Mrs. Shigemasa's Updates

This week will be busy a busy one of testing: Chapter 7 math test will be Tuesday; Chapter 2 science test will be Wednesday; Chapter 3 social studies test will be Thursday. I want to make sure I complete all testing before we break for Thanksgiving. So in addition to our regularly scheduled geography quiz and spelling test, I will be administering three chapter tests this week. I have been reminding the kids about this for the past few weeks, so they are well aware and have hopefully been reviewing.

HOLIDAY PROGRAM

Fourth grade has already begun practicing for the annual holiday program. We're looking forward to performing in a few short weeks. With your permission, I've asked my students to view our holiday songs in "You Tube," an Internet website located at: www.youtube.com  Once in, they can type the following into the search window: "walking in the air connie talbot" AND also "i have a dream connie talbot." You Tube can be a great resource to help practice our songs, but I warned my students that they should not be browsing the website without asking you first. It is a place where the public can post personal videos, and although it is loaded with educational resources, your child needs to be monitored if you choose to allow him or her to access this website. I appreciate your help. And of course, please use your best judgment when it comes to allowing your child to use this website resource.

LANGUAGE ARTS

We will practice the use of inference this week as we read a mysterious story about a "stranger." Inference is an important strategy that helps with strong reading comprehension. In addition, we will continue to read more of Island of the Blue Dolphins. I will continue to give vocabulary quizzes every couple of weeks. Last week's vocabulary quiz will be sent home in the Weekly Work Envelope. Please check to see if your child had prepared for the quiz, and if not, perhaps you can help by reminding your youngster to review the vocab. words for ch. 5-10. Thanks!

MATH

Chapter 8 math involves multiplication and estimations skills, so it is mostly a review. We will actually begin chapter 9, which involves multiplying greater numbers, this week. Once again, please encourage your child to practice math facts. It's painful to watch kids kids struggle with simple facts when they should be adept at them.

SOCIAL STUDIES

We started chapter 4 today. It is filled with information, so help your child to understand by asking what he or she learned in social studies. Ask about the Mexican War for Independence. See if your child can tell you why the Spanish colonists wanted freedom. Check if your child can name any of the important individuals involved in the war.

SCIENCE

Today, the children began building a simple robot to test their sound sensor. It won't be long before they build a roverbot and begin programming it to do various tasks.

That's it for now!

Posted by Mrs. Shigemasa at 15:14

Reminder - There will be no school on Wednesday because of the Veteren's Day holiday.

LANGUAGE ARTS

Our first vocabulary quiz for Island of the Blue Dolphins (chapters 1-5) will be on Thursday. This story integrates social studies while exemplifying high standards in word choice and voice. The children are learning so much from this powerful historical novel. We continue to practice comprehension of expository text as we read non fiction articles and monitor comprehension with anchor charts. Summary writing requires careful organization and fluency. Room 23 is working carefully on My Access to summarize a story about peregrine falcons. Editing and revision are a part of the process, so this particular writing assignment will continue through the week and into next week.

MATH

Please look over the ch. 6 math test that is being sent home in your child's Weekly Work Envelope. This marks the end of an algebra unit, so if your child needs to review concepts, please check out the resources in the textbook (Extra Practice pg. 98 and Review the Key Standards pages located towards back of textbook) and in the online website. We are quickly covering chapter 7 which reviews multiplication skills. I will be testing next Tuesday. It is important that students who struggle with math facts continue to practice at home.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Students are continuing to work on the explorers time line project. We began a California missions activity using Power Point and its hyperlink feature. The kids are also excited about writing to a California mission and requesting a brochure for an upcoming mission poster project. Thanks for your help in sending envelopes, stamps, etc. for your child's use.

SCIENCE

We began robotics this week. It will be an enjoyable and challenging unit as children problem solve while programming their robots to perform various tasks. I have scheduled the final physical science test on ch. 2 for next week Wednesday. That should allow plenty of time to review ch. 2.

