The Week of Dec. 10th, 2012

Over the course of the week work will focus on identify subjects and predicates, identifying and using similes and metaphors. Students are also writing persuasive essays this week. Students are currently reading the play The Baker's Neighbor.  As a class we are also reading the novel entitled, Landry News, by Andrew Clements.In science our unit on Animals will continue throughout the course of the month. Finally, students have begun a research project on the subject of the Dust Bowl. This week they will visit the library twice to conduct research.  

The Week of Dec. 3,2012

Happy Monday Everyone

 The new spelling words for the week of Dec. 3rd are

AR,AIR,ER WORDS /AIR/

1. compare 2. parallel 3. area 4. American 5. tariff 6. parish 7. prepared 8.therefore 9.rarely 10.declare

                
As we began this week author Jackie Sweeney visited our classroom to introduce our
 unit on poetry. She will be with us Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

Spelling Words for Week Ending 11/30/2012
OUR/OR WORDS /OR/
1. New York
2. organize
3. pour
4. fourth
5.source
6. support
7. order
8.border
9.portrait
10. force

                           Spelling/ Vocabulary Words for Friday's Test

root,  afternoon,  routine,  wounded,  room,  raccoon,  balloon,  moody, aloof,
                                                        loose

The week of Oct. 22, 2012

 

Homework packets went home on Monday this week and are due back on Friday.

On Monday students were asked to write out the definitions of their spelling words and to study them for Fridays spelling test. On Tuesday, students were asked to use each word in a sentence. On Wed. they will be asked to break each word into syllables and to identify the number of vowels and consonants and finally on Thurs. they are expected to write their words five times each inpreperation for the spelling tests.

Math homework - Students will be given math homework each night this week in order to practice multiplication.



The Week of Oct. 22, 2012

 Hello everyone this week's spelling words are as follows:

numeral

numerator

 result

hundredth

 volume

 figure

 multiply

 Dutch

decode

suffix 

 

 

In math this week students will be practicing two digits by two digit multiplication in addition to

three digit by one digit multiplication and studying the 0-12 multiplication facts.

In science our animal unit of study continues. Specifically, we our studying the anatomy, habitat, diet, and method of locomotion of the crayfish. Additionally, students have been considering the common characteristics of all living things.

In social studies we continue to study mapping as well as the culture of the early Native

Americans that first lived in NYS.

Students participated in a PTA sponsored event lead by Mr. Bennett that provided students with an opportunity to create a variety of maps helping to familiarize them with the physical features and landscape of NYS.

In language arts students continue to work on identifying nouns (Proper and Common) and verbs, learn new spelling words, as well as their definition. Students have read this week and discussed the story, “Maria Isabel" and listen and discussed the Andrew Clément’s book, Landry News. While reading students have been challenged to identify the stories setting, main characters, and plot.

Students have also read and discussed articles from Time for Kids magazine and the website dogonews.com (I highly recommend visiting this website and discussing what you find with your student).

Students have also written two narrative essays one of which was entitled "My Pets." The importance of the use of proper punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and the construction of a well-organized paragraph that is developed and contains descriptive language has and will continue to be our focus over the course of the year.

 

  

  

   



 



Oct. 15, 2012

 

For today’s homework in math students were asked to do problems 1- 8 on pg. 152 in their math book. Students were also ask to write out the definitions of their spelling words for Tues. in addition to reading for 20 minutes.



Oct. 15, 2012

 

     This weeks spelling words contain the long and short I and are as follows:

1.digit  2. dividend  3. display  4. difference  5. interval  6. library  7. divide  8. civil 9. simple  10. inference Students over the course of the past week had an oppertunity to practice measurement by weighing and measuring objects using a variety of tools such as a pan scale, a platform scale, and graduated cylinder. Students also used a cup, tablespoon and teaspoon in order to measure the ingredients needed to bake Chocolate Chip Cookies. Below are pictures of some students working hard that day.           In math over the course of the past week students have been reviewing how to add and subtract larger numbers. Specifically, students have learned how to subtract problems comprised of numbers with multiple zeros such as 8,000 - 2,356 or 6,000 - 3,987. A math test was given on Fri. of last week and will be returned on Wed. All students will be asked to have their tests signed. In writing students have been working on writing personal narratives. Students have practiced writing topic sentences, concluding sentences, and writing descriptive sentences which remain focused on their stories topic. The class is continuing to read together the book, Landry News by Andrew Clements. Additionally, students are reading and discussing the story, Maria Isabella. Students are practicing making predicitons and identifying information from the story that supports their ideas. Students are developping the habit of using the strategy "check for understanding" and "re-reading" to boost their reading comprehension. Also, are practicing identifying nouns and verbs or action words as they write and read. In science students are continuing with the animal unit of study.   

