Class 4-408 goes to see Charlotte's Web the Movie!

"Even though the old cartoon movie had corney songs, it was more true to the book than this version"
- Kate

Homework - Week of 12/18/2006

Reading - 20 minutes
*Read 20 Minutes (or more) each night
*Fill out Reading Log - DUE FRIDAY 12/18
Reading Log

Writing

*Dragon - Test Essay Packet - DUE FRIDAY
This essay (last 2 pages of the packet) must be 5 paragraphs

*FINISH CHARLOTTE'S WEB LITERARY ESSAY* At home
This essay must be 5 paragraphs

Paragraph 1 - Introduction
1. Mention the title, author, and genre
2. Restate your thesis (or Main question on TEST ESSAY)
3. Mention examples or parts you are going to talk about

Paragraphs 2, 3, 4 - Body Paragraphs
1. Mention specific examples from the story that support the thesis or Bullit Point Questions on TEST ESSAY
*For example
*For instance
2. Connect back to the thesis/main question in your own words
*This shows
*This matters

Paragraph 5 - Conclusion
1. Restate the thesis/question and say that you have proven it
*So
*Therefore
*In conclusion
2. Make a connection to yourself or to the lesson the thesis is teaching us
*By giving the character of the Goose an idiosyncrasy, I think E.B. White is trying to teach us...


Math - 10-15 minutes
Problem of the Week
POW Due January 4th

WOW – Words of the Week - 5-10 minutes
Word Study Packet - Due January 4th

Test Prep - 10-15 minutes - DUE FRIDAY
"The Wishing Flower" Poem and Questions

Tips:

Before reading the passage, be sure to:
*Read the directions
*Read the title
*Look at the picture
*THINK about who is in the story and what you think happens

THEN,
*Read the question stems
*UNDERLINE key words in the questions
*Answer as many questions as you can by matching key words from the questions in the passage

THEN,
*Read the passage in chunks
*Stop and THINK about the MAIN IDEA in each paragraph
*Stop and THINK
*Who is in the story?
*What is the setting?
*What is the problem?
*How is the character facing the problem?
*What is the lesson we are learning from this story?

THEN
*Double check your answers!

Homework for Week of 12/11/06

NEW Homework Policy - ALL HOMEWORK is Due MONDAY
This week's Homework is due MONDAY DECEMBER 18th

Reading - 20 minutes
*Read 20 Minutes (or more) each night
*Fill out Reading Log
Reading Log

Writing – 10-15 minutes for EACH entry
*Write 3 WNB entries on topics of your choice
*FINISH CHARLOTTE'S WEB LITERARY ESSAY* At home
This essay must be 5 paragraphs

Paragraph 1 - Introduction
1. Mention the title, author, and genre
2. Restate your thesis
3. Mention examples or parts you are going to talk about

Paragraphs 2, 3, 4 - Body Paragraphs
1. Mention specific examples from the story that support the thesis
*For example
*For instance
2. Connect back to the thesis in your own words
*This shows
*This matters

Paragraph 5 - Conclusion
1. Restate the thesis and say that you have proven it
*So
*Therefore
*In conclusion
2. Make a connection to yourself or to the lesson the thesis is teaching us
*By giving the character of the Goose an idiosyncrasy, I think E.B. White is trying to teach us...


Math - 10-15 minutes
Problem of the Week

*PLEASE NOTE NEW TEMPLATE FOR POW*

WOW – Words of the Week - 5 minutes
WOW Packet
Students are self-selecting 10 words from the list of 24 WOW words to study

Science - 10-15 minutes
Science Packet - *Carmelo Preps this packet and if it is ready, it will be handed out Mid Week*

Test Prep - 10-15 minutes
"Lemonade Stand" Story and Questions

Tips:

Before reading the passage, be sure to:
*Read the directions
*Read the title
*Look at the picture
*THINK about who is in the story and what you think happens

THEN,
*Read the question stems
*UNDERLINE key words in the questions
*Answer as many questions as you can by matching key words from the questions in the passage

THEN,
*Read the passage in chunks
*Stop and THINK about the MAIN IDEA in each paragraph
*Stop and THINK
*Who is in the story?
*What is the setting?
*What is the problem?
*How is the character facing the problem?
*What is the lesson we are learning from this story?

THEN
*Double check your answers!

Helpful ELA Testing Info

We've officially started preparing for our fast-approaching ELA test coming up in January. I wanted to pass along these tips. Not to make too big a deal of it, but these are simple tips that 4th graders are expected to do in ALL of their work, and can make a difference for a HIGHER SCORE on the test, believe it or not!