Please be sure to review the Weekly Work Envelope papers with your child this week. There are many important assessments to look over. Your child's creation myth draft has also been sent home. The focus trait was word choice, so hopefully, you will notice that your child has used vivid and colorful language. Your support and caring attention is much appreciated!

Posted by Mrs. Shigemasa at 07:32

For students who conferenced last week Monday, here is your assignment:

• How did you feel before you came into the classroom to conference with your parent(s)? Were you nervous, confident, worried? How did you feel after you finished your conference? Were you worried, relieved, confident? Explain.

Posted by Mrs. Shigemasa at 08:17

Thank you for contributing to a productive Student-Led Conference. It is important for students to reflect, self assess, and set goals and for parents to be involved and show their child how much they value education.

CLASS WEB SITE has been updated. Browse to see new work samples and dozens of new photos in Science and Class Photos. On Friday, the children made jack o'lantern pizzas, a healthy alternative to Halloween candy. See photos of their creation in Class Photos, and also look at some jack o'lantern art samples on the Art page.

FUNDRAISER items will be delivered to classrooms on Wednesday. If you ordered several items, it would be helpful if you could plan on helping your child carry your order since they'll be wrapped in large boxes. That means it will be best to meet your child outside of room 23 after school this Wednesday (if you have a large order).

HOMEWORK continues to be a concern for a few students. You can help by checking to make sure your child has packed away homework. Until children develop strong organizational skills (and better responsibility as well), please help teach strategies to keep organized and NOT forget homework. It will save precious class time if I do not have to record homework problems and check the next day to make sure kids who forgot have taken care of late homework. Thanks!

LANGUAGE ARTS

This week, your child will be given vocabulary homework to support comprehension of Island of the Blue Dolphins. Eventually, I will be giving vocabulary quizzes based on homework. I will be quizzing every five chapters or so. In addition, fourth grade is reading a story called "Boss of the Plains." We will practice using context clues, and we will review the rules of plural nouns. Kids will also learn what an eponym is. This week's writing activity is a summary essay using a computer program called My Access. Last week, students finished a prewrite and began a summary draft based on an article about peregrine falcons.

MATH

Today, I completed ch. 6 and will be testing students on Thursday. Big idea concepts include:

• identifying true and false sentences
• order of operations
• evaluating expression; matching expressions with words
• understanding various properties including associative, commutative, identity, distributive
• input/output (function) tables: rules and equations
• predict and test problem solving strategies

Later this week, we will begin ch. 6 multiplication of large numbers, finding patterns, and estimation.

SOCIAL STUDIES

We completed lessons about explorers who affected California history. These famous men lived over the span of 200 years, so it is important your child review the textbook in order to keep track of scattered facts. They need to know the difference between Cortes and Cabrillo, Vizcaino and de Anza, etc. We are now into another significant time period: the Mission period in history. Today, we read about presidios. Ask your child who Junipero Serra is. See if your fourth grader can tell you about the physical setup of presidios and mission settlements. Once again, there is a lot to keep track of, so it is important to review the reading. I plan to finish ch. 3 by the end of next week. The final project will be an explorer time line that we started last week and will continue to work on for the next couple of weeks.

SCIENCE

We are nearing the end of physical science. Fourth grade children have learned about magnetism and compasses. I plan to cover electromagnetism this week. It should be a fascinating subject with fun hands on activities to enjoy! The lesson 1 quiz will be Wednesday. If all proceeds as planned, lesson 2 quiz will be next week Monday, lesson 3 quiz will be next week Wednesday, and ch. 2 test will be next week Thursday. We're moving along rapidly. The good news is that fourth graders have lots of prior knowledge about magnets, so the concepts shouldn't be as challenging as the ones in the electricity chapter. Nevertheless, it is important that your child rereads, reviews, revisits the textbook.

HEALTH

Tuesday's health will focus on completing a study guide about our immune system and first and second line defenses. I plan to give a quick quiz next week Tuesday.

