Patterns, Native Americans, Drafting and more...

Last week was very productive and also full of fun.  I hope the same will be true this week!

In math, we will be wrapping up our short unit on patterns.  Again, the mastery of multiplication facts helps to make this unit much smoother!  We will be ready for our second math test on Wednesday or Thursday.  Please remember to continue working on math facts nightly!

In reading workshop, we are ready to begin small book groups and get into the "just right" chapter book.  Up to this point, we have been taking a close look at the genre's and literary terms. I have been flexible with the books that my readers have been choosing as we get into routines and structures in Reading Workshop.  Beginning Monday, we will all be in chapter books. I will also be sending home a list of books that are "just right"if you need help picking books at home or at the public library.

We have been been working hard during Writing Workshop time.  Students have created a strong main character and started thinking about their secondary characters. They have created a want for their character and thought about what is preventing the character from getting what they want. They have planned multiple story arcs or paths that their stories could take. Thursday we began drafting, keeping in mind writers should be showing not telling. This week we will look at strong leads, powerful endings and the heart of our story. 

After our first Vocab/SS Quiz, I have decided to spend more time on the vocabulary for our second unit (Native American's).  We started making flash cards for vocab words.  These cards will come home next week for continued practice.  We will be studying Native American's for several weeks.

We also have our Field Trip to the Half Moon this week!  We will jump ahead in SS slightly to learn about Henry Hudson on his ship the Half Moon.  Thank you for your support in our adventure.

I have two meetings this week during school time.  I am hoping for a perfect report from the substitutes!   Please remind your student that when a substitute is in our class the same rules apply as when I am there.  

Enjoy your Sunday!

Can we make something like this?

Wonderful 2nd Week

It was a very busy week but a great one!  I am so proud of my readers, writers, and mathematicians.  We have been hard at work.

In Reading Workshop we studied the different genres.  Understanding the genre helps us to better comprehend the book.  Next week we will be working on the elements of a story including: plot, setting, atmosphere, characters, narrator, conflict, theme, tone, and foreshadowing.

In Writing Workshop we picked the seed idea for our first piece of writing and we have begun to develop the main character.  Next week we will be working on secondary characters and mapping out the story before we begin to draft.

In math this week we worked on properties of multiplication and developing a better fluency with our facts.  We will be finishing up our first chapter on Monday and we will have our first math test on Tuesday.  Wednesday, we will begin to look at patterns.

Our Geography study continued in Social Studies and included readings on the waters and landforms of NYS.  Our vocabulary this week is geography terms.  This should better help us understand the land and water features of our state.  We will likely have a social studies quiz on Thursday.

Thank you for encouraging your student to read and practice their math facts each night!  It was a pleasure to meet most of you last night.

Have a great weekend.

Open House Videos

Getting Ready for Open House

Will I Am's Performance... Click here... What I Am...

Our Performance is coming soon!

Fabulous Week!

We have had a great first week in Team Jones.  I am so happy with the routines that are being formed and the positive attitude of each student.

We have been working on Reading and Writing Workshop routines.  I am pleased with the reading and writing that your students have been able to accomplish this week.  Beginning next week, they will have reading and writing homework.

Our math curriculum jumped right in with multiplication.  Next week I will give a mad minute to access their multiplication fluency. Please help your mathematician study their facts- it will make them so much more successful with mathematics this year and in the future!

Social Studies begins in fourth grade with a study of NYS geography.  We made maps of New York and will begin to study the landforms and natural resources that our state has to offer.

This week we were able to get through 125 priority words for our spelling program. I will be correcting them this weekend (exciting stuff!).  Beginning next week, each student will have 5 spelling words.  These are words they have spelled incorrectly on the pre-test and are individualized for each student.  Students will be tested on their spelling words 2 times per week.  Once a word has been spelled correctly on three tests, it will be replaced by a new word.

Word Ladders have been morning work for the week.  I use them to help expand their vocabulary and follow directions.  Next week we will be starting formal vocabulary study.  The words will be social studies terms. Vocabulary will normally run from Wednesday-Wednesday.  A quiz and new words will be given each Wednesday.

I am so excited about this year ahead.  I hope you are hearing positive comments at home! I look forward to meeting you next week at our Open House.

Happy Wednesday!

1st Day!

I loved our first day together.  You are a great bunch! 

Just a few of the cool things we learned today:

Team Jones' Class Rules:

1. Follow directions quickly
2. Raise your hand for permission to share
3. Raise your hand for permission to leave your seat
4. Make smart choices
5. Make your dear teacher happy!

                 Show your parents our fancy hand signals! 

Cryptozoologist (from our read aloud) - the study of and search for animals and especially legendary animals (as Sasquatch) usually in order to evaluate the possibility of their existence.  http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cryptozoology 

Happy 9th birthday to Anya and Andrew - turned 9 on 9/9! 

Reading Rewards.com will be the fun way to log our reading.  (Remember we will practice it for a week or two before you have to do it!)

I can't wait to get to know you even better!  Have a great night!  

P.S. You are awesome!