ELA TIPS:

*Practice writing in answers (short answers, graphic organizers)

*Practice essays and essay structure (turn question into thesis statement, 3 pieces of evidence, introduction, conclusion - restate thesis statement)

*HANDWRITING MATTERS! Practice using the lines and ALWAYS using legible handwriting

*INDENTING PARAGRAPHS matters! Students may also skip lines, in addition to indenting, for each new paragraph. 4th graders at this point are EXPECTED to organize their writing into paragraphs! We work on this at school A LOT!

*Spell words that are given in the text/questions CORRECTLY!

*Length matters -- try to write long, reminding kids that REPETITION IS BETTER THAN RAMBLING (without overdoing it!)

*Practice reading many SHORT passages, and keeping kids to a time frame. Build stamina by building up the number of short passages over weeks. Remember there are 5 passage on the 4th grade test! There were only 4 last year.

We are working on ALL of these in school, but our kids are asked to do more than they needed to on the 3rd grade test, so please help by using the tips above to reinforce these at home. Your participation really matters & helps tremendously.

Let me know if you have any questions, and remember that we don't want to overdo it and overwhelm our kids -- a little bit 3x a week should be plenty on top of what they are getting at school.

LINKS:

General info on testing, as well as practice tests you can USE AT HOME!
www.edinformatics.com/testing/ny.htm

Ed Helper: customize test prep materials to print and use
www.edhelper.com/testprep_grade4.html

4th grade skill builders - scroll down to the green section for ELA
www.internet4classrooms.com/skills_4th_original.htm

Online test maker - customize short answer, fill in the blank... Try finding an interesting article your kid would enjoy and making up a few questions to go along with it. Good resource.
http://www.easytestmaker.com/default.aspx

South Street Seaport Trip Date Change

*DATE CHANGE*
Our original date of December 21st
has been CHANGED to:

THURSDAY December 14th

On our trip to the South Street Seaport we will participate in the “Taste of the Sea” program. We will board the tall ship Peking and experience the excitement of New York City during the height of the shipping era without ever leaving port.


We will discover what it's like to walk in the footsteps of sailors: haul the lines, raise a sail, and witness the past conditions that carried the Transatlantic trade of people, goods and ideas into the present day.

When: December 14, 2006 from 9:15am – 12:30pm (returning to school by lunch)

Where: South Street Seaport

Travelling by: Subway

Revised Permission Skip
*Please sign and return to school ASAP

Homework - Week of 12/4/2006

NEW Homework Policy - ALL HOMEWORK is Due MONDAY
This week's Homework is due MONDAY DECEMBER 11th

Reading - 20 minutes
*Read 20 Minutes (or more) each night
*Fill out Reading Log
Reading Log

Writing – 10-15 minutes for EACH entry
*Write 3 WNB entries on topics of your choice

*Some students have not handed in personal narratives
– these are now OVERDUE*

Math - 10-15 minutes
Problem of the Week

*PLEASE NOTE NEW TEMPLATE FOR POW*

Memorize 1-6 times tables
*We will have Mad Math minute timed test this week

WOW – Words of the Week - 5 minutes
WOW Packet
Students are self-selecting 10 words from the list of 24 WOW words to study

*WOW Quiz on FRIDAY

Science - 10-15 minutes
Science Packet

Test Prep - 10-15 minutes
"Two Wheeled Triumph" Poem and Questions

Homework for Week of 11/27/06

NEW Homework Policy - ALL HOMEWORK is Due MONDAY

Reading - 20 minutes
*Read 20 Minutes (or more) each night
*Fill out Reading Log
Reading Log

Writing – 10-15 minutes for EACH entry
*Write 3 WNB entries on topics of your choice

*Some students have not handed in personal narratives
– these are now OVERDUE*

Math - 10-15 minutes
Problem of the Week

*PLEASE NOTE NEW TEMPLATE FOR POW*

*Tuesday - Do page 1
*Wednesday – Do page 2
*Thursday – Do pages 3 & 4

Study Links Pages
2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.7 (use partial sums method with 2.7)

Memorize 1-6 times tables
*We will have Mad Math minute timed test this week

WOW – Words of the Week - 5 minutes
WOW Packet
Students are self-selecting 10 words from the list of 24 WOW words to study

*WOW Quiz on FRIDAY

Thanksgiving Homework

All Homework is Due MONDAY November 27th

Reading - 20 minutes
*Read 20 Minutes (or more) each night
*Fill out Reading Log
Reading Log

Writing – 10-15 minutes
Finish PERSONAL NARRATIVE Story * For those students who have not handed in a Personal narrative - this is now OVERDUE!

