Monday, October 3, 2011

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