Posted by Mrs. Shigemasa at 07:46

TO STUDENTS WHO ARE CONFERENCING ON THURSDAY, here is your message:

• For homework this evening, please go to our class blog (prompt titled Student-Led Conference) and answer the following question: Explain why Student-Led Conference is important. How does it help you to be a better student in school?

FAMILY NIGHT OUT IS TONIGHT, MONDAY (OCTOBER 26) at California Pizza Kitchen in Westfield Mall. Enjoy a nice dinner while CPK donates 20% of your bill to Baldwin Stocker. I'LL BE THERE, so I hope to see you this evening. DO NOT FORGET TO BRING YOUR FLYER! Stop by my table and say "hi."

We will be on minimum day schedule this week, so children will be dismissed at 12:25. Children who wish to purchase lunch will be provided with a sack lunch.

Student-Led Conference all week long. Please come into the classroom as soon as you arrive. No need to wait outside. Upper grade conferences overlap, and your child will be in charge of his or her own conference, so go ahead and get started when you arrive.

Weekly Work Envelope will not be sent home this week. We'll be focusing on portfolios, so let's take a break from all the work that comes home in weekly envelopes.

Class Web Site has been updated. Enjoy Spotlight on Writing and other new additions. I will update again, adding many new photos of students at work, at the beginning of November.

LANGUAGE ARTS

We recently started a wonderful historical novel called Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell. Please do not allow your child to check out the book and read ahead. It's so much more enjoyable to discover together. Students will be building their vocabulary and thinking skills! This week, I plan to introduce the My Access writing program. It's a computer based program that scores student writing in areas similar to our Six Traits of Writing. More details will follow.

MATH

Ch. 6 continues with algebra concepts. It is important that your child understand Order of Operations, so please encourage practice and review at home. Also, students who struggle with basic math facts need to practice at home--daily if possible--until they are proficient.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Chapter 3 test will be given on Thursday, so your child should be busy reviewing the chapter. We will begin Ch. 4 this week. It opens with Spanish exploration and continues into the mission period of history. There are many dates and facts that your child will need to keep abreast of, so perhaps you can review the online textbook lessons together, making review of this interesting periond of history a fun family time.

SCIENCE

The focus is now on magnetism, including electromagnets. We are nearing the end of the physical science chapter. I am impressed with the amount of knowledge the children have gained and retained. Your child will be sharing a PowerPoint presentation about electricity at Student-Led Conference. You, too, will be amazed to see just how much your child has learned!

HEALTH

Ask your child about first line and second line defenses. Our health lesson has given them quite a sophisticated grasp of our immune system. In light of all the talk of H1N1 virus, this topic seems to be quite appropriate, especially since the kids are so curious about viral diseases and how to prevent them and/or recover from them.

Posted by Mrs. Shigemasa at 14:29

Please note . . .

Student Led Conference week is right around the corner. I sent reminder notices home last week. Please let me know ASAP if you need to change day/time. We will be on minimum day schedule next week.

For a few students, homework is still a struggle. It is important for 4th graders to carefully copy homework assignments in their agenda. Equally important is that they check their agenda when they get home. Sometimes, they say, "I forgot" to do something when it is written right there in the agenda. We want our children to develop good habits--to practice responsibility and organization.

LANGUAGE ARTS

We will finish reading Finding the Titanic this week and completing language arts activities based on the story. This week's writing focus is the Native tribe report. Students are busy organizing ideas, researching, and drafting. It's quite an involved and complex process. Children who do not finish in class assignments are asked to catch up for homework. So today, for example, if your child did not finish the report section about Native food during class today, it needs to be done for homework.

MATH

We completed chapter 5 and will be testing on Thursday. It is generally a very easy chapter since it deals mostly with basic math facts, but it also involves algebra (equations and variables), so your child needs to study and use homework sheets as a study guide so that he/she answers test questions correctly. I will be giving a few students the ch. 4 retest (if it wasn't passed the first time around) on Wednesday, so if your child received a note attached to the ch. 4 test sent home last week, then he or she will retake the test on Wed.