Write 3 WNB entries on topics of your choice

Math - 10-15 minutes
5 Math Sheets (do 1 a day)

Science - 10-15 minutes
Science Packet – Food Chains

Test Prep - 10-15 minutes
Test Prep Multiple Choice Packet
*Do 1 passage and questions a day
(there are 5 passages/sets of questions)

Before reading the passage be sure to:
* Read the directions
* Read the title
* Look at the pictures
* Read the questions
* Think about what the story could be about – Who is in the story – What happens?

Then, underline key words in the questions that can help you find the answers!

Scholastic Field Trip

Class 4-408 took a trip to Scholastic headquarters in Manhattan on Friday. Our student teacher Melanie used to work for their Book Club division and her old co-workers showed us how they make books and products for the Book Club catalogue.

We were invited to:

* rate our favorite books in the catalogue.
* test new products that may appear in the catalogue.
* and invent a new product for kids!

See a slide show of PICTURES from the trip here


Luca checking out two book cover choices


Myles deciding that the Suspension Bridge is his favorite item


Tara testing a Spy Cell Phone


Class 4-408's list of new product inventions

Parent-Teacher Conference Appointments

Here is the list of Parent Teacher Conference appointments so far. These were made on a first-come, first-serve basis. The appointments are only ten minutes.

*IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AN APPOINMENT PLEASE CONTACT MAUREEN TO SCHEDULE ONE*

Monday morning, November 13, 2006 - 8:00- 8:10 am

8:00 Hannah

Monday afternoon, November 13, 2006 - 1:00 – 3:20 pm

1:00 Jalan

1:10 Ali

1:20 Stephanie

1:30 Veronika

1:40 Malcolm

1:50 Andromache

2:00 Zuri

2:10 Zora

2:20 Destiny

2:30 Tara

2:40 Brandis

2:50 Laron

3:00 Deonte

3:10 Myles

3:20 Damaras


Monday evening, November 13, 2006 - 6:00 – 8:00 pm

6:00 Exavier

6:10 Kate

6:20 Courtney

6:30 Ziyad

6:40 Raquel

6:50 Aliyah

7:00 Darean

7:10 Adrian

7:20 Kimani

7:30 Luca

7:40

7:50

Homework - Week of 11/13/2006

Reading - 20 minutes
*Read 20 Minutes (or more) each night
*Fill out Reading Log
Reading Log is due on FRIDAY

Writing – 10-15 minutes - DAILY
Work on your Personal Narrative Story - Published Piece is DUE FRIDAY

Math - 10-15 minutes - Due THURDSAY
Problem of the Week
*Tuesday - Do page 1
*Wednesday – Do page 2
*Thursday – Do pages 3 & 4

Memorize 1-5 times tables
*We will have Mad Math minute timed test this week

Social Studies - 10-15 minutes - Due FRIDAY NOVEMBER 17th
Native American Research Project

Great Lenape/Algonquin Websites
http://ryecityschools.lhric.org/webquest/milton/Indians/Algonquin%20Iroquois.htm
http://www.mce.k12tn.net/indians/reports1/algonquian.htm

WOW – Words of the Week - 5 minutes
WOW Packet

Students are self-selecting 10 words from the list of 24 WOW words to study

*WOW Quiz on FRIDAY

Homework - Week of 11/6/2006

Reading - 20 minutes
*Read 20 Minutes (or more) each night
*Fill out Reading Log
Reading Log is due on FRIDAY

Writing – 10-15 minutes - DAILY
Work on your Personal Narrative Story - Published Piece is DUE FRIDAY

Math - 10-15 minutes - Due THURDSAY
Problem of the Week
*Tuesday - Do page 1
*Wednesday – Do page 2
*Thursday – Do pages 3 & 4

Memorize 1-5 times tables
*We will have Mad Math minute timed test this week

Social Studies - 10-15 minutes - Due FRIDAY NOVEMBER 17th
Native American Research Project

Great Lenape/Algonquin Websites
http://ryecityschools.lhric.org/webquest/milton/Indians/Algonquin%20Iroquois.htm
http://www.mce.k12tn.net/indians/reports1/algonquian.htm

WOW – Words of the Week - 5 minutes
WOW Packet

Students are self-selecting 10 words to study

*WOW Quiz on FRIDAY

Waterloo Village - Pictures and Comments

The entire 4th grade had an amazing trip to Waterloo Village. The buses were cozy, weather was perfect, the guides were knowledgeable, and we learned heaps of information about how the Lenape peoples lived. Every penny that was raised for this trip was worth it. Thanks again to all our families for making this memorable trip possible!