Oct. 9, 2012

This week we will Visit Brookside Museum in Ballston Spa. Students will board the bus at 10:50 AM. Our program at the museum is scheduled from 11:25AM- 1:30PM. Chaperones may either meet us at the museum or follow the bus from Shatekon. The Brrokside address is: 6 Charlton St. Ballston Spa, N.Y. Children should wear comfortable shoes and appropriate clothing for outdoor traveling as much of the program is held outdoors. Please send a bag lunch to school if possible. Students will be eating in the classroom prior to leaving the school. We are scheduled to arrive back at Shatekon at 2:00PM.    

Also this week is fire prevention week. Also on Tuesday local firefighters will conduct a program on fire safety for all 4th graders. 

 

Oct. 2, 2012

Last weeks Chapter 1 Math Tests were return to students on Monday. Students were asked to have a family member sign the test and return to school later this week. Students were also given this weeks homework packet which is due on Friday. This weeks spelling and vocabulary test consists of the following words: media, interpret, disease, level, explorer, extend, decimal, express, method, and electricity



Tomorrow the boys and girls of room 352 will have both a spelling and math test.

Below is a review sheet for our Chapter 1 Test. The test will include questions
to see what you have learned about place value and whole numbers.

                               Chapter 1 Review Questions 

1). Round 515,572 to the nearest ten thousand.

2). What is the standard form of six hundred thirty-five thousand, seven hundred two?  

3). Order the numbers from greatest to least:  307,574   ;   407,254   ;   370,514.

4). What is the standard form of eighty-four thousand, forty-two?                     

5). What is the standard form of    400,000 + 1,000 + 60 + 2?

6). Order from least to greatest:  99,982  ;  97,892  ;  89,892.    

7). What is the word form for 502,038?

 

8). Which symbol (>    <    =) makes the sentence true?    3,818              3,218

9). Which symbol (>    <    =) makes the sentence true?    1,108              2,108

10). There are 5 students in the Elk Grove Elementary chorus.  They are planning to attend a concert.  Admission is $4 per student.  What is the total admission for everyone to go?

                   Check Your Answers below to see how you did:)

________________________________________________________________

1. 520,000            2.  635,702        3.  407,254   370,514     307,574

4. 84,042          5.  401,062     6.  89,892;  97,892;  99,982   

7.  Five hundred two thousand thirty-eight      8. >     9. <

10. 5X 4 =$ 20       If there were 5 students and each one had to pay $4 I could

add $4 five times or I could make an array and  multiply 5 x4.

Happy New Year!!!!
The 2012-2013 school year is under way!
Open house is scheduled for Sept. 24, 2012 at 6:00PM- Please come and learn more about our exciting start.

May 10, 2012

This week in ELA students have had an opportunity  to work with writer Jackie Sweeney. The focus has been specifically on poetry. Here are some written samples of student's work. 

Camping

by Jordan Parent

 

I want to go camping, really camping,

Not camping in an RV.

I want to put up a tent and not mess up-

Not have the tent collapse

I want to make a fire with sticks and stones,

I want to learn to make a Fire---really learn

I want to see a fire and a tent, the perfect campsite.

I want to make a fire just like my dad. I want to hear birds, crickets, and wild animals.

Give me hands to make a perfect campsite.

Who Am I?

By: Jade Dennis

I want to be the right person,

Not a person who tells lies and it's ok!

Not a person who can tell a couple lies and then break them.

I want to be powerful, strong, a fun filled person! There is a person in my class that I admire.

I really want to be the person that people can count on!!!!!

I want to be an athletic and an amazing artist!!!!

I don't want to just make a couple of scribbles and not try!!

I want to be who I am, no, not a liar, not a promise breaker, no, not a quitter?

I don't want to be somebody I'm not--

Only an incredible, international, passionate, sensational,

Unpredictable girl!!!!!!!   I want to have the right attitude

So tell me......

Students are continuing to read numerous stories and books of their choosing in addition to reading and discussing the novel Jelly Belly. We are also continuing to read and discuss many non-fiction essays and texts on the subjects of social studies and science. This week students read the most current Time For Kids magazine as well as the NYS Conservationist newsletter.  

