Week of 12/7

Hi Everyone,

     Students will be bringing home progress reports for the second nine weeks on this Tuesday. Please review the grades with your child and discuss with them what areas they think that they need to improve. Goal setting is great way for students to feel involved in the learning process. Please also remind them that my room is open most mornings. They can come in to work on their class projects, complete their i-Ready work, or to get extra help on things that we are working on in class. Please send back the bottom of the progress reports no later than Friday.

     This Friday evening JBE will have our first ever Taste of the World event. Students can participate in activities from around the world and even have a small taste from featured countries. I hope that you can attend this very fun sounding event. Stop by my classroom to make a lantern.

     On Monday and Tuesday students will complete two testing sessions of our Mid-Year Math Scrimmage. The test will cover various topics in 4th grade math. The students will answer questions that cover content that we have learned about and things that we have yet to cover. For the rest of the week we will begin learning about division. In 4th grade students will learn various strategies for solving division problems. However we will not learn the long division algorithm. Students will not be responsible for knowing how to use the algorithm until 6th grade. In fourth grade students need to be able to successfully find whole-number quotients and remainders with up to four-digit dividends and one-digit divisors. 
The strategies that we will use include:
*Multiplying Up or Using Multiplication Facts that we Know

*Array Model

*Area Model

*Partial Quotients

This week our work will focus on Multiplying Up, The Array Model and the Area Model.

     This week in science we will continue our work on energy. This week we will learn about thermal energy. Did you know that all matter has thermal energy? Thermal energy normally thought of as heat is actually a measure of the amount of energy that the particles of matter have. Even objects that we think of as being cold have thermal energy. An iceberg actually has more thermal energy than a pot of boiling water. Students will learn about the three ways that heat is transferred-radiation, convection, and conduction. 

Week of 11/30

Hi Everyone,

     I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and got have lots of family time!! 

     I will be out this week. Mrs Pobst will be the sub on Tuesday and Wednesday. Mrs Moorer will sub on Thursday and Friday.

    Our 4th Graders will participate in the first ever 4th Grade Spelling Bee! Join me in wishing good luck to Emily, Naomi, Nora, Phoebe, Rishi, Smiriti, and Spoothi!! They all qualified for the competition. Good Luck guys I'm very proud of you!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

     JBE will host a special Parent Education night designed to give information about how the content that your child is learning this year. An RSVP form was sent home on last Friday.  Students will also have Early Release this Wednesday.

     Students will have a Mid Module test on Wednesday. The test will cover multiples, factors, prime and composite numbers and multiplication. There will also be several review questions that will cover previous material. We completed a study guide last week and students should have brought it home. If your child did not bring it home they probably left it in their binder at school. Remind them to bring it home to help them study. After the test we will begin working on strategies for division.

      This week in science we will learn how the kinetic energy from wind and water is captured to help us complete many tasks in our daily lives. Next week we will learn about thermal energy.

Week of 11/16

Happy Monday Everyone,

     Our wonderful JBE Student Council is sponsoring a food drive for the less fortunate. We will be collecting nonperishable food items all of this week. Students can bring items to the classroom or place them in the collection bins in the foyer by the front office. 
     We will have our Colonial Kids Festival on this Thursday. Students will participate in several activities that kids in colonial times would have also done. A special thank you to Mrs. Brown who has volunteered to be the helper for our class. It would be great if we can get one more volunteer to provide assistance. The Festival will run from about 8:45-11:30.
     Next week is only a two day week. Students will not be receiving a any math or science homework. However, please try to continue your work on i-Ready. Please encourage your child to always try their best when working on the program. Each lesson has a teaching/practice session followed by a quiz. Students receive a score on the quiz. The items that students are receiving practice on now will be the things that will asked on the Winter Diagnostic. In order to move their placement students need to score better on this test than they did on the test in September. 
     The week after Thanksgiving (12/1-12/4) I will be absent from school. Mrs. Pobst and Mrs. Moorer will the subs for the week. If an emergency arises please contact Mrs. Pavlinek. 

