Blog Archives

September 30, 2015

9/30/2015

Studying "tools" that scientists use for measuring, observations, and safety

Announcements this week:

Blessing of the Animals is this Friday at 11:45 on the blacktop. Families are welcome to bring their pets to be blessed. The Feast of Saint Francis is this Sunday, 10/4.

4th Grade Mass is this Friday. All families are welcomes and encouraged to join us in this celebration. Students should be at the church no later than 7:45. (This does effect their music grade).

Noon Dismissal this Friday 10/2

Prayer of Saint Francis Quiz next Friday 10/9
*This is one of the required prayers that we learn in 4th grade. We have been talking about Saint Francis in preparation for The Blessing of the Animals and have been studying and practicing this prayer in class. For the quiz, students need to be able to write the prayer.

Book Report Novels need to be read by next Friday 10/9. We will write this book report in class. When selecting their "free choice" novels students were instructed to choose a novel that was at their reading level, and that had clear examples of characters, setting, problem, and solution. Novels that are comprised of short stories make writing this report very difficult.
*This first report is being written in class because I want to model for the students what a well-written 4th grade book report should look like. Students should use this model as a guide for their reports the rest of the year. (The other reports are much more fun and less formal)*

Lego guy - I've asked students to bring in a "Lego guy" (or multiple) if they have them for a lab that we will be doing in class tomorrow. It is a really fun lab, but this is the one material that I do not personally have. Please support the class by reminding your child to bring a few in (just for the day!) Thank you :)

California Keynote Presentation due date extended to Tuesday

Coming Up:
Chapter 2 Math Test next Thursday 10/8
Religion Quiz Friday : Prayer of Saint Francis 10/9
Vocabulary Test Friday 10/9
No School 10/12 For Columbus Day

Academic Areas of Focus this Week
Reading Genre: realistic fiction
Reading Skill: problem and solution
Vocabulary Strategy: idioms
Word Study: long A vowel sounds
Grammar: subjects and predicates
Writing: personal narratives
Math: addition and subtraction strategies
Science: The Scientific Method
Social Studies: Geography
Religion: Preparing for mass

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September 23, 2015

9/23/2015

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Students working hard on their California relief maps!

Hi 4th Grade,

Today is a very special day. The 4th grade spent the morning discussing the Pope's visit to Washington D.C. and the canonization of Junipero Serra. We spend a lot of time learning about Father Serra in 4th grade, so it is pretty special to be able to celebrate his entrance into sainthood.

This week we also discuss and celebrate the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. The theme of the meeting is Love Is Our Mission - The Family Fully Alive. I am encouraging students to take some extra time this week to reflect on the importance of their family and spend time telling their loved ones how special they are.

Our first week with iPads has been very fun and exciting! We are already jumping into some projects on the iPads this week and next- this class is a natural! Starting with chapter 2 in math, students will be expected to watch "flipped math videos" as part of their homework. These videos can be found on my website under flipped classroom> chapter 2.

This Friday is Picture Day! Students should be in their dress uniform (just like every mass day:-)

We have had a few tests the past two weeks so I want to remind families that students may re-take a test if they receive a 75% or below. I will then average the two test scores. We've been talking in class about how to use a study guide and properly prepare for a test. The students will probably need some support in creating good study habits at home, especially for this first part of the year. I've told the class to use their study guides as a "check list". When they feel comfortable with a topic, they can check it off. If not, they need to review it more by going back into the text book, rereading, and reviewing.

Homework club is the best time for students to re-take or make up work. Students (or parents) should e-mail at least a day in advance to let me know if I need to prepare a test or assignment for them. 3:00-4:00 Wednesdays in the 5th grade classroom, Thursdays in the 4th grade classroom.

Our first FIELD TRIP is this Friday, to the Encinitas Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. This is a year-long service project that 4th and 5th grade participates in. I am still missing permission slips from a few students. These need to be turned into me before Friday. Thank you to my parent volunteers:

If you have signed up to volunteer to drive for one of these trips please make sure that you are signed up on Sign Up Genius (see link)... this is where I look when making carpool groups.

My list of Missing/Late/No-Name Assignments are piling up. Please check gradelink weekly to ensure that your child has turned in all of their assignments. I do not accept assignments that are over a week late.

Next Friday is a noon dismissal day- the faculty has their monthly curriculum meeting

Book Orders due this Friday 9/25

Students should be finished reading their Book Report Novel by next Friday 10/2. We will be writing this first report in class so that I can model for the students what a formal book report should look like.

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September 16, 2015

9/16/2015

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Salt Dough Relief Maps- please remember that all students should bring in their (already-made) dough to school on Friday. They also need to bring in a piece of cardboard (approx. 10 x 14”) covered in tin foil. Thank you so much to the families that sent in extras! I don’t think we need anymore. The project can get a little messy so if you’d like to send in a big t-shirt for your child to cover up their dress uniform that is fine. I will be wearing an apron! Thank you Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Bocanegra, and Mrs. Van Gilder for volunteering to come help out with this fun project!

Religion Quiz tomorrow. We have been practicing all week long how to locate verses in the bible. Each student received a study guide that they can use to review tonight. In 4th grade it is expected that students study before a test or quiz. In class we went over how the students should use their study guide and how to best prepare for the quiz.

Gradelink- If you have not yet visited gradelink, please make a point to do that this week. I’m already noticing lots of no-name papers and work not being turned in. You will see those assignments as a “0” on gradelink and a note explaining why they received that grade. Please check in with your child and encourage them to check the no-name pile. When students locate that work they should turn it into the make-up/late basket.