Remember Celebrate Reading night is scheduled for May 15, 2012 The event begins at 6 PM. Three students from our class have been asked to read their poems that evening.

In math this week our work has focused on comparing fractions as well as subtracting and adding fractions with the same denominator.

In science this week we began our study of simple machines.

Dates to remember- School Budget Vote May 15, 2012

                                      Albany Field Trip- State Capital, Museum, Governor's Mansion May 31. 2012

                                      Mabee Farm June 13, 2012

Room 352

April 23, 2012

This week students are taking the NYS Math Test on Wed.. Thurs. and Fri. For this reason there is no spelling test this week.

In science this week our unit of study on electricity has continued. This week students have constructed closed series and parallel circuits and review what materials are conductors and what materials are insulators.

 In math sstudents have and continue to review the following topics: place Value, 2 digit by 2 digit multiplication, subtraction across zeros, how to determine perimeter and area of a space, word problems as well as multiplication and division facts.

In ELA  Students have read numerous stories, articles and passages. One of the passages they read focused on the travels of Henry Hudson.

Students are also currently reading the novel Jelly Belly by Robert Kimmel Smith.

 Over the course of the past month Mrs Quinn our school social worker has been conducting a anti- bully program aimed at teaching the boys and girls in our room what bulling is as well as strategies to use when they see it occurring.

May

April 6,2012
 Students recently participated in a Scotia- Glenville Traveling Museum's "Simple Machine" program. This science program was an introduction to the kinds of simple machines we use and how they effect they work we do.
Students also have been busy constructing closed electrical circuits and testing materials to determine whether they are insulators or conductors.

In math students have been learning how to identify decimals, convert fractions to decimals, as well as how to add and subtract decimals. In recent days we have begun to review concepts that were learned early in the year.

With regard to ELA boys and girls have been reading numerous fiction and non-fiction articles. Work has focused on identifying the elements of a story, recognizing important details, summarizing what they have read as well as writing written responses.

Additionally, students just completed reading The Landry News    written by Andrew Clements.   

March 12,

Classwork:
In math class over the course of the past week students have continued to practicing naming fractions as well as identifying equivalent fractions. Students will also learn this week how to compare and order fractions and identify mixed numbers. 


In science class we have continued with our study of electricity.On Thurs. students built models of atoms (the smallest particles that make up all matter or elements). Students will have an opportunity to build electrical circuits as well.


Picture here are students creating clay models of an atom complete with a nucleus that contains both neutrons and protons.  

In social studies students will begin to learn about the early Dutch settlers that first came to the area that is now NYS.   


In Language Arts students continue to work on improving their reading comprehension skills by reading numerous non-fiction articles and passages as well as fictional stories from various genres. 
Students have been practicing identifying the main idea of passages, as well as significant details, and the meaning of new words basis on its context. 


Students have been reading the Landry News by Andrew Clements.  


Students have also continued to practice writing complete sentences when answering questions in short essay format.


Additionally, students have and will continue to practiced identifying nouns, adjectives and action verbs as well as the use of appropriate verb tenses    

Pictured here students are using square cubic units to determine volume during math class.

The week of March 5, 2012

Classwork - 
Math-  
Last week students studied measurement and capacity and familiarize themselves with both the Customary and Metric units of measurements. Students had an opportunity to practice determining the mass of various objects along with the volume of liquids and some rectangular solids. Students took a quiz on these topics at the end of last week to prepare them for the test given today to check their understanding of these concepts.This quiz was returned to students today March 5th. 


Students also have and continue to practice multiplication, subtraction, addition, and division facts as well as word problems. 


As noted above this week began with a test of the measurement and capacity concepts taught last week.
A new unit of study on fractions will began on Tuesday of this week. Fractions that are part of a whole, or part of a set. will be discussed and identified along with equivalent fractions this week.   
  


Science- Last week students began a unit of study on Electricity. This topic of study will be continued  throughout the month. Specifically, this week students will be introduced to the terms atom, proton, electron, neutron. The definition of electricity, static electricity, conduction, and insulation will also be introduced to students.  


Language Arts- Students have and will continue to practice identifying the main idea, important/supporting details, and the inferred meaning of the  passages and stories they read throughout the week.


