Conferences are here!

This shortened week doesn't lack exciting news! It's a long blog post with lots of pictures and information. Conferences start tomorrow! We also will be having a Valentines Exchange (if your child chooses) and will be honoring Oregon's Birthday as well. We have been working on getting ready for conferences. I strongly encourage you to let your child attend and help lead the conference. 

In math we have been learning about customary units and the metric system. In writing we continue to develop our skills as editors. We had a very exciting debate during reading and an intense game of basketball during P.E. 

 

 

 

The very exciting news that was announced this week is that Aiken is starting a student council. If your child is interested in running for student council, please bring his/her application to conferences. I am very excited for the start of student council and will be serving as a co-advisor for this group. 

A lot of recognition was given out this week as well. Monday was our 2nd Quarter Awards Student. It is so hard choosing just a few students to recognize, when our class is filled with OUTSTANDING young people. Many students also became, "Masters of Multiplication." If your child hasn't done so, please encourage and help him/her memorize the multiplication facts. 

If you get a chance please thank Albertsons. They donated $1,000 to Aiken! The money will be spent on a computer/projection system to be used in the gym for guest speakers, P.E. classes, after school program, and assemblies. What an amazing gift! 

The secret word of the week is "conference." Thanks for all that you do! 

A Great Week!

What a great week; you should be so proud of your child! They have been working EXTREMELY hard on their math OAKS Test. It is exciting to see all of their hard work paying off! Also, our school was a "Daily Winner" in a week long math contest from www.sumdog.com and many of our students are topping the leader board. 

This week has also included some other exciting things. We have been working on a science experiment and learning about density. Today, in P.E. we worked on basketball skills. We also finished reading, "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing," by Judy Blume. It has been fun eating lunch as a class in our classroom; we truly have a wonderful learning community. 

Next week conferences start. I look forward to meeting with each one of you and sharing the wonderful progress your child has made! I encourage you to let your child attend so he/she can help lead the conference and really take ownership. We have some exciting things being revealed at Aiken probably next week as well, stay tuned! In honor of the OAKS test, this weeks secret word "perseverance." 

Thanks for all that you do!

1/30/14

Today has been fun. We began our measurement unit in math, wrapped up a lesson on summarizing a piece of text, and finished our unit on adding and subtracting decimals. You really should have your child show you the butterfly method! Conference invites we're sent home yesterday; thank you for the quick responses! Here are some pictures from today, I just love seeing my students working hard in math. Math OAKS testing starts Monday!

Career Day

What an exciting day. We worked on subtracting fractions with unlike denominators (ask your child to show you the "butterfly method." We also made a trip to the Gator buck store (thank you parent volunteers!) and learned about text features. After lunch we had a guest speaker, Captain Powell, to talk about a career in the Air Force. How exciting! We then topped it off when we celebrated great behavior (our monthly non-referral party.) 

A quick update on Oaks Testing, we will not begin math until next week. A great website for practicing math is www.sumdog.com. Please encourage your child to use www.ixl.com or www.henryanker.com as well. Conference invitations will be sent home soon, I look forward to seeing you! 

This weeks secret word is, "career." 

Thanks for all that you do! 

1/23/14

I hope everyone had a long restful  weekend. We have had a busy week at school, despite the shortened work week. This week in writing we have been working on a short research project. Each student has selected an animal to study and will be typing a report and illustrating a picture of the animal. We also have completed our unit on decimals in math. 

The OAKS test has started and will continue through next week. Please make sure your child is well rested and on time to school everyday. We started today with the reading portion and will start math probably Tuesday. Offer your child encouragement; I assure you they are working hard to do their best! They really are an incredibly hard working group of young people. 

The secret word this week is "best." 

Thanks for all that you do! 

A New Year!

Ok I am a little late, but Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful and restful winter break. I would like to start out by saying thank you so much to everyone that helped, came, donated to, and supported our Winter Wonderland Poetry Slam. I believe we can chalk it up as, a huge success! Everyone also did wonderful in the musical performance and thank you so much for your attendance!

The new year is off to a great start. We are preparing and training for the Oaks Testing, which will begin roughly next Wednesday. The class is ready and I know each student will work hard and do his/her best. Please make sure your child is well rested and on time to school. 

As I relect on this last year, I really would just like to take a moment to tell you what wonderful children you have. They are hard working, caring, and respectful. I am privileged to teach them and can honestly say they are just a great bunch of kids. I love their enthusiasm and they leave me smiling everyday. They each have such unique talents, skills, and personalities; I see a bright future ahead. Keep encouraging their love of knowledge and cultivating such responsible citizens! 

This weeks secret word is "fresh." May we embrace a fresh start on a new year!

Thanks for all that you do!

A Wonderful Week Ahead

Last week was great and I am eagerly looking forward to this one! So many exciting things are going on.  Our class has been working very hard in preparation for the poetry slam, we welcomed a new student, and enjoyed putting our new ipad to use. In math we have moved into a fractions unit and had a lot of fun playing some fraction games. 

This week, College & Career Day is on, Tuesday. Students who have not received any referral in the last month will get to choose between art, computer time, board games, and P.E.. It is wonderful to be able to reward students who have worked hard the entire month on being safe, respectful, and responsible. 

Friday is the 4th Grade's, Winter Wonderland Poetry Slam. It starts at 1:15 P.M. I am in search of one or two volunteers to help out with the set up, clean up, and hot chocolate making! Please contact me A.S.A.P. if you can help out. I sent home a flyer but will also post it on here. Another great way to help out is to donate treats. It really makes this event special! Don't hesitate to have your child invite Grandma/Grandpa or Aunts/Uncles, especially if you are unable to attend. Following the poetry slam is the 4/5th Grade Musical Performance at 2:30 P.M. We hope you can stick around to see what they have been diligently workin on! 

The secret word for this week is, "welcome." We are very excited to welcome our new student! 

Thanks for all that you do!