Upcoming Author Visit!

Author and illustrator Jarrett Krosoczka will be coming to Shatekon Elementary Feb. 29th! He's written the very popular series Lunch Lady. We are anxiously awaiting the visit by checking out his titles in the library, reading his picture books in class and making comic strips out of lunch trays to share with him.  Here is a link to his website!  There are many things to check out. 

Spelling made Simple

We started using Spelling City during our word work time and the kids asked if I would post the link.  It is a wonderful website that makes spelling practice fun!  Check it out at http://www.spellingcity.com/ . 

Join the Great Debate!

We have just finished writing an opinion piece featuring the great dodge ball debate from the Jan. 20th edition of Time for Kids.  There is an extension activity if your student wants to share more opinions!  TFK wants to hear from us!  The next topic for debate in TFK will be "Should schools ban sugary snacks and drinks in vending machines?"  You can email your opinion to tfkasks4you@timeforkids.com.  One of our students could be featured!   If you need help sending the entry in let me know.

Newsletter 1-30

Reminders:

2/6 Report cards will be sent home.  Please send back envelope and comment sheet filled out.

2/15 – PTA meeting 6:30 in the library

2/20-2/24 – Winter recess. No school

Students are responsible for bringing library books back to school one week after they are checked out to renew or return.

This week’s topics:

·         Writing –We are participating in the great “Dodgeball Debate”  - opinion essays

·         Café – author study – We will present our project in groups on Wednesday.  We’ll also review cause and effect in text.    

·         Vocabulary – ruler, area, perimeter, claim, raw material, Northwest Passage, expedition, Columbian exchange

·         Spelling – ie, ei, eigh spelling patterns (long e and a)

·          Grammar – pronouns and antecedents

This week’s topics:

·       Review chapter 11 topics (customary and metric units, converting, temperature, area, perimeter)

·       Chapter 11 test Friday

We continue to discuss famous explorers from long ago.  We’ve focused mostly on Christopher Columbus, Samuel De Champlain, Henry Hudson and Jacque Cartier.  These men explored and made a mark on New York State!  We will be having a quiz soon about their accomplishments.  Make sure to help your student study the information at home.  On our 4^th grade webpage there are many great links that can help with studying under subject information – social studies.   

Internet4classrooms web site

Here is a great website that has many, many links to help learn all we need to know if fourth grade!

internet 4 classrooms website

1-23-12 Newsletter

Reminders:

Book orders Due Jan 27^th – online or check to school is fine

Jan 27^th – half day 11:15 dismissal

Students are responsible for bringing library books back to school one week after they are checked out to renew or return

This week’s topics:

·         Writing –Most are finishing their fiction piece or working on editing and revising.  We’ll also be sharing our work in class.

·         Café  –  author study  – With the help of Mrs. Correa, we’ll be creating a project to present to the class and then an independent project showing our comprehension of Kate DiCamillo’s books.     

·         Vocabulary – ruler, area, perimeter, claim, raw material, Northwest Passage, expedition, Columbian exchange

·         Spelling – abbreviations

·          Grammar – pronouns

This week’s topics:

·       How to use a ruler

·       Non-standard and standard units of measurement

·       Converting customary measurements to metric  measurements

·       Measuring perimeter

We’ll begin our next study in New York history this week.  The unit is all about Explorers coming into our area, why they came and what happened as a result.  We’ll be integrating our knowledge of Native Americans and using timelines to help us keep track of all the important dates and information.  It should be very fun!

Gung Hey Fat Choy!

Mrs. Foong joined our class this morning and shared her knowledge of Chinese New Year!  She was kind enough to share symbols of good luck and information about the lunar calendar.  Thank you very much Mrs. Foong.