Weekly Update

Writing/Spelling

This past week we gathered many "seed story" ideas by prewriting and drafting in our writer's notebooks.  We learned that we can use our memories and stories from our own lives in creating realistic fiction stories.  Next week we will start to gather story plot ideas for our first writing unit, realistic fiction narratives.  We will also start to develop our characters.  As a reminder, we start Spelling this week.  Students will spend a majority of their time studying for spelling outside of class.  Our first Spelling Test will be Friday, September 11th.  

In one prewrite activity, we drew a map of our house to gather writing ideas.  

Seed stories are small moment stories.  If we stretch our seed ideas, we can create long stories with great details!

Reading

In reading this week, we discussed what it means to "read intensely."  We came up with some great ideas!  We even practiced visualizing during our read aloud, "The Tiger Rising" by Kate DiCamillo.  

We also reviewed books that would be "within our reach" as we tried the "5 finger rule" to determine if books are too easy, too challenging, or just right.  Students also became familiar with our class library and added many books to their "books to read" list.  Most students have chosen a good chapter book that they can read at home and school.  We also brainstormed ways to suggest classroom books to our peers.  Students decided they wanted to create a book bin of recommendations, and they got right to work in making it!  We are able to read intensely when we choose books that are within our reach and ones that we think we'll love.  

Math

We had a great week in Math!  We practiced every rotation that will be in full swing next week!  Students will all start math with a minilesson in which they will learn and practice the objective.  Then, they will be involved in one rotation a day (Computers, Activity, Math Games or Problem Solving), rotating daily so that students have the chance to work in each rotation.  Finally, students will be pulled from their rotation to dig deeper in the day's lesson at the back table in a small group setting.  This week we will continue our chapter on place value with rounding.   The Chapter 1 Test will be Friday, September 4th.  Students will receive a study guide this week.  You should have already received the Math At Home family letter and vocabulary flash cards for chapter one on Monday.  These are great resources to use in practicing at home and in supporting students in the chapter concepts.  You will receive these resources when we start each chapter.  You will also see math worksheets coming home in the folder in your child's binder on a daily basis.  If the worksheet has a check at the top, all problems were solved correctly on the first try.  Otherwise, a paper will note the problem numbers that students had to rework for accuracy.  

We learned how to play the "Math Noodlers" game in the Games rotation.

Students practiced logging on to XtraMath and ALEKS.  Students can use these websites at home!

Students got to "clip up" on our recognition chart for completing blue challenge/enrichment worksheets!

Social Studies

So far in social studies we have started with a review of cardinal directions and the 7 continents and 5 oceans of the world.  Students' first quiz will be Thursday, September 3rd.  Using a word bank, they will label a blank map with the 7 continents and 5 oceans.  Students will receive their corrected maps on Monday and they will be kept in the social studies tab of their binders.  Students can also use these websites to study: World Continents and Oceans Level I and Continents Memory Game.  This week we will add the study of landforms to our first social studies unit. 

We practiced cardinal directions by creating a castle floor plan.

Other Important Info.  

• Thank you to all parents who could make Curriculum Night!  An electronic copy of our class handbook can be found  here. 
• Students' first Friday Homework assignment was passed out today.  This week we have a math packet, Standardized Test Prep Chapter 1.  Friday homework is always passed out on Fridays and due the following Friday, so this first assignment is due 9/4.  We alternate with math and writing Friday Homework.  This week students will set up their reflection journals.  More information on reflection journals can be found in next week's Weekly Update
• Spirit Wear orders are due Friday, 9/4.
• LEAP starts this Tuesday, 9/1.  

Weekly Update: The First TWO Days of Fourth Grade!

Thursday, August 20th 

We had an awesome first day of fourth grade!  It was a ton of fun getting to know our classmates and building community.  First, we acted as journalists by interviewing our classmates.  After students interviewed a partner, they introduced him or her to the rest of the class!  

We also practiced Habit 6: Synergize by working in small groups to take on the Marshmallow Challenge, our first STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) activity!  Students could only use 20 pieces of spaghetti, 1 yard of tape, 1 yard of string, and a large marshmallow in constructing the tallest tower in 18 minutes.  Check out the group below with the tallest tower at 45.5 cm!  All students did a fantastic job with this challenge!    

                                       

In the afternoon, we had our first Responsibility Recess.  Normally this extra recess will be held at the end of the day (2:50-3:10) on Wednesdays and Fridays for students who have turned in all homework and had great behavior! 

Finally, we set up our binders.  The binder contains the assignment book, classwork and homework by subject, the take home folder, and a data section for record keeping.  Starting Monday, assignment books should be signed by a parent on a nightly basis in order to verify your child's reading minutes, check for any homework or upcoming tests, and view behavior.  The take home folder is organized with a leave at home (left) and a come back to school (right) side.  Notes to go home and graded work will be sent with students on a daily basis so it is also important to check the take home folder nightly.  Students took some notes home on Friday and will be taking more home next week.  

Other Important Info.

Finally, I want to let you know that we eat lunch at 12:40, so it is recommended that students bring a healthy snack to school.  We eat snack around 11:00 during our reading time.  Students are also welcome to bring a water bottle and a jacket to our classroom.  


