Newsletter November 5th

Dear 4B Parents,

Happy Monday everyone. I hope you all enjoyed the weekend, and the extra hour of sleep!  I was so proud of the excellent job the students did at both the Thursday and Sunday All Saints Day Masses. They represented the saints so well!  Thank you all again for your help at home preparing the costumes and bringing your children to mass on Sunday.

Conferences: Parent/Student/Teacher conferences are fast approaching. The Sign Up Genius will go live on Monday, November 6th, (You will receive an email blast) where you can sign up for a conference.  You will find a yellow Pre Conference Survey sheet in your child’s filer on Monday that will help me prepare for your child’s conference.  Please return these sheets by next Wednesday the 14th.  Thank you!

Just a reminder that the Veterans Day Flags that were sent home last week are due by this Wednesday the 7th.  Thank you!

Spelling:  The Unit 7 word list was passed out last Friday. The test will be this Friday, November 9th. The Challenge Words this week are the Great Lakes. Two are required, but it would be great if the students would learn all of them. All students need to be able to name the 5 Great Lakes from memory. (Remember H.O.M.E.S.)

Religion: We will be wrapping up our study of Saints this week and finish the corresponding chapter on Saints from our religion book.

Math: We will be taking the Chapter 3 math test on Tuesday.  We will be reviewing for the test on Monday and the Monday homework will be a practice test. Knowing math facts for quick recall is an important skill.  Weekly math homework includes 4 or more sessions of Xtramath each 7 days. One session per visit per day is optimal. Thank you for your support of regular fact practice at home. 

Science: This week we will be working in the problem section in our PLTW module on energy. In Part 1 of this section students will follow directions using the Fusion 360 link to build a pulley system using the VEX IQ equipment. This system will go with the bike they previously assembled. In Part 2 students will develop a solution for lifting objects into a tree house. Students will use the steps of the engineering design process as outlined in the project and may choose to use the pulley and/or the bike from Activity 1 as part of their solution.

Social Studies: Check your child’s filers for corrected Midwest State Tests as well as the Latitude and Longitude tests.  Sorry for the delay returning this test—it has been corrected for two weeks, but I kept forgetting to return them.  Our class work is focusing on the Native People of Washington State.  Our next map test will be a combination review of the Midwest/NE/SE states. All students will have a study sheet in their filer on Monday  This test will take place November 29th.  I will be creating new online practices for both the locations and the abbreviations.

Homework: Just a reminder about homework.  In 4th grade homework is often ongoing.  Students are generally reviewing/studying for upcoming tests.  Currently they should be as working on their Veterans Day Flags. Math fact review, map tests, spelling words, recorder practice, and reading should also be incorporated into routines. So even if we have not sent home a math sheet or other specific worksheet, students should be setting aside nightly time to work on their ongoing homework and test prep. Having a nightly routine, with an expectation that time is set aside each night for studies, will help develop good study habits and prepare students for the upper grades.

Have a wonderful week and enjoy the Veterans Day Holiday on Monday.