Thursday, December 17, 2015

Newsletter December 17th- January 8th

Ms. Hewitt’s Fourth Grade Class Newsletter  
Thursday, December 17th, 2015
Good Morning Guardians and Students,
Thank you to all the parents who were able to donate brunch items for today. Also thank you to all the parents who were able to come in and be apart of today’s festivities. It was a lovely way to end the year! I was beyond spoiled with great gifts from you all. Thank you for really making me feel special. You have the best children ever!

Age of Sail Updates

As you begin to think about preparations for Age of Sail, here is the link to the packing list. (Please note your child does NOT need galley gear (metal plate, silverware, etc.)
Students will bring all of their things to class in an outdoor trash bag (double bag for durability) on Monday, January 4th (which is the day we return from break). Clearly label this bag on duct or masking tape with student's name and crew.

Talent Show Applications are due TODAY!

From Stage Crew and Hosts, to Solo and Group Acts there is a role for you! Want to be in the talent show but don’t know what to perform? Sign up for the WCS Group Dance choreographed by some of your WCS teachers! No auditions required for group dance participants. Application form here!



Language Arts
  • No spelling or  vocabulary this week (due to Age of Sail)
  • Grammar: continued review on  prefixes, and suffixes.
  • Reading: We will begin our unit on pairing fiction with nonfiction passages.
  • Writing: 5 paragraph reflection on Age of Sail trip.
  • AR halfway goals are Tuesday, January 19th! Students have their AR reading level and point goals on a blue half sheet of paper located in their Super Magnetic Binder.    
Math
IXL Strands- Complete IXL strands 30 minutes a week is the minimum requirement.
Fractions: Q.1- Q.6  and  Number Sense: A.5

Monday- Lesson 1: Factors and Multiples
Tuesday- Age of Sail!
Wednesday- Age of Sail!
Thursday-Lesson 2: Prime and Composite Numbers
Friday- Quiz 1-2 only. Lesson 3: Model equivalent fractions
Timed Tests will be given on Thursday, January 15th! Please prepare for these 4 tests by go on XtraMath daily to become fluent in their math facts, utilizing Mangahigh to practice math facts using the game titled, Sundae Times. Our school ID is 67993. Also there is a fact practice tab on Front Row.

Students have also been working on Base Ten and Counting and Operations on Front Row. Please encourage them to continue to use this adaptive, valuable resource!

You may have heard about our new math program we have been utilizing called Prodigy! This is a new math program we have been using that is also adaptive and extremely valuable.

Science
We will begin our physical science unit the week we return. Student will be learning about sound and light waves.
Art
Check out Ms. Jackson's website to see what's currently happening in art. Tons of neat pictures of students work!

Reminders/Mark Your Calendars-   
  • No School for Winter Break: Friday 18th- Friday, January 1st.
  • Age of Sail Field Lesson Tuesday, January 5th- Wednesday, 6th
  • No School on Monday, January 18th for Martin Luther King Jr’s Birthday
  • January 22: Mid-Trimester Progress Reports go home
  • February 15-19: Presidents' Week Break
  • Morning Study Hall has been a great success! If you want to come please remember to sign up by CLICKING HERE
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Monday, December 14, 2015

Weekly Newsletter December 14th-17th

Ms. Hewitt’s Fourth Grade Class Newsletter  
Monday, December 14th, 2015
Good Morning Guardians and Students,
It was so wonderful seeing so many of you on Friday for our Barnes and Noble Family Night. I love Westlake and our devoted families. Thanks again for coming out! This is going to be a joyful, productive, busy short week! Thanks in advance for your support. Remember there is no school on Friday and a short day on Thursday. Happy Holidays families!

Holiday Brunch on Thursday, December 17th at 11:15 a.m.
We are going to celebrate all the joys of the season in class on the last day of school before break. On December 17th at 11:15 a.m. we will be having a potluck brunch. If you would like to contribute an item for our celebration, please sign up on our google doc here. Parents are welcome to join in the fun! Please feel free to stop by. It is pajama day this Thursday so I am allowing students to also bring one stuff animal that could fit in their backpack, or a blanket, not both. Thank you for helping to make this a special event for our students!

