Spelling - TEST tomorrow!

Fourth grade spelling focuses on what are called “high frequency words”, or words most commonly used in everyday speech and writing.

Our weekly spelling lists are divided into three parts:

• Core Words Box - the five “new” words for the week.
• Review Words Box - core words previously covered this year and other words we expect our students to have mastered.
• Homophones Box - includes some tricky homophone pairs your child can expect to see on the test.

Words in ALL THREE BOXES should be studied.

We do some weekly practice in class, but the students are expected to study weekly lists independently as necessary.

A simple way to practice at home is to follow these five practice steps:

1. Read the word (Look at the word and say it aloud or silently)

2. Spell the word (Touch each letter with the point of your pencil and say the letter name, aloud or silently)

3. Cover the word (Cover the word and form a visual image of the word from memory)

4. Print the word (Grab a piece of paper and write it!)

5. Proofread the word (Uncover the word and check it letter for letter against the word you wrote)

Word lists are always printed on the back of our classroom newsletter.

It can also be found online at...

http://missliefer.weebly.com/weekly-news.html

Spelling grades come from two types of assessments:

• Cloze tests consist of a fill-in-the-blank type test. The teacher reads the sentences and supplies the words and students write dictated words in the blanks. Grades are based on correct spelling along with correct capitalization when necessary (including words at the beginning of a sentence and proper nouns.) These tests also have a skill of the week. (This week the skill is sorting words into long and short vowel sounds)
• Dictation tests consist of four sentences read by the teacher and copied on notebook paper by the students. Grades are based on the total number of words for that test along with correct capitalization and punctuation.

*Note--The type of test for that week will be indicated next to the list number at the top of each weekly list. (This week is Unit 1C = Cloze test)

Also remember that on supply drop night, you received a copy of words first fourth graders should know for reading, writing, and spelling for you to keep at home for reference and/or practice throughout the year. Your child also keeps a copy of this in his/her spelling folder.

Thanks in advance for your assistance with weekly spelling practice!!

Here we are reading a poem and listing long/short vowel words

We made charts with lots of words!

Math Game: TOP IT!

Use playing cards to do math!
(remove the kings, queens, jacks)

Ace = 1
10 = 0
All cards are face value
2=2
3=3
4=4
and so on....

Deal out the cards

Set up a problem

Do some scratch work and solve that problem

You can use a calculator to CHECK your work

Compare who has the larger number

Have fun!

Tidy Tuesday!

It's "Tidy Tuesday" today!
If your child's desk was organized they would have received on of these...

 
Proudly display this little certificate on the refrigerator or home bulletin board!
Celebrate starting the year out on a good foot!

Science Vocabulary

We are learning about Producers, Consumers, and Decomposes in science!

Check out this website to practice classifying which is which!

http://sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/games/producersconsumersgame.htm

Math and More!

We are excited to implement this web-based curriculum called MobyMax in our classroom.  MobyMax is tailored to your child's individual needs, and I think you will be very impressed by how fast your child will excel while using Moby.  Moby's features include:

• Placement tests that accurately identify where your child excels, and where his or her "missing skills" are!

• Targeted instruction to "fill in" those missing skills!

• Systematic review sessions that ensure that your child retains 100% of what he or she has learned!

• The MobyMax site remembers where you left off and the next time you login, you pick right up where you left off!  (Once logged in, your child will immediately start the lessons and begin improving his or her missing skills.)

• The more lessons you do - the more "game time" you can earn!

• At this site we can practice our math concepts, reading skills, and much more!

• Tonight go to "FACT FLUENCY" and practice math facts!

 The MobyMax site not only practices math, but also reading, language, writing and vocabulary!  It is a TERRIFIC way to practice skills at home if you have the internet!  

Best of all, your child can access Moby from your home computer at any time.  

You can use the fact fluency for MIF!

Visit it often!

We have our MobyMax usernames and passwords!

(Check the front of your agenda if you've forgotten)

www.runmoby.com/il1796 

*Mrs. Ziegler can monitor your progress! 
*You can also sign in as a parent as well by selecting "Parent" from the drop-down menu and entering your child's username and password!

What is RIF and MIF ?

R.I.F. = Read 15 minutes for “Reading is Fun” program.  Inside the take home folder, the students are given a form to keep track of their “RIF” minutes each month.  The goal is to read for 15 minutes five nights a week.  This requirement is flexible, as long as the students meet or exceed the goal by the end of the month.  The minutes will count toward reading incentive programs and the students will receive a grade in reading for their participation in “RIF.”

M.I.F. = Review math facts for "Math is Fun" program.  Review multiplication facts daily. (You can also practice basic addition, subtraction, and division to fit your child's needs).  Use flashcards, paper/pencil practice, apps, computer websites, board games, card games.... the possibilities are endless!  Short on time? Do oral practice while driving in the car.  Or ever think of this.... you usually quiz the 4th grader…so reverse the roles and have the 4th grader quiz the parent!  When students are “being the teacher” anticipating an answer, they are studying too!  Throughout the year, I will teach the students math games they can play to review concepts and recommend websites.  The goal is to practice five nights a week.  This requirement is flexible, as long as the students meet or exceed the goal by the end of the month.  The students will receive a grade in math for their participation in “MIF.”

E-Script

ATTENTION SCHNUCKS E-SCRIPT CARD USERS!
If you have not already done so, please take a minute to go online to change or add Gardner Elementary to the group.  If we do not do this, all funds will continue to go to Rogers! :)