Homework

Write a hamburger paragraph about Erosion. Use your neatest handwriting and check your spelling.

Tomorrow

Friday will be a busy day. First we have "Math and Muffins". Come in a join us from 7:45 - 8:45 for cider, muffins and math activites.

Later, after lunch, we have our Halloween party. Kids can bring in costumes and change into them after lunch. The kids planned the party earlier this month. I can't wait to see how it goes!

ELF

Today we had ELF and learned about erosion. There are a few causes, wind, water, gravity, and weathering. The kids did many activities that would enrich their understanding of erosion.

Last year there many questions on erosion on the science NECAP test that all fourth graders take in the spring. We are lucky to have our ELF volunteers to teach these important lessons!

Today's Journal: Night sounds

The only thing I hear is my sister on the phone. Plus her T.V. is on and she has it so loud I end up awak at 11:00 wich is not bad. And the last thing her dog that evil thing comes in my bed room and barks and poops on my floor.

Kayla

Homework

Spelling words - refrigerator lists.

Also: Sharing is now on Tuesdays and Fridays

Today's Journal: The biggest mess

When I was little I used to throw A hissy fit. I used to throw my toys on the ground. Then gramma made me clean it up. Why can't she clean it up? I hate to have a mess in my room, so there.

Maygan

Guidance Class: Bullies

Today in Guidance the kids talked with Mrs. Mayer about bullies.

Homework

Math Home Connection #9 , front and back (Remember square numbers are the ones who will form a perfect square!)

Reading Journal

That's it!

The Painted Essay

Today we reviewed the Painted Essay. It is a format for writing both reports and literature responses. Please check with your student to see if they understand the ideas of this tool. We will practice writing one tomorrow.

The Painted Essay
4 paragraphs

Red: Hook, Context, Topics
Yellow: Topic #1, details (and elaboration, right Kayla?)
Blue: Topic #2, details
Green: Conclusion: Restate Topics, Connections, Big AHA!

Class meeting: Talking

Each afternoon we have a class meeting. Some days we talk about issues in the classroom. Yesterday we talked about the off task talking and how we talk to each other. The kids made a plan.


For off task talking, they decided I should have them put their names on the board if I have to speak to them. That is a warning. The next time I talk to them they get a check and that is 5 minutes from recess. The next check is 15 minutes. The third check is a call home and all of recess. The kids wrote the plan, so we will begin to implemement today.

Also, we talked about how we should use our voices to each other in class. We talked about how it feels to be called names and left out. We will keep working on only saying something nice - or not saying anything at all.

We had a big discussion about bragging and celebrating. We decided that celebrating sounds like "Yea!" and bragging sounds like "ha! ha!"

Today's Journal: In the dark

One day I went to a haunted house. I really wanted to scare my brother so he could scream like a little girl. I have tried to do that before but it didn't work. When I went on vacation my brother scared me so my stepdad scared him back.

Emma

The Halloween Party

The kids have planned a party for Halloween. They have decided on food, decorations and entertainment. I will send the minutes from the class meeting home. If you cannot do all the kids signed you up for, don't worry, just let me know. They were very ambitious planners!

Tracy

Homework

Math sheet on multiplying by three. Don't forget the game I taught you today. You will be teaching it to someone at home later this week!

Today's Journal: If I were invisible

I would walk around and scare people. I would turn off all the lights. I would love it. I would scare the pants off of Russell and Robert. I would be happy.

Margaret

Today's Journal: Your sister, cousin, brother....

My cousin is so annoying. She always tells on me when I don't do anything to her. She gets me in trouble all the time. Sometimes we are nice to each other. Most of the time we fight.

Meghan

Homework

Tonight and tomorrow night kids should work on showing me what they already know about writing a literature response.

I have given them a question to answer on The Phantom Tollbooth: How does Milo change as a result of his trip through the lands past the phantom tollbooth? We have discussed this as a class at length, and yesterday we used a Venn Diagram to sort our thoughts.

I have also included the state of Vermont's writing benchmarks for literature response. We went over these in class, and they can act as a guideline.

If kids remember the painted essay format they should use it. Otherwise, write in hamburger paragraph form. This assignment should show me where kids are and where we still need to go with this kind of writing!

Due: Friday
Thanks!

