Good morning!
Just a few things about this week...
All videos posted are review! We will be having our six weeks test on THURSDAY. It will cover plot, setting, theme, folktales, genre, dictionary skills, multiple meaning words, characters, and point of view: All the things we've covered so far!
It will consist of a reading passage that is a folktale and has STAAR based questions for students to answer. It will be short and sweet but without a lot of room for error.
Also this week in vocabulary we will be working on Homographs. Homework will come home tonight over them and is due Wednesday with a quiz on Friday.
Students will also have a reading passage Wednesday Night for homework that won't be due until Friday to keep up practice at home.
We will be reviewing in class this week for our test and getting ready to ace it so we can move into non-fiction which is a Huge part of the fourth grade curriculum.
If you did not get yellow folders signed and returned today please do so tomorrow.
Thanks for all you do! :)
Monday, September 29, 2014
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Week of September 22-26
Good morning!
Lot's of things to do this week!
We are wrapping up the fiction portion of our studies with the final TEKS covering Point of View. I have posted several new videos for students to enjoy!
We will be starting guided reading groups in class this week as we have finished our DRA testing and found everyone's independent "just right" reading levels.
In social studies this week I will be reviewing with students who were unsuccessful at our Texas Regions lesson last week and begin our lessons on Native Texans. I've posted some videos with important social studies information on them for you to share at home as well.
Last week... the grades over characters were slightly lower than our theme passages from the week before. We will be working to correct that this week!
Our vocabulary this week with focus on Homographs! Look for the words to come home with your child tomorrow. The back side of the word list will be homework that is due on Wednesday.
On Wednesday night I will be sending home a short passage for students to work on as homework to review all we have already learned including... characters, setting, and plot. This homework passage will not be due until Friday so students will have plenty of time to work on it with you.
The end of the six weeks is quickly approaching and so far we are off to a brilliant start! Thanks for your help and support at home and all the many many super parent things you do!
Lot's of things to do this week!
We are wrapping up the fiction portion of our studies with the final TEKS covering Point of View. I have posted several new videos for students to enjoy!
We will be starting guided reading groups in class this week as we have finished our DRA testing and found everyone's independent "just right" reading levels.
In social studies this week I will be reviewing with students who were unsuccessful at our Texas Regions lesson last week and begin our lessons on Native Texans. I've posted some videos with important social studies information on them for you to share at home as well.
Last week... the grades over characters were slightly lower than our theme passages from the week before. We will be working to correct that this week!
Our vocabulary this week with focus on Homographs! Look for the words to come home with your child tomorrow. The back side of the word list will be homework that is due on Wednesday.
On Wednesday night I will be sending home a short passage for students to work on as homework to review all we have already learned including... characters, setting, and plot. This homework passage will not be due until Friday so students will have plenty of time to work on it with you.
The end of the six weeks is quickly approaching and so far we are off to a brilliant start! Thanks for your help and support at home and all the many many super parent things you do!
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
About the TEKS
Good morning!
You will notice in the Reader's Notebook pictures that I am including charts with the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) curriculum on them.
These are the actual standards the state requires I teach your child in fourth grade reading. We have them for every grade and in every subject.
As part of a new initiative we are teaching students the exact wording of the TEKS so they know exactly what is expected of them to know by the end of fourth grade.
The charts we are learning include across the top the verb that the state wants the student's to be able to apply to each TEKS such as "Understand" or the biggest ones for reading "Analyze", "Infer", and "Conclude."
In teaching these higher level thinking verbs we hope to improve test scores and student understanding of what they are learning and why they are learning it. Each chart had something students should remember from our anchor lessons as well.
By providing this information I hope you feel more involved in what is going on in the classroom and are reassured we are learning the appropriate curriculum for fourth grade reading.
Thanks again for all that you do! :)
Monday, September 15, 2014
September 15-19
Good morning!
This week we are continuing to learn about the genres of fiction! Students should re-watch the genres of fiction video as a refresher tonight.
This week we will be working more in depth with Character Traits and Character Changes. We will also be comparing and contrasting the characters of traditional literature and their adventures.
We will also be working with multiple meaning words this week. Students have homework tonight, the back side of their vocabulary page 15-16 which is not due until Wednesday.
Today we have compared and contrasted fairy tales, fables, myths, legends, and tall tales.