     This week in math, we will begin to put together our multiplication strategies with our ability to solve multi-step problems. The standard in fourth grade is for students to be able to solve multi-step problems using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Right now our problems will cover just addition, subtraction and multiplication. Once we get to division in a couple of weeks we will add that operation to our classwork.

     This week in science, we will continue our study of energy. Our focus for this week will sound energy. Did you know that sound travels in waves? Sound travels through all matter (solids, liquids and gases). Sound travels faster on warmer days than on cooler days, and sound can't be heard in outer space.

     

Week of 11/9

Hi Everyone,

     I hope that everyone had a wonderful weekend and did not get too wet from all of the rain.  We had several events this week. We will have our annual Veterans Day Flag Raising Ceremony. Immediately after the ceremony we will have a military person speak to our class about their job. There is no school on Wednesday in honor of Veteran's day. School will resume on Thursday. 

     Please keep sending in the $5 for the Colonial Kids Festival. We have one volunteer to help out during the festival. We are still in need of at least one more helper. If you are available please let me know. 

     In math this week students will continue learning about different strategies for solving multiplication problems (please see last weeks post for examples of each of the strategies that we will be learning about). Last week students learned about the area model and the distributive property. This week we will learn about using partial products and the standard algorithm.  Students will have a quiz on Friday where they will be expected to use all four strategies. Students will be allowed to use their journals to reference each strategy. 

     This week students will also have a timed quizzes for multiplication and division. During the second nine weeks students are going to begin tracking their progress on their timed quizzes. Students have been given a special sheet where they will record the grades that they earn on each quiz. Students will also set goals for maintaining or improving their scores. It is very important that students have mastery of the multiplication and division facts. All of the math that we will do for the rest of the year (multiplication/division, fractions, decimals, more measurement conversions) will require students to use multiplication and division.

     In science this week we will begin our study of energy. To finish our work on matter students will turn in their matter projects this Friday. I have encouraged students to bring home their projects to put the finishing touches on them before Friday. 

Week of November 2

Happy Monday Everyone,

     I hope that everyone enjoyed the 3 day weekend!! I would like to thank everyone that either sent in items or came to help out for last week's Fall Festival. It was a great time with lots of fun activities. A special thank you to Mrs. Brown (Ben), Mrs. Moorer (Summer) and Mrs. Pobst (Ryan) for organizing everything.
     
     Our schedule this week includes voting for Student Council Officers. Good Luck to Cecilia and Summer!! With two great candidates it will be hard to pick just one!! We will also have Early Release on Wednesday.

     Coming up on Thursday, November 19th we will have our first "field trip". For this field trip we will not have to leave the comfort of our school. Students will rotate through each 4th grade classroom to complete an activity that kids in colonial times would have done as part of their daily lives (palm weaving, colonial toys, spinning cotton, jewelry making, corn grinding, and quill and ink writing). To pay for supplies students will need to bring in $5.00. Please send in cash only in an envelope or baggie with your child's name written on the outside of the bag. We will also need at least 2 parents for each class to help facilitate the activities. If you are interested in helping out please let me know. The activities will run from 8:40-11:30.

     Our next unit for math is multiplication and division. Right now students are learning about factors, multiples, prime numbers, and composite numbers. From here we will move into multiplication strategies (see below).

Area Model

Distributive Property

Partial Products

Algorithm

Students will be required to learn and use each of the strategies above. The goal is for students to begin working towards proficiency with the algorithm. They will not be required to show mastery of the algorithm until 5th grade.  In 4th grade students will multiply 2-digit numbers by 2-digit numbers, 2-digit numbers by a 1-digit number, 3-digit by a 1-digit number and 4-digit by 1-digit.

     For this nine weeks timed quizzes will make the following changes. Multiplication quizzes will now be 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Division quizzes will now count for a grade, but students will be get 3 minutes. Please help your child by practicing their facts for a short time everyday.

     In science we will finish up our study of matter. Students will take a quiz on chapter 4 lessons 4 and 5 on this Friday. Next week we will continue our study of physical science by looking at energy.

