Week of 04/07/2008

This week we will do our final reviews for testing as well as cover a couple of things we haven't covered which are poetry, genres, using resources, and figurative language. Mrs. Coontz will do the lessons on genres and using resources. We are almost to the end of the boring review! The children and I will be glad to see some new and exciting topics to study! Fun things are on the horizon!

Please talk to your child about how he/she is coming on his/her Midwest independent study. These long term projects tell me a lot about your child. Some of the children go after it with a vengeance and are already done 1 week early! Some work at a steady, good pace, while others really struggle with keeping at a reasonable pace. It is quite surprising sometimes which children are which. We have discussed the pacing a lot over these last 2 weeks. Some children have had to miss free time on Fridays because they are behind on things. I feel that it has been a real good lesson on time management. If they are working at a steady pace, they should have completed at least 7 assignments by now. I do take into account the fact that while some children are very bright, they work at a slower rate. My daughter and I both fall into that category. That is why I have made sure they have 2 30 minute times a day to work on this independent work. Many have risen to the challenge! Ask your child how many he/she has done.

I will be sending home a practice test booklet for your child to work in. It is not required, simply suggested.

Spelling Enrichment: naive nautical necessary nectarine negligent negotiable neighbor nemesis neurotic noisiness nostalgia notation nourish numerous nutrition

Have a great week and look at the next post to see what fun events are ahead!

Lots of things coming up! Need Help!

Below is the letter I will send home with your child on Monday, April 7th.


April 6, 2008

Dear Families,
I have 3 big events coming up that I need to tell you about and request your help with.

1. Auction – As you know, we have had an economic system in place in our classroom this year. It has been a great and enriching experience for the kids to learn how our world works. Having job responsibilities, paying rent, or buying a home, learning how to save for the future, paying for mistakes, learning how to delay gratification and wait for things, has all been a rewarding experience for me to watch the children learn. I do have to say that some of the children, I predict, will do very well financially in their future, while others have a little more to learn. It has been funny! Here is where I need your help. Our auction will be on May 9th. The auction is for the kids to spend the money they have managed to save all school year. I have been collecting items all school year for this, but it would really help if you could donate a gently used, or new item for the auction as well. I really want the auction to be fun and special for the kids.

2. Field Trip – We have been pen pals with a 4th grade class at Adams all school year. We have been approved to go on a field trip to Leonardo’s to meet them! We are so excited! The field trip is Thursday, May 8th. We will leave school at about 9:45 and get back about 2:30. I need some parent volunteers to go with us to help supervise a group of 5 children.

3. Testing Snacks – We will be testing on Tuesday, April 15th and Wednesday, April 16th. I would like to give the children juice and snacks after they test. If you could send something, it would be awesome!

If you can help with any of these events, please fill out the bottom portion of this letter and return it to school. The end of this school year is hard for me because I have grown to love your children. They are a very special and sweet group of kids. I will miss them so much. Thank you for all your support this year and for sharing your dear children.

With much appreciation,

Gina Corderman


___ I can donate an item for the auction.

___ I can be a volunteer for the field trip to Leonardo’s

___ I can donate juice for 23 children one day.

___ I can donate snacks for 23 children one day.


_________________ ______________________
Child’s name Parent’s name

Week of 03/31/08

This week we will start the week with Measurement Monday! In trying to break the monotony of the boring, yet necessary test prep we are and have been doing, we are going to only do measurement things on Monday. We will be exploring measurement, both standard and metric, by measuring a variety of things in and out of the room. We will be constructing Mr. Gallon as well as making a meter yarn picture! We will be measuring, weighing, and eating some candy too!! It should be a fun day! Tuesday through Thursday will be test prep for math and reading, regular spelling, and our independent Midwest region study. It probably would be a good idea for the children to start getting familiar with the Midwest state locations and capitals. Their location test will be Thursday, April 17th and their capital test will be Friday, April 18th. We will have 2 more US regions to cover before the end of the year, but I am going to combine the 2 together for a unit study called "The Westward Ho". I will test the locations and capitals of the 2 regions separately however. I will be giving a few tests covering all 50 states during the first 2 weeks of May. They will have several opportunities to take and pass this test, both written and on the computer. The children can practice for this test using the Mastery Club website on the 50 states. There is a direct link. We will celebrate all who make an A with a pizza party!

