Mrs. McElwee's Marvelous Fourth Graders: August 2016

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Reading Groups

We have started our BOOK CLUB!

Every 2 weeks, your child will be assigned a book that is "Just Right" for them.

We will read the book in class and discuss as we go.

For now, all groups are staying in their homeroom....but before long,

we will be traveling to different 4th grade classrooms,

depending on which book we are reading!

Your child will need to finish the book in 2 weeks, which means they may

need to do some reading at home. IF they do not finish the reading in class,

it will become part of their homework at night!

Here we are....of to a GREAT start!

I wish you could hear some of their BRILLIANT discussions!

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Math Test on Friday!

Your 4th grader (if they are taking 4th grade math) will have a

MATH TEST

on Friday!

I have sent them home with these items to help you as you study with them!

A study guide! We started it in class and I was able to work with almost all of the students to go over correct answers. IF you have an area that you and your child are unsure of, send me a note tomorrow!!! We will talk about all "problem areas" tomorrow in class!
A Student Reference book! This test covers quite a bit of new vocabulary! If you and your child do not know what a "concave polygon" or "Concentric circles" are....you can look it up in the Student Reference book!
Exit Slips! As we complete each lesson, each day, we do an exit slip. It shows me that they understand the big skill for that day. Go over these skills with your child and make sure they understand them!

Thank you for working with your child.

They are learning how to study and prepare for tests

and they need your help!

Feel free to send in notes, emails, questions, comments and concerns!

Thank you!

Julie

Friday, August 19, 2016

Week 2.....A GREAT Success!

We have had a wonderful week!

Here are some of the highlights....

MATH:

Completed MAP testing for math.

Learned about polygons, quadrilaterals, lines, segments, rays and parallel lines in math.

We even used a compass to create a circle.

Social Studies:

Learned a lot about the State of Indiana.

Worked on building a map of Indiana.

Read about the landforms in Indiana.

Reading:

Our BIG questions for the next 3 weeks is: "How Important are Traditions?"

We read about different cultures and their traditions.

We worked on previewing text and making predictions.

We worked on answering questions about text by restating the questions and

using "Evidence STEMS".

Writing:

We have not yet started out unit on Realistic Fiction...next week!

\Word Work:

Most of your kiddos did a fantastic job on the spelling test!

If your child struggled, call me and we can talk about how I can help!!

Super Duper job keeping up with homework this week! Almost everyone earned their PAT time this Friday!!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Grades will be posted....as soon as I finish this BLOG!

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Body Safety Program for 4th Grade

Carmel Elementary is partnering again this year with Chaucie’s Place, a child advocacy organization in Hamilton County, to bring Smart Steps™: A Body Safety Program for Children to our Kindergarten, 2^nd and 4^th grade students. Smart Steps™ is a child sexual abuse prevention and education program that empowers your child to say “NO!” to any unwanted touches that make them uncomfortable from anyone. Carmel Elementary’s program is scheduled to take place on November 10^th during the school day.

We invite you to attend a Chaucie’s Place Parent Night to learn more about the Smart Steps™ program. Towne Meadow Elementary will be hosting from 6:30-7:30 pm on Tuesday, September 13^th and Cherry Tree will be hosting on Thursday, September 29th from 6:30pm-7:30pm and. These meetings are open to all parents and/or guardians of Kindergarten, 2^nd and 4^th grade students. Please be advised that Parent Night is not open to children. To learn more about Chaucie’s Place visit: www.chauciesplace.org.