Absences- Just a reminder that if your child is absent from school, please e-mail myself, Luanne Sobieski, and Stephanie Pena. This is to ensure that your child is safe and accounted for.

Scholastic Book Orders will go home today in the students' Wednesday file folder. Please also look for and go over any graded work in this folder, sign the folder, and return it with your child on Thursday. The easiest way to order books is online at scholastic.com. Our class code is: LGBQB. Book orders are due 9/25

Bocce Ball Tournament: It’s not too late! Get your registration forms turned in for the SJA second annual Bocce Ball Tournament! This is a wonderful community builder and fundraiser for the school. Come on out and support SJA! I am so happy to hear that there will be LOTS of 4th grade families participating this year :) Good work!

Event Date and Time: Saturday, 9/19 2:45 pm

Picture Day is next Friday, September 25th - students should come to school in their dress uniform.

Book Report Books- we will be doing the first book report in class. Your child needs to have their novel finished by October 9th. They should bring their novel to school that week to use while writing the report.

I still need nursing home permission slips from many students. (Form is in the back to school night packet). Our first trip is next Friday, 9/25. If you marked on the form that you could drive, please also sign up on the volunteer sign up genius. That is what I reference when making carpool groups. Thank you!

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September 9, 2015

9/9/2015

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Hi 4th grade!

I'm looking forward to seeing you all at Back-to-School Night tomorrow night! Dinner starts at 5:30, the general meeting starts at 6:30 (in the parish hall) and classroom meetings begin at 7:00.

Before tomorrow night please take a minute to get acquainted with my website if you have not already done so. Be sure to look at the homework and behavior policies.

Don't forget that students need to wear their PE uniforms to school tomorrow!

iPad Orientation is next Wednesday at 3:15 or 5:30. Each student is required to attend with one parent. I will be going over the acceptable use policy (all of the rules) before we go through iPad set-up. Students will take their iPads home after the orientation next Wednesday.

VERY IMPORTANT: Students will not be able to set up their iPads if they do not have an Apple ID and password. I strongly recommend that all families set up their child's apple ID with their student e-mail address. You should have received an e-mail from Apple last week with instructions on how to do this. The benefits of doing this rather than using a family Apple ID is that the child knows the password for the ID (which is very helpful) but the account does not have a credit card associated with it. Another benefit is that classroom teachers can view the ID and change the password for the student if it is forgotten. (Forgetting Apple IDs and passwords had been a big headache for parents and teachers each year). We've had a lot of issues in the past with using family Apple IDs... for example parent text messages showing up on the student device. PLEASE take a few minutes to set this up BEFORE you come to orientation next week. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SET UP YOUR IPAD WITHOUT AND APPLE ID AND PASSWORD. Thank you to the Kuhns, Neffs, and Sundstroms for already doing this!

IF YOU HAVE NOT PAID THE TECH FEE your child will not receive their iPad. Please e-mail me with any questions about this.

Noon dismissal this Friday 9/11!

Looking Ahead to Next Week...
Students will have a religion quiz on Thursday. We have been learning and practicing how to look up Bible verses. The students will be required to demonstrate their ability to do this on the quiz next week.

Scholastic Book Orders will go home next week in the students' Wednesday file folder. Please also look for and go over any graded work in this folder, sign the folder, and return it with your child on Thursday. The easiest way to order books is online at scholastic.com. Our class code is: LGBQB

Bocce Ball Tournament: Get your registration forms turned in for the SJA second annual Bocce Ball Tournament! This is a wonderful community builder and fundraiser for the school. Come on out and support SJA! It is super helpful to the parent organizers if we all get our forms turned in ON TIME! :)
Event Date and Time: Saturday, 9/19 2:45 pm

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September 2, 2015

9/2/2015

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Hi 4th Grade Families,

It has been a fun and exciting first three days of school! I can already tell that this is a super sweet class and that we are going to have an awesome year together.

PE Reminder: PE is every Monday and Thursday. Students do not need to wear their PE uniforms tomorrow but should wear them to school starting on Monday. They will not change their clothes on PE days.

Apple ID: Be looking out for an e-mail from apple to set up your child's apple ID. Follow the instructions in the e-mail.

iPad Orientation: in 4th grade we are 1:to:1 with iPads. There is a mandatory parent and student orientation on Wednesday September, 16th. There will be a meeting at 3:15 and a meeting at 5:30 that night. Students will receive their iPads at the orientation. One parent needs to be present with the student.

Back-to-School Forms are due tomorrow, September 3rd.

Please help your child cover their textbooks. I forgot to send them home yesterday, but they will start coming home today and tomorrow.

Please check your child's homework planner each night to ensure that they are prepared for class the next day.

Water Bottles: It is a great idea for students to keep a water bottle on their desk! It's been hot.

Back-to-School Night is next Thursday 9/10- parents only

Wednesday Envelopes are going home today. Look for them in your child's backpack.

Grade Work will go home every Wednesday in a manila folder. Parents need to look at graded work and sign off that they have seen it. Students should return the folder the next day. No graded work will go home today.

Students checked out their first book report novel today in library. This first report is a "free choice novel" but it should be at their appropriate reading level. Students are welcome to change books but keep in mind that it should be finished by October 9th so that we can write the report together in class.

Picture Day is September 25th - mark your calendar.

No School Monday- Labor Day
Noon Dismissal- this Friday and next (9/11)

Fall Sports Sign-Ups are due tomorrow.

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Weekly News

September 30, 2015

Studying "tools" that scientists use for measuring, observations, and safety

September 23, 2015

Students working hard on their California relief maps!

September 16, 2015

September 9, 2015

September 2, 2015

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