Dear Families - Energy levels rose noticeably as this past week drew to a close! Even though just about every one of us seems to have so much to comment on throughout our days, and there are SO many stories to tell, happily we are still getting plenty of work done. That is a good thing, since we still have so much to do, even as our days together are rapidly dwindling -yikes! In Math, we completed Unit 11, and you should find your student's final test in the take home folder, waiting for you to look it over and sign. These tests should come back to school on Tuesday, so we may add them to our math folders. This yellow folder will come home to you the last week of school, and will contain an excellent summary of math skills covered in 4th grade (great for review over the summer :) ). We have just enough math periods left to cover the final few lessons in Unit 12 during our last days.
In Social Studies, our kids have not lost their enthusiam for their State research project. We do our best to make time each day to work on them, but for those who are not yet done, it will be important to put in some extra time at home to complete notes, pictures, and maps for the poster presentation. Everyone has signed up for a particular day over the next week or so in which to present their project to the rest of the class. Notes on the poster do not have to be typed - they may be handwritten. Also, on Tuesday, May 29th, when we return to school, we will take time to celebrate the anniversary of Wisconsin achieving statehood in 1848. (We will enjoy some of our state's favorite treats!) We are also squeezing in all the time we can find to explore the different regions of our country. Today we watched a breathtakingly beautiful National Geographic video presentation on the Appalachian Trail! Sorry, parents, if your student came home begging to go hiking there! Ha! It's only 2,175 miles stretching from Georgia to Maine!
Today we also shared with each other a story we had all written over the past week about our ideal way to spend a carefree Saturday if we could choose our favorite things to do. It was really fun to hear the variety of choices everyone came up with for their day! All the writing projects we have done in 4th grade will come home (including their writing journal) in a special Language Binder. This should be a fun keepsake to enjoy years from now for you and your student.
Other news includes the fact that we have one more week to collect Box Tops For Education. We aren't breaking any records this time, but we are up to 245 - and our entire school has collected enough for new swings and bars on the playground, which will get installed this summer. Also, would you remind your student that all school library books are expected to be returned during the coming week? Thank you! In addition, I learned today that school yearbooks will be distributed on June 1st. One more item is that there will be a West Middleton Family (bring your own) Picnic at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, June 5th, so that everyone may have a chance to wish our principal Mr. Rykal a most happy retirement.
Remember that next week on Thursday we will be taking our field trip to Little Norway and Cave of the Mounds. Watch the weather report, so that students can dress appropriately. Even if it is a hot day, the temperature in the Cave will only be in the 50's. We plan to board the bus and be on our way by 9:20 the morning of May 31st, and will get back in time to catch the usual buses (or rides) for home. For the parents who have planned to join us and chaperone, feel free to come on down to Room 117 soon after 9:00 am, and you can meet and decide how to carpool together. We have 4 students who have decided to buy the school sack lunch, and they will be ready for us that morning, and all other students (and parents!) should remember to bring a completely disposable lunch and drink, in a bag marked with their name. We will put them all together when we get to school that day. There are gift shops at both destinations, and students will get a brief time to make purchases at each place (completely optional!). Students are responsible for keeping their own money safe. If you have any other questions about that day, feel free to email me.
May you enjoy the longer holiday weekend! I will stay in touch as we approach our final week of 4th grade! Melanie
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Saturday, May 19, 2012
May 18, 2012 Weekly Update
Hello, families. I am very proud of our 4th graders. They are hanging in beautifully and continuing to work hard and stay focused, even as the calendar on the wall clearly shows us the dwindling number of days left in our school year. Everyone has been trying their best to grasp addition and subtraction with negative numbers this past week, which has been quite challenging for all. We begin the mastery of these skills in 4th grade, aiming for secure status in 5th grade, but many in our class are approaching mastery this year! We have been reviewing and practicing the Unit 11 lessons this week, and will take the final test around the middle of next week. We have also been working on volume and capacity, using both the customary and metric measures. This is also quite challenging, and it has helped us to be able to experiment with measuring cups and containers, pouring water, comparing liters and quarts, etc.
