November 12 Book Orders Due
November 14 O&A to Oregon Children's Theater (Leaving at 10am)
November 18 Library Visit - Chaperones Needed!
Homework Due Thursday, November 14 - More details posted on the Homework Page
1. Read for at least 30 minutes per day.
2. Complete your Reading Response Letter to Laura
3. 3rd Graders complete pages 7, 8 & 9 in Math Practice Book; 4th Graders complete pages 7 and 8 in Math Practice Book.
4. Turn in $8 for Oregon's Children Theater O&A
Upcoming Out and Abouts
We will go to the Oregon Children's Theater to see a Magic Tree House play! To help cover the cost of the tickets, we are asking families to contribute $8. All Plovers will be able to attend, even if your family cannot contribute at this time. Please have your student turn in money directly to Laura.
Volunteer Opportunities - Sign up on our VolunteerSpot page: http://vols.pt/drMimF
Teresa would like some help in art this week as the Plovers finish up their paper making project. If you are available Wednesday at 10:30 - 11:30, please sign up on the VolunteerSpot page or email me. There are also still spots available for Mystery Readers, Breakfast Donors and Library Chaperones.
Scholastic Book Orders
I did not receive new Scholastic catalogs to send home this month. However, you can still view this month's selections and submit your order online at https://orders.scholastic.com/L79X9. I also created an online Wishlist if you would like to make a donation to our classroom library (I also added directions on the "Book Orders" page about how to find the Wishlist - I didn't know it would be so confusing)! November orders are due Tuesday, November 12th (I will submit the order Wednesday morning), and books should arrive before our Thanksgiving vacation.
Math Notes
In 3rd Grade Math, students continued investigating bar graphs and pictographs last week. We are also working on mental math strategies for multi-digit addition and subtraction problems; last week we focused on subtracting 9 from any number and adding 20 to any number. Students also continued fact fluency practice with Rocket Math and an online math challenge called Carrot Sticks. Please continue practicing addition facts at home. You can find free printable worksheets and flashcards at http://www.dadsworksheets.com/
Last week in 4th Grade Math, students continued working on multiplication memorization with flashcards, Rocket Math, and by playing a few different math games including — Spinning Around Multiplication and Arrays to 100. The focus on multiplication from here on out will be on developing a variety of strategies to help with multiplication fluency; as well as focusing on developing arrays to solve larger multiplication equations. Please continue practicing multiplication facts with your fourth grader at home – pay extra close attention to your student's x3 facts this week.
Weekly Review
In preparation for the Magic Tree House play, we began a study of the book series last week. We looked at over 30 different titles from the Magic Tree House series and students shared what similarities and differences they already knew about from the stories. Then, students chose one book to read (or re-read) and become an expert on. Some Plovers decided to work with a partner and others wanted to work alone. Now, each student will closely examine their chosen story and contribute to a class database that will compare and contrast all the books in the series! We will focus on where Jack and Annie travel on their adventures, who helps them along the way, and what obstacles they face. For many students, this will also help with their Reading Challenge goal in the Adventure genre.
We have now completed two weeks of homework assignments and most students have successfully turned in all of their work! We had a community discussion about how homework is going and many students said they were enjoying the format this year and they liked the routine. Some students were afraid it was going to be hard at first, but are feeling more comfortable with the assignments now. I have noticed many students taking advantage of independent work times, like Morning Jobs and Quiet Time, to complete their homework early or ask for help. Students with unfinished assignments have had to use part or all of their Academic Choice time on Friday to complete their homework. Below are some suggestions for supporting your Plover with their homework:
- Set up a regular time and quiet place for work.
- Sit together and discussing the assignment.
- Check together for completeness.
- Ask your child: Is this your personal best work?
- Have your child pack his/her backpack independently; help your child become responsible for his/her own possessions.
Communication
Please contact me with any questions or concerns. Parents and students can e-mail me at [email protected]. You can also leave a voice message on the class phone, come into the classroom before or after school, or call me before 8PM at home.