April 22, 2015
Happy Earth Day! Hope everyone has been enjoying the more spring like weather we have been having.
Just a few reminders of items coming up:
Tests:
Monday 4/27 Vocab test on words connected to American Revolution Unit
Tuesday 4/28 Chapter 12 Math Test on Measurement
Monday 5/4 Chapter 13 Math Test on Perimeter and Area
Trips: 4/30 to Mt. Vernon Hotel, 5/14 to Ellis Island (remember children need to arrive by 7:40 because the bus promptly leaves at 7:45), and 5/19 to Morgan Library.
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April 13, 2015
I hope everyone enjoyed a restful break and was able to spend some quality time with friends and family.
As you all know, we have the state tests over the course of the next 2 weeeks. For that reason, I don't want to overload the children by also having them take a chapter test in math. Therefore, we will continue straight through Chapters 12 and 13. Even though you don't see homework on nights of the state tests, be assured that we are covering the material in class. Once we are finished with chapter 13, we will review chapter 12 and take the test for chapter 12 and then review chapter 13 and take the test for chapter 13.
We will soon be covering the Constitution and discussing how our founding fathers went about forming the new nation. Once we are finished with that, our next unit will begin. It is called "Growth & Expansion." It gives students the opportunity to be introduced to the Industrial Revolution, the Civil War, Voting rights for all, and immigration. Lots and lots to talk about in this unit!
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March 23, 2015
Chapter 11 math test is tomorrow, Tuesday March 24. We will be starting the next chapter on Wednesday.
Ellis Island chaperones will be chosen before we leave for spring vacation, so be sure to hand yours in soon if you haven't already.
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March 16, 2015
Hello everyone. Looking forward to spring and to meeting with all of you for report cards on Wednesday night or Thursday afternoon this week.
The next math test will be Tuesday March 24, 2015. We will be taking a second day for lesson 11.3 as using protractors is very new for students and we need the extra time for practice.
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March 8, 2015
We have been very busy the past few weeks. The children are loving the unit on the American Revolution. We have also done some fiction mini-lessons lately that they were quite intrigued by. They were interested to learn about allusions to mythology many authors use in their writing and the difference between the first and third person point of view.
The chapter 10 math test will be on Tuesday March 10th. Chapter 11 will not be too far behind since it is a short chapter.
I look foward to meeting with all of you next week for report cards. This year seems to be flying by.
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February 22, 2014
Hello! Hope everyone enjoyed the vacation and was able to stay warm through all the cold weather we've been having. I am looking forward to seeing the students tomorrow and getting back into the swing of things. Please remember that vacation homework packets are due tomorrow, so remind your child to pack it in the book bag tonight. I was impressed by the number of students taking advantage of the new program our school purchased, Raz-Kids. It is a great opportunity for students to practice their reading skills. Additionally, it makes it very easy for students to do their at home reading since they always have books at their levels right at their finger tips!
We will finish chapter 9 in math this week and have a test before the end of the week, most likely on Thursday. Students will copy the exact date in their homework, so keep checking the notebook as always.
In writing, we begin discussing opinion as a genre this week. That should be fun. Fourth graders have lots of opinions!
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February 3, 2014
Well, we just can't catch a break! Math test Chapter 8 is moved to Thursday Feb. 5. We will review on the 4th (tomorrow).
Thank you!
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January 30, 2015
Hope everyone survived the crazy week we had! Next week sounds like it may start the same way.
On Monday, we will be completing the last math lesson in chapter 8 (it was a short one). We will review on Tuesday and have the test on Wednesday, barring any unforeseen circumstances.
We will also be taking the final performance assessment in writing for the unit on 3 Worlds Meet/Colonial Life. This is an informational piece, as that is the genre we have been working in for the past couple of months. The next genre is opinion writing. The American Revolution unit lends itself nicely to forming opinions.
As always, I thank you for your support and encourage you to email me with any questions or concerns.
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January 23, 2015
Due to a variety of reasons, I have decided to move the Chapter 7 math test to Monday January 26, 2015. We had an extra day of review on Friday and students will benefit from the extra weekend to study.
Thank you!