SOCIAL STUDIES

We finished reading the chapter. The children are working on their California Native tribe reports. I will be giving the chapter test during the week after conferences, which is at the beginning of November.

SCIENCE

This will be a busy week of assessments. On Wednesday, I will give the Ch. 1, Lesson 3 quiz (which covers parallel circuits and electrical safety). Then on Thursday, your child will take the Chapter 1 test. They've known about the test and have been reminded repeatedly to study, so hopefully, your child has already been preparing for the test. It cover the whole chapter, so there is a lot to review at home. It will be the very first science chapter test of fourth grade! I am proud of my students, for they have learned a lot about some very complex concepts in physical science. However, it is important that they review the chapter and their science study notebook in order to do their best on the test.

Posted by Mrs. Shigemasa at 15:34

I realized that the online math textbook website asks for additional information that I did not clarify in my earlier posting. So in addition to what I blogged yesterday, "WEEK OF OCTOBER 12th," please do the following when logging into the math website:

1. State drop down window, choose CALIFORNIA
2. District drop down window, choose ARCADIA UNIFIED SCHOOL DIST
3. School drop down window, choose BALDWIN STOCKER ELEM SCHOOL, ARCADIA 91007
4. Click on "Remember my organization" to avoid having to input above information in the future.

Posted by Mrs. Shigemasa at 07:44

PLEASE NOTE . . .

Tomorrow, I will be sending home Student Led Conference reminder notes with info. about the time date/time that you had signed up for. If you did not sign up for a conference time at Back-to-School Night, I went ahead and scheduled a time for you and your child. Let me know if we need to change the time.

Weekly Work Envelope is sent home each Tuesday and due back on Friday. There are still a few families who are not looking through student work and signing tests. If you need extra time to look through the work, just jot a note, and I'll be happy to extend the time. It's important to your child and me that you review together. Please indicate that you have looked through everything together with your child by signing papers with the "Please sign and return" stamp. Thanks!!

Math Online Textbook: Your child will now have access to math resources. I'm sorry to report that the online textbook does not exactly match our California edition math book. The district is working on getting this changed, but in the meantime, the online textbook shares many similarities to ours. There are also excellent math review games and lessons. The online resources are at: https://www-k6.thinkcentral.com    Your child's username AND password are the same. It's ausd followed by his/her student ID number. For example: ausd12345 (for both username and password).

Food Drive is ongoing all week long. Please refer to the note sent home last week Friday. We appreciate any food donations you can make.

LANGUAGE ARTS

This week, we are working in reading groups. This means we are taking a short break from expository reading comprehension practice to focus on fluent, expressive oral reading and comprehension while enjoying a story about the Titanic. Students are also working daily with writing conventions to develop good habits in punctuation, capitalization, and spelling. This week, the focus will be on quotations and punctuating dialogue. In addition, the children are writing creation myths modeled after Indian legends. Word choice is the focus trait, so students are expected to use personification, similes, metaphors, and sensory writing.

MATH

We are continuing with algebra. Please take a close look (together with your child) at the ch. 4 math test that will be sent home in the Weekly Work Envelope on Tuesday. If your child did not pass the test, he or she must correct it and return it on Thursday. (I'll attach a note of explanation to your child's test if he or she is required to correct and return it.) It is important that your child understands the difference between expressions and equations. It is very important that children read directions carefully. Therefore, if a question asks for students to write an equation expressed by the input/output table, then I cannot accept an answer that shows a "rule" only. (It must be expressed as an equation with two variables.) Hopefully, your child understands this and will be more careful to read directions if he/she is required to correct the test. If not, then careful review of the chapter will help to succeed in correcting the test.

