Cole’s Corner

Twitter: @colesalligators

Dear Families,

I hope everyone had an amazing weekend! Lots of great weather and time outside was just what we needed! We had a great week at school. Students were showing amazing leadership skills and following expectations! 

On Friday, I sent home two forms: Student Led Conference Form and Electronics Day Form. Please sign and send these back with your student tomorrow.  The kids put them in their back packs on Friday.

Student led conferences will be on April 6th. This is a time for students to show you current work, genius hour presentations, animal research presentations, reading journals, etc. Students will have a folder at their seat with access to a computer if they wish to show you work on Google Docs or on ScootPad. I am limiting the number of conferences in the classroom to eight per half hour block so you and your child have time to discuss their work. I will be checking in on the conference with you and your child but will not be directing the conference. I will be going over how to have a student led conference with the kids next week in preparation for your conference with them. Signing up for a time frame is first come first served. Please be sure to send in your conference form tomorrow or as soon as possible. 

We watched an amazing Origami Storyteller on Friday who told us stories from her home country of Japan! The kids were truly mesmerized watching her fold paper into some amazing objects and telling stories. We thank the PTA for helping provide these Cultural Arts experiences for our kids!

Curriculum Focus

Reading: Our objectives for these next three weeks are:

-Integrate information from two texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.

-Explain major differences between poems, drama, and prose, and refer to the structural elements of poems (e.g., verse, rhythm, meter) and drama (e.g., casts of characters, settings, descriptions, dialogue, stage directions) when writing or speaking about a text.

-Compare and contrast the treatment of similar themes and topics (e.g., opposition of good and evil) and patterns of events (e.g., the quest) in stories, myths, and traditional literature from different cultures.

We will accomplish these goals by utilizing texts both fiction and non-fiction. This week’s focus is equity and sterotyping. We will be working with texts like Locomotion, Henry’s Freedom Box, Giraffes Don’t Dance and articles that go along with this theme.

Writing:Students have worked on their “Conclusion” paragraphs and will now move on to revising, peer editing and publishing their opinion pieces.

Math: We have been working on comparing fractions using number lines, benchmark fractions and using the numerator/denominator to compare them. We will add another strategy this week: finding a common denominator or numerator. Students’ will utilize the information that they learn this year and apply it to their work in fractions next year! Here is a link to the WCPSS parent math letter which can be found on our website under classroom information  WCPSS Parent Math Letters and Helpful Videos. Comparing Fractions

Science: Students have transitioned to Mrs. Payne’s classroom for Science. This unit is called Earth Materials; here are the main objectives for the unit:

  • Rocks and minerals consist of Earth materials that possess observable properties.
  • Minerals are identified using particular tests for the physical properties.
  • Rocks and minerals can be described according to the characteristics of the materials from which they are made.
  • Rocks are classified as metamorphic, igneous, or sedimentary, depending upon the processes that created the rock.

Social Studies:We started working on the NC Government system. Students worked last week to compare and contrast NC government with the government structure of the United States. 

Behavior Focus: We have maintained our free seating in the cafeteria! Let’s keep up the great work!

Agendas:

Please remember binders are coming home every day including Fridays. It is your student's responsibility to get you to sign their agenda each night. They should have homework written down every single night (including Fridays...which will most likely be "No Homework").

Dates To Remember:

3/28/17: Teacher McDonald’s night! Come see me! I’ll be there between 7-8pm!

3/31/17: No longer a teacher workday! Students are in school full day.

4/3 &4/4: Case 21 3rd Quarter

4/3/17: PTA Meeting & Chorus Performance 7pm

4/4/17: SciTech Expo at the Museum of Science Raleigh

4/7/17: Report Cards go home

4/10-4/16/17: Spring Break

4/17/17: Students return from Spring Break

4/24/17: Marbles Museum Field trip

5/12/17: Teacher Workday

5/18/17: 4th Grade Music Performance 6pm

5/29/17: Holiday-No School for Students

6/5 & 6/6: 4th Grade EOG’s

6/9/17: Last Day of School

Have a super week!

Sue Cole