Monday, August 27, 2012
August 27, 2012
BOTH GROUPS:
Thank you for discussing my Classroom Expectations letter with your child, so we can all begin the year "on the same page." I have found these expectations to be very successful in building a positive, collaborative classroom. If you haven't returned the signed slip, please do so. Let me know if you need another copy.
Here's a link to the SLES school calendar, especially so you can make plans for 2-hour Early dismissal days and holidays:
http://slesweb.calvertnet.k12.md.us/calendar.html
Don't forget to save the date for Fourth Grade Open House, on September 20th at 7:00PM!
HOMEROOM (Reading, Language Arts, and Social Studies)
Thank you so much for completing all the forms in your child's Tuesday Folder, especially the Emergency Form.
Reading
This week in Reading, we will be considering the setting in literary text. We'll be evaluating the author's word choices that allow us to visualize the setting, identifying when the setting changes, and analyzing how the setting affects the characters' actions and the events in the story. We'll also review noticing causes and their effects when we read.
We will also complete Vocabulary Lesson One. See the parent letter in your child's homework folder for fun activities you can do at home to reinforce these words.
Please remind your child to read at least 15 minutes per night, at least four nights per week.
Language Arts
In Language Arts, we'll review nouns vs. verbs to prepare for studying the subject vs. predicate in complete sentences.
Social Studies
Social Studies will begin with a unit on geography, during which we'll learn about map elements and Maryland geography.
MATH and SCIENCE CLASSES
Math
We will begin a unit on geometry, studying lines, rays, angles, transformations, and solid figures. See the family letter in your child's math homework spiral for more information. We will also be reviewing mental math strategies for simple addition; please practice addition/subtraction fact families at home.
Here's a link to a terrific tutorial on some of the geometry vocabulary we're working on in class:
Here's a fun Maths Mansion movie to learn about line relationships:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=517D17WRS9s
As I mentioned in my introduction letter, you may wish to purchase a used copy of your child's math textbook on amazon.com. That way, they won't have to carry a heavy backpack and remember to take it back and forth to school (they will have homework in the textbook most nights.) Here's the link if you'd like to pursue this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0153207485/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used
(They range from about $2.00 to $9.00, plus shipping.)
Science
In science, we will begin our unit on our solar system, comparing Earth's physical properties to those of other planets.