This week will be the last week for assigned homework! Yeah! I am giving the children 3D geometric figures to cut out, construct, and glue. They are due on Friday. They are worth 100 points in math!

Spelling Enrichment: magenta magnificent mozzarella manuscript marginal marsupial martyr mathematical mauve meander memorabilia metropolitan millennium moustache mischievous

Week of 3/24/08

Hi! Hope your Spring Break was awesome! My family took a trip to San Antonio and spent some time on the River Walk, at Sea World, and at the Mexican Market. We had a wonderful time!

I can't believe this is the last 9 weeks. The year has flown by! Too fast!! For the next 3 weeks, we will be in full blast testing mode! We will practice and review all that we have learned, as well as learn some new things! In math this week, we will relate fractions and decimals, as well as compare and order whole numbers, decimals, and fractions. We will also add and subtract decimals. In reading, we will practice finding the main idea and supporting details. In social studies, the children will do an independent study of the Midwest region. They will read about topics ranging from Henry Ford and Sitting Bull to skyscrapers, conestoga wagons, and quilts! They will have the opportunity to design their own skyscrapers, futuristic cars, and quilt squares, as well as make their own Indian skin story! This independent study of the Midwest will take about 3 weeks and will be due April 11th. There are 11 assignments to complete. Of course, we will be doing spelling, Spanish, and English too.

We will have only 2 more weeks of assigned homework. This week is a story with questions and a math page. Next week will be a geometry assignment.

Thanks to all you parents who helped with your child's book. They all turned out fantastic! The children worked very hard! I was so proud of them! It will be an exciting day when the published copies come in!

Spelling Enrichment: lackluster lasagna lavatory leery legalism legendary legible legitimate licorice linger linoleum literature longevity longitude lucrative

4th grade/Kindergarten Buddies!

Week of 03/10/2008

This week will find us starting a big project in which parents will play a role. The children will be writing their own stories and publishing them! The same company that published our Oklahoma Foods and Fun Facts Book will be publishing these as well. Each child will do their own book this time! I am encouraging a simple nonfiction format. It is a huge project that will probably require time at home as well as at school. Your part at home will be to help them type their stories and print them out on the special paper provided in their kit. If this part is absolutely not a possibility because you don't have access to a computer/printer, please let me know. The best part about this project is the fact that every child will get a book published for free! This project will be reading and English this week. In social studies, we will continue to get familiar with the Midwest Region of the United States. Fractions will be our primary focus in math.

I sent a note home with your child on Friday about report cards and Spring conferences. I will send report cards home on Thursday. If you would like to schedule a conference, please let me know and I will be happy to schedule one.

On a more personal note, as you know, my family and I are adopting a baby from China. We hopefully will travel next year sometime to receive our precious gift. We have some friends that are in China right now adopting their 3rd child. They have 3 biological as well! They are amazing people, and I thought you might enjoy following their journey. The newer posts are at the top of the page. If you want to start more at the beginning, scroll down to the older ones. Their blog is k6comehome.blogspot.com I have a personal blog as well, that I will share with you at the end of the school year. That way, when we travel to China, you can follow our journey as well.

Spelling Enrichment

jabbing jackknife janitor jaundice jeopardy jester jigsaw jockey jubilation judgment judiciary junction junkyard justice javelin

Week of 03/03/08

Here is what's ahead for this week:

Reading: skill focus - fact and opinion, power words, review

Math: fractions

Science: finish up forces and motion unit - test on Tuesday - kids will be allowed to use their vocabulary dictionary they made

Social Studies: begin studying the Midwest region of the US - this week we will concentrate on the states and capitals in this region as well as the geography

English: time order words, prefixes

Spelling: 'o' sounds in words

Book orders are due Tuesday.

Our guest art teacher, Mrs. Lackey will be here Wednesday to teach an art lesson.