Have a GREAT week,

Aesha

Week of 10/19

Happy Monday Everyone,

     I hope that everyone had a wonderful weekend and was able to enjoy the cooler temperatures. 

     We have a very busy week. We had a great assembly today where we learned some interesting information about sea turtles. Did you know that for every 1,000 sea turtles only 1 survives? Each year we have about 60 sea turtle nests on our beaches here in Jacksonville. Sea turtles return to the same beach where they were born to lay their eggs.
     We will also have Early Release this Wednesday. Students will be dismissed at 1:30.

     This week in math students will complete our introductory unit on measurement. We will take a test on Wednesday. Today students also received a Measurement Conversions Reference Sheet. Students will be allowed to use this reference sheet whenever we have measurement tasks to complete (class work, quizzes, tests, etc). Students should be familiar with the info on sheet but they do not have to memorize the unit conversions. When we take the FSA in the spring students will be given the same sheet to use during testing. Students are bringing home a study guide to complete for tonight's homework. After the test on Wednesday, we will begin working on factors and multiples. This will be the lead in to our unit on multiplication and division. 

     Students will have been working on projects during math rotations. Students were given the choice of three projects (Blog Visits, Blog Topics, or Million Minute Reading Challenge). We have been working on these projects for about three weeks. Their completed projects are due this Friday and will be graded. The students should bring home their project on Tuesday to have a peer conference with someone at home. The students should share their project with someone at home. After sharing their work they should get feedback on the job that they did, whether it is complete, and comments about sentence structure and conventions (grammar, punctuation, capitalization). Please also keep in mind that neatness will factor into the final grade. Based on the feedback that they receive they should complete or edit their work. I sent an email with the project directions and rubrics. If you did not receive the email please let me know. I probably do not have the correct email address for you.

     This week in science we will take a test on chapter 4 lessons 1, 2, and 3. We are taking the test before the end of the chapter so that students will have two test grades in the grade book to help balance their grades. 

Have GREAT week,
Aesha
   

Week of 10/12

Hi Everyone,

     I would like to thank everyone that has signed up for our Remind groups. It will come in handy for quick reminders for field trips, changes in homework assignments, and last minute school announcements. If you are interested in joining the group for your child's class please see the email that was sent last week.
     We will have Donuts with Dads this week. Students with last names A-L are invited to come to the cafeteria on Thursday morning to share a special birthday treat with dad, granddad, uncle, or any other special guy. Students with last names M-Z are invited to come on Friday morning.
     We will also have Book Fair this week in the library. Students will visit the library during their regular library time. Mrs. Pavlinek's class will get to shop on Wednesday morning and Ms. Johnson's homeroom will shop on Thursday morning. Parents are also welcome to come and shop with their child's class.
     In math this week we will continue our study of measurement. We will finish our study of the metric system and begin learning about customary units of measure. For both systems students will learn about units for measuring length, capacity, mass (metric), and weight (customary). Students will discuss the differences between mass and weight. Students will also learn how to convert units. If you have 250 centimeters how many millimeters is that equal to? In fourth grade students will not have convert between systems (250 centimeters is equal to how many inches).

     In science this week we will continue our study of matter. Students will be learning about the Law of Conservation of Mass. This law states that the parts of an object will have the same total mass as the object. We will also learn how to measure matter. We will learn that we use a pan balance to find mass and scale to measure weight. Students will also learn how to measure and calculate the volume of liquids and solids.
     Choice Projects are due this Friday for both math and science. Students have been working on their projects for many weeks in class. If students need to finish them up they are welcomed to bring them home this week or come into the classroom before school to work.

Have a GREAT week.

Week of 9/28

Hi Everyone,
     Welcome to another week at JBE. Students that signed up for it will be receiving the flu mist at school on Tuesday. We will be taking our first science test on Thursday. 

     Please be aware that students will be counted as tardy beginning at 8:35. Students are let into the room at 8:25. We have morning announcements at 8:30 and we try to begin instruction at 8:40. When students arrive at school before 8:30 it allows them time to unpack, get their pencils sharpened and get ready for the day without having to rush. On Monday's students are also trying to get their agenda items copied down from the board. If there homework the night before that assignment is being checked off. 