Check out some pictures:

Pictures by Maureen
Slide Show

Pictures by Trey (Zora's Mom)

Also read some comments from class 4-408 about the trip.

Waterloo Village - What to Bring - How to Get There

Waterloo Village Field Trip
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
8:30 – 4:00pm

Directions to Waterloo:
http://waterloovillage.org/contact/directions.aspx?sub=directions

*Be at school on time! We will be leaving at 8:30 am sharp! The busses will not wait for you!

*Please make arrangements to pick up your child at 4:00pm, as we will be missing dismissal. We plan to leave Waterloo no later than 2:00. You may call the school to find out if we’ll be back any earlier than 4:00 at 718.330.9275.

*Please do not come to school in a Halloween costume!

*Please bring a labeled, disposable bag (plastic or brown paper) lunch. NO glass bottles! No Tupperware. Everything should be disposable so that kids don’t have to carry anything around after lunch.

*Wear comfortable shoes – we will be doing A LOT of walking

*Wear many layers of clothes. Be prepared for any kind of weather.

*We will go rain or shine. Although the weather forcast says sunny and in the 60's

*As Ms. Mills discussed, kids may NOT bring toys on our Waterloo field trip. You don’t need to bring anything except your lunch on this field trip. That means NO BACKPACKS! No Pokemon cards. No Heelies! We will provide entertainment on the bus!

*Thank you for helping us make this a safe, successful
trip.

*The 4th Grade Team

Homework - Week of 10/30/06

Reading - 20 minutes
*Read 20 Minutes (or more) each night
*Fill out Reading Log
Reading Log is due on FRIDAY

Writing – 10-15 minutes - Due DAILY
4 Small Moment entries this week - each entry should be at least 1 page

*Children should set a timer and just write for 10-15 minutes with no break (they can do more if they want – this is to build writing stamina)

Math - 10-15 minutes - Due THURDSAY
Problem of the Week
*Tuesday - Do page 1
*Wednesday – Do page 2
*Thursday – Do pages 3 & 4

Memorize 1-5 times tables
*We will have Mad Math minute timed test this week

Social Studies - 10-15 minutes - Due FRIDAY
Lenape Diary - To write after our trip to Waterloo Village

Imagine you are a Lenape child. Write about 1 day in your life, from waking up to going to sleep. Include details from what you learned on our field trip to Waterloo Village. If you didn’t attend the field trip, find out what you missed from a friend, and do some research so that you are able to complete this assignment. You may use lined paper or get more creative and make your own diary!

Great Lenape/Algonquin Websites
http://ryecityschools.lhric.org/webquest/milton/Indians/Algonquin%20Iroquois.htm
http://www.mce.k12tn.net/indians/reports1/algonquian.htm

WOW – Words of the Week - 5 minutes
WOW Packet

Content Vocabulary

1. incentive
2. Mohawk
3. Oneida - has long o sound
4. Onondaga – has a long o and a short o sound
5. Cayuga
6. Seneca

Spelling Patterns – Word Study – Short and Long “O” spelling patterns

7. knock (CVC) (Consonant, Vowel, Consonant)
8. chose (CVC e) (Consonant, Vowel, Consonant, silent e)
9. float (CVVC) (Consonant, Vowel, Vowel, Consonant)
10. love (oddball – has an “o” in the spelling but NOT a short o or a long o sound)

*WOW Quiz on FRIDAY

What is this Big Orange Thing?

The Big Orange Thing landed yesterday to the student's surprise and they had MANY questions about it! So we decided to do what some writer's do when they have lots of questions or "wonder" about something. We took a new page in our Writer's Notebook and jotted down our "Fierce Wonderings" of the Big Orange Thing.


(The Big Orange Thing is also known as "Finger Land," "Magic Fingers," "Handy," and "Bridget")



Go to the comments to read some student wonderings...

Friday, October 27th – Fourth grade Harvest & Treat Bake Sale

Funds from this sale will pay the final balance on bussing expenses for the Waterloo Village trip. Donations & participations are still needed. Please contact Ramona (4th Grade Rep) or Schanequa (408 Class Parent) to find out how you can help.

Waterloo Village Here we Come!

A HUGE thank you to everyone who has generously donated time and money in helping us achieve our goal of having the entire 4th grade get to Waterloo Village. We did it - we have raised enough money to fund the coach buses and received an generous donation for the park entrance fee!

