January Book Report Assignment

January Project

“Story Quilt”

Type of book:  Fantasy

       *Find a fantasy book that interests you and get it “okayed”

      

       *Good books teach us things and make us think.  What did you learn from the fantasy story you read?  Make a nine patch quilt on a poster board (it is a three by three array of squares).

       *Fill seven squares with a written description of different things the book taught you.  It could be a fact or an opinion (life lesson).  In each square have an illustration that matches your sentence/sentences.

       *In one square “rate” the story using any system you prefer:  stars, thumbs up or down, numbers, etc.

       *In one square include the title, author and copyright date.

       *Work neatly, think creatively and have good sentence structure.

DUE DATE:  January 31

Unit 13 Spelling Words

Word Preview: 
stop
am
talk
whether
fine

Challenge Words:

metric

customary

capacity

weight

length

meter
liter

gram

Our skill for the week is to add suffixes to words ending in one vowel and one consonant.

Unit 12 Spelling Words

Word Preview Words: 
class
piece
surface
river
common

Challenge Words:
urban
rural
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
Pennsylvania
Washington D.C.


Our skill this week is spelling plural nouns.  Today in class we're talking about 6 rules for making words plural. 

Unit 11 Spelling Words

Here are the words for Unit 11 spelling.  Our skill for the week is working with contractions.

Word Preview:
matter
stand
box
start
that's

Challenge Words:
Megalopolis
Population
Density
Pollution

Unit 10 Spelling Words

Word Preview Words:
strong
voice
probably
area
horse

Challenge Words:
skyscraper
constitution
American Revolution
Declaration of Independence
lock

Flocabulary

Blue Star has a one month trial subscription to a website dedicated to helping children learn key vocabulary.  In class, we've been able to watch a few of the videos and the kids really enjoy the catchy tunes (which also seem to help them remember key terms!).  If you'd like to see what we've been seeing in class, you can log in at www.flocabulary.com.  However, I must warn you ... you may become addicted to them!  Some that are favorites at this point - nouns, verbs, order of operations (pemdas). 

Username: Hamilton Community SchoolsPassword:   Hamilton Community Schools

 

Unit 9 Spelling Words

Word Preview Words:
fast
felt
kept
notice
can't

Challenge Words:
canal
peak
mill
mass production
wage

Online Spelling Practice

I just came across a district (in Lansing, Michigan) that also uses the Sitton Spelling program.  They have all the word preview words listed along with activities for students to practice the words online.  Here's the link if you want to check out the activities for your child to do. 

http://school.elps.k12.mi.us/donley/classrooms/berry/sitton_spelling_activities/4thgrade_spelling/core_word_units.htm

Unit 8 Spelling Words

Each week I'm going to now post the 5 word preview words and the challenge spelling words on here. The students are working on completing activities in class to help them practice writing the words and learn their meanings but I want you to also know what words they're working on. 

Word Preview Words for Unit 8 (the 5 guaranteed words for the spelling test)
state
list
stood
hundred
ten

Challenge Spelling Words (a math and science focus this week)

expression

equation

orbit

revolution

weather

climate

simplify

evaluate

November Book Report

Here's the newest book report assignment ....

November Project

“Talk Show Time”

Type of book:  Animal book (nonfiction)

Directions:

         *Select a nonfiction book featuring an animal you would like to learn more about.  Get the book “okayed” with Mrs. Hansen.

         *Pretend you’re a talk show host on a program called “Ask the Expert” and you’re interviewing an animal expert (the author).  You will be writing a script.  Introduce the “expert” (the author) and include the title of the book he or she wrote.  Write six meaningful questions you would like to ask him or her about the animal.  Include the answers to the questions.  Include dialogue that is creative.  Have the Talk Show Host conclude the program.  Your script might look something like this:

         Talk Show Host:  (write the question and/or statement)

         Animal Expert/Author:  (write the answer)

         *Write/type neatly as a classmate will either be the host or the expert.  Check your spelling and sentence structure.  You will choose what part you would like to read.

Materials Needed:  Animal book, neatly written or typed script and any props/costumes you would like for the talk show.

DUE DATE:  December 13

Oprah or Dr. Phil move on over!  The “Ask the Expert” talk show is the best talk show around!  Programming begins on December 13!

Odds and Ends for Reading and Social Studies

Tomorrow is our Chapter 3 social studies test.  The students will be tested on the 5 ethnic groups that settled in the U.S.  We've spent the entire week reviewing in class - going over main ideas, writing songs, playing jeopardy and reviewing vocab.  Yesterday their packet for the chapter with review questions went home.  I realize tonight is a busy night for many families so we did more review in class than usual this week as I know that homework time for tonight is at a minimum. 

