Spotlight 12/12/11

A Week in Review

      Reader’s Workshop

This week, students will continue to work on context clues and comparing fiction and nonfiction texts.

      Writer’s Workshop

Student will learn to include four main ingredients in the ending of a narrative piece of writing to satisfy their reader.

      Math

Students will learn a variety of multiplication algorithms to solve larger problems and explore place value into the billions.

      Social Studies

Students are working on map skills and studying Missouri’s climate and resources.

      Science

Students will begin researching ecosystems as a team and be responsible for creating a report and poster. All work will be done in class.

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Holiday Shop
This Thursday and Friday, students will have the opportunity to shop in a Holiday Shop hosted by PTO. Students can buy small presents for their family members and the proceeds will go to support families from Prairie Branch who are in need of some assistance this holiday season.

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Nacho Party
The winning grade level was promised nachos by student council for the food drive. Due to the overwhelming success, the reward has been extended to the whole school! Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 13^th, students will enjoy nachos in their classrooms courtesy of student council in recognition of the large contributions to! Great job Prairie Branch!

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Papa John's Night

Tonight, Monday, December 12^th is Papa John’s night! Please help support our school’s PTO by ordering dinner from the Blue Spring’s Papa John’s and a portion of your order will benefit our school!

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December
12 – Papa John’s Night

15-16 – Holiday Shop
20-Firefighters
21 – Winter Party
22 - January 3 – No School

Weekly Spotlight 12/5/11

A Week in Review

      Reader’s Workshop

This week, students will be using two nonfiction articles to analyze the use of text features in nonfiction text and then compare the two articles.

      Writer’s Workshop

Students will work on using description, dialogue, action, and thoughts/feelings to set the stage for their main event in narrative writing.

      Math

Students will learn a variety of multiplication algorithms to solve larger problems.

      Social Studies

Students are working on map skills and studying Missouri’s climate and resources.

      Science

Students will begin researching ecosystems as a team and be responsible for creating a report and poster. All work will be done in class.

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The school’s policy is for students to go outside as long as the temperature and wind chill is above 20 degrees and the playground is clear from rain or snow. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for cold weather and prepared for outdoor recess with pants, coats, hats, and gloves. Please be aware that even on cold days, students may go outside for 5-10 minutes for fresh air. Students who are not appropriately dressed will not be permitted to go outside.

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Yearbook order forms for the 2011-2012 yearbooks are now available. Please make checks payable to Prairie Branch PTO and have order submitted by February 3^rd, 2012.

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December
2-9 – Script Orders
8 – Bump City Night
12 – Papa John’s Night
15-16 – Holiday Shop
20-Firefighters
21 – Winter Party
22 - January 3 – No School

Multiplication Help and Practice

Multiplication Game Links http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/timestable/index.html http://www.multiplication.com/interactive_games.htm http://www.aplusmath.com/Games/Concentration/Multiplication_Concentration.html

