit numbers out loud at home.

Also, several students were able to complete the multiplication chart during our timed drill, so they will move on to the random chart!

We also started our first Treasures Unit.  The students took a spelling pretest, and made note of the words they have to work on.  (The list is in their homework folder.)  They also got six new vocabulary words, which will be on the weekly assessment.

The vocabulary words are: opportunities, border, unions, strikes, boycotts, and citizen.

On a lighter note, all interested students auditioned for the 4th Grade Chorus today.  They did great!

Homework:

• Read 20 minutes
• Spelling worksheet
• Study spelling words if time permits
• Math worksheet (pages 15 & 16)

Have a great evening!

It's Friday!

Happy Friday, everyone! As the meme suggests, there is no homework on Fridays.

HOWEVER, all of the students in Room 36 need to work on their multiplication facts.  4th grade math builds on the assumption that students learned their multiplication facts in 3rd grade.

Flash cards are great practice -- You don't have to buy fancy ones! Index cards and a marker work just as well -- and there are lots of free, blank multiplication charts you can download and print.

In addition, there are lots of free multiplication practice apps for phones and tablets, and tons of free math practice websites. Here are a few:

Multiplication.com

MathIsFun.com

Teachly: Mt. Multiplis

Have a great weekend!

Class "Rewards"

I offer three ways for students to earn "rewards" in Room 36:

1)  Homework Club: Students who turn in all homework, completed and on time, can participate in a Homework Club party at lunch at the end of the month.  (They vote on a Game Party or Movie Party. They may bring treats to share.)

2)  Table Points:  The table with the most table points at the end of each week gets a prize from the prize box on Fridays.

3)  Dojo Points:  Each month, students in the top 10 with Dojo Points can participate in a Dojo Party.  (They vote on a Game Party or Movie Party. They may bring treats to share.)

Day 3: Thursday, August 18th

Today was a busy day!

We started off with an assembly where students discussed different ways to be safe, respectful, and responsible at school.

We also had a visit from Mrs. Clark, Brentwood's Restorative Justice teacher. She shared her plans for the year with us, and invited students to come to her if they need help with a problem -- even if it's just to figure out where the bathroom is!

On Monday, 4th graders will have the opportunity to audition for the 4th Grade Chorus.  The Chorus practices once a week, and will perform at both the Holiday Concert and the Spring Concert.

Homework:

1)  Read 20 minutes
2) Multiplication chart
3)  Look over vocabulary words: adapt, mentor, success

Day 2: Wednesday, August 17th

We had another great day in Room 36.  I am really enjoying getting to know your kids!

Today's homework:

1) Read 20 minutes
2) Write a sentence for each vocabulary word: adapt, mentor, and succeed
3) Complete multiplication practice worksheet

I would also encourage students to practice their multiplication facts if they have time.  Everyone's a little rusty after the long summer!

We had our first day with Dojo Points, and I will be sending invites to all parents who returned (or plan to return) the ClassDojo form.

The First Day of School!

Welcome to the new school year!  I had a wonderful first day working with your amazing children.

Your child has brought home their first homework assignment:

1. Read 20 minutes
2. "Are You Ready?" math worksheet
3. Several forms for parents to fill out (Yes, they will get homework credit for turning them in!): 2 worksheets from me, and a packet from the main office

In addition, I would like all students to purchase a folder specifically for their homework.  Brentwood will be providing planners/agendas for all 4th graders, but they haven't arrived yet.  We are using a weekly homework planner sheet until they do.

About Homework: 

In general, it is recommended that elementary students spend about 10 minutes per grade-level on homework -- so, about 40 minutes for 4th grade.  If you child ever takes longer than an hour to complete their homework, please let me know.

When possible, I will give students an opportunity to complete a portion of their homework during the school day.  The point of the homework is that it should reinforce a concept we have been working on and give them extra practice.

One thing that I AM a stickler about is reading every night.

Article: NEA: Children Who Read At Home

The kids were excited that we will be starting ClassDojo tomorrow.  Many of them were familiar with it from their classrooms last year.  If you would like more information, here are a couple of videos that explain what it's all about:

That's all for now.  Looking forward to a great week!

Just a few more days...