First Full Week

We have completed our first full week!!!! What a great way to kick off the year. Our class has proven again, and again that they know how to be respectful and responsible Shatekon Sharks.

I have updated my blog by adding a Homework and Bill of Rights page. The homework page gives you an idea of what to expect each night, while the Bill of Rights is a student generated behavior guide.

Thank you so much for your support this week getting forms signed, money in and homework done. Great job parents!!!

ELA

Reading:

Ø  Shenendehowa has a new reading series called Journey’s . Lots of information will be shared at Open House about the transition. Until then, be on the lookout for nightly homework that includes 30 minutes of reading, some spelling or vocabulary.

Ø  Students will learn about story structure, summarizing, author’s purpose, cause and effect and visualizing texts this month.

Writing:

Ø  Our focus will be narrative writing; specifically using descriptive paragraphs, word choice and dialogue.

Grammar:

Ø  Different types of sentences and quotations.

Spelling Patterns: All tests are Friday!!!

Ø  Sight word list (practice list)

Ø  List 1 – long and short a

Ø  List 2 – long and short e

Ø  List 3 – long and short i

Math

Concepts:

o   Place value, expanded, written and standard form in number writing, comparing, ordering and rounding numbers. Addition and subtraction will also be reviewed.

Vocabulary:

o   Place value, standard form, expanded form, greater than, less than, re-group

Assessments:

o   Each unit of study will have a pre and posttest.  You will see how much your child has grown with each concept! Only the post test will be entered into the grade bookJ

Social Studies

Concepts:

v  Geography of NYS

v  Various maps

o   How to use legends

o   How to use a compass rose

o   What type of map is this?

Vocabulary:

v  Physical map              Political map

v  Labels                         Compass rose

v  Latitude                      Longitude

v  Continent

**We are awaiting live crayfish!  When they come we’ll begin our first animal unit!

Reminders

ü Sept. 8th – bus drill

ü Sept. 24^th – PTA meeting 6:30

ü Sept. 25^th – NO SCHOOL

ü Sept. 28^th – Book orders due

ü Sept. 29^th – Open House 6-8 - We will begin in the gym

ü Sept. 16^th - Orchestra lessons will begin

**Make sure to return:

Emergency contact information cards

$2.50 for headphones which will be used each year

PG movie form

A recorder for music class

**We have monthly birthday parties. Contact myself or our room parent if your student has an upcoming birthday month. J

Summer Math Activities

Today I sent home a summer math packet. There are instructions on the cover that give information on how to use the packet most effectively. This, of course, is an optional assignment. If you choose not to use this packet, please make sure your student is practicing his/her math skills in some fashion over the summer. The time put in this summer will make a HUGE difference in 5th grade. :)

Summer Reading Challenge

During our Flag Day assembly we got a lot of great, exciting information about our summer reading program. Here is the link so you can access the info on-line!

Summer Reading Challenge

I'm also providing links that will help in finding good books and keep reading fun.  Good luck my practically 5th graders!!!!!

The book trailers for kids link is here:

Book Trailers

American Library Assoc. Summer reading list Grades 3-5

Reading Lists 3-5 

Shatekon's Blogspot

The assemblyman has reading suggestions too:

http://assembly.state.ny.us/member_files/112/20140428/index.pdf (page 2)

Spring Field Trips

A note is going home today about our upcoming spring field trips. I wanted to address an error in the information concerning the Albany trip. We will be visiting the Capital building and the NYS museum, but we will not be going to the governor's mansion. We took this piece out in hopes of getting a better experience out of the museum and capital building. When we went to the mansion, the trip was VERY rushed. Sorry for the typo. :)

Important Note in Folder!

Dear Parents,

I’m writing in hopes of getting some feedback from you and your student about how things are going in fourth grade. We have been having a lot of problems in class in terms of being a good friend, a good listener, and being respectful to each other. I’ve noticed an increase in negative behaviors these last few weeks. It is clear that many students are upset and want our classroom climate to improve as much as I do.

I’m asking that you and your student write a letter explaining the strengths and areas that need improvement in our classroom. This should not include names but more behaviors and qualities that are helping and/or hurting our classroom. With this list, I will be working on an action plan to improve our classroom community. 

I would really like to end the year on a positive note. Hopefully, with these exercises and our month-long focus on kindness we can reach that goal.  

Respectfully,

                                                                                                Mrs. Cushman

Erie Canal Field Trip

Shatekon's 4th grade was approved for a free field trip to the Erie Canal locks in Waterford, NY!!!!  Please see the silver folder for all the details. The permission forms must be signed for each student to go! The forms are due April 30th.