Last Week Before the Holidays!

 Greetings, parents – we’re almost there!

 While we’re all eagerly anticipating the end of the quarter, I’m realizing how much I’m going to miss the kids over the break! From solemnly singing “Oh Factor Tree” (a factor song sung to the tune of “Oh, Christmas Tree”), to discussing our Arizona origins, to watching them cheer on their peers during the country presentations, your children bring me comfort and joy, every day. It is a privilege and an honor to work with them.

I was blown away by the quality of the European Projects: their depth and extent of research, organization of materials, and preparation and poise in presenting all impressed me a great deal. I know that many of you worked long and hard to help them. Thank you for your perseverance and support!

I have been grading the trifolds this weekend and will send them home with the children on Tuesday or Wednesday. Final project grades will be sent home in their graded work folders on Wednesday. 

I. Upcoming Tests, Quizzes, and Events

Spelling Bee (not for a grade) on Tuesday, December 18

Arizona Unit Test (Arizona packet and study guide) on Wednesday, December 19
Grammar Review Quiz (parts of speech) on Wednesday, December 19
Math Review Quiz (order of operations) on Wednesday, December 19

Half Day on Tuesday, December 18

Half Day on Wednesday, December 19

No School Thursday, December 20 - Friday, January 5 (Winter Break)

See below for a link to Mr. Naak's quizlet for the history test:
https://quizlet.com/254959706/history-arizona-test-flash-cards/

II.  Holiday Party Tomorrow (Monday, December 18!)

Mrs. Patel and Mrs. Boyle have been hard at work planning a fancy holiday party for the children on the afternoon of December 18 (tomorrow!) I’ve been told that visions of gingerbread cookies and nutcracker ornaments_­­ have been dancing in their heads. We do have sufficient supplies for the party, but if you’d like to send in additional treats, you're certainly welcome to do so. Parents are welcome to join in the fun: the party is scheduled from approximately 1:45pm-3pm on Monday, December 18. 

III. Gifts

Children are permitted to bring in small gifts for their friends. Here are some guidelines:

•  Nothing bigger than a very small box that can fit in a backpack easily.
• Gifts may not be opened on school grounds.
• The gift must go into backpacks immediately.
• Gifts do not have to be given to everyone but they cannot be given in categories, e.g. "gifts for all the girls," unless every girl receives one

In general: gift-giving to just friends and not everyone is acceptable, but it must be done discreetly and in a spirit of friendship towards all students. 

IV. Report Cards and Evaluation

Please look for report cards and evaluations sent via e-mail sometime shortly after January 4th.

This quarter, you will receive full narrative evaluations as well as grades for your child. (The grades given will be standard letter grades as usual.) The narrative evaluation will be three paragraphs long, in-depth, and detailed. While the narratives are extensive, it is still difficult to describe a child’s academic progress in full in a written evaluation. If you would like to schedule a conference and/or would like clarification on some part of the evaluation, please let me know via email.

V. Spelling Bee

On Tuesday, 4A will hold a classroom spelling bee. The winner will move on to the school-wide bee after the holidays. No word lists have been sent out in advance, and children are not expected to practice for this contest. Results will not be calculated into your child's grade. 

VI. Holiday Break

The Holiday Break is from December 21st - January 7th. Our first day back after the break is January 8. Tuesday the 19th and Wednesday the 20th will be half days with 12:05/12:25 p.m. pick-up.

VII.  Holiday­ Break Reading and Math Packets

I will be offering optional reading contest and math packets over the break. If you would like one for your child, please let me know as soon as possible.  

European Project Presentation Schedule

Please note that these times are approximate as presentations will vary in length. Thank you!

Thursday Dec. 14, 8:35-9:00am

Jacob Bateman

Milan

Keira

Jimmy

Fiona

Thursday 11:00am-11:25am

Leahady

Emma

Avery

Jack

Rylan

Thursday 12:35pm-1:00pm

Natalia

CJ
Sophia Letizia

Ellie

Sadie

Friday Dec. 15, 8:35-9:00 am

Josh

Ava

Mya

Jacob Babyar

James

Friday 11am-11:25am

Derek

Gabriella

Sophia Gray

Isela

Kalyn

Friday 12:35pm-1:00pm

Andy

Omarali

Maddie

Cecelia

Rutvi

Weekend Update 12/8-12/11

I. European History Project: Final FAQ
The due date for the Europe Project is Thursday, December 14th. There has been no homework assigned for this weekend and the children will not be given homework on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday night, other than optional review for upcoming quizzes and tests. There will be normal homework on Thursday evening. 

