Monday, September 15, 2014

Update 9/15/2014

Happy Monday Parents,

I hope everyone had a great weekend. The students have a social studies and math test tomorrow. We didn't plan it that way, the units happened to end at the same time. They should have a study guide for the social studies test to study from. If they forgot their textbook and wanted to study from it, they can log into Pearson and bring up the section from the book online.
They have a math test on Collecting Data, Topic 17. They were assigned all the problems on pgs. 426-427 in their math book. It is practice on each section that we learned thus far. They do not have to know mean.

Mrs. Thompson is still looking for volunteers to whip up a batch of salt dough in relation to a project the students will be doing this Friday. She has the recipe. Please contact her if you are interested in helping.

For spelling this week, students are responsible for the spelling and meanings of five prefixes. They are: uni, mono/mon, di, tri, and quadra/quadru. They will need to complete their reading log this week as usual.

Thank you and have a great week.

If questions, email us at:

charles.utter@am.dodea.edu, mindy.thompson@am.dodea.edu

Thursday, September 11, 2014

9/11/2014 Update

Happy Thursday!  It's almost the weekend!

Tonight's Homework:

Students should continue adding to their weekly Reading Log.  Please make sure it gets into the Take-Home folder tonight, since this assignment is due tomorrow!

Don't forget to study for the spelling test tomorrow.  Your child should have a list of words in his/her folder.  If not, there is a list in an earlier blog post.

In math, students are working with circle graphs.  The homework tonight is the 17-9 worksheet.


Upcoming Events

Don't forget about tonight's Ice Cream Social.  Come and enjoy free ice cream from the PTO!!

Mrs. Thompson will be giving a Social Studies test on Tuesday of next week.  We've been reviewing in class, and students will be given a study guide on Monday so you can review before the test.


Help Wanted

Next week, the students will be building topographical maps of the United States out of salt dough.  If any moms and/or dads would be willing to help out by mixing up a big batch or two of salt dough, I'd very much appreciate it!  If you'd like to help, contact Mrs. Thompson, and she can give you details.

Also, we plan to make our maps on Friday of next week.  If you'd like to be an extra set of hands and are available between 8:45 and 10:10, please let Mrs. Thompson or Mr. Utter know :-)

Have a wonderful evening!!

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Update 9/10/2014

Happy Wednesday Parents!

The students will be completing a math assignment on pictographs. We did not cover this concept but it should be clear in the directions how to do it and is part of our unit on collecting data.

They should continue doing the reading log. Also, the students will be taking their first reading test on Grandfather's Journey on Friday along with the spelling test. They are welcome to bring their text book home Thursday nights to read the story. If they do so, please bring it back the following day since they are allowed to look back in the story to find answers for the test. The reading test will be done on Pearson so students can log in and review what questions they got wrong and it details the comprehension skills they did not master. These reading tests will occur every other week.

Just wanted to remind you that we have our Freedom Walk and Ice Cream Social if you can make it tomorrow.

Thanks,

Chuck Utter, Mindy Thompson

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Update 9/9/14

I hope your Tuesday went well.

We worked on Stem and Leaf Plots in math today and that is what their homework is on. Now that Pearson is working, most of the time students will be taking a five question assessment after the math lesson each day. Depending on how they score on it will dictate their homework for the night. For example, if they get a perfect five out of five, they will do the "enrichment" homework sheet that will challenge them. If they get a three or four out of five they will do the "practice" homework which is review of the learned concept. If they score a zero to two out of five, they will do the "reteach" homework sheet which tries to explain the concept in more depth with a practice problem or two. Also, students can log into Pearson at home and review the day's lesson if they need help.

They should continue to complete their reading log each night and study their spelling words.

Thank you,

Chuck Utter, Mindy Thompson

Monday, September 8, 2014

Daily Update

Welcome to a new week of 4th grade!

Tonight's homework:

Reading log entry--please make sure your child is fully answering their chosen question using complete sentences.

Spelling--students received their first spelling list this week.  You should see the list in your child's take-home folder, but a copy of the words can be found below for your convenience.  Please help your child study throughout the week.  Test Friday!!

Math--Topic 17-7 homework sheet (Median, mode, and range)


Upcoming events:

Sept 11 – Freedom Walk 8:45am.  Parents are encourage to join the HES students and staff in walking to commemorate the anniversary of September 11th.

Sept 11-- Ice Cream Social  5:00--6:30  The PTO invites you to join us for free ice cream.  Bring the whole family!

Sept 23 - Fall Curriculum Night 5:30--7:00 Stay tuned for details


Spelling Words

sweet
each
three
least
freedom
below
throat
float
foam
flown
greet
season
croak
shallow
eagle
indeed
rainbow
grown
seaweed
hollow

Challenge Words
Halloween
speedometer
underneath
seacoast
cocoa

Friday, September 5, 2014

Announcement 9/5/14

We have enjoyed working with your child for the first two weeks of school. The students have no homework over the weekend. I hope your child told you about the STEAM project they completed this week. We will be moving into a unit on weather next week. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
Thank you and have a relaxing weekend.

Chuck Utter and Mindy Thompson

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Daily Update--9/4/2014

Hi Parents!

Our apologies for falling a bit behind.  The beginning of the school year is always crazy, but we'll do our best to update regularly.   Keep in mind that we do try to keep homework assignments fairly consistent.  You can almost always expect your child to be reading and filling in one log entry per night and to have a nightly assignment for math. Of course, students are always expected to study for upcoming tests and there may be occasional additional assignments.  The dates for all tests and extra assignments will definitely be posted here!!

This week has been busy with learning routines for our reading centers, STEAM projects to highlight the Scientific Method, learning all about our country's diverse climates, and continuing to work with graphs and data.

Please be on the lookout for Spelling words to begin next week.  The list should come home with your child on Monday.  While there is not a formal nightly homework assignment, students are expected to study at home throughout the week.  Spelling City is a great resource!

Tonight's homework:  Due to beginning of year assessments, students do not have math homework tonight.  Students should still read and complete a Reading Log entry.

Have a great evening!!