We just began ch. 5 today. Although it looks very easy, the test may not be so easy. Students must understand "related sentence" and be able to express answers that demonstrate understanding of this concept. So careful attention to homework will help your child to succeed in the chapter test which will be given next week. Thanks for your continued support.

SOCIAL STUDIES

We are nearing the end of chapter 2. However, there is still much work to do. Your child will be writing a California Native Indian report in class. Soon, our students will be finished writing their Native creation myth. Then, in a few weeks, it's time to test the chapter. I've been reminding my students to reread lessons at home.

SCIENCE

Ch. 1, lesson 2 quiz will be given on Wednesday. Your child can use the online textbook (or regular textbook) to review. We started lesson 3 about parallel circuits. The kids continue to add to their PowerPoint slide show. Their online homework will hopefully help them to review important concepts about electricity.

HEALTH

This week, we will continue to learn about first line and second line defenses and our immune system---very interesting.

Posted by Mrs. Shigemasa at 15:07

This week, all fourth grade teachers will be busy assessing student writing and reading comprehension. Therefore, we will not be in class this Wednesday and Thursday. Although I will be here on campus and checking my class periodically, I will be involved in assessing each of my student's reading fluency/comprehension and writing skills.

Our class Web site has been updated. New photos and student writing samples have been added. Check it out at: www.ausd.net/baldwins

Student Council assembly and elections will be this Thursday. Students who are running for office need to be prepared for presenting at the assembly. I'm very proud of them!

The Weekly Work Envelope will is sent home each Tuesday. Please take time to look over papers and tests with your child. Don't forget to sign any test with a parent signature stamp. Return all papers except for the Homework Packet. It's important to keep abreast of what your child is learning! Thanks for your support!

LANGUAGE ARTS

This week, students will write a creation myth modeled after California Native legends shared in class. We have been working hard on effective word choice, so this will be the focus trait. Children are expected to use figures of speech (specifically similes or metphors and personification) and sensory details. We have been practicing figurative language in class! This week's homework is to blog examples of personification, a figure of speech that all fourth grade students must get in the habit of using every time they write a creative story.

MATH

We will continue with algebra (ch. 4). Some big idea concepts are: expressions, equations, variables, input/output and expressing the rule shown as an equation with 2 variables, and addition properties (commutative, identity, and associative). Ch. 4 will be tested on Friday.

SOCIAL STUDIES

The ch. 1 social studies test will be sent home tomorrow (Tuesday) in your child's Weekly Work Envelope. Please take a close look at it to see if your child needs to review the chapter or if proficient understanding has been demonstrated. We wrapped up two big ch. 1 projects, a California regions/natural resources map activity and a regions report/art triorams project. Phew! The children worked hard to share their learning! I already started ch. 2 (Native Californians), so it's important for the children to reread, review, revisit the textbook to ensure understanding. Together, we have been working on Thinking Maps to keep track of our learning. Ask your child what he or she has learned about the Northern Coastal Indians: What tribes lived in the area? What kinds of food did they eat? What were their homes like? What rivers did they live near? What were their customs and traditions? What were they skilled at doing?

SCIENCE

The students in room 23 are becoming experts at current electricity. Today, they learned about series circuits. Your child should be able to tell you about how series circuits work, so ask: What components make up a series circuits? They have been taught about resistors and how they convert electrical energy into other forms, so ask your child: What do resistors most often convert electrical energy into? The kids should also understand that series circuits don't always work very well, so a good question to ask is: Why aren't series circuits used much anymore--why are they problematic? This week's online homework involves electricity. Your child will have lots of fun exploring the virtual world of circuits, so why don't you join your youngster as he or she does online homework? It should be fun and educational. Another fun activity that the children have been busy with is their PowerPoint multimedia presentation about electricity. Their goal was to complete four slides today, having started the project several days ago: 1) Attract and Repel; 2) Static Electricity; 3) Electrostatic Series; 4) Atoms. Some students are making great progress. They're creating charming digital illustrations (using HyperStudio) to enhance their science slide show.