Book reports for October at due tomorrow.  I will pass out the new assignment for November tomorrow after they present and I'll also have it posted on here for you to reference if needed.  Be ready for some nonfiction :) 

Finally, we are starting the book Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes in class today.  The book is a biography of a young girl who lived in Hiroshima right after the atom bomb was dropped.  She develops leukemia as a result of the atom bomb.  The idea of the atom bomb can be a very mature topic.  Sadako was written in a 4th grade appropriate manner with minimal details of the atom bomb and of leukemia, however, it does elicit a lot of emotion towards the end as she loses her battle with leukemia.  I shared with the students today some of the background on the atom bomb but I do not go very in depth.  If your child is interested in learning more, I directed them to you.  I realize it's a sensitive topic and would hate to have them just searching on the internet without your knowledge.  Please let me know if you have any questions. 

Chapter 2 Social Studies Test

Another chapter done, which means some more study tips for preparing for the test.  The test is the same format as the previous one just with new information on it. 

Here are a few ways to study/prepare for the test: 

1.  Verbally go over the review sheet.  As we completed it in class, we talked about the answers and how we came to the answers.  Rereading it doesn't help them study.

2. Play the Jeopardy game.  I am emailing this out to you.  If you don't get it, please email me and I will email it to you.  The students have the answers for the questions.  The kids seem to really enjoy this way of studying and the questions relate to main ideas in the chapter (hint:  test questions). 

3.  Create the ABC Brainstorming list (like we did in Chapter 1).  Have your child try to brainstorm a word for each letter.  The words should relate to concepts in this chapter. 

4.  Talk about the 5 regions and see if they can tell you something they learned about each one.  They can show you the 5 regions (as talked about in the text book) since they have colored them in on their Chapter 2 Social Studies packet. 

5.  Ask your child to draw out the different landforms and terms that are part of our vocabulary study for this chapter:  coastal plain, plateau, basin, inland, line of latitude, line of longitude, map key, special-purpose map, scale, global grid, levee

September Book Celebration

Wow!  I wish that you were all able to see the kids as they shared their book reports.  They were so proud to share their hard work.  My favorite part is hearing them complement each other and encourage others to read the books that they read.  Thanks Mr. and Mrs. Streling and Mrs. Henson for bringing in treats for the class!  They were super yummy!

Mr. S's class ... ready to share! 

Check out all this hard work! 

Wow! So much to see!

Mrs. Hansen's class ... round 2 of sharing

We're inspired to read this book!

Preparing for the MEAP and our MEAP schedule

It's here!  The MEAP test is here at Blue Star and ready to be started tomorrow.  We've been working hard to review the material to help the students be on the best tomorrow but there are a couple of things that we talked about that we need your help with. 

1.  Make sure your child is well rested.  We will do our best to minimize homework during the next two weeks, and we ask that you do your best to help get the students in bed at a reasonable time.  Rested brains are best! 

2.  We will be making times for 2 snack breaks on the days we have MEAP.  One of the times will be right when we get to school and the second will be after the first testing part.  Your child should bring in 2 healthy snacks for testing days.  We will not allow them to eat candy bars or other food like that prior to taking the test.  Treats like that can be saved for lunch time. 

3. On that same note, make sure your child has a healthy breakfast before coming to school.  We talked about how our brain is a muscle too and needs healthy food in order to perform at its best. 

4.  Stay positive!  The kids are prepared and the test is a review.  They will do spectacular on it! 

Thanks so much for your help! 

I'm also including time schedules for the MEAP...

Oct. 8 8:50-9:50 and 10:15 - 11:00 (reading)
Oct. 9 8:50-10:10 (reading)
Oct. 10 8:50-9:50 and 10:15 - 11:30 (writing)

Oct. 15 8:50-9:40 and 10:15-10:50 (math)
Oct.16 8:50-9:50 and 10:15-10:35 and 1:00-2:00 (our LONG writing day!)

October Book Report

Here it is ... our newest Book Report Assignment

October Project

“Cereal Box Books”

Type of book:  A book from a series

Directions:

         *Find a book that you are really interested in reading.  Make sure that you get the book “okayed” with your teacher before you begin this project.  Your report will not be graded if you do not have your book checked by the teacher first.

         *Cover a cereal box with paper.  On the front, write the title and create a new cover for the book that you read.  On the back create a summary of the book.  If your book already has a summary, please create another one.  On one side of the box, list the characters in the book.  On the other side of the box, rate your book using whatever method you choose.

       *On the very top of the box, write the title, author and copyright date of the book.  