Social Studies is the favorite subject these days, with each student well into their research for their State Presentation, drawing maps and collecting facts and pictures for their poster board. We have decided on a deadline of next week Friday to try to be done with the project. Even though we can devote at least one class period most days to working on this project, some students need to spend some time at home typing or printing their information and pictures. This group does so well with self-directed learning - their own motivation and excitement over discovering new information is the driving force, which is so exciting to witness. In Science, we have been examining very cool samples of a wide selection (5 tubs!) of rocks and minerals. We will wind up our study this coming week with some teamwork research on facts about igneous, sedimentary, and igneous rocks and their origins.
This week on May 17, which is the Norwegian holiday of Syttende Mai, we were surprised with a very special treat from Cecilie and her family to celebrate this day commemorating independence for Norway in 1814. We extended our afternoon recess outside to eat vanilla ice cream topped with fresh strawberries and blueberries - wow! Thank you so very much!
We still have at least one spelling list to master, as well as another writing assignment or two! As we approach the last two weeks of school, we have been making plans to fit in some special activities, like some Mad Libs stories (great for reinforcing parts of speech), some breathtaking National Geographic videos of our national parks, our field trip day on May 31st, some extra outdoor games, a walk in our prairie... We will come to our last days together with a flourish! We will keep you informed! Melanie
Social Studies is the favorite subject these days, with each student well into their research for their State Presentation, drawing maps and collecting facts and pictures for their poster board. We have decided on a deadline of next week Friday to try to be done with the project. Even though we can devote at least one class period most days to working on this project, some students need to spend some time at home typing or printing their information and pictures. This group does so well with self-directed learning - their own motivation and excitement over discovering new information is the driving force, which is so exciting to witness. In Science, we have been examining very cool samples of a wide selection (5 tubs!) of rocks and minerals. We will wind up our study this coming week with some teamwork research on facts about igneous, sedimentary, and igneous rocks and their origins.
This week on May 17, which is the Norwegian holiday of Syttende Mai, we were surprised with a very special treat from Cecilie and her family to celebrate this day commemorating independence for Norway in 1814. We extended our afternoon recess outside to eat vanilla ice cream topped with fresh strawberries and blueberries - wow! Thank you so very much!
We still have at least one spelling list to master, as well as another writing assignment or two! As we approach the last two weeks of school, we have been making plans to fit in some special activities, like some Mad Libs stories (great for reinforcing parts of speech), some breathtaking National Geographic videos of our national parks, our field trip day on May 31st, some extra outdoor games, a walk in our prairie... We will come to our last days together with a flourish! We will keep you informed! Melanie
Friday, May 11, 2012
May 11, 2012 Weekly Update
Thank you! Thank you! I felt like a most cherished teacher all week long! I was presented with thoughtful, generous gifts each and every day - Wow! Our classroom and my desk are now decorated with a gorgeous big flower pot, handmade bookmarks, a vase filled with chocolate, beautifully framed poems and words of appreciation (one in the form of a green 'thumbprint' tree made with the special prints of each student), a poster message covered in candy (the kids have been eyeing that one every hour!), and two gift cards for books and tea! You are all so giving, and I am honored to know each and every one of you. I am most especially honored to be entrusted with the friendship and trust of your children this past school year. My first year back in the general education classroom with this group of precious fourth graders is most definitely a highlight of my entire career. I will certainly always treasure the wonderful memories we have created together this year. I want to send a special thank you to Sharon Pertzborn-Jensen, who was the organizer behind all these delights I received all week.