Friday, August 21st

We had a wonderful second day of fourth grade!  We continued to build community and practice classroom routines and expectations.  First, we practiced sitting in a circle for our first class meeting.  We reviewed the 7 Habits, applied for classroom leadership positions, and learned more about the clip chart.  Students will start their classroom leadership positions on Monday! 

                         

                                                                                                       

       

Above is our leaders clip chart.  This is used as a type of student recognition system.  Students will "clip up" whenever they are caught doing something great.  We made an ongoing list of ideas together, including helping our classmates or a teacher, being on task, keeping a clean desk, meeting a personal goal, etc.  Students will be rewarded for landing in pink at the top of the chart.  You will know where your child landed at the end of the day by looking at the colored circle in the assignment book. The colored circles correspond with the colors on the clip chart.  More information can be found in our class handbook, which will be available on Curriculum Night this Wednesday, August 26th.  We will start using the clip chart on Monday. 

Next, we participated in our second STEM activity, the Tiny Cups Challenge.  Students used 48 tiny cups to see which group could build the tallest tower in 20 minutes.  The winning group's tower with a height of 75.5 cm is shown below.  Great job, Sarah, Elliot, Tyler, Logan and Jonathan!  

In the afternoon, we started our first read aloud, "Gaby, Lost and Found!"  This is a Mark Twain Nominee.  The purpose of the Mark Twain Award is to provide Missouri students in grades 4-6  with a recommended reading list.  After reading the nominees, students can vote to choose the Mark Twain Award winning book! 

For homework this weekend, students are to bring back any forms that need to be signed and returned in the manila envelope and the $10 classroom money.  Also, students should bring in magazines and/or pictures they are interested in to decorate their writer's notebooks on Monday.  Reading logs, practicing math facts, and other subject assignments will begin on Monday.  

Other Important Info.

• Weekly Updates will continue next week and throughout the school year.  That means that I will hold most blog posts and updates until Friday or sometime over the weekend to recap the week.  
• Curriculum Night is this Wednesday night from 6:30-7:00 in our classroom (Room 34).  You will find out more about our classroom and the fourth grade curriculum.   I hope to see you there! 
• If at any time you have a question or concern or need to contact me, you can do so by emailing me at kleighton@lindberghschools.ws.  Email is the best way to reach me.  

Welcome to Mrs. Leighton's Fourth Grade!!

Congratulations!  You have found Mrs. Leighton's class blog!  I am excited to be your teacher this year!  Fourth grade is an awesome year of learning, and I have many fun things planned for us.  We will have a fantastic year together!  I look forward to meeting you at the Ice Cream Social on August 18th!  

Meet your classmates:

Isabella A.

Jonathan A.

McKenzie A. 

Vanessa B. 

Rosie B.

Caroline B.

Tyler B.

Lilly C. 

Nora C. 

Kellen D. 

Ella F. 

Sahil F. 

Elliot G. 

Emma H.

Blake H. 

Stevi L. 

Brett L.

Logan M. 

Jill M.

Adri P.

Cameron R. 

Kadyn S. 

Sarah V. 

Brody W. 

Weekly Update with Ms. Bender

Writing:
This week in writing, we wrote cinquain poems. This is the last type of poem that will be included in our poem anthologies. We are now writing our final drafts and illustrating cover pages for our poem anthology books. Also, we finished writing our articles for the last issue of our classroom newsletters.

Reading:
In reading, we continued to meet in book clubs. We will finish our books by next Wednesday. With the last week of school upon us, it is especially important that students remember to complete their assigned reading. In addition to book clubs, the class has been enjoying Matilda during read aloud time.

Science:
On Tuesday, we took our forces and motion science test.

Social Studies:
This week we began discussing the three branches of government and the United States Constitution. We will work on memorizing the Preamble to the Constitution next week.

Math:
In math, we spent each morning reviewing various mathematical skills that we have learned throughout the year.






Field Day:
Even though it rained, we still managed to have a blast on Field Day! The whole school spent the day participating in a variety of team building activities.

This spectacular group of kids had so much fun on Field Day!

The class split into two teams and raced to get the hula hoop around the entire circle without letting go of hands.

During charades, Nolan did an awesome job pantomiming a gorilla!  

Other Important Information:

• There will be no school on Friday 5/15.
• Next week is our last week of school! Friday 5/22 will be our last official day. Dismissal is at 11:50.
• This week Long's youcaring.org/playgroundforlong site went live.  This was also shared on our Long facebook page.  Long Elementary has set a goal of raising $25,000.  This would allow us to build a sidewalk to the concrete circle (by the pavilion that used to have tether-ball) and install several interactive play-boards, like tic tac toe, that all students could use.  If you click on the link and look under the gallery tab you can see a 3D rendition of what it would look like. Take some time to check it out!

Weekly Update with Ms. Bender

WELCOME JACKSON JAMES LEIGHTON!!!!

Early Friday morning, the newest addition to our classroom family was brought into the world. Jackson James Leighton is 8 lbs 6 oz and 20 1/2 inches long. Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Leighton!