Multiplication!!! Posted: 05 Dec 2011 06:22 AM PST This week we will be starting to work on solving multi-digit multiplication problems.  Our Everyday Math curriculum teaches several different algorithms (or strategies) to solve multiplication problems.  These algorithms are different then the traditional way that we learned in school.  By having students practice multiple strategies to solve a problem we increase the number of "tools" they will have to solve a variety of math problems as well as strengthen their math skills.  This week we will begin to focus on the partial products algorithm and (possibly) lattice (which should be familiar from third grade).  Below are some links which should help explain the different algorithms.  Please encourage your child to use the algorithm on which we are working to solve the multiplication problems. As always, if you get home and study links are becoming a battle, STOP!!  Please just write me a note and we will work in it on class.  Learning new math strategies can be challenging for everyone involved, do not let it ruin your night. I will be teaching your child the traditional way to solve multi-digit multiplication problems, after the other algorithms have been taught.  Once your child has been exposed to all three algorithms and has practiced them, your child will be allowed to choose the algorithm that works best for them.  Please let me know if I can help in anyway. Partial Products http://media.everydaymathonline.com/em/student/algorithms_in_everyday_mathematics/4/multiplication/partial_products_multiplication/online_resources/2-Digit_times_1-Digit/M3_C02_P068_F1.swf http://media.everydaymathonline.com/em/student/algorithms_in_everyday_mathematics/4/multiplication/partial_products_multiplication/online_resources/2-Digit_times_2-Digit_Example_1/M4_C01_P018_F2.swf http://media.everydaymathonline.com/em/student/algorithms_in_everyday_mathematics/4/multiplication/partial_products_multiplication/online_resources/3-Digit_times_1-Digit/M6_C01_P019_F1.swf Lattice http://media.everydaymathonline.com/em/student/algorithms_in_everyday_mathematics/4/multiplication/lattice_multiplication/online_resources/2-Digit_times_1-Digit_Example_1/M3_C02_P070_F1.swf http://media.everydaymathonline.com/em/student/algorithms_in_everyday_mathematics/4/multiplication/lattice_multiplication/online_resources/2-Digit_times_1-Digit_Example_2/M3_C02_P071_F1.swf http://media.everydaymathonline.com/em/student/algorithms_in_everyday_mathematics/4/multiplication/lattice_multiplication/online_resources/2-Digit_times_2-Digit_Example_1/M4_C01_P019_F2.swf http://media.everydaymathonline.com/em/student/algorithms_in_everyday_mathematics/4/multiplication/lattice_multiplication/online_resources/3-Digit_times_1-Digit_Example_1/M3_C02_P070_F2.swf Traditional Multiplication http://media.everydaymathonline.com/em/student/algorithms_in_everyday_mathematics/4/multiplication/us_traditional_multiplication_standard/online_resources/2-Digit_times_1-Digit/M3_C02_P074E_F1.swf http://media.everydaymathonline.com/em/student/algorithms_in_everyday_mathematics/4/multiplication/us_traditional_multiplication_standard/online_resources/2-Digit_times_2-Digit/EM3_2009_B03_03.swf

Weekly Spotlight 11/22/11

A Note of Thanks

At this special time of year when we take the opportunity to list our blessings, I am once again thankful for all of the kiddos and their families! I am really enjoying this year and I am thankful everyday for the kindness and support our school family provides. Thank you for all you do to support me and our classroom and I am looking for many more moments of thanks throughout the rest of our year together!

A Week in Review

      Reader’s Workshop Students will be working to understand an inference involves clues from the text and background knowledge.

      Writer’s Workshop We are still working on writing narrative stories and we will study the art of developing details, revision, and creating suspense.

      Math Students will begin the week by reviewing their unit 4 tests and developing individual student goals that will guide our classroom instruction. Our next unit will further explore multiplication and extended facts.

      Social Studies Students will use the concepts of latitude and longitude and learn about Missouri’s natural resources.

      Science Next week, students will continue to explore parts of a plant and plant fertilization. A study guide will be sent home Wednesday followed a test over the life cycle of a seed, photosynthesis, parts of a plant, fertilization, and germination on Thursday.  A great way to study early would be to have your student bring home their science journal!

Happy Thanksgiving

Just a reminder, school will not be in session Wednesday, November 23 through Friday, November 25. Have a safe and happy holiday with your family!

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Recess Safety

We are having issues with students getting hurt during recess due to games of tag. Our primary concern during recess is to keep a safe environment for all students. If students are not displaying safe behaviors, they will be asked to sit out and not participate until they can be safe.

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Food Drive

What a success!!! Thank you for all the donations! The school was able to collect 3,043 nonperishable foods for the community! Way to go Prairie Branch!

Weekly Spotlight 11/4/11

A Week in Review

Thank you again for coming and meeting with me during parent teacher conferences! It is always a highlight of my year when I get to share with parents the skills we are working on in class. My goal this year is provide you with specific information to help you assist your child at home. I will continue to keep you updated as year continues!

      Reader’s Workshop – Answering questions

      Writer’s Workshop – Narrative writing: Studying mentor text

      Math – Decimals and their Uses

      Social Studies – Missouri Regions

      Science – Scientific Process

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Picture Retakes
On Wednesday November 9^th, students will have the option to have their picture retaken. If you child was absent the day of picture day they have their picture taken for their yearbook.
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Instructional Aide

We are very thankful to welcome Mrs. Werges to Prairie Branch! While she will be working with students across all grade levels, she will work in the fourth grade classrooms for two hours each day. During this time, individual and small groups will receive support instruction in math and reading!