I want to especially thank all the parent volunteers who have been meeting and organizing our fund rasing - the direct appeals, bake sales, and fall festival. Thank you Shanequa, Ramona, Trey, Scott, and Susan!

We are organizing a meeting about our field trip to Waterloo for all 4th graders & parents this THURSDAY, October 26, at 8:30 am. Please mark your calendars and keep an eye out for more info. Check out Waterloo Village to learn more!

PS: The kids are SUPER excited!

4th Grade Parent and Student Assembly - This Thursday 10/26

Dear Fourth Grade Families,

We will be holding an important meeting this Thursday Oct 26th

Who: All fourth graders and their families
When: 8:30 am Thursday, October 26
Where: In the auditorium
With: Ms. Mills, Ms. Barbera, and the fourth grade teachers
Why: To discuss the October 31st trip to Waterloo Village and to review PS 261’s behavior expectations for the fourth grade

Please make every effort to attend this meeting. We will be going over the upcoming field trip to Waterloo Village, and will have a much-needed discussion about fourth grade behavior. All fourth grade students will be in attendance, and we hope to have strong support from families as well.

If you have any questions, please contact your student’s teacher or call the school at (718) 330-9275.

Thank you for your continued support.


Sincerely,

The Fourth Grade Teachers

Homework - Week of 10/23/06

Reading - 20 minutes
*Read 20 Minutes (or more) each night
*Fill out Reading Log
Reading Log is due on FRIDAY

Writing – 10-15 minutes - Due DAILY
4 Small Moment entries this week - each entry should be at least 1 page

*Children should set a timer and just write for 10-15 minutes with no break (they can do more if they want – this is to build writing stamina)

Math - 10-15 minutes - Due THURDSAY
Problem of the Week
*Tuesday - Do page 1
*Wednesday – Do page 2
*Thursday – Do pages 3 & 4

Memorize 1-6 times tables
*We will have Mad Math minute timed tests all week


Social Studies - 10-15 minutes
Iroquois Handout to be given out on Wednesday


WOW – Words of the Week - 5 minutes
*Quiz on FRIDAY

Packet to go home on Monday

Question of the Week 10/16/06

What did you learn this week about the Algonquin/Lenni Lenape Peoples? What interested or surprised you?


An Algonquin Wigwam


Babies (Papoose) in cradleboards



An Algonquin Famility inside a Wigwam

Great Algonquin Webquest:
http://ryecityschools.lhric.org/webquest/milton/Indians/Algonquin%20Iroquois.htm

Homework for Week of 10/16/06

Reading - 20 minutes
*Read 20 Minutes (or more) each night
*Fill out Reading Log
Reading Log is due on FRIDAY

Writing – 10-15 minutes - Due DAILY
4 Small Moment entries this week - each entry should be at least 1 page

*Children should set a timer and just write for 10-15 minutes with no break (they can do more if they want – this is to build writing stamina)

Math - 10-15 minutes - Due THURDSAY
Problem of the Week
*Tuesday - Do page 1
*Wednesday – Do page 2
*Thursday – Do pages 3 & 4

Memorize 1-5 times tables
*First Mad Math minute timed test will be on FRIDAY
1-5 Times Tables

Social Studies - 10-15 minutes - Due FRIDAY
The Algonquins of New York
*This online handout is only the QUESTIONS. Your child is bringing home a reading packet to read and then they are to answer these questions. Your child will be asked to read 2 pages (about 4 paragraphs) a night. It is best to follow the homework schedule given and do a little each night so there is not an overwheleming amount of reading, vocabulary, and content to absorb.

Social Studies HW Schedule
*Monday - Read pages 1 and 2 - Answer questions on page 1 (5 questions)
*Tuesday - Read pages 3 and 4 - Answer questions on page 2 (5 questions)
*Wednesday - Read pages 5 and 6 - Answer questions on page 3 (5 questions)
*Thursday - Read pages 7 and 8 - Answer questions on page 4 (3 questions)

WOW – Words of the Week - 5 minutes
*Quiz on FRIDAY

Content Vocabulary
1. Algonquin
2. Lenni Lenape
3. Sachem
4. Shaman
5. environment
6. wampum
Spelling Patterns – Word Study – Long e vowel pairs: ea, ie, ee
7. seam
8. seem
9. piece
10. peace

Spelling Bonus: Can you find any other words that have the long e sound but a different spelling pattern than ea, ie, and ee? What types of words are seam, seem, piece, and peace?

*Do the Bonus on a separate piece of paper

*This week there is a packet to help students study their words
WOW Homework

*There is also a separate Word Study Packet to help reinforce word pattern study
Word Study Packet