Working Together

Today we made New Year's Resolutions and practiced reading with friends. :)

Ms. Wheeler's Last Day as Student Teacher

We celebrated Ms. Wheeler's last day as our student teacher with a bridal shower. She is off to California to get married!

What the heck is partial quotient?

Yesterday and today in math we used a division strategy called partial quotient. Unless you teach 4th grade math you more than likely have no idea how to do this!! :)

This video will help you and your student to understand the concept. It seems foreign at first, but many students prefer this strategy all year long.

If you cannot see the video above, click here.

Winter Assembly Info

Shatekon Chorus

Concert Reminder

Our concert is quickly approaching!

It will be held at 7:00pm on Wednesday, 12/7/16.

I will take responsibility for Chorus members at 6:40pm, in room 360.

If you arrive earlier, stay with your parents in the Gym.

Attire is black bottoms/white tops, or look your best (no jeans, sneakers, heels, or flip flops). Boys should wear a shirt with a collar, and try to wear a tie.

5^th Grade String performers and Band members will receive additional information from their instrumental teacher.

If you have questions/concerns, contact Mrs. Grebe at grebmary@shenet.org

or call her at 518-881-0580 X48360

WE NEED ALL CHORUS MEMBERS TO SOUND OUR BEST!!!

The in-school concert is at 1:20. Band and String students have already received information regarding when to come down for this. For Chorus singers, I ask that they come at 1:10. I do have a class until 1:05, and really do need a minute to run to the bathroom, so I can’t take the kids straight from class to the concert. Sorry! I hear that this is very close to lunch…no worries…as long as the students are here by the start of the concert, we will be fine.

Thank you for your help and support.

Mary

December Newsletter

ELA

Reading:

Ø  Target Skills: drawing conclusions, generalizations, authors purpose, text and graphic features, text structure, simile and metaphor, sequence of events

Ø  Review: summarizing, question while reading

Writing:

Ø  Our focus will continue to be on informative writing. We’ll create a persuasive essay convincing others to think the way we do or to take action. Ask your student about OREO writing. Yum!

Grammar:

Ø  Modal Auxiliaries

Ø  Participles

Ø  Abbreviations

Vocab:

Ø  Greek and Latin word parts

Ø  Suffixes –able, & -ible

Math

Finish Chapter 4 – Division – test 12.15.16

·         Division using Partial Quotients

·         Division with Regrouping

·         Place the first digit (standard way)

·         Divide by 1-Digit Numbers

Chapter 5 Concepts:

– Factors, Multiples and Patterns

o   Students will gain familiarity with factors and multiples

o   They will generate and analyze patterns

o   Students will learn the difference between prime vs. composite numbers and factors vs. multiples.

o   This is a quick chapter! Next stop, fractions!

Reflex Math:

Students are encouraged to go on Reflex math as often as possible. We will be logging on 3-4 times a week at school. Logging on 2 more times at home would make a huge difference in their fact knowledge.

Science

Concepts:

This month we will study and experiment with electricity. This exciting unit is based on the Inquiry method W.I.S.E. (wonder, investigate, synthesize & explain).

We’ll be completing an hour without electricity, watching videos on the topic and of course conducting experiments. This unit is always a crowd pleaser! 

Reminders

ü  12.1 – Picture Retake Day

ü  12.2 – Haudenosaunee Day, Smencil & Fin Friday

ü  12.7 , 12.14 & 12.21 – PTA school banking

ü  12.9 – Hour of Code – students learn basic computer coding

ü  12.19 – Ms. Wheeler’s last day

ü  12.23 – Tacky Sweater Day

ü  12.22 – Tradition Celebration – more information to follow J

12.24 – 1.2 – Winter Recess

Scientist of the Week - Lava Lamp

Today Jaime was our scientist of the week and her project was a hit! The class asked me to post it so they could try it at home.

Mix 3/4 a cup of water with 1/4 cup of vegetable oil in a clear glass. You can add food coloring for fun and to see the effects better! After, add 1 teaspoon of salt to the glass. Watch what happens!!

Getting Good

Our students wanted to show their skills on their instruments. We got to hear a great version of Hot Cross Buns!!

War of the Worlds

Here is a link to the full version of  War of the Worlds .  Our Journeys book featured an excerpt which we studies last week called "Invasion From Mars"

War of the Worlds Radio Broadcast

Fire Truck Ride

One of our very own got to ride on the fire truck!! She drew an amazing poster highlight fire prevention.