HEALTH

We will begin a new lesson in health. Room 23 will be learning about our body's defenses and will become familiar with terms such as antibodies, immune system, vaccine, mucus, and white blood cells. It should be fascinating.

Posted by Mrs. Shigemasa at 16:15

PLEASE NOTE . . .

Weekly Work Envelope will be sent home each Tuesday. Please look through papers with your child. Sign any tests that are stamped with "Parent Signature." Sign and date the envelope, and return on Friday.

A few students (not everyone) were given an emergency card for parents to fill out and return this week. If your child brought home an emergency card, then the office does not have a current one on file for your child. Please fill it out and send it back this week. Thank you.

Picture Day will be on Friday. Please send money envelopes with your child on Friday. Do not send before Friday. Thanks!

Student Council meeting for responsible students interested in leadership roles will be this Wednesday. I will be talking to my class about Student Council, so if your child is responsible (eg: brings in homework regularly, listens carefully and follows directions) and is a good role model who is interested in leadership roles, then he or she should take the opportunity to learn more about Student Council. Wednesday's meeting (during lunch) is mandatory for those interested in running for office.

Language Arts

In this week's Weekly Work Envelope (to be sent home on Tuesday), your child is asked to correct any errors on the spelling test. These are the directions: 1) Each misspelled word is to be correctly written 10 times on the back of the test paper; 2) If there is an error in the spelling sentence (even if it is only one, tiny error), then the WHOLE sentence must be correctly written on the back of the test paper. Also this week, Arcadia students will be taking the first of three writing assessments. This will help teachers better understand areas of strengths and weaknesses with the Six Traits of Writing. Your child's district writing assessment will be shared at our first Student Led Conference.

Math

Please carefully review Ch. 2's math test with your child to ensure that he or she understands rounding and estimation. Students who are not yet able to complete between 30 and 40 math facts per minute should be practicing at home. Math moves quickly; there will be a chapter 3 math test on Wednesday, so students should be reviewing the homework sheets and textbook.

Science

Look for the results of Ch. 1, Lesson 1's quiz in the Weekly Work Envelope. This week, we will focus on lesson 2 which covers electrical circuits. Students should use the online textbook to reread and review.

Social Studies

We finished ch. 1. Today, the children typed their region report into the computer and will add it to the triorama art project they had made last Friday. The kids are also finishing up a California regions map activity to help them better understand the geographical regions and their natural resources. Your child knows that the end of the chapter test will be given on Thursday. There are many concepts covered in chapter 1, so it is important that your child rereads the textbook and reviews the homework book at home. I have started ch. 2 today, so it is important that students prepare independently to review ch. 1. I will have one review session on Wednesday to help prepare for ch. 1 test, but hopefully by then, your child will have already reviewed.

Posted by Mrs. Shigemasa at 15:26

Beginning this week (every Tuesday), I will be sending home your child's Weekly Work Envelope filled with some work examples and tests. Please read the letter enclosed in the envelope which will be sent home tomorrow. Everything (EXCEPT the Weekly Work Homework packet) needs to be sent back to school in the envelope. Please sign and date the envelope to let me know that you and your child looked through and discussed the enclosed work. Once again, there will be a letter of explanation in the envelope which your child will bring home tomorrow.

Cold Stone ice cream fundraiser is this evening (Monday) between 4-8 P.M. You must bring the blue flyer, sent home with your child today, in order for Baldwin Stocker to receive money back from you ice cream purchase.

Our class Web site has been updated! You can view photos on our "Science" page. Take a peek to see how science has been keeping us busy at: www.ausd.net/baldwins

Our busy week includes . . .

LANGUAGE ARTS

We will continue to practice a variety of strategies to better comprehend expository text. In the Weekly Work Envelope (coming home on Tuesday), you will find many "anchor charts" showing some of the skills your child has been learning. Please discuss anchor charts with your child. For writing this week, we will be working on paragraph form, careful to start paragraphs with topic sentences and end with concluding sentences. Students will be working on a mini regions report to show what they have learned about California's natural regions.