     In math this week we will be working on decomposing numbers using the subtraction algorithm. The problems that students will be solving this week will require decomposing more than once (see the example below). Since there are many layers of regrouping in these problems I am encouraging students to use another strategy to check their work. 

     In science this week we will take our first chapter test. The test will be on Thursday 10/1. The test will cover all 5 lessons in chapter. Students will not be allowed to use their books or journals during the test. The test will have multiple choice, written response, fill in the blank, and vocabulary questions. This week students will also receive grades for the chapter vocabulary section and the science tools sections of their journals. 

Week of 9/21/15

Hi Everyone,

     I would like to thank everyone for coming to Open House last week. After a long day at work I know that the last thing anyone wants to do is come and sit and listen to a presentation. Mrs. Pavlinek and I are very appreciative that so many of you came.
     I would also like to thank everyone for the sweet and thoughtful birthday wishes. A special thank you to Mrs. Brown for picking up cupcakes for both classes to enjoy with lunch.
    This week at JBE students will have Early Release on Wednesday. We will have vision screening on Thursday. And PTA will have a family picnic on Saturday.
    This week in math students will learn how to represent addition and subtraction problems using tape diagrams. Students will also use the standard algorithm to solve addition and subtraction problems. 
    This week in science students will learn the difference between evidence and inference in science. Evidence includes any information that you have and observations that you make. Facts and information from experiments is evidence. Scientist use evidence to make inferences. 

Have a wonderful week!

Week of 9/14

Hi Everyone,
     I hope that you had a wonderful weekend, as always just a little bit to short. Our schedule this week includes picture day on Tuesday and Enrichment Labs on Wednesday. Fourth and Fifth graders get to choose their labs so hopefully your child will be very excited about their assigned lab. You are also invited to attend Open House on Thursday night at 6:00. Mrs. Pavlinek and I hope that you will be able to join us. We will meet in room 207 after a brief presentation by Mrs. Mattingly in the cafeteria.

     In math this week we will take our first quiz. The quiz will cover everything that we have learned so far this school year: naming and representing numbers (unit form, expanded form, word form, standard form), comparing numbers, ordering numbers, rounding numbers, and adding numbers using the standard algorithm. 
     Students will also have another timed quiz. Although students will take both multiplication and division quizzes, only the multiplication quiz will count for a grade. Division quizzes will not count for a grade until the second nine weeks. Students will bring home their first timed quizzes this week. If students get a 100 on their multiplication quiz, then they will not have to take any more multiplication quizzes for the rest of the month. Students will not have to take another division quiz if they answer all of questions correctly. 

     In science this week we will learn how to use a microscope. We will also learn how to use the scientific method to complete a lab entitled Does Soap Float? Students will also take a quiz on chapter 1 lesson 3.

Have a great week!!

     

Week of 9/7

     I hope everyone had a wonderful three day weekend. I know I did!! It was so easy to slide right into vacation mode. I had to remind myself that we only had one day off. 

     This week at school we will have our first Early Release Wednesday. Students will be dismissed at 1:30.

     In math this week students will work on rounding numbers to any place. In fourth grade students are expected to round numbers through the millions. Many students have already had experiences with rounding numbers. This year students will be asked to use what they have already learned about rounding and we will also learn some new strategies. One strategy is the vertical number line (see the example below). If students were asked to round 548,253 to the nearest ten thousand. They would first decide which two ten thousands the number falls between. In this case it would be 540,000 and 550,000. Each number would be an endpoint on the number line. Next step would be to decide what number is the midpoint, or come in the middle of the two numbers,545,000. The third step would to decide where the number goes on the number line. Finally decide if 548,253 is closest to 540,000 or 550,000.