  Jarrett Krosoczka, author of the Lunch Lady Series of books visited our school last Wed.  The boys and girls seemed to really enjoy his visit. Talk to your student about this event and see what they had to say.




More news- We will test pilot the use of  iPads within the classroom setting over the course of 3-4 weeks. We are the first classroom within the district to begin to use iPads within the classroom. The same security filters that are used to screen websites use when students work on the computer will be in place as students use the iPads.
I am expecting to receive them at some point this week. 


The applications chosen for use on the iPad will allow students to practice all of their math facts, read, write, learn new vocabulary, as well as access science, social studies and current event information in an interactive way. We are all very excited about this opportunity.        
          

March 1, 2012 Classroom News

A reminder to all the boys and girls of Room 352 that tomorrows spelling test will involve words using un and dis- Sight Word List 17.

I hope you are enjoying your snow day - I look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow :)

The Week of Feb.13,2012

This week's homework packet will be given out on Monday and will include math review sheets consisting of word problems, rounding, adding and subtracting. Additionally it will include reading comprehension, and  adverb activities.

Students will have a Valentine's Day celebration that will include sharing of any written work they choose. I will provide treats. Feel free to donate a treat  to our celebration if you wish -it will be appreciated. Boys and girls are welcome to exchange Valentine cards if they wish. I will list the first names of students below.

Reminder--Feb. 10 spelling test will be given on Mon. Feb. 13.
Class List
Abby A.  Alyvia,  Mayah,  Angel,  Chris,  Alexis c.,  Brendan,  Gabby,  Jade,  Jonathan,  Laila,  Julieta,  Frank,
Brain,  Aidan,  Tim,  Jacquelyn, Ryan,  Isabella, Kevin,  Michele,  Abigayle,  Aymema,  Nicholas,  Solanyi,  Alexis V, Jordan      

Feb. 6, 2012

This week's homework packet was sent home today, Mon. Feb. 6. Report cards were also sent home this afternoon. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like to set up a meeting.

See Homework page for details regarding homework please.

Students will have a spelling test this Fri. 2/10/12 as well as a quiz on the 7's multiplication table.
This week's spelling words are -----words that end with -y or -ey

Last week's spelling test as well as the quiz on the 6's multiplication table will be returned by Wed. of this week.

Feb. 1, 2012

Homework packets were sent home again on Monday. Once again they include reading comprehension activities, as well as exercises that ask students to work with identifying cause and effect connections,  math computation and a variety of geometry concepts including symmetry. 

In science we are now wrapping up our study of animals and will move on to begin to study electricity and magnets. 

In social studies we are continuing to study the Native American people who lived in NYS.  

The week of Jan. 9th

Just a reminder 4th graders have been rehearsing a choral poem that they will recite in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on 1/12/12. Students are scheduled to perform this poem for the 3 and 5th graders of Shatekon, as well their family and friends at 1:40 Pm in the Shatekon gym. All are invited.  

Again next year the Q.U.E.S.T. (Question, Understand, Experiment, Share, Think) Program at Shenendehowa will be offered to the 4th and 5th grades who demonstrate well-above average verbal and reasoning skills. Students qualify for this program by meeting the requirements of the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). This test is open to all 3rd and 4th graders in the Shenendehowa district. The test is given only once a year. It will be given on Jan.18, 2012 this year. If you are interested in having your child tested please let me know and I will send home a testing permission slip for you to sign. You may e-mail me or call 881-0580 ext 352 or simply send in a note.


Homework - A homework packet was sent home on 1/9/12 and is due on Fri. The packet included addition of 3 digit numbers, subtraction across zeros, a reading comprehension and main idea worksheet
and two practice sheets involving the use of the adjectives "good "and "well" and "can and "may".

Additionally, I have decided to ask students to begin to complete math problems like the ones we are currently working on in class each night in order for them to get more independent practice with these problems.  

News for the week of Jan. 2nd 2012

Happy New Year- I hope that everyone had an enjoyable school vacation.

We will resume spelling tests next week.

A homework packet was sent home with students on Tues. of this week. The packet contain 5 pages of work which included division problems with and without remainders, past tense and irregular verb worksheets and a non-fiction reading comprehension essay on the history of pencils. Homework packets are due on Fri.

During class time 4th graders have been rehearsing a choral poem to honor Martin Luther King Jr. On 1/12/12  at 1:40 Pm in the Shatekon gym students will perform this poem for the 3 and 5th graders of Shatekon as well their family and friends.