MATH

You will find ch. 1's math test in the Weekly Work Envelope which will be sent home on Tuesday. Ch. 2 will be tested this Thursday. We actually finished ch. 2 today and will begin ch. 3 tomorrow. However, I'd like to give a couple of extra days for the children to make sure they are ready for the ch. 2 test; therefore, I will test on Thursday.

SOCIAL STUDIES

We are nearly finished reading ch. 1. I have a couple of fun culminating projects planned. One project involves an art triorama with the mini regions report that the kids began writing today. Another project is a California map activity where students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of map skills, California regions, and our state's natural resources. Ch. 1 will be tested at the beginnig of October. I've asked my students to begin reviewing right away. There is much to remember. They can use their online textbook if they'd like. I posted online text information in last week's Blog Update.

SCIENCE

Today, the students used our Qwizdom remotes to check how well they grasp the concept of static electricity. I will be giving them a quick Lesson 1 quiz on Wednesday. They should review lesson 1 (either using the regular or online textbook). Once again, online textbook info. was posted in last week's blog.

MUSIC

Students who chose to take instrumental music will begin classes this week. Some students began music today. Those who missed science need to make sure they phone a friend after school to find out what they have missed. This way, students will practice good responsibility while keeping up with what they missed while away at music.

REMINDERS . . .

Minimum Day will be this Thursday. Release time: 12:25

Geography quiz is each Wednesday.

Spelling Test is given each Thursday. Beginning this week, I will be testing conventions (punctuation and grammar) and spelling words--not just spelling words.

Please help your child develop the good habit of getting to school on time. It's so much easier for me to begin my lessons when everybody arrives to school on time. I appreciate your help in making sure your child is not tardy! Thank you!

Posted by Mrs. Shigemasa at 15:13

Thank you for sending in Time for Kids donations. If you had planned to send a $5.00 donation but forgot, I will continue to collect contributions this week since we are short several dollars. Fourth grade teachers use Time for Kids to provide practice with expository news articles and current events.Thanks again for your help.

LANGUAGE ARTS

We read a story about the Iditarod Race in our language arts anthology. The children are working on language arts practice and differentiated icons. The story helped students to better understand the concept of problem (conflict)/solution (resolution). In "Akiak," we decided that the story's problem was Akiak's injury, and as a result of the problem, Akiak's team might lose the race. Ultimately, Akiak courageously helped the team to come in first place despite her injury. The story also presented an opportunity to practice looking for lessons/morals that authors teach us. In this case, one important lesson learned was to be persistent: Face challenges and persist in overcoming them. Beginning this week, fourth grade teachers will focus on teaching comprehension of expository, non fiction text. I will be presenting a variety of strategies to help my students comprehend expository writing. Later in the week, our class will take the first of three reading inventory assessments to be offered this school year. SRI (Scholastic Reading Inventory) is a district provided comprehension assessment to help teachers better understand their students proficiency level with reading comprehension The results of the assessment will be shared at the first trimester Student Led Conference.

MATH

The first math test (ch. 1) will be given on Tuesday. Students were asked to take home all homework sheets to use as a study guide. They should also use the textbook to prepare for tomorrow's test. We already started ch. 2. Math moves quickly. You can help by reviewing math homework (together with your child) each evening. I spend time each day answering homework questions, so please encourage your child to ask questions if math homework is confusing. Thanks!