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Poetry Café

I am excited to see the student interest in our upcoming Poetry Café on November 18^th. If you have not returned your slip, it is not too late!!!

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Looking Ahead
November
7-14 – Script Orders
8 – Two Hour Late Start
14 – Papa John’s Night
18 – PTO Family Dinner and Poetry Café
23-25 – No School: Thanksgiving Break
December
2-9 – Script Orders

8 – Bump City Night

12 – Papa John’s Night

15-16 – Holiday Shop

Weekly Spotlight 10/21/11

A Week in Review

In reading this week, we have begun to target individual goals based on the DRA assessment results. The reading assessment gives instructional insight on student needs based on their ability to read accurately with good speed and phrasing and their overall comprehension of the text. We will focus on improvement of these skills over the year.

      Reader’s Workshop – Answering questions

      Writer’s Workshop – Poetry

      Math – Unit 3 Assessment on Wednesday

      Social Studies – Missouri Regions

      Science – Scientific Process

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PTO Upcoming Events

November
14 – Papa John’s Night

18 – Family Diner and Poetry Café

December

2-9 – Script Orders

8 – Bump City Night

12 – Papa John’s Night

15-16 – Holiday Shop

 
Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who had a part in the planning and the preparation for the party this afternoon! We are really looking forward to celebrating the fall season as a classroom family! Thank you for being so supportive!

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Poetry Café

More information about our upcoming PTO dinner and Poetry Café will be sent home next week. We will need to get an estimated head count of the number of students wishing to read aloud their poetry. Dinner orders will need to be placed through PTO and more information will be sent home soon regarding this as well.

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Looking Ahead
October
25 & 27 – PT Conferences
27-28 – No School

November
7-14 – Script Orders
8 – Two Hour Late Start
18 – PTO Family Dinner and Poetry Café
23-25 – No School: Thanksgiving Break

Weekly Spotlight 9/14/11

A Week in Review

   Today marks the end of first quarter and I look forward to discussing your child’s progress in fourth quarter during parent teacher conferences. This week, we have completed common assessments in communication arts and math. These assessments are used to monitor student understanding of essestial skills in fourth grade. The data will be used to help plan further instruction.

      Reader’s Workshop – Answering questions

      Writer’s Workshop – Poetry

      Math – Define factors, products, multiples, and square numbers

      Social Studies – Missouri Regions

      Science – Scientific Process

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PTO Upcoming Events

November

14 – Papa John’s Night

18 – Family Diner and Poetry Café

December

2-9 – Script Orders

8 – Bump City Night

12 – Papa John’s Night

15-16 – Holiday Shop

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Jefferson City Field Trip

A trip to Jefferson City is a tradition and a required field trip for fourth graders in Grain Valley. The trip is planned for November 3^rd as we will leave school at 6:45 with an approximate return time of 3:30 pm. All students will need to be brought to school, but it our intention to be back to school in time for student to ride the bus home. Students will need to bring a disposable sack lunch with no glass containers and they may bring a snack for the ride home. Any parent volunteers are welcome! Please let me know by October 20^th if you plan to attend! Please keep in mind this a trip for fourth graders only; other children may not attend the field trip.

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Looking Ahead

October
21 – Fall Party 2-3 pm
25 & 27 – PT Conferences
27-28 – No School

November
7-14 – Script Orders
8 – Two Hour Late Start
18 – PTO Family Dinner and Poetry Café
23-25 – No School: Thanksgiving Break

Weekly Spotlight 10/7/11

A Week in Review

   Solving basic multiplication facts with speed and accuracy is an important skill students began last year in third grade. To further assist students in mastering their math facts, we have begun a program called “Rocket Math”. This program allows for daily drill and practice of basic math facts and includes daily testing. After mastering multiplication, students will advance to division. In order to advance to a new level, students must complete the test in one minute and score 100%. They will have multiple opportunities for success. Students will bring home their daily test each day. Please help track your child’s progress by looking these tests with them.