         *Be creative!  When you go to the store to buy cereal, you want to buy cereal with “cool” boxes so make sure that you create a “cool” book report box.

         *Be neat!  This is your chance to show the class your best work!

Materials Needed:  A book of your choice, cereal box (if you are unable to get one, see your teacher), markers and/or crayons, etc.

DUE DATE:   November 1

How do I help my child become a life-long reader?

This is compliments of Mrs. Newhouse our Reading Specialist....

How do I Help My Child Become a Life-Long Reader?

3 Tried and True Ways to Help Older Elementary Students to Love Reading!

#1—READ TO THEM!!!—You must “Capture” them in a good story or a non-fiction book that has a topic that interests them: sports, outdoors, wildlife, fantasy, science fiction, history, whatever their passion is.  Then…read to them almost every night!  Make it a priority, a special time with your child (you can have all your children listening!). Make sure you bring the passion to it because they will pick up on that passion!  Don’t make it work for them. You must show them the wonders of just reading for pure enjoyment!

Here are some resources for finding great books:

1.     Your child’s teacher(s).  

2.     Your local library (talk to a librarian!).  

3.     Websites: Scholastic Books Parent Resources (www.scholastic.com/parents/), Random House Children’s Books (www.randomhousekids.com), The Best Children’s Books (www.the-best-childrens-books.org). 

#2—LISTEN TO THEM READ!—Have it be a book of their choice. Within that book, do some shared reading:  They read a page, you read a page.  If they need to work on their fluency, have them read that page (or even a paragraph) again until it is read smoothly and effortlessly. Throw in some comprehension questions. Have them give you a retell.  Say, “Now, tell me all about the story that you just read.”  Listen for them to state the main idea and give 3 or more details in a meaningful sequence. If you are reading non-fiction, have them list important facts they have learned.  Go deeper and ask them who, what, why, when, where, how, I wonder questions.

#3-LISTENING AND READING TO BOOKS ON TAPE/CD—Your local library has many books on CD.   Have your child choose one that they would like to listen to and/or read along with. A great time to do this is in the car on short or long trips.  In addition to listening to the book, have a copy of the book so your child can read along.  Having them read aloud will help them hear and practice good fluency. 

For all 3 of these, make the reading process an enjoyable experience.  Push them to do their best (read the exact words that are on the page!) and think beyond the text.  Do not make “Not reading” an option.  Make it a part of your everyday life!  Set the example by reading yourself and sharing with them what you are reading.  Take your books, magazines, newspapers, etc. with you when you go to appointments, ballgames, the beach, and more!!

Book-It

It's that time of year ... Book-it!

If you're not familiar with Book-It, I'll explain a little what it is but first let me tell you the reasoning of why we participate in it.

Each night we require that the students read 20 minutes outside of school.  We don't do this to take up their time and make your life miserable (as we know it can be a battle for some kids to read at home!).  It's those 20 minutes that make the different in your child's reading ability.  Trust me, we can tell if your child reads at home or not.

Here are some interesting statistics regarding reading ....

1.  80% of U.S. Families did not BUY or READ a book last year (source:  www.Jenkinsgroupinc.com)

2.  Each year a child spends 900 hours in school and 7,800 hours outside of school!  Wow ... that number amazes me!  We will do all we can here at school but it's crucial that they also do some work at home.  (source Jim Trelease Read-Aloud Handbook)

We're both passionate about reading and want to encourage you and your child to develop this life-long habit of reading.

Now, how does Book-it work.  Your child will be coming home with a calendar.  Each day that they read 20 minutes, they color in one of the pictures.  At the end of the month, they'll turn the calendar (with your signature) in to their classroom teacher and we'll write them a slip for a free personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut.  We understand that there are some days when the 20 minutes just doesn't get done ... if that's the case, they can read extra on another day.  Our goal is to have 100% class participation for this but also that the students will start doing their reading because they WANT to, and not because they have to.

Happy Reading!!!!!

Book Reports due Friday

Just a reminder that book reports are due on Friday, October 4.  Many of the students are sharing that they have already completed their reports.  I love the enthuasium that they're showing for the project! 

ixl.com

Coming home today is a username and password for your child to use on the ixl.com website.  Blue Star has been lucky enough to have the subscription to use ixl.com (Thanks PTO!) for the last few years.  We often use it when we do our Math RtI groups but it's something that your child can be working on at home as well.  The site is organized in a pretty logical manner and if your child is struggling with a concept, it's easy to go to the site and find the area where they should be working (for example ... subtraction, fractions, geometry, etc). 

We'll be working on the 4th grade concepts this year but we encourage your child to practice some of the 3rd grade concepts before the MEAP test in 2 weeks (YIKES!).  On the MEAP, they will be tested on the 3rd grade concepts. 

