WOW!!!

Joshua has already passed his Milestone 3, a whole week ahead of time!

Milestone 3 Checklist for those who need may need it.

Milestone 3 Reminder

Milestone 3 Example & How to Input Pictures into PowerPoint

Here is a sample of what Milestone #3 can look like. This example will be used during the exhibition demonstration on Thursday at 9:00. I hope to see you there!

Please pay close attention to the following when assisting your child with any visual aid.


1. Notice that there are NOT A LOT OF WORDS on the slides. 
***Remember that a visual aid should NOT contain words other than labels or titles, that was Milestone 2. Milestone 3 is visual. It is expected that your child memorize the information that they are presenting, to demonstrate the knowledge that they have gained.


2. There are pictures showing the step-by-step directions. 


3. The few words (which should be titles or labels) have not been copied and/or pasted from any website or book. Everything is in my own words.

4. As an added bonus, when copying someone else's picture from the web, the website was cited underneath the picture (for most). That way no one will be stealing or plagiarizing anyone else's work. 


Tutorial on how to input pictures in PowerPoint

Multiplication with Partial Products

In math we are learning how to multiply larger numbers (example: 156 x 7 and 27 x 45 ). The students will be learning a new method called Partial Products. This involves breaking down the numbers into expanded form and multiplying those parts. Then you add the parts together to get the final answer.

Since this is a method that you probably didn't learn when you were a kid, here are two videos (courtesy of Mr. Curran) that demonstrate the steps of the process.


Example: 3 digit by 1 digit

Example: 2 digit by 2 digit




I hope this helps you as you assist your child in their learning. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you still have any questions or confusion.


Also remember, now is a great time to get into the habit of practicing facts every chance you get. Students should know multiplication and division facts up to 12. You can make your own flashcards or purchase them where  I did (The Dollar Tree) and help your child to memorize them. Mastery of math facts really helps students when the topics get more challenging (fractions!).

Brag Board-December

The brag board will be changing for the month of December. Please fill out the snowman with the sentence starter,

“My favorite winter memory of (Child’s name) is…”

*If you have a picture of your child playing in the snow, opening presents on Christmas, or any other winter activity, please allow them to bring it to school and I will make a color copy of it to include on the brag board. I will return your original the next day!

I will be keeping each of the brag board templates to make a small book at the end of the school year as a keepsake for your child. The children love reading your words on our board every day. Thank you for taking the time to complete them.

Sign up for your child's exhibition

Exhibitions will take place during the week of

December 12th - December 16th 

You can complete the sign-up sheet one of two ways:

1.    On www.mrsdrain.blogspot.com

o   Just click on the “Permission Slip” tab

OR

2.    The sign-up sheet, which was sent home on Monday, November 28th.

o   Please pick your top three (3) choices that you are able to attend by indicating 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd.

o   Spots will be filled on a first come, first serve basis! The blog will be your best chance.

I will have a final schedule by Thursday, December 1st!

You're Invited to an Exhibition Demonstration

Who: Mrs. Tiggs & Mrs. Drain
What: "How-To" project
When: Thursday, Dec. 1 from 9:00-9:30 am
Where: Room 309
Why: To show students what they're expected to do for their exhibitions. 

On Thursday, December 1st at 9:00 am there will be a demonstration of what the"How-To" exhibition should be like, modeled by Mrs. Tiggs. Please join us. You will be able to visual see what has been described in all of the notes that were sent home and it's your opportunity to ask questions. If you are interested in coming, please contact me to confirm your attendance.

Picture Day

Picture Day:

Wednesday, November 30th!

Free Dress for ONLY those students who purchase pictures

Thanks A LOT!!!

Joshua for donating Sunchips, popcorn, and fruit snacks to the class.

Kamayah, Jordan L., and Maranda for already donating can goods to the food drive!

Milestone 3-Reminder

Milestone 3

Due Thursday, December 8th 

All students are required to have at least 6 different visual aids.

Please review the form below for clarification.

 

Milestone 3 Reminder

90% or higher...

Social Studies-
Congratulations to the following students who received a 90% or higher on their Quarter 1 Michigan History Assessment:


Kamayah
Michale
Trinity
Charity
Alyssa
Maranda
Joshua

Math-

Congratulations to the following students who received a 90% or higher on their Unit 4 Assessment:

Kamayah

Maranda

Joshua

Jordan L.

***Look for both of these assessments to be in your child's Friday folder***

Please review the assessment with your child and if you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me!

Congratulations

Congratulations to the following students who have passed their Milestone 2:

Kamayah

Michale 

Charity

Asia

Jordan H.

Chaderra

Davon

Jordan L.

Maranda

Joshua

Sharnay

Thank You

• Jordan H. for providing snack
• Maranda for purchasing cards to play during indoor recess
• Trinity and Sharnay for donating books to the classroom library

And a SPECIAL thank you to Ms. Fells who surprise me on Tuesday with lunch! That was very thoughtful of you!

Multiplication APP: Flash to Pass

Mrs. Tiggs found an app that you can download on your cell phone or iPad that allows practice of math facts. The app is called FlashToPass and it's free! If you have a droid phone you can just go to your marketplace or the iTunes app store has it. Connect to the link to see:  
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/flashtopass-free-math-flash/id330482882?mt=8 


This can be a great assistance to the kids as they prepare for our weekly math fact challenge. They can do this at home or in the car on the way to and from school!