      Reader’s Workshop – Answering questions

      Writer’s Workshop – Exploring the poetry genre

      Math – Define factors, products, multiples, and square numbers

      Social Studies – Missouri Regions

      Science – Scientific Process

 
PTO Events

Don’t forget about tonight’s PTO event at Coco Keys!!! The previous flyer sent home contained the wrong promotion code. You will need to have this code: “prairie7”. Also, make note that this Monday, October 10^th is Papa John’s Night. The class with the largest percentage of participation will receive a pizza party! Thank you for supporting our PTO!

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Parent Teacher Conferences

I sent home a reminder with each student of your scheduled conference for either October 25^th or the 27^th. If you have a conflict, please contact me as soon as possible so we can reschedule. If you did not receive your reminder notice, please let me know!

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Looking Ahead

October
7 – CoCo Key Night for PTO
10 – Papa John’s Night
12 – Two Hour Late Start
21 – Fall Party 2-3 pm
25 & 27 – PT Conferences
27-28 – No School

Weekly Spotlight 10/3/11

A Week in Review

   Our field trip on Friday was fantastic! The Native American exhibit was very interesting and so were the outdoor sculptures. The students learned a lot about the Native American culture and fine art.

     Last week, we also finished exploring some very structured forms of poetry. Now we will begin exploring the art of free verse poetry and the discovery of how poets find the ideas.

     In math we assessed over unit 2 and developed individualized student goals. As we proceed into unit 3, we will continue to work on these targeted skills. Each student was asked to write this skill in their agenda last Friday to help you understand what they can work on at home. Please let me know if you would like help finding resources.

      Reader’s Workshop – DRA testing and summarizing fiction texts

      Writer’s Workshop – Exploring the poetry genre

      Math – Define factors, products, multiples, and square numbers

      Social Studies – Missouri Regions

      Science – Scientific Process

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Snacks at Lunch

Beginning Wednesday, October 5^th, fourth and fifth grade students will be able to purchase extra snacks in addition to lunch. Each snack will cost an additional $0.50. There must be available funds in the student’s account to buy extra milk, juice, snacks and/or entrée. If you would like your child to have the choice of buying extra snacks and/or entrée, please see the form being sent home today and return to school with your signature.

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Breakfast

Just a reminder, breakfast is now being served at Prairie Branch. Students will need to go directly to the commons for breakfast when arriving to school as they will be sent to the classroom at 8:40 for class to begin.

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Looking Ahead

October
7 – CoCo Key Night for PTO
12 – Two Hour Late Start
21 – Fall Party 2-3 pm
26 & 28 – PT Conferences
27-28 – No School

Great Field Trip Today

We had a fabulous time on our field trip today! Beautiful weather, fascinating art, what more could we ask!?! Each student was asked to try to replicate a drawing of their favorite piece of art and write what they learned. Please ask them to share these with you this weekend!

Due to our day, I have not been able to create our weekly newsletter! I will email it out first thing Monday morning! I would like to thank and acknowledge all the wonderful student council speeches that were given this afternoon. Each candidate would have been a fabulous representation of our class. They are all winners in my book, but special congratulations to Paige Novak!

Have a fabulous weekend!

Art Museum Field Trip

Just a few quick reminders for the field trip tomorrow.  We will leave for the art museum at 9:00 and will return to school by 2:00.
 

1.      We will be walking a lot, so please make sure that your child wears comfortable shoes

2.    The high tomorrow is 70 degrees, we will be talking a tour outside in the morning, so please send a light jacket or sweatshirt

3.    If possible, please send your child in PB or Grain Valley attire – it makes it easier to keep track of kiddos

4.    Please send a completely disposable lunch – including the lunch bag.  Also, please no glass containers.

5.    Students are allowed to bring cameras, as long as the flash can be turned off.  Students may also bring electronic devices (MP3 Players, I-Pods), but the STUDENT IS COMPLETELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN ELECTRONIC DEVICE, THE SCHOOL IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ITEM THAT IS LOST OR STOLEN. 

Thanks for all of your support, I am looking forward to a great day tomorrow!! Please e-mail me if you have any questions.