January 20, 2015
This week we will be completing and reviewing chapter 7 in math. The test will be on Friday 1/23.
I will no longer be using the remind 101 application since it is duplicating the information on here and it might be confusing to have so many different sources of information. Additionally, students always copy reminders about tests and upcoming events in their homework notebooks, which should be checked nightly along with the homework folder.
Progress reports will be sent home on Friday. Please review and send the tear off back by Monday. If you would like to meet with me to discuss progress in further detail, we can arrange a meeting on a Tuesday afternoon between 2:40 and 3:20 or by phone. Thank you for your continued support at home with keeping the children organized and up to date.
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January 5, 2015
Just a quick update: The Chapter 6 math test review will be Thursday and the test will be Friday 1/9/15.
January 4, 2015
Happy New Year! I hope everyone enjoyed the vacation and family time together.
Looking forward to this week, we will be reviewing Chapter 6 in math and starting Chapter 7 on Wednesday (which is also on Fractions). The students will take the Chapter 6 test on Thursday, so they have an extra day to get back into the school routine before taking a test.
We will be finishing up our ELA unit on colonization and starting to talk about the American Revolution within the next 2 weeks.
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December 22, 2014
Holiday HW packets will be going home Tuesday before the winter break and are expected to be completed and returned to school on the first day back. Students should be using the strategies we have discussed in order to complete both the ELA and math portions of the packet. Additionally, it is hoped that students will keep up with independent reading for enjoyment as well as utilize Reflex math during the break.
When we return we will be completing chapter 6 in math.
Not too long after vacation, we will be starting to talk about the American Revolution. This is our most intensive unit of 4th grade. Be sure to engage your child in discussion. They will have lots to say about the fight for independence!
I hope you and your families enjoy the vacation and have the opportunity for lots of family togetherness.
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December 15, 2014
Math Chapter 5 tests were sent home today. Please be sure to sign and return them as soon as possible.
Also, please try to go through HW folders daily, or at least weekly. Old papers should be taken out. Many students are losing track of current work because there is so much old work cluttering the folders.
Students were given another reading packet that will be due on Friday. They should use the close reading strategies we have learned to highlight or underline the text evidence used to choose the best answer.
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December 8, 2014
This week we will be finishing up and reviewing chapter 5 in math. The test will be on Friday the 12th.
Please remember that our trip is on Wednesday, so students need to come to school with a bag lunch to eat upon our return since we will have missed our lunch period.
Students were given a reading packet that will be due on Friday. They are expected to use the close reading strategies we have discussed in class to complete the work.
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December 1, 2014
Welcome to December! Students received their reading logs today. They will be collected on the 23rd before we break for vacation. The homework packet will take the place of the log during vacation, but it would be great if the students continued reading for fun in addition to the packet.
Chapter 4 math test grades were sent home today. Please sign and return. There are students still in need of review of the division concept. We will continue working on this in small groups for those who need it during the second part of our math block. Chapter 5 is a short chapter, so expect a test to come up quite soon. Chapter 6 is on fractions and we will begin it before vacation, but will need to complete the chapter in January.
Students will have the opportunity to visit the PTA holiday sale tomorrow, so send your child in prepared if you would like him/her to participate.
We are looking forward to our trip on December 10th, next week. Another 4th grade went today and said it was a great trip!
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November 24, 2014
We will have the Chapter 4 math test on Wednesday. A few children are still having trouble with the long division, but remember students may use one of the other methods to divide if they are more comfortable. Hopefully, using the alternate form of the test as a review prepared students for the types of questions that will be asked on the test.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone!
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November 16, 2014
It was great to meet with the families of my students last week to discuss progress and next steps. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with me at any point in the year to ask a question, or get an update on progress. Chapter 3 math tests went home last week, they should have been signed and returned to school.
The chapter 4 math test will either be the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, or the Tuesday after Thanksgiving weekend. We will know better by the end of this week.
Here is a sample of the type of questioning that will be on the test:
There are 112 seats in the school auditorium. There are 7 seats in each row. There are 70 people seated, filling up full rows. How many rows are empty?