Talent Show Applications Due THIS THURSDAY December 17th!

From Stage Crew and Hosts, to Solo and Group Acts there is a role for you! Want to be in the talent show but don’t know what to perform? Sign up for the WCS Group Dance choreographed by some of your WCS teachers! No auditions required for group dance participants.



Language Arts
  • No Spelling this week.
  • Test this Thursday on Spelling City Vocabulary List- Age of Sail Vocab. - words include: Avast, bow, ensign, aft, etc. Students will complete assigned activities at home and will take the test in class Friday on their Chromebooks. Here is a link to a google slides presentation on the words students will use for reference to study as well.
  • Grammar: continued review on  prefixes, and suffixes. Test on Thursday.

Math
IXL Strands- Complete IXL strands 30 minutes a week is the minimum requirement.
Monday- lesson 8 and quiz lessons 5-7
Tuesday- Lesson 9
Wednesday- Review
Thursday- Chapter 7 Test!
Go on XtraMath daily to become fluent in their math facts. Utilize Mangahigh to practice math facts using the game titled, Sundae Times. Our school ID is 67993. Students have also been working on Base Ten and Counting and Operations on Front Row. Please encourage them to continue to use this adaptive, valuable resource!

Science
We have concluded our life science study of humans and animals. On Friday we reviewed what will be on the test using a study guide and making flashcards. Next week students can best prepare for the test by studying their ISN notes, and studying their flashcards using the study guide. We will test on Thursday, Nov. 17th.
Social Studies
This week students learned about Spanish California, the motivations that prompted Spain to colonize and the impact this had on the Native Americans. This week students will be writing a five paragraph essay in class about this period in our history.
Art
Check out Ms. Jackson's website to see what's currently happening in art. Tons of neat pictures of students work!

Reminders/Mark Your Calendars-   
  • Thank you to all the families who placed orders for Age of Sail sweatshirts. We expect them to arrive just before the Winter Break.
  • We are still in the process of replenishing our galley supplies. We are in need of clean tin cans (approx. 14 oz.) to be used as cups while we are aboard the Balclutha. If you have any to donate, please send them with your child to school.
  • Holidays around the World will be celebrated on Thursday, December 16th
  • No School for Winter Break: Friday 18th- Friday, January 1st.
  • Age of Sail Field Lesson Tuesday, January 5th- Wednesday, 6th
  • Morning Study Hall has been a great success! If you want to come please remember to sign up by CLICKING HERE
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Sunday, December 6, 2015

Newsletter December 6th-11th

Ms. Hewitt’s Fourth Grade Class Newsletter  
Sunday, December 6th, 2015
Good Evening Guardians and Students,
It was so great to see all of my incredible students after not seeing them for over a week! We are definitely back into the swing of things with Age of Sail training, starting new social studies units and completing science units. I can’t believe we only have 9 more school days together before our next break. Time is flying by!


Talent Show Applications Due December 17th! From Stage Crew and Hosts, to Solo and Group Acts there is a role for you! Want to be in the talent show but don’t know what to perform? Sign up for the WCS Group Dance choreographed by some of your WCS teachers! No auditions required for group dance participants.

Age of Sail Updates
Thank you to all the families who placed orders for Age of Sail sweatshirts. We expect them to arrive just before the Winter Break.
We are still in the process of replenishing our galley supplies. We are in need of clean tin cans (approx. 14 oz.) to be used as cups while we are aboard the Balclutha. If you have any to donate, please send them with your child to school.


Thank you Brad Mott for coming in on Friday! The students had a complete blast learning how to tie the Bowline Knot. We look forward to having you come in again this Friday.


Age of Sail permission slips and  paperwork are due together by this Friday December 11th.


Holiday Brunch on Thursday, December 17th at 11:15 a.m.
We are going to celebrate all the joys of the season in class on the last day of school before break. On December 17th at 11:15 a.m. we will be having a potluck brunch. If you would like to contribute an item for our celebration, please sign up on our google doc here. Parents are welcome to join in the fun! Please feel free to stop by. Thank you for helping to make this a special event for our students!