WRITING:
This week in writing, we began drafting our own free verse and couplet poems to include in our anthologies. As we continue to work on these poems, we will practice including figurative language to make our writing more interesting.

We had fun celebrating our writing with Dr. Parker and Mr. Schoenekase on Monday!

READING:
In reading, we will continue to meet in our book clubs. As a reminder, students need to have their reading completed, along with two speaking points written down on a sticky note, by their assigned meeting day. Mon/Thurs. or Wed/Fri.

SPELLING:
On Friday, we took our last spelling test for the year! Woohoo!

SCIENCE:
In science, we completed a marble lab that allowed us to practice calculating speed. We took our science vocabulary quiz on Monday and began our study guide. We will finish our study guides on Monday and our forces and motion test will be on Tuesday 5/12.

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT:
This week Mrs. Shaver and Mrs. Broom came in and taught the students about entrepreneurship and what it takes to develop a business. Students had fun participating in games and activities that helped develop their business skills. We will have two more Junior Achievement lessons next week.

MATH:
In math this week, we reinforced our multiplication and long division skills by completing a variety of review activities.

The Bubble Bus and ice cream truck were a blast!

Other Important Information: 

• If you would like to sign up to be a volunteer for Field Day, please use the following link:  Field Day Sign Up.  Field Day is Thursday, May 14th. Students have already signed up to buy or bring a sack lunch.  Please have your student wear comfy clothes and tennis shoes.
• NO SCHOOL Friday 4/15

Weekly Update with Ms. Bender

Writing
In writing, we finished picking three favorite poems that work with our poetry themes for our anthologies. Next week, we will write our own poems!  Also, we will continue editing articles for the second issue of our classroom newsletter. The class is very excited that our first newsletter has been printed and is ready to read. They look amazing!  We will be celebrating our writing this Monday by reading our articles in the outside learning center!  Students are allowed to bring an extra snack to eat during the celebration.

We worked hard on our news committee articles all week!

Spelling

Our last word sort test will be Friday 5/8!

Math

This week we wrapped up our geometry unit in math and took the Chapter 14 math test.

Science

This week we continued working on forces and motion. We conducted a bubble gum lab that allowed us to calculated our "chomping speed". Our vocabulary test will be this Wednesday 5/6. Remember, students can study vocabulary using Quizlet, and they can log on to the online textbook for extra credit opportunities.  

We had so much fun on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Day!!

Dr. Parker and Mr. Shoenekase showed us some thrilling science experiments!

The winning group of our egg drop contest!

Teamwork was essential when working at the large Lego station!

Reading
Students continued to work in new book club groups. As a reminder, students need to read the assigned pages and finish their 2 sticky notes containing their talking points by their group's due date of Mon/Thurs or Wed/Fri.

Two more groups have finished their iMovie book trailers!  Check out Room One's video, which was created by Ali, Delaney, Gabe, Nate and Jaxson!  Also, make sure to watch Adam and Daniel's trailer on Jake Drake!  The students did an awesome job!  

Other Important Info.  

• Students may bring an extra snack for our writing celebration on Monday.
• As a reminder for Strings students, Thursday, May 7th is the 4th grade all-district rehearsal.  Rehearsal is scheduled from 9:00-11:00 am in the district auditorium. 
• Next Friday, students will enjoy a special treat!  An ice cream truck will visit Long.  Students will need a $1 to purchase ice cream.  
• If you would like to sign up to be a volunteer for Field Day, please use the following link:  Field Day Sign Up.  Field Day is Thursday, May 14th.  
• There is no more Friday Homework this year! 

Weekly Update

Writing/Spelling

This past week we started our poetry unit.  We read many different types of poems, and students thought of themes for their poetry anthologies.  We are in the process of looking for poems that fit our themes.  Students will not have spelling words during MAP testing.  

Reading

In reading this past week, we received new book club groups!  We will start our new book club groups this week.  Students also continued working on their book trailers on iMovie!  

Math

This past week we learned a lot about geometry.  We reviewed lines, angles, quadrilaterals and triangles, symmetry, perimeter and area.  This week we will review geometry and use the metric system.  

Science 

Our next unit in science is forces and motion.  We will start this unit this week, and there are all kinds of fun labs we will conduct!  

Other Important Info.  

• Fourth grade students will start taking the MAP test tomorrow.  Monday, April 20th and Tuesday, April 21st, students will take the English Language Arts test in the morning.  On Thursday, April 23rd, students will take the Math test in the afternoon.  Both the format and length of the MAP test will be different this year.  Students will take all parts of the test on the computer in just a few days.  Students will need their headphones (although we do have ones students can borrow) and a snack for the days that we test. Also, it is important that they get a good night's sleep and eat breakfast in the morning!  
• This Wednesday, April 22nd is an early release day with dismissal at 1:40.  Please make sure your child knows how they are getting home.  
• Fun and Upcoming Events:  The Cardinal's Game is May 3rd and Grant's Farm is April 24th!  Mark these dates on your calendar and join our Long Family for these two fun nights!  
• Again, I can not thank you enough for the wonderful surprise baby shower this past week!  It was perfect, and Jackson and I truly appreciate everything!