Ski Club Update from Mr. Myers

Good afternoon everyone.  Unfortunately, due to several factors, there will not be a Shatekon/ Arongen Ski Club this year.  I’m sure many of you will be getting emails soon asking about the club, if you haven’t already.  There were a few separate factors that have led to my not being available to run the club this year, and for that I apologize.  I fully intend to be able to run the club again next year, and hope that any students that were interested this year and that are still in the building in the fall of 2017 will join us next season.  

Owen and Mzee

Check out this site dedicated to Owen and Mzee!!!

Interactive Owen and Mzee site

Reading Groups

It's been wonderful working in small groups for reading. Our class has been having great discussions about inferencing, comparing and contrasting and sharing our reading logs.

Chromebooks

We are loving our new Chromebooks! We have been using them for all sorts of things.

Bully Prevention

Next week Shen Elementary Schools will be discussing bullying prevention specifically raising awareness and how to stop bullying. We are encouraging our students to wear specific colors to show support for a kinder, friendlier and safer school.

Monday - yellow - golden rule

Tuesday - blue - be a true blue friend

Wednesday - red - it's okay to be angry

Thursday - white - peaceful problem solving

Friday - green - show pride in our community

The youngest or only family members have a letter which also provided websites for more information.

Chromebooks

We've been having a great time using our Chromebooks and Interactive Whiteboard for reading and writing!! Our small groups have been working so hard. :)

Back to School Picnic

Please join the PTA for a back-to-school picnic. Families are welcome to bring a blanket and enjoy food and entertainment on the Shatekon grounds. If the weather does not cooperate, we will move to the gym; but plan on a fun night outside with all your Shatekon friends.
Tickets are FREE for all Shatekon students! Shatekon students will have a choice of Hot Dog/Hamburger/Cheeseburger, bag of chips and water from McGreiveys Food Truck and an Ice Cream treat from Mr. Ding-a-Ling.
Any other family member may purchase a Hot Dog/Hamburger/Cheeseburger, bag of chips and water from McGreiveys Food Truck for $4 per dinner. Ice Cream from Mr. Ding-a-Ling will also be available for purchase.

Sponsored by: Shatekon PTA, McGreivey’s Restaurant, and DJ Crazy Keith Parents/Guardians must supervise their child(ren). For more information, please contact: Shatekonpta@gmail.com

Great Start!

We are excited to announce our crayfish have arrived! We have been using our senses to observe them in their tank as well as our clear, observation bins.

First Day Success

Our first day is on the books and it went wonderfully! We had a lot of fun learning about each other and what 4th grade will be about. Make sure to look through your student's silver folder and return any paperwork as needed. Sleep well, eat a good breakfast and make sure to pack a snack!!

Get class info sent right to your phone!

Understanding that many families are extremely busy, I have signed our class up for a Remind.com account. Using the link below, you can find instructions on how to get reminders about upcoming school/class events right to your phone! These messages might include Fin Friday reminders, field trip updates, or fundraiser information. YOu can sign up or opt out at any time. I have found this very helpful in the past and hope you consider signing up. :)

Remind.com set up info

Spring Cleaning?

Share your COLORS: Recycling unwanted crayons into unlimited possibilities.

Please consider donating your unwanted crayons to be recycled into new ones.  The Crayon Initiative accepts unwanted crayons and melts them down to create new crayons to donate to schools, hospitals, arts programs and other organizations invested in our children.  We will have a donation box in the Shatekon lobby during the month of June.  For more information, please visit: http://thecrayoninitiative.org/   

Simple Machines

Today we had another guest speaker who brought materials so we could explore Simple Machines!

Simple Machines

Here are two great websites to help study simple machines. Have fun exploring!

http://sunshine.chpc.utah.edu/Labs/Machines/

http://legacy.mos.org/sln/leonardo/InventorsToolbox.html

Free Entrance to National Parks!

The National Park Service turns 100 years old in 2016 and we want everyone to join the party! For a free pass for all 4th Graders click here!

Additionally, on 16 days in '16, all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. 

Mark your calendar for these entrance fee–free dates in 2016:

• January 18: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• April 16 through 24: National Park Week
• August 25 through 28: National Park Service Birthday
• September 24: National Public Lands Day
• November 11: Veterans Day

National parks are America’s Best Idea, and there are more than 400 parks available to everyone, every day. The fee-free days provide a great opportunity to visit a new place or an old favorite, especially one of the 127 national parks that normally charge an entrance fee. The others are free all of the time. Plan your visit and enjoy our country’s history and nature.