Some answers to a few final questions parents have asked about the project:

• If your child elects to bring food, please bring enough for the whole class (32, including Mrs. Klopack and myself!) to have a small portion. 
• Homemade food is great, but store-bought food is also acceptable. 
• There are no restrictions on food items, but please note whether your item contains gluten. We will have alternative food items available for children with allergies. 
• I can provide plates, bowls, utensils, and/or cups for food items, but I need to know in advance. If you have not already done so, please let me know whether you need these items by Tuesday, December 12 at the latest. 
• Regardless of whether your child is presenting Thursday or Friday, please send in all materials on Thursday, except for any food, outfit, or model. These may be brought in on Friday.
• The flag should be hand-drawn (small elements may be cut and pasted, but the bulk of it should be drawn by hand) and either attached the poster or presented separately.
• The children may use the poster and/or note cards as presentation guides, but they should not read directly from the poster. We will grade them on eye contact and familiarity with the material. We discussed the difference between using  note cards as a guide and a crutch earlier this week in class. 
• I strongly suggested to the children that they practice their presentation at least once with a parent or older sibling. If that can't be arranged, please let me know and I will find time to have them practice with me. 
• The presentation must last a minimum of three minutes and should not extend beyond seven minutes.  
• The presentation is based upon their poster board, the knowledge they have learned, and their display (food, landmark/cultural item, or clothing). They can pick several components of their research and focus on those. They do not need to cover all their research in a 3-minute presentation. 
• All sources should be listed on the front page of the packet as instructed. The items in the packet should be sourced with a reference code in the box to the left of the item (e.g., B1)
• They do not need to include reference on the poster or the essays unless they are quoting directly from a book or website -- in that case, the quote (in quotation marks!) should be followed by the author's first initial and last name plus book title or website title. We do not require APA or MLA format in fourth grade. 

            Example: "Italy is known for its beautiful coastline." (R. Benigni, Bella Italia). 

• The reflective paragraph should be about their experience during the project. Was it fun? Boring? hard? What did they learn? How would they do a similar project differently next time? Etc. 
• Both the essay and the reflection paragraph may be typed OR hand-written. If they are hand-written, they should be written in cursive. They will both be handed in separately from the poster board.
• If your child began or finished his or her essay in class on the computer and needs me to send you a link or print it out, let me know as soon as possible.
• If dressing up, students must still wear their uniforms that day. They may change before their presentation time.
• You are welcome to join us that day to watch your child present their project! I will send out a presentation schedule later today (Saturday). 

See below from some excellent poster examples:

I will be available all weekend and next to answer any other questions you might have. 

II. Upcoming Quizzes and Tests

Science Mini-Quiz on Wednesday, December 13

Science Mini-Quiz on Friday, December 15

Spalding Test on Friday, December 15

Math Cumulative Test on Friday, December 15

European Projects Due on Thursday, December 14 (presentations Thursday and Friday)

III. Here's what our scholars will be studying throughout the rest of Quarter 2 (reprint): 

History: We have begun a unit on the geography, history, and culture of our home state, Arizona.  Students will look at the state's rivers and waterways and regions, learn how Arizona became a state, discuss the "5 C's" (copper, cotton, cattle, climate, and citrus) and explore Spanish and Native American influences.

The big European Country Project is due on December 14^th. Students will present their projects on Thursday, December 14 and Friday, December 15.

Science:  We'll conclude the quarter by reviewing prior units and reviewing topics specifically covered on the AIMS test.

Language Arts: In Literature, we'll finish reading Robin Hood and conduct Socratic discussions to explore the question of whether Robin Hood is a hero. This is the precursor to a larger discussion at the end of the book. The quarter will conclude with a reading of the first few chapters of Pollyanna. In grammar, students will write a short personal narrative essay. In Spalding, we'll have more words with markings to copy and learn.

Math: Students will continue working on fractions. The quarter will end with a review test on the topics covered thus far.

Weekend Update

Photos from our November/December student birthday party, courtesy of Mrs. Boyle. 

I. Here's what our scholars will be studying throughout the rest of Quarter 2: 

History: We have begun a unit on the geography, history, and culture of our home state, Arizona.  Students will look at the state's rivers and waterways and regions, learn how Arizona became a state, discuss the "5 C's" (copper, cotton, cattle, climate, and citrus) and explore Spanish and Native American influences.

The big European Country Project is due on December 14^th. Students will present their projects on Thursday, December 14 and Friday, December 15.

Science:  Students will finish up the meteorology unit. Students will look at the role of meteorologist and the difference between weather and climate. We'll conclude the quarter by reviewing prior units and reviewing topics specifically covered on the AIMS test.