SOCIAL STUDIES

Last week, students worked in groups to create a poster/oral presentation project. We completed ch. 1, lesson 1 and will continue this week with lessons 2 and 3. Students are asked to review the textbook at home. They can use the online textbook found at: www.eharcourtschool.com   The username is: 4bs  The password is: bulldogs

SCIENCE

Science is challenging and fun. After reviewing the Scientific Method, we read about static electricity and conducted experiements showing how static electricity works. We discussed the concept of attract and repel and how unlike charges attract and like charges repel. We talked about atom models: protons (positively charged particles), neutrons (neutral), and electrons (negatively charged particles). As you can see, science is challenging, and your child is learning some very advanced concepts. I am providing a variety of lessons to help your child grasp these advanced concepts. It is important that students reread the textbook lessons. The online science textbook is available at: www.pearsonsuccessnet.com   The username is: bsscience  The password is: bulldogs

HEALTH

Our class is learning about diseases and ways to avoid spreading them. Ask your child to tell you about the four kinds of "pathogens."

PLEASE NOTE . . .

If your child ever has a homework problem (either incomplete or not done at all), then he or she will bring home a note for you to sign. It is important that you are aware of any homework problems, so by signing homework problem note, I know that you are aware that homework was not completed. Children are expected to finish and turn in any late homework the following day. Of course, if a child is absent, I know that homework will be turned in late.

Textbooks (math, social studies, science) should have been covered by now. Due date was last week. A few students have not yet covered textbooks. I asked those students to bring a note from home when they're ready to cover at which time they will be allowed to take home textbooks. Until then, I'd like them to keep their books here at school. We're working hard on encouraging responsible behavior! Thanks for your understanding.

Look for your child's Weekly Work Envelope next week Monday. I will provide info about it at that time.

Posted by Mrs. Shigemasa at 12:15

We're off to a good start! The first few days kept us busy with rules and policies, but we did manage to squeeze in some ice breaker activities, art fun, computer work, poetry, writing, social studies, science, and I even read a few good stories.

Thanks to all of you who attended Back to School Night. I can tell that you are a supportive and interested group of parents. Please continue to show your child how much you support education by reading this Parent Update blog together each week.

Students have been creating thinking maps. They have worked with thinking maps last year, so your child should be able to explain what these are all about. We'll continue using them all year long.

HOMEWORK PACKETS

Today, the first homework packet of the school year was sent home. All fourth grade students are given packets on Monday. They are due on Friday.

WEEKLY WORK ENVELOPE

At Back to School Night, I showed you an example of a Weekly Work Envelope that will be sent home each Monday, due Friday. This week, I did not send home your child's envelope because we haven't yet taken any tests, so there isn't much to send home. I will inform you through this blog when the Weekly Work Envelope will become a routine.

REMINDERS

At Back to School Night, I sent home a letter with our classroom Web URL: www.ausd.net/baldwins . This is a good site to add to your Favorites list.

Last week, I passed out the first issue of Time for Kids. This is a helpful resource of information, and it provides practice with expository text as well. If you plan to donate and haven't yet, you can still send $5.00 this week. I'll be turning in the money on Friday. Thanks for your help!

I still have some agendas left, so if you'd like to purchase one, our school is collecting $5.00.

If your child is interested in taking instrumental music, there will be a meeting for students on Wednesday at 1:30. Please let your child know if you want him or her to attend the meeting. Music lessons are once a week during the school day. The exact schedule has not yet been determined.

LANGUAGE ARTS

We will be reading a story about the Iditarod dog sled race and practicing a variety of reading comprehension and writing skills that tie in with the story. A few things we will cover are: subject/predicate, types of sentences, and adding details to stories. Writing will keep us busy. Last week, we reviewed similes and metaphors and their importance for enhancing word choice. We will final draft simile poems and practice using noun and verb phrases in narrative stories.

MATH

We will continue to work on ch. 1, place value. I plan to give a test on ch. 1 next week Tuesday (Sept. 15).

SOCIAL STUDIES

Students worked in groups to present important geography terms. They made posters, typed explanations, and orally presented to the class. For the remainder of the week, we will read about California's regions.

SCIENCE

Last week, we talked about Scientific Method. This week, we will dive into the concept of electricity. We will begin with lessons on static electricity.

That's about it for now. Please check back each week for updates.

Posted by Mrs. Shigemasa at 15:26