Ms. Feller's Fabulous Fourth Grade

     As report card time draws near, we are working hard to show what we’ve learned during the first half of fourth grade.  We are writing, reading, doing math, and working in the content areas.  We are finishing up units in most subject areas, and moving right along meeting standards as we go.

     In writing, we are learning how to combine simple sentences into compound or complex sentences.  We are also learning how to paragraph, including starting a new paragraph when the  speaker in a dialogue changes.  The goal is to extend what we are learning so that we use a variety of sentences with   fluency and a sense of wholeness in the stories we write.   

     In reading, we are working on comprehension, both of fiction and non-fiction.  Making connections and supporting what we say about what we read with examples from the text is an important skill and we are working hard in that area.

     In math, students are expected to have the addition, subtraction, multiplication and corresponding division facts memorized.  We are working on a fraction unit right now and will continue with that over the next two weeks.

     Our latest science kit has arrived.  The theme is land and water.  We have already learned about observation, both qualitative and quantitative, and variables.  As we learn the content of this kit, we will use the inquiry method in science and use the steps of the scientific method to plan and carry out investigations based on the questions we have about land and water. 

     In our study of Washington, we are finishing up Chapter 4, the theme of which is early settlers.  In February, we will move on to Chapter 5 in which we’ll learn  about the way Washington became a state.  As always, we’ll use the contract approach since it allows everyone to learn and be successful by choosing the way they respond to what they read as individuals. 

     Our games based on a mystery story, and our poems are due on the last school day of January.  We’ll be playing the games in class as well as inviting another fourth grade to join us to see if playing the game is like reading the book. 

     Keep checking those planners and keep up the good work!

The first month flew by and we are well into the swing of things in Room Six.  The Cheetah Walk was October 8th and we had our first marble party that same day.  Camille Cash is flowing both ways as students learn to be responsible and our routine is established and working well.  Our next big event is the MAP testing we will do in math to establish a baseline of skills and help teachers to diagnose and plan instruction.  Our fall writing assessment has been completed and scored, and  we have had training in our new spelling program, Month by Month phonics.  All in all, things are looking good.

Our first day is nearly over and we are really cookin’!  Ms. Feller knows at least half the first names and a few of the last names and we are already settling in like expert fourth graders. 

For homework tonight, some students will need your help in setting up their binders.  I gave them a sheet of paper with the labels and the order.  Tomorrow we will be putting things in the different sections, so they’ll need to have that done. 

Curriculum Night is Thursday, September 3 from 6-7pm.  It’s just for parents, so any children that show up will be asked to wait in the hall with a book.  (Or their homework!)  I hope you can come to that event as it will explain a lot about what happens in fourth grade.  Students are bringing home a parent information handbook today so those of you who weren’t able to come last Friday will know what’s going on in our classroom.

We are off to a GREAT start and I am looking forward to working with all of you to make this a successful year for these wonderful kids!

It’s official, you are in Room Six!  By now you may have already picked up your letter from me and have an idea of what the year will be like.  On Friday, I hope you are able to stop by from 4-5 to drop off your supplies and have your parents help you set up your binder.  The room is just about ready for you, and I am getting organized for the first day.  I can’t wait to meet all of you!  See you soon!

Wow! The end of the year is here and it seems like we just started.  With just 4 days left of school, we will be busy down to the wire.  On Tuesday, our buddies in Mrs. Arculeta’s class have invited us to a luau.  We’re ready with our leis and the checker board games we made for our first grade friends.  On Wednesday, we have an assembly so we can see the dress rehearsal of the talent show.  On Thursday, we get back the birds we made out of clay and fired in the kiln.  On Friday, the last day, we have our auction and school assembly.  In between all of that, we are cleaning up our room and getting ready to become fifth graders. 

It’s been a good year and I’m going to miss everyone.  I know that the class is ready for the adventure of fifth grade and have all the skills they need to be successful.  Study habits have improved, and I predict that for many, next year will be a snap.  I hope you all have a safe and fun summer.  I’ll see you in September as you pass me in the hall on your way to class. 

It’s hard to believe that the year is almost over.  Just three weeks, and your child will be a fifth grader!  The class has been telling me that they can’t believe how fast the year has gone, and I have to agree.  It seems like just a few weeks since I stood in front of the class on the first day, and wondered if I would be able to get them to the end of the year meeting the standards as we went, and now I can say,  ”YES!”  We have come so far, and in many ways that won’t show up on report cards or on the WASL results you’ll get in the fall. 

I am so proud of the kids in my class.  They have become  genuine students.  They are a community of learners who support one another, taking responsibility for their own learning.  More and more they are recognizing their own strengths and weaknesses, and setting goals to improve.  They clap for a student who has struggled all year, and recognize the effort another student has put into a piece of writing, or a difficult math problem.  They stand up for a friend who is being picked on by someone else, and accept responsibility when they make a poor choice.  They are  willing to recognize the strengths of others even if they aren’t strengths they have themselves.  They are good, kind hearted people.  None of these things will show up on any test they take, but they are in many ways, even more important.  They have blossomed right before my eyes, and I want to thank you for sharing them with me this year.  I am sure you can see the growth, too, and I know you are proud of the person your child is becoming.  Have a great summer!