It hit me today in one sudden moment as we looked at the calendar, that we really don't have many days left until June 8th. We have a field trip on May 31st to look forward to first. Within the next week, we would like to collect the last of the admission money we need for our visit to Little Norway and Cave of the Mounds. The PTO is covering all of our costs except for $5 for Little Norway. Also, all parents who would enjoy spending this fun day with us are welcome, if you don't mind driving your own cars (you can carpool and follow the buses) and paying in advance the $21 total for admissions to both locations. You can send it all in this coming week. The more the merrier, and it will be a great day. We will board our bus at school at 9:20 am, we will tour Little Norway first, and then we will all be able to eat our lunches (totally disposable, please) at a picnic area at Cave of the Mounds right before we take our cave tours.
Back in the classroom, this past week every student happily dug into a research project highlighting their chosen state of the United States. This group sure does love a project, and again are proving themselves to be motivated researchers. They are using books from the library as well as information from internet searches. Maps will be drawn by hand, pictures will be printed, notes will be typed (or carefully written), and all will be displayed on both sides of a poster board. Interesting facts have been positively flying around our room each day - so exciting. Again, they all seem to be teaching each other - and me! I love that!
Math class has us examining and constructing geometric solids, figuring volume, trying to experience just how much grams and kilograms weigh... it's different! It's been fun, because we are using lots of manipulatives (pan balances, measured weights, geometric blocks, straws and twist ties) to experience what we are learning. We wrapped up our science experiments with rocks and minerals, but we still have material to cover (like sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks!). We will still have a couple more spelling lists to practice, and more writing projects to add to our language binders. The next four weeks will be full!
Thank you again for a most special "Teacher Appreciation Week". Enjoy a good weather weekend. Melanie Hannam
It hit me today in one sudden moment as we looked at the calendar, that we really don't have many days left until June 8th. We have a field trip on May 31st to look forward to first. Within the next week, we would like to collect the last of the admission money we need for our visit to Little Norway and Cave of the Mounds. The PTO is covering all of our costs except for $5 for Little Norway. Also, all parents who would enjoy spending this fun day with us are welcome, if you don't mind driving your own cars (you can carpool and follow the buses) and paying in advance the $21 total for admissions to both locations. You can send it all in this coming week. The more the merrier, and it will be a great day. We will board our bus at school at 9:20 am, we will tour Little Norway first, and then we will all be able to eat our lunches (totally disposable, please) at a picnic area at Cave of the Mounds right before we take our cave tours.
Back in the classroom, this past week every student happily dug into a research project highlighting their chosen state of the United States. This group sure does love a project, and again are proving themselves to be motivated researchers. They are using books from the library as well as information from internet searches. Maps will be drawn by hand, pictures will be printed, notes will be typed (or carefully written), and all will be displayed on both sides of a poster board. Interesting facts have been positively flying around our room each day - so exciting. Again, they all seem to be teaching each other - and me! I love that!
Math class has us examining and constructing geometric solids, figuring volume, trying to experience just how much grams and kilograms weigh... it's different! It's been fun, because we are using lots of manipulatives (pan balances, measured weights, geometric blocks, straws and twist ties) to experience what we are learning. We wrapped up our science experiments with rocks and minerals, but we still have material to cover (like sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks!). We will still have a couple more spelling lists to practice, and more writing projects to add to our language binders. The next four weeks will be full!
Thank you again for a most special "Teacher Appreciation Week". Enjoy a good weather weekend. Melanie Hannam
Saturday, May 5, 2012
May 4, 2012 Weekly Update
Hello! We have entered into our last full month of 4th grade, and I can't believe it. Many of our kids have been saying the same thing. Every subject area has lessons and projects we don't want to miss before our year comes to a close, so we are working hard to take advantage of every time period we have. In math, we took the Unit 10 test on Friday. Please take a look at this test when it comes home next week, and send it back with your signature. Thank you! We are saving all tests and reviews in our math folders, which will come home at year's end. These pages could provide a valuable resource for review before your student enters 5th grade. We will jump into Unit 11 on Monday, with content covering metric and traditional weights, geometric solids, formulas for volume and capacity, and more work with negative numbers. These final units in math have involved more practice with manipulative tools and it's been fun!