Class News

We have almost finished NECAP testing. We have one more test to go on Friday afternoon. I think the worst part is finishing early then having to sit still while others finish. It is really hard, but the kids are really trying!

We are getting close to the performance of The Phantom Tollbooth. I sent a note home today tying up some loose ends. Let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks!

Today's Journal: I get angry when....

I get angry when my mom lets my little sister play in my room. She makes a mess. Then she dosent pick up. When I get home I have to pick it up. then the next day while I am gone she will make a bigger mess and I will be the one picking it up.

Darien

Today's Journal: A broken window

WHEN I WAS LIVING WITH MY GRAMMA AND GRAMPA . I WAS WATCHING TV IN MY ROOM. I JUMPED ON MY BED. I FELL OFF MY BED. I HIT THE WINDOW WITH MY KNEE.

Damian

Writing a literature response

Today we began talking about a literature response. A literature response is different from a book report. Children across the state of Vermont are asked to make connections to the text as well as judgements in order to show true understanding.

Today we looked at the state rubric and two examples of writing which meet the standards for fourth grade writing. We studied Farmer Boy and Horton Gives a Hoot.

If you get a chance, take a look at the benchmarks found on the state's website. It is a great way to become involved in your child's writing!

http://education.vermont.gov/new/pdfdoc/pgm_curriculum/literacy/writing/benchmarks/grade_4/grade_4_1_7_response.pdf

Conferences

It was nice to meet parents at conferences. As I reflected on the meetings I realized how lucky I felt to have this class this year. It really is a great group of kids, and while we try to have fun once in a while, they are really working hard and showing me what they can do!

Thanks for coming in and supporting what we are doing here in class!

Tracy Pearson

Today's Journal: A place I would like to visit.

I would like to visit Florida. I'd like to go to Disney. It would be fun. I've already been to Disney. It was fun, and I would like to go again.

Caleb

Today's Journal: Making a sandwich

To make a sandwich for peanut butter and jelly. You get bread and take the two pieces apart. Then get peanut butter. Put it on the bread.You get jelly and put spoon of it on it.Put the two
pieces of bread together then you have pbj.

Molly

Today's Journal: A funny dream

I woke up (really in a dream) and walked down the hall.There was a very big fluffy bird with a baby rattle, and was supposely a baby." He sure is the biggest baby I've seen!" He started to cry! I woke up ( for real) "we are having an earthquake again!

NECAP tests and Homework

Today we began the reading portion of the NECAP test. We will be testing Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons this week.

For homework tonight, please work on your refrigerator list of spelling words and your math fact flashcards. Please focus on the 4 times tables. Remember to think....double doubles!

Today's Journal: Ice cream cones

I love ice cream it is good. My favorite is vanilla and orange. I like sprinkles on my ice cream. My mom and my dad and my sister like ice cream. Ice cream is my favorite thing after I eat.

Courtney

Today's Journal: A yellow pencil

I have a green pencil box and in that pencil box there are no yellow pencils. But I have High School Musical and a heart one. In 2nd grade Emma had 50 something pencils. I have 6 pencils but none of them are yellow. I have a yellow colored pencil though.

Hannah

Social Studies and ELF

Today we began to look at the history of Vermont. I planned on reading about the Algonquin Indians and starting vegetable plants as they would have done. The kids began asking about how the Earth was formed and the beginning of life, so we watched part of a Discovery Channel video called Earth's Catastrophic Past. It helped me answer some of their questions. (I often need all the help I can get!)

Also, we had our first ELF class. Thanks to all the parents who volunteer your time. It is a great learning activity and the children love it!

Today's Journal: Your favorite T.V. show

I like the Simpsons. It is a very funny show. My favorite show is when the principal and Bart are fighting each other with sticks. All the while, Starwars music is playing. The music is funny. It goes like this: da da da da, dadadadadada, daaaaaaaaaa!

The End

Sullivan

Homework

Read for 20 minutes and write at least 5 sentences about your reading! Have fun!

Math Class

Today we learned two new strategies for figuring out multiplying by fours and sixes. When you multiply by four you can figure it out using "double doubles". When you multiply by sixes you can use clock facts plus one more. Ask your student how these work!

Today's Journal: Bubble Gum

I like gum, especially bubble gum. My favorite is cotton candy it is the best. It is the kind I usually have. There is a lot of kind of gum but I do not like all kinds.