The fee waiver includes entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees. Other fees such as reservation, camping, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties are not included unless stated otherwise.

Fee-free days make parks accessible to more people. However, national parks are always economical, with entrance fees that range from $3 to $30. In addition, any fourth grade student can get a free annual pass through the Every Kid in a Park program, and active duty military and citizens with a permanent disability can also get free passes. For more information about the variety of discounted passes available, please visit the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass page.

Ask the Animal Presentation

Please join us in celebrating the completion of our Naturalist Google Slides Presentations!

Come to Shatekon to learn about NYS animals like:

¨ Moose, hawk, coyote, bullfrog, white tailed deer, raccoon, red fox, humpback whale, gray squirrel, bobcat, bald eagle and mink

¨ When:  Wednesday, April 20th, 2016 12:30-1:15 pm

¨ Where:  Computer lab

Please let us know the names of everyone attending by 4.18.16. You must be on the visitors list to be allowed into school.

April Newsletter

ELA

**The NYS testing dates for ELA are the 5^th-7^th. These tests are untimed and have fewer questions. We will start each day at 8:15. Our specials have been moved to 10:15 or 10:45. If your student is still testing at 10:15 they will be moved to another location to finish the test.

**The following week we will revisit our animal study and complete an online research project titled “Ask the Animal”. Students will use our iPads to do research and create a presentation all about a NYS animal. Mrs. Chakmakas and Mrs. Rao will join us as well to help with the project. Stay tuned for an invite to our electronic NYS animal zoo!

Ø  Our regular classroom schedule will resume the 3^rd week of April (18^th-22^nd). That is when we will go back to normal homework and classwork.

Math

Concepts:

o   Continue review of content covered in 4^th grade

o   Prepare for NYS math exam

o   Begin chapter 9 - Decimals

o   Place Value of decimals

o   Equating decimals, money and fractions

o   Comparing decimals

o   After the NYS tests we still have chapters 9 and 12 to finish in our text book.

o   When the book is finished we will begin lessons called “Getting Ready for 5^th Grade”

o   These lessons will incorporate what we have learned this year and stretch students thinking.

http://gregtangmath.com/

https://www.reflexmath.com/

Social Studies

This week we will begin an inquiry unit about the American Revolution! Students will read use our text book, primary sources, videos and on-line research. They will get to choose to either write a persuasive essay to join the revolution or not or create a skit! We will take a few weeks to research and create before we present for each other. We have so many creative students; it’s sure to be great!

Reminders

ü 4.5.16 – 4.7.16 NYS ELA testing

ü 4.8.16 Quarter 3 closes

ü 4.12.16 Scotia Glenville Traveling Museum - Measuring

ü 4.13.16 to 4.15.16 – NYS Math test

ü 4.13.16 – PTA meeting in library

ü 4.18.16 – Report cards sent home

4.25.16 – 4.29.16 – Spring Break

Greg Tang Math

I have recently learned about a wonderful math site that has been helping students with their math fluency and basic understanding. It's called Greg Tang Math. I've created a link on the side of the page. We have started playing some of the games in class and there are wonderful, printable resources for families. Have fun exploring!

Bus Drill

On March 23, 2016 at 10:00AM the Transportation Department will hold an emergency preparedness drill.  This drill will include members from the Clifton Park Fire Department and the Saratoga County Sheriff Department as well as the transportation staff.  At 10:00am our fire alarm will sound and emergency personnel will be dispatched to the garage.  An actual simulation of a bus fire will occur.  This is a drill only.  It is anticipated that this drill will be approximately one hour.  Phones will be unavailable during this time.   Kindergarten runs will run as normally scheduled.

Mindset

This week we are learning about Mindsets. The main idea is people can approach school, friendships, occupations, or sports with two mindsets. One is a fixed mindset. People with a fixed mindset often feel they can't succeed when there are challenges and those that do succeed are either more capable or born with natural ability. The other mindset is growth. People with a growth mindset often feel challenges make them stronger and smarter. They will keep trying when the going gets tough, ask for help and try new ways of succeeding. We have challenged ourselves to flip our thinking, if needed, as we can grow as people, learners and citizens. Below you will find some links that we have found useful in our discussion. Make sure to watch Ormie the Pig! He's hilarious and gives a great message.

Intro Video - quick Mindset explanation

Ormie the Pig - He never gives up!

**Our faculty is reading this book to study the affects of Mindsets and achievement/growth. It's a great read for anyone!