PTA fundraiser

The PTA spring fundraiser ends on February 11^th.  The delivery date will be the week of March 18^th.

January Newsletter 2013

ELA

Reading:

Ø  This month we’ll focus on the genre of historical fiction.  In reading groups we’ll be reading novels within this exciting genre.  We’ll also begin our ELA test preparations by reviewing concepts already taught.

Writing:

Ø  The focus will be on dialogue within stories.  We’ll explore how word choice can make all the difference and how to use quotation marks. .

Grammar:

Ø  Run-on vs. fragment sentences and quotations.

Spelling Patterns: All tests are Thursdays!!!

Ø  List 13 – possessive nouns using apostrophes

Ø  List 14- commonly misspelled words

• List 15 – words with ei, ie, and eight

Math

Concepts:

o   Review equivalent, mixed, and improper fractions

o   Review comparing and ordering fractions.

o   Begin fractions within a number line, simplest form, decomposing fractions and adding mixed numbers with like denominators.  

Vocabulary:

o   See notebook for important vocab

Assessments:

o   Each unit of study will have a pre and posttest.  You will see how much your child has grown with each concept!

o   Math fact tests will be 1/9 and 1/23: these tests are graded and are so important to your students math understanding.

Social Studies

Concepts:

We’ll be taking an in-depth looking into both how Europeans explored what is now NYS and how the Dutch settled this area. It’s amazing how much history is in our how backyard!

While we study we’ll pair our text book with both fiction and non-fiction sources of information.  

There will be homework, quizzes and tests along with this unit so make sure to check your student’s agenda each day.

Reminders

ü 1-18 The fourth grade class with present a choral poem with the topic of Martin Luther King Jr. All are welcome!

ü 1-21 Martin Luther King Jr. Day – No School

ü 1-25 Half day dismissal at 11:00

ü 1-29 Quarter 2 Grade Book Closes

ü 1-31 Book orders due

 

 

 

Friday's Poetry Reading

We are so excited for our upcoming poetry reading!  We've spent the month learning poetry elements and how to use them while reading and writing poems.  We'll be sharing a poem we wrote and one that we've read and especially loved.

If you are planning on joining us please make sure to return the form sent home today.  The office needs specific information on who will be coming into the building.  If you do not let us know, we can't let the office know and you will not be allowed to come to the classroom.  Please help us make this a fun day for everyone and return the form by December 20th. 

Thanks for you help in advance!!

Thank you PTA

A big thank you to the PTA who will supply us with an ice cream party tomorrow afternoon.  As one of the top collectors of box tops we were entitled to an ice cream party.  It's nice to see good deeds go rewarded.  Thank you PTA!!!!!

Mrs. Cushman’s Classroom News

ELA

Reading:

Ø  This month we’ll continue our literature groups and look specifically at poetry. The students are really enjoying reading good fit books and having some great discussions!

Writing:

Ø  We’ll have the pleasure of working with poet Jackie Sweeney and working through the writing process to create a winter poem.  These will be published in the computer lab.

Grammar:

Ø  Finish commas and learn parts of a sentence (subject and predicate)

Spelling Patterns: All tests are Thursdays!!!

Ø  List 11 – words with the /oi/ sound

Ø  List  12 – plurals

Ø  List 13 – possessive nouns using apostrophes

Math

Concepts:

o   Wrap up algebra  and assess – 12/5/12

o   Begin fractions – an in-depth study that will last through January

o   Equivalent and Ordering

o   Add, Subtract, Multiple, Divide, Decompose

 Vocabulary:

o   See notebook for important vocab

Assessments:

o   Each unit of study will have a pre and posttest.  You will see how much your child has grown with each concept!

o   Math fact tests will be 12/5 and 12/19: these tests are graded and are so important to your students math understanding.

Science

Concepts:

We’ll be continuing our study on Simple Machines.  We’ll use experiments and labs for a hand on approach to learning! 

We already know that to do work (effort / force) you need an object, force, and motion.

 Now we’ll see how simple machines make work easier.

Our next study will be a social studies topic   ~European Explorers in NYS~ 

There will be homework, quizzes and tests along with this unit so make sure to check your student’s agenda each day.

Reminders

ü 12-3 to 12-5  poet Jackie Sweeney will kick off our poetry unit

ü 12-10 Last day to check out library books ~ we will get more books right before break

ü 12-20 Orchestra and Chorus concert 7:00pm in the library ~ there will be an in school performance that day

ü 12-21 1:15 School sing along

ü 12/21 11:30 – 12:15 Poetry Reading

Please mark your calendars and join us in class as we share our poetry books

 

Giving Thanks

I just wanted to tell each of your how thankful I am for my wonderful class! My students are so wonderful together, showing kindness, respect and caring for each other.  Parents are wonderfully supportive and generous with their time and resources.  I hope each of you have a happy and healthy vacation and enjoy it with your family. : )

New Essay Contest!

Here is a great way to show your thanks over the long weekend!  The Sons of The American Legion Detachment of New York are hosting a contest titled:

What American Means to Me

 

The winner gets $50 and a party for the class. It is open to grades 1-5 so it could be fun for the whole family!

 

Here is the information:

 

Topic: "What American Means to me"

Participants: All students in 1-5 attending a NYS school are eligible.

Length: The student may write an essay of any length

Forms: The student may type or hand write the essay. All entries must include the students name, grade, school name, address, phone number and teachers name.

Judging and Awards: The Sons of The American Legion Detachment of New York will conduct the judging and choose one essay from each grade level.

Deadline: Entries must be post-marked by January 19, 2013. 

 

Send all entries to

Sons of The American Legion

Detachment of New York

Essay Contest

Robert Myrtle

225 Miller Road

Castleton, NY 12033