Notice that students must perform 2 operations and be able to clearly understand what they are finding with each step as well as what they need to do with that information next. These are the kinds of challenging problems that we have been discussing and practicing in class. The common core requires students to think critically in order to apply skills to solve complex real world problems.
Our next trip will be December 10. If you have not yet returned the permission slip, please do so as soon as possible. Chaperones will be chosen at the end of this week and notified if chosen. Thank you to all the volunteers, unfortunately we are limited in the number of adults we can bring.
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November 9, 2014
We enjoyed a beautiful assembly on Friday to honor Veterans. Be sure to ask your child about it.
This week, I look forward to meeting with you to discuss your child's progress and November report card.
Chapter 3 math tests will be going home for review and signature on Monday or Wednesday. Chapter 4 begins our journey into the world of division. Go Math teaches division very differently than you might be used to, so I suggest taking a look at the Think Central web site to familiarize yourself with it.
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November 2, 2014
Hard to believe, but another month of 4th grade is behind us. The students are working very hard in class to grow as learners and thinkers.
We are nearing the conclusion of our study of Native Inhabitants of NY and will soon begin learning about explorers. This includes understanding why countries sent explorers out and the results of those actions, including the triangular trade route.
Some reminders for this week:
Tuesday is election day and students do not have have school (this is a great day to do some extra reading and spend time on Reflex math!)
The Chapter 3 math test is on Friday. Students are encouraged to know the different strategies discussed for multiplying, but to choose the one they can complete with confidence when taking the test.
As always, I thank you for the support you provide at home.
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October 28, 2014
Allow me to introduce DP, who will be sharing a little bit about our day with you:
Today we learned about central theme in Reading. Also, we learned how to estimate products in math today. This is what we learned today in Math and Reading.
October 26, 2014
Hope everyone enjoyed the beautiful fall weekend!
Students will be bringing math tests home to be signed Monday the 27th. Please review them with your child. The class average went down by a few points from the last test. As you will see, this was a very challenging test due to the way the questions are worded. We have spoken in class that attempting to solve one of these problems is like trying to solve a puzzle or translate information into another language. We will continue discussing problem solving strategies in each and every lesson to help the students become more comfortable interpreting the kind of questions they are expected to solve. The next chapter continues with multiplication, but with 2 digit by 2 digit numbers.
Students are hard at work on their narrative writing. They have achieved so much in a short time. Ask them to give you a summary of their story. I think you will be impressed :)
Looking ahead,next week there will be a vocabulary quiz on the Native American content words we have been using over the last few weeks. Students have a vocabulary sheet as well as 3 activities we have completed using the words to help them study.
Please encourage your child to read nightly and to choose books which are challenging enough to help them grow as readers. We talked about the importance of reading just right books in order to build vocabulary and literary skills.
As always, thank you for your support!
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October 23, 2014
I would like to introduce one of my 4th grade students, JL, to write a summary of what we did in class today as well as give any reminders. We will be choosing good listeners every so often to contribute to our blog. Here is what he had to say about our day:
Today we did math, intergrated Reading and Writing,Vocabulary, and we had Lunch. We had a math test on multiplication It was kind of easy and hard.
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October 19, 2014
Students brought home progress reports on Friday. Please return the tear off as soon as possible. I look forward to meeting with you in November in person to discuss your child's progress in more detail when we have more time invested in the school year.
I checked the Reflex math report this morning and 2 students stand out as having logged in an average of 5 or more days per week. Congratulations to IB and SD. This program is a huge help for students in mastering their facts. Some students are struggling with multiplication by multi-digitis because they have not mastered the facts. We cannot express enough how important this is. The schoolwide expectation is that students are logging onto Reflex at least 3x per week. If there is an issue with internet access at home, please let me know.
I am looking forward to another great week with your children!
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This week we will have study groups to review the Chapter 2 material in class. The test is scheduled for Thursday and the performance task assessment will be on Friday.
* Update- I just looked at the calendar and realized progress reports go home on Friday, not Thursday. Sorry about that.
October 14, 2014
Hope everyone enjoyed the 3 day weekend!
This week we have our class trip on Thursday. Please remember to pack a bag lunch and to dress for the weather. Sneakers are a must! We will be outside the entire time.