In Social Studies, we are into our study of 12 states of the United States that make up the Midwest Region. Our 4th graders are so anxious to begin their own research project about one particular state of their choice, so we are ready to begin that work on Monday. It is so rewarding for me as I see groups of our kids clustered around several large new U. S. maps I've mounted, studying and comparing features and details, and discussing where they have been and what they have seen. Science class has our room smelling strongly of vinegar these days, as we test various rocks for their mineral content. Making predictions of the outcomes of our various experiments has been a valuable exercise in reasoning for our students, and it is fun to see how they are improving their skills. Writing sessions have produced another story project to add to our Language Binders. Nonfiction reading is getting more attention these days, with reading about our country's regions, along with articles about our science topic. Everyone still loves time to 'get lost' in their chapter books as well, so we are always looking for time slots to enjoy them as well.
We will send in our final Scholastic Book Order next week. Also, thank you for your support and help as we embark on one final drive to collect Box Tops For Education during the month of May. The goal for each classroom is 750 Box Tops (and a delicious reward). Our first week netted 30 Box Tops - we have a way to go! The West Middleton Talent Show will take place next Friday afternoon, and every student and teacher will be taking buses to the High School Performing Arts Center to experience a real stage. Another highlight of 4th grade will happen on May 31st, when our three classrooms will take the annual field trip to Little Norway and Cave of the Mounds. A bright green information sheet all about that day hopefully made it home to you this week. Please let me know if you would like to chaperone - as you have read, there is no limit to how many parents join us, and it would be great fun to share this experience together. However, do keep in mind that parents do need to pay their admissions and drive themselves. Many parents meet at school (we will leave at 9:20 that morning), decide to carpool, and follow the buses to each destination. If you are going, we would like to collect your admission money ahead of time along with the $5 we need for our students (the PTO's generosity funds all other costs for our students).
Happy May to all, and I will continue to keep you updated throughout the month on the all the work and fun in Room 117! Melanie Hannam
In Social Studies, we are into our study of 12 states of the United States that make up the Midwest Region. Our 4th graders are so anxious to begin their own research project about one particular state of their choice, so we are ready to begin that work on Monday. It is so rewarding for me as I see groups of our kids clustered around several large new U. S. maps I've mounted, studying and comparing features and details, and discussing where they have been and what they have seen. Science class has our room smelling strongly of vinegar these days, as we test various rocks for their mineral content. Making predictions of the outcomes of our various experiments has been a valuable exercise in reasoning for our students, and it is fun to see how they are improving their skills. Writing sessions have produced another story project to add to our Language Binders. Nonfiction reading is getting more attention these days, with reading about our country's regions, along with articles about our science topic. Everyone still loves time to 'get lost' in their chapter books as well, so we are always looking for time slots to enjoy them as well.
We will send in our final Scholastic Book Order next week. Also, thank you for your support and help as we embark on one final drive to collect Box Tops For Education during the month of May. The goal for each classroom is 750 Box Tops (and a delicious reward). Our first week netted 30 Box Tops - we have a way to go! The West Middleton Talent Show will take place next Friday afternoon, and every student and teacher will be taking buses to the High School Performing Arts Center to experience a real stage. Another highlight of 4th grade will happen on May 31st, when our three classrooms will take the annual field trip to Little Norway and Cave of the Mounds. A bright green information sheet all about that day hopefully made it home to you this week. Please let me know if you would like to chaperone - as you have read, there is no limit to how many parents join us, and it would be great fun to share this experience together. However, do keep in mind that parents do need to pay their admissions and drive themselves. Many parents meet at school (we will leave at 9:20 that morning), decide to carpool, and follow the buses to each destination. If you are going, we would like to collect your admission money ahead of time along with the $5 we need for our students (the PTO's generosity funds all other costs for our students).
Happy May to all, and I will continue to keep you updated throughout the month on the all the work and fun in Room 117! Melanie Hannam
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