Reading
We will continue working from a reading workshop
approach to develop strategies that good readers use. Our goal is to get
students �thinking� while they are reading to improve comprehension.
The two key strategies we have been practicing are
making connections and determining importance. Next we will be moving into
questioning strategies.
Battle of the Books
Congratulations to each of the 41 students in Battle
Club who read at least 10 Battle books. We will be celebrating with a
pizza party on January 7th. The Battle test is scheduled for Monday,
January 10th. Test results will determine the Fourth grade team. Good luck
to all participants!
Please
encourage reading at home, and think about reaching for that �100 club�
status. We are half way into our next session of �Thousand Club� reading.
Spelling
We will
continue working with spelling patterns, using silent consonants,
dictionary skills, and using the words within context in sentences.
Each Friday
is a posttest over the ten words that were practiced for the week.
Writing
We will be
using a workshop format in developing writing skills and learning the 6
traits for good writing.
This month
will take advantage of the season by doing some winter poems, snow scenes
and building snowmen.
Science/Social
Science
The science
unit during the winter is Mystery Powders. Mrs. Clarke�s and Mr. Ozee�s
students are just finishing how to test powders for various properties,
and use those properties to identify combinations of powders. The emphasis
will be on the scientific process for doing experiments.
Mrs.
Castner�s and Mrs. Fosse�s students have been learning about our Midwest
region of the United States. They are studying the geography, history and
the current status of these states.
In a few
weeks the classes will switch, and the students will get to experience the
topic not yet studied.
Math
While the
weather is cold, let�s get those cold facts all finished. The easier the
facts come, the easier it will be to tackle the harder multiplication and
division problems. Our biggest focus for the month will be reviewing and
practicing larger multiplication problems and working toward an
understanding of the division process with different strategies.
At Home
Continue
to keep communication flowing by asking your child questions about what is
happening at school. Have a set time of day to discuss and check in about
assignment sheets, practice spelling words, review math facts, read a
book, write, or complete any assignments.
Other
Great Books
will be starting the second week of January. Many students will be reading
great books and doing activities. We are looking forward to this event.
Thursday,
January 27th is Open House.
We are
gearing up and looking forward to a great turn out.
See you soon!
The Homestead
Teachers
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