Language Arts
  • Spelling City List #29 Prefixes- words include: disappear, disappoint, disagree, dishonest, etc. Students will complete assigned activities at home and will take the test in class Friday on their Chromebooks.  
  • Spelling City Vocabulary List- Age of Sail Vocab. - words include: Avast, bow, ensign, aft, etc. Students will complete assigned activities at home and will take the test in class Friday on their Chromebooks. Here is a link to a google slides presentation on the words students will use for reference to study as well.
  • Grammar: DLR review, prefixes, and suffixes.
  • Writing- Continuing informational writing and paraphrasing.
  • Nonfiction Text Features: sequencing and compare and contrast in reading.
  
Math
IXL Strands- Complete IXL strands 30 minutes a week is the minimum requirement.

Patterns and Sequences: L.1-L.4
Functions: H.1-H.4
Variable Expressions: G.1-G.6

Monday- Test on Chapter 6 long division/ Pre-test for chapter 7 on patterns and sequencing  
Tuesday- Lesson 1 & 2: Nonnumeric and numeric patterns L.1, L.1
Wednesday- Lesson 3 & 4: Sequences and looking for a pattern L.3, L.4
Thursday- Quiz Lesson 1-4 and Lesson 5 Addition and Subtraction Rules
Friday- Lesson 6: Multiplication and Division Rules
Go on XtraMath daily to become fluent in their math facts. Utilize Mangahigh to practice math facts using the game titled, Sundae Times. Our school ID is 67993. Students have also been working on Base Ten and Counting and Operations on Front Row. Please encourage them to continue to use this adaptive, valuable resource!


Social Studies/ Science
Life Science Unit: We have studied skin, bones, heart, lungs, and muscles. Now we will work on NGSS standard 4-LS1-1. Constructing an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction. We will be wrapping up this unit with a study guide and after reviewing in class, we will test on Thursday, Nov. 17th.
Study  the interactions among the California Indians and the Europeans. We will study Spanish exploration and colonization of California, including the relationships among soldiers, missionaries, and Indians.


Reminders/Mark Your Calendars-   
  • Spelling Bee  is scheduled for Tuesday, December 8th. Congratulations to Toby and Megan for being our class representatives. We will be there rooting you on!
  • Barnes and Noble Family Night - Friday, December 11
  • Holidays around the World will be celebrated on Thursday, December 16th
  • No School for Winter Break: Friday 18th- Friday, January 1st.
  • Age of Sail Field Lesson Tuesday, January 5th- Wednesday, 6th
  • Sign up online and a 4th grader’s family will then get a voucher that grants entrance to the student and a carload of passengers to federal recreation areas. The Every Kid in a Park pass is good for the 2015-2016 school year, until August 31, 2016. The page is hyperlinked above in the words ‘sign up online’.  Here’s the link separately, for convenience:http://www.nationalparks.org/ook/ekiap-signup
Morning Study Hall has been a great success! If you want to come please remember to sign up by CLICKING HERE
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Monday, November 30, 2015

Newsletter November 30th- December 4th

Ms. Hewitt’s Fourth Grade Class Newsletter  
Monday, November 30th, 2015
Good Morning Guardians and Students,
It was such a joy to sit with each of you during conferences to discuss your child’s growth throughout the first trimester of the fourth grade. Thank you for all of your support!

Only 13 days left until our next break so be sure to read through our class newsletter for important dates and assignments!

Age of Sail Update
Have you order your Age of Sail sweatshirt yet? This TUESDAY  is the DEADLINE to ordered our class sweatshirt! The PayPal link for our Age of Sail class hoodies has been removed because the deadline was today, but I asked for a 2 day extension! Click Here to order your sweatshirts as a STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP option instead. Be sure to include your child’s name, your name, and the SIZE when you order.

