September 19th-23rd

Dear Parents,

We had such a fun week last week! One activity we got to do was a STEAM activity. We were challenged to build a structure that could hold a bucket and weight made out of straws. Check out the pictures of some of our awesome designs! Also, we did so well on our math test last week! We had a class average of 82%. I am so proud of everyone’s work!

Here is what we are doing in class this week:

Reading: This week in reading we will be focusing on non-fiction texts. We will write summaries, identify main ideas, and answer questions using evidence. Our spelling words this week all have the long e sound. Students should be noticing the different patterns of how to spelling this sound as they study. They need to study at least 20 minutes and bring back their list filled out and signed. They should also be filling out a reading log they get on Friday and read 20 minutes each day for this. Both of these are due on Friday.

Math: This week in math we are continuing our Factors and Multiples Unit. We will practice finding factors, multiples, identifying if a number is prime or composite, and identifying number patterns.

Writing: We will be starting our next writing unit, which is writing explanatory texts. We will begin by focusing on reading other explanatory texts this week and finding the main ideas in those texts. We will practice explaining in our own words the ideas written about in the texts we read.

Science: The students will take the water cycle unit test tomorrow. The students can study using their practice test or play review jeopardy. http://www.superteachertools.us/jeopardyx/jeopardy-review-game.php?gamefile=1465966#.V9wGfz4rIfF

Our next unit is about weather. We will start the unit by discussing what the students already know about weather and what they want to learn in regards to weather. The students will also watch a movie about air this week and how it impacts the weather. We will go over the water cycle science tests this week. The students will have the opportunity to add points onto their test score by completing an assignment at home. This assignment is due by next Friday, September 30th

Social Studies: This week in social studies students are going to receive their first homework project. Students will be doing a county report. They will be assigned a county to research and to present to the class. Students are to find the information and put it on a poster board. Students DO NOT need to write this out in a paper! If they want to write it out, they are welcome to, but they are only required to have the information on the poster. My class’s reports are due on October 11^th and Mrs. Ditto’s class’s reports are due on October 12^th. Please refer to the instructions your student will bring home this week for further instructions on the report. I will also post these instructions on my blog at: http://mrswheatleysfourthgrade.blogspot.com/

This week’s homework:

Read 20 mins each day and fill out a pink reading log

Spelling list #3 – 20 mins of study and list signed by parent

Lesson 1.8-P17, 5.1-P97, 5.2-P99, Multiplication facts for 20 mins

County report Due October 11^th

*Math, reading, and spelling are due on Friday

**Don’t forget the Cougar Crawl Color Run this Friday. Students should be collecting donations and then bringing back their envelope this week. Our fun run will be on Friday at 4 pm. There will be food trucks and plenty of fun for everyone!

Thanks!
Mrs. Wheatley