Friday, April 15, 2016

Thank you to all parents who came in for conferences this week. I have confidence that all students will finish strong in 4th grade. We have a very busy schedule in the next few months. NWEA testing is starting next week and will be soon followed by the state M-Step testing. Next week Wednesday, April 20 we will have the spring concert. Please check the dates listed at the end of the newsletter for all these important dates !

Reading: We are going to get back to reading our class read aloud The River by Gary Paulsen. We are reviewing for the Language Arts M-Step Test, completing sample questions and correcting them. There were many more “Home Reading” logs turned in today! I hope all parents had a chance to see the “All About Favorite Books” posters that were hanging in the upstairs halls. Each student worked very hard on this project and they did a great job!

Writing: Students completed writing about their “Big Dream”. These pieces were displayed on their lockers and I hope you had a chance to review them with your student! We will be preparing and reviewing for the GP Writing assessment that will be given sometime in May. Our last RTI topic for the year is writing. We hope to have the students well prepared for the test.

Spelling: Students were given Spelling Tests today and they will be sent home early next week. . Please encourage your student to study their words for the Friday test and also to do more than the 3 minimum required Spelling Activities per week. These spelling activities help them practice and learn their spelling words. Students who score below 70% on a spelling test will be required to take the test over the following week.

Science: We just finished our Natural Resource and Conservation Activities and had a Quiz last Friday. The corrected quiz was sent home at conferences. We have been reviewing for the M-Step Science test and will be starting our new unit on Magnetism and Electricity next week. The Science M-Step test is Thursday, May 19th.

Math: Don’t forget student’s need to practice their Math Facts twice weekly using “Fast Math”. Mrs. Davisson is able to check on their progress and participation on line. Students continue to have weekly Fact Power tests on Tuesdays. Also I see many students having difficulty with multi-digit multiplication and division due to lack of mastery of math facts.

Computer Lab: Students need to practice their keyboarding skills as indicated by their pretest taken in Computer Lab. We all know these skills are survival in the world of technology. Students will be expected to type with “skins” on their keyboard in school when typing writing assignments. They will continue to be tested on their progress.

Important Dates:

Smencil Sale: Monday,4-18-Friday,4-22,During Lunch

Wednesday, April 20:NWEA Reading test 8:45 AM

Spring Concert, Parcells 7 PM

Wednesday, April 27, NWEA Math Test 8:45 Am

Tuesday, May 10:M-Step ELA (English Language Arts)

Wednesday, May 11: M-Step ELA

Tuesday, May 17: M-Step Math

Wednesday, May 18: M-Step Math

Thursday, May 19 M-Step- Science

Friday, June 3rd 4th Grade Greek Day

Tuesday, June 14: 4th Grade Picnic