Weekly News - September 30th

Dear Families,

Hello and Happy Friday!

Hasn't it been a beautiful fall so far!

The Endeavor 4th graders have definitely found their groove and are growing every day! Some things we've been working on:

Reading -

• writing a good reading response
• NECAP prep
  
• building reading endurance

Math -

• using the area model of multiplication to understand factors, products, division, prime numbers and composite numbers!
• Sharing multiplication strategies that help us remember our facts
• mulltiples of 2 and 3
• reviewing expanded notation
• NECAP prep

Writing -

• collecting entries
• "Heart Mapping"
• writing from our "best" and "worst" lists

Science - Most of our larvae have become Chrysalises! We've been watching them closely in anticipation of the arrival of our beautiful monarch butterflies! When our monarchs emerge, we'll spend a few days observing them and then plan a release day.

Spelling - This was week 2 of spelling. Students and I spent some time going over last week's packet. I reminded them to read the directions and work carefully in their spelling packets. Beginning the week of 10/10, spelling HW will be DUE THURSDAY so that I can check students' work before the day of the test. Next week, we will not have spelling HW due to NECAP testing.

NECAP - Students will be taking the NECAP (reading and math) tests next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and again the following Monday.

Other Important news:
- Next week's HW will be slightly less than normal due to NECAP testing. Students will not have spelling or writing HW and only one math sheet.
- Many of you still need to sign up for November conferences.

OK. Keep in touch!

Cara :)

--
Cara Crowther
4th Grade Teacher
Endeavor Team
Shelburne Community School

Dear Families,

Hello and happy (salsa) Friday! It was our first FULL week of 4th grade! Some things we've been doing this week:

Reading – This week, students received their Reading Response journals. We talked about how to log books they’ve read, and what to do when they finish a book. Additionally, we visited the library and talked about how readers choose books and make good book choices.

Math – Students learned about area this week and we explored the concept with pattern blocks and then tiles. The students eventually used 1x1”, 2x2”, and 3x3” squares to find area. Next week, we’ll move into multiplication and division models. A very informative sheet came home today that explains what else we’ll be doing in Bridges Unit 1.

Science/Social Studies – We continued to collect data about our rapidly growing monarch larvae this week. The larvae are growing big enough that we even have to feed them more! Part of our science inquiry this week was to wonder about their feeding habits and exactly how much they eat. Additionally, we examined them under a magnifying glass and created labeled drawings of what we saw.

Of course, we also enjoyed team time, making salsa this afternoon, and had a FABULOUS field trip to Shelburne Farms this week. Students did a great job working together in the team building activities.

Homework Notes –

Students have 2 new additions to their goal sheets this week: Fastt Math and Spelling. All students have done Fastt Math last year, so they understand the program. I reminded them how to get on and what it looks like once you do. They will be asked to do Fastt Math 5 x/week for homework. (Yes, if they want, they can do 2 in one day.)

Spelling (due Friday) will start on Monday so students will get their HW and packets then. Let me know if you have any questions about it.

Important Dates:

Curriculum Night for parents – Tuesday 9/20-6-730

Picture Day – Wednesday 9/21

Innisbrook Wrapping paper orders due – Tuesday 9/27

Reading Fix-Up Strategies

Dear Families,

We've been working on comprehension strategies for the past two weeks. One thing we have focused on this week is what we call "fix-up strategies." These are things that we do as readers when we come to a word, or section of text that we don't understand. I've told the students that ALL readers need to use fix-up strategies at some point - even adults. So, i'd like to ask YOU to share some things that you do as a reader when you read something that you don't understand.

Thanks for sharing!

Cara