Language Arts: In Literature, we'll finish reading Robin Hood and conduct Socratic discussions to explore the question of whether Robin Hood is a hero. This is the precursor to a larger discussion at the end of the book. The quarter will conclude with a reading of the first few chapters of Pollyanna. In grammar, students will write a personal narrative essay. In Spalding, we'll have more words with markings to copy and learn.

Math: Students will continue working on fractions. There will be nightly homework. The quarter will end with a review of the topics covered thus far.

II. "Resources" Section

I have updated and reorganized the "Resources" section of the blog. This includes links to helpful Arete sites as well as handy academic sites pertaining to aspects of our curriculum. You can check it out in the sidebar, or here. If you have any helpful academic links that you'd like to share, please send them over and I'll add them to the list.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful weekend!

-Miss Kelly

Upcoming Tests and Quizzes: Nov. 27-Dec. 1

Happy Thanksgiving, families! Here are the assessments we have coming up in the week after the break. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Tuesday, November 28: Science Mini-Quiz

Wednesday, November 29: Grammar Test

Thursday, November 30: Science Mini-Quiz

Friday, December 1: Spalding Test; Science Unit Test on Meteorology

Friday Update

The fourth graders at the Winter Concert on Wednesday, November 15. 

Here we are, less than a week from Thanksgiving with just one month until Winter Break! I am so proud of our class. Their concert performance was spectacular, their Biome Projects show such diligence and artistry, and they've been working hard to excel in a demanding and fast-paced curriculum. They give me so much joy, and it is an honor to work with them.

Europe Project 
There is no homework this weekend (outside of charting the weather). This is to allow time for students to work on their Europe Projects. Monday and Tuesday's history segments will be dedicated to work on the Europe Project. Students may use their reference books to fill out their project packet. Computers will be available as well. Students may only use computers to log onto websites they have already found. They will not be permitted to google websites in class.

Calendar
Please see the blog sidebar for a new feature: a class calendar, where I will post upcoming tests and quizzes, class parties, days off, and other events.

The Next Three Weeks in Class

History: Students will begin a four-week study on Arizona history. This is part of the state mandated curriculum. Students will also continue work on the Europe Project.

Science: In science over the remainder of the quarter, students will continue their study of meteorology. Students will learn about air pressure, wind, fronts, thunderstorms, hurricanes, and tornadoes. As a demonstration, students will learn how to build and use a barometer. In groups, students will  use anemometer.

Language Arts: In Literature, students will discuss whether or not they think Robin Hood is a hero. This is the precursor to a larger discussion at the end of the book. The quarter finishes with a reading of Pollyanna. In grammar, there is an assessment on chapter 8 this week, then students will write a personal narrative essay. In Spalding there will be more words and more markings.

Math: Students will enter a three-week review session, wherein they will revisit the concepts that have been taught thus far. There will be nightly homework.

Next Week
Next week is a short week: no school Wednesday through Friday. The holiday season is upon us. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Wednesday Miscellany

Good afternoon parents,

I am so looking  forward to watching the children perform at the Winter Concert tonight! Perhaps I will see you there.

A few miscellaneous items:

1. The math test formerly scheduled for this Friday has been moved to Tuesday, December 21. I strongly dislike moving test dates and try to avoid it if at all possible, but the fourth grade team thought it was necessary this time given everyone's progress as well as the Archway and Prep concerts thus weekend (on different nights). Hopefully this will lighten this week's load a little for everyone.

We will still take the Spalding and history tests on Friday. The history test is on Ch. 17-21 in the packet/study guide.

2. School administration confirmed for me today that "smart" watches may not be worn by the students during school; they must be turned off and kept in backpacks or left at home. This policy  is intended to reduce distractions, remove temptations and means of cheating, and keep inappropriate content off our campus. I hope none of the children feel penalized by this directive. I haven't noticed any specific problems with smart watches in 4A, but I respect the policy of the school.

A smart watch is defined as any watch that can access the internet, has a calculator, can receive calls or texts, or can play videos or games.

Regular ("dumb") watches, including digital ones, are allowed.

3. Today the children received a sheet detailing a small science project in which they will be documenting and charting the weather in various American cities. All that the kids will need to do at home each day (starting tomorrow) is look up the weather in their chosen city and log high and low temperatures and conditions. I told them this should take a maximum of five minutes per day. If your child cannot access the internet at home, let me know and I'll help them log the info at school.

As always, please be in touch with questions or concerns! See you tonight!

MK