We will continue to work with these genres, study plot and theme, and analyze characters throughout the week.
I will be posting some more videos and hopefully some vocabulary tonight. Until then please have students study their multiple meaning words and re-watch the videos already posted as review.
In social studies this week we will be learning about the 7 Regions of Texas. We will have a study guide sent home tonight and a quiz labeling the regions and their borders on Friday.
Thanks for all you do! :)
This week we are continuing to learn about the genres of fiction! Students should re-watch the genres of fiction video as a refresher tonight.
This week we will be working more in depth with Character Traits and Character Changes. We will also be comparing and contrasting the characters of traditional literature and their adventures.
We will also be working with multiple meaning words this week. Students have homework tonight, the back side of their vocabulary page 15-16 which is not due until Wednesday.
Today we have compared and contrasted fairy tales, fables, myths, legends, and tall tales.
We will continue to work with these genres, study plot and theme, and analyze characters throughout the week.
I will be posting some more videos and hopefully some vocabulary tonight. Until then please have students study their multiple meaning words and re-watch the videos already posted as review.
In social studies this week we will be learning about the 7 Regions of Texas. We will have a study guide sent home tonight and a quiz labeling the regions and their borders on Friday.
Thanks for all you do! :)
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Reading Passages and Vocabulary
Good evening!
I just finished grading papers from today and wanted to share a few things with you.
We completed a vocabulary assignment today in class that many of the students seemed to have misunderstood. The assignment used the words for the week in a question that they then needed to answer. For example: What did you eat at your most recent meal? The answer should have been whatever food the student had eaten last. Many of the students, instead of answering the questions listed the meanings of the words.
While it is wonderful and necessary for students to know the meanings of our words the most important thing they can learn this year is how to use the words in context. This means that students need to be able to apply the definitions by understanding them in a question as today's assignment required, or identifying their correct usage in a sentence as tomorrow's test is required. Practicing doing this by writing sentences or answering questions in casual conversation you ask them is the best way to practice this at home.
Due to this misunderstanding many students had very low grades on today's assignment which I did clearly explain but students seemed set to write those definitions! Because of this I am not recording this assignment in the grade book. It will be coming home with graded papers tomorrow in their Conduct Folders. Please review it and keep practicing using these words in context even after tomorrow's quiz. This will benefit students greatly.
On another note I was incredibly excited to give and grade our first reading passages of the year over plot and theme today! The grades were fantastic! I was incredibly excited and happy about them!
Thanks once again for ALL that you do! :)
I just finished grading papers from today and wanted to share a few things with you.
We completed a vocabulary assignment today in class that many of the students seemed to have misunderstood. The assignment used the words for the week in a question that they then needed to answer. For example: What did you eat at your most recent meal? The answer should have been whatever food the student had eaten last. Many of the students, instead of answering the questions listed the meanings of the words.
While it is wonderful and necessary for students to know the meanings of our words the most important thing they can learn this year is how to use the words in context. This means that students need to be able to apply the definitions by understanding them in a question as today's assignment required, or identifying their correct usage in a sentence as tomorrow's test is required. Practicing doing this by writing sentences or answering questions in casual conversation you ask them is the best way to practice this at home.
Due to this misunderstanding many students had very low grades on today's assignment which I did clearly explain but students seemed set to write those definitions! Because of this I am not recording this assignment in the grade book. It will be coming home with graded papers tomorrow in their Conduct Folders. Please review it and keep practicing using these words in context even after tomorrow's quiz. This will benefit students greatly.
On another note I was incredibly excited to give and grade our first reading passages of the year over plot and theme today! The grades were fantastic! I was incredibly excited and happy about them!
Thanks once again for ALL that you do! :)
Monday, September 8, 2014
Science
Working on the Scientific Method this week in Science! I posted a video with a song students may listen to to help them remember the steps! (It's not as fun as some of the videos I have found I do admit.)
We will have a quiz over the scientific method Thursday so make sure they study! Science journals will come home Wednesday night so they will have their notes to study from as well.
Side-note parents... I truly appreciate all the help you provide at home! :) Thanks for all you do!
We will have a quiz over the scientific method Thursday so make sure they study! Science journals will come home Wednesday night so they will have their notes to study from as well.