We did it!  Today we completed the last WASL session and we are done!  The class put forth a lot of effort and really did their best to show what they’ve learned.  Next week we’ll have the traditional 4th Grade celebration of fruit in waffle bowls and popcorn while we all watch a movie and celebrate our hard work.

We have been working on a poetry unit this month.  Our book report was based on reading a poetry anthology, and in class, we have been writing poetry as well.  Look for a poetry book to come home that contains our own creations by the end of the year.

After a whole group guided reading unit using Chasing Vermeer, we are ready to move back into our reading anthology.  We’ll have a contract next week and see how we do using the strategies we’ve perfected.

In math, we are starting our next Investigation unit, “Packages and Groups”.   We are focusing on multiplication and division, right up to 3-digits by 2-digits.  So far, so good!  Watch the work that comes home and you’ll be able to see our progress.

We’ve moved into the 20th century in Washington history, and next, we’ll be doing group projects to present the information in our last two chapters.  This is a  major part of communication that comes at the end of 4th grade, and it’s also something that students usually enjoy.

As always, let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  Thank you to all of you who are helping with our “waffle” party!

It’s hard to believe that it’s already April but Spring Break is here quickly followed by WASL testing so I have to know it’s true.  I am sure you’ve all noticed the wonderful progress your children have made so far this year.  This is actually one of my favorite times of year because something wonderful seems to happen every time:  Kids take off like jet airplanes and you can see their enthusiasm, their confidence, and the growth in their understanding and learning.  It’s truely awesome! 

With quarterly progress reports coming home the week we get back from break, we really are gearing up for the last push before your fourth grader becomes a fifth grader.  We had our first marble party today, and already have 7 marbles toward our next party in the jar.  I’m doing my best to combat spring fever by passing out Camille Cash, putting marbles in the jar, and helping students be aware of wasted learning time.

We have been getting a lot of information in staff meetings lately concerning the focus on student learning and having students take responsibility for their own learning.  We are all talking about learning targets as part of our instruction and students K-5 are expected to be able to verbalize what the learning target is for a lesson, and evaluate whether or not they met the target.  It’s not always easy, but it is doable, and there are quite a few of us in Room Six who are beginning to do it well.  With the focus on learning, we are trying to eliminate wasted time.   In the past, we’ve kept track of how long it takes us to complete an assignment in order to help establish pacing for ourselves.  A collegue has shared lessons learned in a recent class she took, that  helps students quantify the time they’re taking to do things in class in order to eliminate that wasted talking time during transitions, taking out materials, setting up papers, etc.  For example, I might say, “Okay, take a minute to put your name and date on your paper and then we’ll get started.”  My friend says it’s been a great strategy for her so I’m going to try it out when we get back from break. 

You should have gotten a note from the fourth grade team concerning the WASL, but if you need or want more information, or have any questions, just call or e-mail.  I have every confidence that we’re going to be just fine, but I know it may be new to some of you so please don’t hesitate if you have any concerns. 

The students in Room Six have taken off and there’s no stopping them!  I can see so much improvement in skills and work habits.  I hope all of you at home can see the same things that I’m seeing at school. 

The big push in education is for students to assume more of the responsibility for learning, and they really are doing that.  I am no longer keeping track of what assignments are missing during the week.  I just report it at the end.  Students are keeping track themselves using their planners, and I think it’s going to work well.  SEVERAL students have already learned this month’s poem, and the cereal box book report has been a lot of fun to work on.

We’re gearing up for the WASL, which begins the week we get back from Spring Break.  I’ll have more information for you then.

The dust, or should I say snow, has settled and we are back into the swing of things.  Report cards are coming home today, February 18, and I feel like I need to say a couple of things.  First of all, they just don’t seem very friendly.  They are so businesslike, and I am trying so hard to give you the facts, that they just don’t seem to reflect how very much I like my students.  I hope they know how proud I am of them; I tell them every day.  Now I’ve told you.  Also, please help them see the positive side of their progress and know that they are great kids no matter what.  This is a process and we aren’t finished yet. 

We have really begun to learn about the scientific method using our “Land and Water” science kit.  We are getting ready to create investigations that the students will do completely on their own.  I will be the invisible teacher unless they need materials that I can get for them.  We are having a ball!  Next, we’re going to see how vegetation can change the way water flows in our stream tables as well as building a dam to see if we can hold back the water. 

Dr. Smith visited our classroom today, and was very complementary about our work with fractions.  He was impressed with their ability to answer his questions about why math is important; so they “did us proud”.  It’s actually a fun unit.  Tomorrow, our learning target is to  order fractions from least to greatest.  I am sure we’ll be successful!