Please let us know if you have any questions or if your child forgets to take the paper with their username and password home.  

Scholastic Book Orders

Both classes have now received the September book orders.  Please don't feel like you have to purchase books but if you want to, this is a great place to get books for decent prices.  Most of the books are great reads for 4th graders and are also high interest reads. 

If you would like to place the order online, go to www.scholastic.com.  You'll then go to the Parent tab and click on Order from Reading Club Flyer.  If you've ordered online before, use your same login just switch the class code.  If you are new to this, you will create a username and password to use. 

Class code for
Szczerowski H34Z6
Hansen DZT24

One thing to note, if you want to see if a book that's not in the flier is available, just type in the name of the book or author in the search box and this will search other fliers for the book.  This just gives you more of an option if you're looking for a book for your child and it's not found in it.  


As always ... questions ... Just ask :) 

Fun Social Studies site for Chapter 1

Here are some interactive sites that relate to our study of social scientists in Chapter 1. 

You be the Historian - studying artifacts through the Smithsonian Institute
http://americanhistory.si.edu/springer/

More information about Cahokia Mounds
http://www.cahokiamounds.com/

PBS Kids: The Artifact Challenge
http://www.pbs.org/beringlandbridge/explorations/artifact/index.html 


Just a reminder that the test is on Wednesday.

September Book Report

Our first book report was discussed today.  The students have several weeks to complete the book and the project.  Throughout the month, I'll be checking in with them and talking with them during class about where they should be or how their report is going.  Next week I will check in their books during our reading class time.  Throughout the year please let me know if you have questions about the reports or if your child is struggling to find a book. 

That being said, just to reiterate why we do book reports.

1.  It helps the students to develop speaking skills in front of their peers.  You'd be amazed at how comfortable they get by the end of the year and how they begin to really give solid presentations. 

2.  It allows the students to show their creativity.  I realize that no every student is super creative and this is not their forte ... they will not be penalized for that.  I grade them on their comprehension of the book and effort. 

3.  It encourages the students to be reading at home.  I understand that life is busy and sometimes reading gets pushed to the side but honestly, it's so important for them to be reading at home on a regular basis.  The book should be at their reading level and be a manageable length. 

4.  It encourages students to read different genres.  I remember as a elementary student only reading one series throughout my entire time there.  Did it help me become a better reader .... not really.  It's great to see when students find a different genre that they enjoy and then take off in their reading! 

5.  It helps us to discover new books that we may want to read.  I love the discussions during the presentations when kids comment ..."I can't wait to read that one!" ... "I want to do that book for my next report!" 

Here is the assignment for September if you do not receive the paper home today.  I will always have it posted in my classroom for kids to reference as well.

September Project

“Make a Map”

Type of book:  Book of your choice (must be at least 70 pages and at your reading level)

Directions:

         *Select a book from a series that appeals to you.  Maybe you already have a favorite series or perhaps you would like to try out a new series.  Get the book “okayed” with your teacher during the second week of September.

         *Well written books help us see pictures in our minds.  Think of an important setting in your book and use your imagination to draw a map of what you think it looks like.

         *Include labels, a compass (north, south, east and west) and a map key.

         *Somewhere on your map include the title, author and copyright date of your book.

         *Have quality work.  Check your spelling and grammar.  Work neatly.

Materials Needed:  fiction book, paper for the map (Mrs. Hansen will hand this out on 10/7), markers, crayons and anything else to make your project outstanding.

DUE DATE:  Friday, October 4

Make an awesome map that will make your friends want to read your book!  Use lots of color!  Get reading!  Do your best work!

Open House

Thanks to everyone who made it to the open house!  If you were unable to make it, please feel free to stop in to say "hi"  sometime during the first few weeks of school.  Also, we can't stress enough ... PLEASE contact us with any questions.

We are emailing a copy of the power point from the open house to everyone we have emails for.  If you didn't sign up with an email but would like to get in our email list, please email Mr. S or myself and we'll get you linked in.

Finally, enjoy these last few days of summer!  Rest up ... relax and get ready for the whirlwind to begin.  I know that's what we'll all be doing.  Happy Labor Day weekend!

Welcome to 4th Grade!

I can't believe that we're already writing about school beginning again.  It feels like we just ended a year, however, the excitement of starting over again is always a welcome end to the summer. 

Throughout the year I will be posting information on here to help keep you in touch with the class and what's going on.  I am hoping to also post pictures of the students engaged in learning activities so you can have a glimpse of their day at Blue Star. 

I'm looking forward to a great year with lots of learning!   Please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns throughout the year.