     In science this week we will continue to learn about how scientist do their work. We will complete our study of lessons one and two. Students will take a quiz on the two lessons. When we take quizzes students will be allowed to use their books and journals. For that reason please discuss with your child the importance of bringing required materials to class each day. If a student does not have their materials in class it will result in a mark against their conduct.
     After completing lessons one and two we will begin learning about the scientific method. Students will learn how to write a hypothesis and how to control variables during a scientific investigation. 

   

Week of 8/31

Hi Everyone,
     This week we have continued to get adjusted to being in school. We had our first homework assignments and I am very proud to say that almost all of the students remembered to complete and return their assignments. See below for subject specific items.
     
Math
     In math this week we have been working on our understanding of numbers and place value. One of our biggest understandings has been that the number in place is ten times greater than the place to it's right. We have learned how to show numbers on the place value chart. Students have also learned how to regroup from one place to another. We have also worked on learning where commas go in numbers and comparing numbers. 
     Students received their first Math Super Stars sheet. Math Superstars is a program that offers students challenge in problem solving. The problems on the sheets require mathematical skill, logical reasoning, and problem solving. Students will receive a new sheet each Monday and completed sheets are due on Friday. Students may find some problems difficult, please help your child with the problems as much as possible without telling them the answer. In order to receive credit for completing their homework students must show that they have at least attempted the problem. Leaving a problem blank or simply putting a question mark does not show an attempt. 
     We will take our first timed quizzes this week. Students will take a timed quiz every other week. Students will receive one multiplication quiz and one division quiz. Multiplication quizzes covers facts through 9 x 9. Division quizzes covers facts through 12 x 12. Each page will have 50 questions. The problems are randomly generated, so students should study and review all of their facts. For the first nine weeks students will get 3 minutes per quiz. During the second weeks the time will drop to 2 minutes and 30 seconds. During the third and fourth nine weeks students will have 2 minutes per quiz. Some websites that may help students practice are:
http://www.mathplayground.com/ASB_GrandPrixMultiplication.html 
http://www.mathplayground.com/ASB_DragRaceDivision.html
http://www.coolmath4kids.com/timernator/Timernator-multiplication.html

More Challenging Practice
http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/SumSense/summulti.html
http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/SumSense/sumdiv.html

Science
     This week in science we are learning about how scientist answer questions. So far we have learned a little bit about what science is, what some of the tools of science are, and what is a testable question. Students also completed their first lab, How many drops of water will fit on a penny?

Please see the Fun Websites sections on the right hand side of the screen to find some website links that students can use for more practice with what we are working in class.

Don't forget that there is no school on Monday. Have a Wonderful weekend!!

Happy First Day of Fourth Grade

     I hope everyone enjoyed their first day of school as much as I did!! It was great meeting all of the 45 kids!! We had 100% of our classes show up on the first day. 

     I would like to thank everyone for bringing in all of their supplies. We spent most of the day today working on putting all of the supplies set up and ready for use. 

     I am looking forward in getting to know everyone this week. We are off to a GREAT start!!

Fourth Grade Supplies

4^th Grade Supply List

Quantity	Item
2	1 ½ inch Three Ring Binder
1	1 ½ inch Trapper Keeper with Zipper
2	Packages of Tabbed Dividers
4	3-Prong Folders
1	Pocket folder with 3 Holes to Fit Inside Trapper Keeper
4	Packages Wide Ruled Notebook Paper
7	Composition Notebooks
Infinite	Pencils
1	Package Red Checking Pens
1	Pencil Pouch with 3 Holes to Keep in Trapper Keeper
5	Glue Sticks
1	Yellow Highligher
1	Pair of Scissors
1	Package of Colored Pencils or Crayons
1	Large Eraser
1	Ream of Copy Paper
2	Rolls of Paper Towels
2	Boxes of Tissue
1	Earphones (not ear buds) – place in a baggie, labeled with student’s name
Boys	Antibacterial Hand Soap, Sticky Notes, Gallon or Quart Size Ziploc Baggies
Girls	Hand Sanitizer, Clorox Wipes, Sandwich Size Ziploc Baggies
Optional	Repositionable Tabs, Band-Aids, Scotch Tape, Rubber Cement

***No Rolling Backpacks