Side-note parents... I truly appreciate all the help you provide at home! :) Thanks for all you do!
P.S.
I forgot (since it was the weekend) we are beginning vocabulary practice and homework this week.
This week we will be focusing on dictionary skills.
Tonight the students will bring home their vocabulary list with their homework on the back side of it. This homework will be due Wednesday. We will go over it in class and if they attempted to do it... 100! :)
They need to study their words each night and will have a quiz Friday.
The quiz will use the words in context not simply ask for definitions so practice using the words in sentences in the correct context as often as you can! Our goal for vocabulary is to not just memorize words and definitions but to be able to figure out unknown words through context and to be able to apply different vocabulary skills. This way we are teaching students a life-long skill and not relying on memorization. :)
This week we will be focusing on dictionary skills.
Tonight the students will bring home their vocabulary list with their homework on the back side of it. This homework will be due Wednesday. We will go over it in class and if they attempted to do it... 100! :)
They need to study their words each night and will have a quiz Friday.
The quiz will use the words in context not simply ask for definitions so practice using the words in sentences in the correct context as often as you can! Our goal for vocabulary is to not just memorize words and definitions but to be able to figure out unknown words through context and to be able to apply different vocabulary skills. This way we are teaching students a life-long skill and not relying on memorization. :)
Sunday, September 7, 2014
September 8-12
Good morning!
This week we will continue our work with theme, plot, characters, and setting! We will be focusing mostly on plot and theme.
I have posted the video homework for this week for reading.
Also this week is Spirit Week, tomorrow is Wear Animal Print day just so everyone knows. Participation is voluntary.
Thanks for all you do!
This week we will continue our work with theme, plot, characters, and setting! We will be focusing mostly on plot and theme.
I have posted the video homework for this week for reading.
Also this week is Spirit Week, tomorrow is Wear Animal Print day just so everyone knows. Participation is voluntary.
Thanks for all you do!
Friday, September 5, 2014
Happy Friday!
Happy Friday! Students checked out books from my classroom library
today so they have plenty to read this weekend when they get the chance!
DRA testing will continue next week to find students "just right" reading levels.
Yellow conduct folders were sent home today with students' conduct marks listed for the week... please check their backpacks and sign that you have seen them!
DRA testing will continue next week to find students "just right" reading levels.
Yellow conduct folders were sent home today with students' conduct marks listed for the week... please check their backpacks and sign that you have seen them!
I'm really
enjoying teaching your children this year! We are having a blast
learning about reading and science! The science tools quiz results for
my homeroom were awesome! Thanks so much for helping your kids study! Expect graded papers home with their conduct folders next Friday!
Have a Wonderful, Blessed weekend! Go Cats!
Have a Wonderful, Blessed weekend! Go Cats!
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Science
Science quiz tomorrow over science tools in all three homerooms!
There is a link on the class Facebook page (Smith Classroom) that you can use to review tonight if they didn't bring home their study sheet.
Thanks for all you do!
There is a link on the class Facebook page (Smith Classroom) that you can use to review tonight if they didn't bring home their study sheet.
Thanks for all you do!
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Week of September 1-6
Good morning! I hope everyone had an awesome three day weekend! :)
This week I will be individually testing students to find their "just right" reading levels.
Before each class I will introduce one of the skills featured in the videos I have posted to this blog. Students will then work on group activities using those skills while I call them up to my reading table one at a time for DRA testing.
For homework this week students should watch the videos I have posted as review. They should also read to themselves for 20 minutes each night and please remind them to practice "Building Stamina" which is a skill we began practicing last week in class.
In Science this week we will learn about science lab tools, and introduce the scientific method.
I'm looking forward to a great week!
Thanks for all you do!
~Mrs. Smith
This week I will be individually testing students to find their "just right" reading levels.
Before each class I will introduce one of the skills featured in the videos I have posted to this blog. Students will then work on group activities using those skills while I call them up to my reading table one at a time for DRA testing.
For homework this week students should watch the videos I have posted as review. They should also read to themselves for 20 minutes each night and please remind them to practice "Building Stamina" which is a skill we began practicing last week in class.
In Science this week we will learn about science lab tools, and introduce the scientific method.
I'm looking forward to a great week!
Thanks for all you do!
~Mrs. Smith
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