Thank you Tyler Mott’s family for offering to clean the pie tins for our fourth graders! Thank you Gina Bell for offering to sew our class ensign! Students voted for William’s design and I am sure it going to turn out amazing. Thanks you all for your support in this incredible adventure!
Be sure to read over the Age of Sail permission slips and  paperwork carefully that was sent home 2 weeks ago. Return all the paperwork together  by December 12th. Thank you to the families who have already turned it in!

Thank you Brad Mott for offering to come into our classroom to teach the students how to tie knots. The students are really looking forward to it!


Language Arts
  • Spelling City List #28 Suffixes- words include: hopeless, careless, homeless, tireless, hopeful, fearful, cheerful, etc. Students will complete assigned activities at home and will take the test in class Friday on their Chromebooks.  
  • Spelling City Vocabulary List- Greek Allusions- words include: Herculean, Pandora’s Box, Fate, Echo, etc. Students will complete assigned activities at home and will take the test in class Friday on their Chromebooks. Here is a link to a google slides presentation on the words students will use for reference to study as well.
  • Grammar: DLR review, prefixes, and suffixes.
  • Writing- Continuing informational writing and paraphrasing.
  • Nonfiction Text Features: sequencing and compare and contrast in reading.
  • Traditional Literature:  We will conclude our Mythology unit with the Odyssey. Students presentations were amazing and so much fun!
  
Math
IXL Strands- Complete IXL strands 30 minutes a week is the minimum requirement. Division Strands- E.1, E.2, E.26, E.18, E.17, E.13, E. 14, E.4, E.5, E.7, E.8, E.9,  
Extra Challenge: E.20, E.21, E.22, E.23, E.24

Chapter 6:  -
Monday- No School- review past IXL strands assigned
Tuesday- Lesson 9 Divide Greater Numbers- E.11
Wednesday- Quiz Lesson 7-9 and Lesson 10 Quotients with Zeros- E.13
Thursday- Lesson 11 Solve Multi-Step Word Problems
Friday- Review Chapter 6
Monday- Test on Chapter 6 long division/ Pre-test for chapter 7 on patterns and sequencing  
Tuesday- Lesson 1 & 2: Nonnumeric and numeric patterns
Wednesday- Lesson 3 & 4: Sequences and looking for a pattern
Thursday- Quiz Lesson 1-4 and Lesson 5 Addition and Subtraction Rules
Friday- Lesson 6: Multiplication and Division Rules
Go on XtraMath daily to become fluent in their math facts. Utilize Mangahigh to practice math facts using the game titled, Sundae Times. Our school ID is 67993. Students have also been working on Base Ten and Counting and Operations on Front Row. Please encourage them to continue to use this adaptive, valuable resource!

Social Studies/ Science
  • Life Science Unit: We have studied skin, bones, heart, lungs, and muscles. Now we will work on NGSS standard 4-LS1-1. Constructing an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction
  • Introduce study on the interactions among the California Indians and the Europeans. We will study Spanish exploration and colonization of California, including the relationships among soldiers, missionaries, and Indians.


Reminders/Mark Your Calendars-   
  • Tuesday, December 1st, I will be submitting Scholastic Book Orders.
  • This Friday,  December 4 is the Final Day to turn in Olympic Triathlon Donations.
  • Spelling Bee  is scheduled for Tuesday, December 8th. Congratulations to Toby and Megan for being our class representatives. We will be there rooting you on!
  • Barnes and Noble Family Night - Friday, December 11
  • Holidays around the World will be celebrated on Thursday, December 16th
  • No School for Winter Break: Friday 18th- Friday, January 1st.
  • Age of Sail Field Lesson Tuesday, January 5th- Wednesday, 6th
  • Sign up online and a 4th grader’s family will then get a voucher that grants entrance to the student and a carload of passengers to federal recreation areas. The Every Kid in a Park pass is good for the 2015-2016 school year, until August 31, 2016. The page is hyperlinked above in the words ‘sign up online’.  Here’s the link separately, for convenience:http://www.nationalparks.org/ook/ekiap-signup
  • Morning Study Hall has been a great success! If you want to come please remember to sign up by CLICKING HERE

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