Discussing Books at Home

This list of questions gives ideas for ways to discuss books at home with your child. The questions gradually get harder and get to higher level thinking skills as you go down the sheet.


I would recommend that you and your child read the same book nightly and use this sheet as a guide for deeper and meaning conversations about the book!



Blooms Taxonomy Book Review Questions

A Big Shout Out Goes To...

Maranda and Jordan L. who both completed and passed their Milestone 2! Hooray!!!

I am also very impressed with Kamayah, Davon, and Asia, who have attempted to turn in their Milestones, but just a few corrections are needed! Keep up the hard work.


Parents, I am strongly encouraging all students to submit their Milestone 2 EARLY. Every student who has submitted their Milestone 2 thus far, has had to make some type of correction to it, even the two who have passed! And I would love for all of my students to participate in Fun Friday!


So, please assist your child in completing their Milestone 2 early, and if there are any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me!

Quarter 1 Progress Reports

Progress Reports – 11/14/11

This is our first try with the new progress reports.  There are a few glitches that I’m already aware of.  First, many of us did not know that the advisory section of the report would show up, which is why it still blank.  Second, I don’t believe the attendance is correct for many students.  I’m trying to get to the bottom of it.  Third, progress for science and social studies didn’t print on the report.  Please let me know if you have any questions, and I will contact you if I have any new concerns.  Please sign this note acknowledging that you’ve seen and read your child’s progress report.

Thank You

Joshua for providing the class with Uno card for indoor recess!

Jordan L. for purchasing fruit snacks, Sunchips, and animal crackers for snack!

Picture Tab

I have just added a new tab to our blog. Click on the picture blog above and view three pictures from our field trip on last Friday, courtesy of Mrs. Nolen!


This tab will be used as virtual picture album, that will store our 4th grade memories! More pictures to come!

Milestone Reminder

Milestone 2

Due THIS Thursday, November 17^th 

All students are required to submit their Milestone 2 in an outline format.

Please review the form below for clarification. 

Milestone 2 Reminder

Snacks

We have are in need of snack. If you could donate healthy snacks to the class, it would be appreciated. Thanks!

Thank You

Ms. Howard who purchased Connect 4

and

Ms. Lewis who purchased Scrabble Slam and Monopoly Deal Card Games for the class!

Happy Birthday

Michale: November 13^th

Charity: November 15^th 

No School

No School

Thursday, November 24-Friday, November 25th 

Free Dress for a $1

Friday, November 18th 

and

Wednesday, November 23rd 

1st Quarter Progress Reports

...will be sent home on Monday, November 14th. Please sign the note attached indicating that you have received your child's progress report. If you should have any questions and/or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me!

Picture Day

Picture Day: Wednesday, November 30th!

Free Dress for ONLY those students who purchase pictures.

Classroom Items Needed-Board Games

During the winter months, when it gets too cold to go outside we have indoor recess. During indoor recess the students have the opportunity to play board games, but a lot of the board games in our classroom are old and missing pieces and torn apart. So we are in need of new and/or gently used board games. Any board game that is age appropriate, would be welcome


Some suggestions that the students have made are: Monopoly, Trouble, Sorry, Battleship, Checkers, Life, Candyland, Guesstures, Boggle, Perfection, and Simon Flash.


THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU...
Ms. Howard, who has already purchased Connect 4 for the class. 


As always, whatever you could donate would be greatly appreciated!

NO SCHOOL

NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, Novemebr 8th

The school will be closed on Tuesday, November 8th for teacher’s Professional Development!

New AMPT Schedule

I have just updated the right-side of the blog for the new AMPT schedule that begins on Monday, November 7th!

Thank You

To all of the families that contributed items to our Fall Celebration. The students had a blast! It was nice spending time with Mrs. Lewis and Ms. Howard. Thank you ladies for all of your help with set-up and clean up!


Also a HUGE thank you to...


Michale and Jordan L. for purchasing velcro for our "Work Worth Treasuring" wall. I am excited to say that it should be functional on next Friday for the students to display their work!

Music Field Trip on Next Friday

Don't forget that we have a field trip next Friday, November 11th. A note was sent home two weeks ago in your child's Friday folder. In case you didn't received the note from our music teacher, Mrs. Ritter, here is a reminder of what it stated...




Dear Parents and Friends of 4th and 5th graders—

I hope this message finds you well! I want to inform you about an upcoming music field trip opportunity for our 4th and 5th grade students. On Friday November 11th, students will go to Ann Arbor to see a live performance by the “Rebirth Brass Jazz Band” from New Orleans! This dynamic group is both known for their traditional brass sound, as well as their combination of funk, jazz, soul and hip-hop, while celebrating the traditional New Orleans music traditions and heritage. Prior to the field trip, students will be learning about the origins of jazz, and the importance of New Orleans in the birth of this musical style. 

The cost to attend this field trip is $10, which includes bussing to Ann Arbor, and concert ticket. Students will leave UPA at 9:30 to attend the 11:00 performance.

If your student will be attending, please send them with $10 to their classroom teacher by Friday, Novemeber 4th. Also, if you are willing to be a parent chaperone on the trip, please email me at kritter@uprep.com.

Thanks and I look forward to sharing this fantastic musical experience with your students!

--Ms. Ritter