We will be finishing up chapter 2 in math next week and reviewing on Wednesday. The test will be on Thursday 10/23.
Progress reports will go home on Thursday 10/16. Please be sure to discuss them with your child and return the bottom tear off portion signed as soon as possible. Please keep in mind that since it is so early in the year, these reports are based on a limited number of assignments.
Have a great week!
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October 6, 2014
Hope everyone enjoyed the weekend. I love reading the learning journals the children write over the weekend. Please remind them that their entries should show reflection and not simply list what we did in class.
We will be working on multiplication. Before they actually learn how to multiply with regrouping, we will learn other ways such as using the distributive property. Be patient with us, we will get to the standard algorithm eventually!
As always, please write an email, note, or leave a message in the office if you have a question or concern. Trying to discuss important concerns during dismissal is not a good idea because my focus must be on dismissing the students safely. Thank you for understanding.
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October 1, 2014
Welcome to October! One month of 4th grade is already behind the children. We are settling into our routines nicely. This week I am testing the students to determine their current reading levels. Be sure to ask your child their level, they should know by Friday or Monday.
Today we had the speeches for Student Council elections. We had a large group of very brave students who thought very hard about what they wanted to say to their classmates. I am proud of each and every one of them for having the courage to get up there and try.
October reading logs went out today. This month, there will be no written activities.
Enjoy the week :)
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September 24, 2014
Students brought their chapter 1 math tests home to have signed and make corrections this weekend. We went over how they are to do corrections in their math notebooks. As a grade, we found that the Go Math test was more rigorous than the students are used to and involved a great deal of reading comprehension (which in alignment with the state curriculum and math test). We plan to spend more class time close reading word problems for each lesson.
Remember that the reading log packets with the 3 activities are due on Wednesday October 1st.
Please encourage your child to go on Reflex regularly. If your child does not have access to a computer or tablet, kindly send me a note so that I don't hold them accountable for something out of their control.
Enjoy the long weekend!
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September 20, 2014
Hope everyone is enjoying the last weekend of summer!
Monday will be the Chapter 1 math test. As a whole, the class seems to have a better understanding of rounding. Some were still confused by the terminology of renaming numbers, such as : 340 is also 34 tens We will go over the review homework before the test and students will be able to ask any last minute questions they may have.
On Wednesday we will take the vocabulary quiz on the geogrpahy words. Students have been exposed to these words in class as well as for homework and have a study sheet of the definitions.
We are well into our study of the Native Americans who lived in our area. Ask what they have learned.
Remember that 3 written activities are due for the reading log on October 1st. I have been encouraging students not to leave all 3 for the last minute.
Thank you, as always!
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September 15, 2014
Next Monday is the anticipated date of our first math test (chapter 1). On Tuesday (the 16th), the students will be bringing home their graded mid-chapter check point. We will be reviewing in class; however, it is also important to review at home. If two or more questions were missed in a section, it means the student needs to spend extra time reviewing that skill for the test.
Thank you as always for your help and support :)
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September 12, 2014
Our first full week is behind us. By now, you may have noticed the math HW looks a little different than last year. We have switched over to the Go Math program.
We have begun our first unit of study in Geography/Native American studies. The trip scheduled for October 16 is related to this unit. Please return the permission slips and payment for the trip as soon as possible.
I look forward to meeting you in Tuesday evening, Please note that the evening is broken into 2 sessions. You need only attend one. We will be covering the exact same agenda at both, so choose the session that works best for you.
Have a great weekend!
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September 5, 2014
Our first 2 days went very well, I am happy to report. Students should share their learning logs with you and prepare to begin reading hw next week by choosing a chapter book they will love (or at least like) reading each night.
I look forward to getting into the full swing of our curriculum next week!
Enjoy your weekend :)
Ms. Borges
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September 3, 2014
I have been preparing for the beginning of what I hope will be a fabulous school year for all of us. I am excited to meet my new students tomorrow and begin their 4th grade journey together!
As we get ourselves organized to begin the school year, it would be a huge help if families would make sure students are coming to school with the requested supplies as well as with papers that need to be signed and returned to school.
I look forward to working with all of you this year :)
Ms. Borges
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