Weekly Newsletter

This week we really started to embrace our passion for learning and school as a class! We discussed how we come to school to become readers, writers, mathematicians, scientist, and various "ologists" related to social studies. Their engagement has grown every day since the beginning of the year and it makes me so excited for what's to come!

The students did a great job during the Fun Run on Wednesday! Everyone gave their best effort! Our class has been doing some fun Fun Run math every morning during our morning meeting as well. We have incorporated a lot of concepts into our goal tracking, including: fractions, equivalent fractions, modeling of fractions, multiplication of fractions, and addition of fractions. We even used the place value concepts we have been working on in fourth grade to complete a 5th grade powers of ten problem when creating equivalent fractions! Our class is currently in 3rd place for most money raised!

Thank you to all of the awesome parents that have volunteered to help with Thursday Folders and being our room parent! I appreciate you all more than I can express!

This coming week will be a short one, but we won't let that stand in the way of our quest to learn about and wonder about the world! There is no school on Monday due to Labor Day. Band and orchestra begin this week for those that are participating. The Cold Stone Teacher Scoop Night is on Tuesday; I will be there from 6:15 - 7. We also have both individual and class pictures Thursday afternoon.

September 07 - Labor Day/ No School

September. 08 - ColdStone Ice Cream Scoop (I am scooping from 6:15 - 7pm)

September 10 - Picture Day

September 18 - Fun Run Prize Day

September 21 - Professional Development Day/ No School

September 25 - Multicultural Night

September 28 - October 02 - Book Fair

10/22: In-house Nature Educators Field Trip!

Reading: We are still reading about natural disasters, which ties in nicely to some of the science concepts we will cover this year. While reading, we continued learning how to read and understand expository texts. The primary skills we worked on this week were reading diagrams, vocabulary, using context clues to derive the meaning of multiple meaning words, rereading the text thoughtfully in order to demonstrate understanding of the text, using text features purposefully, and understanding compare and contrast text structure.

Writing: This week we have been learning about the writing process as we answer the question, "Why is it important to understand the fast and slow changes to the Earth's surface?".

Grammar/Spelling: Since we were digging into the writing process for the first time this year, we didn't start a new grammar concept. The students finished up their spelling tasks for short vowel sounds.

All classes have finished up Topic 1: Understanding Place Value. As teachers, we analyzed our our grade level data in PLC this morning and determined next steps for students. Their tests will come home next week.

Topic 2: Students are learning how to use mental math strategies to think about addition, estimate addition and subtraction answers, fluently add and subtract multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm, and strategies for approaching word problems.

This week we explored the difference between a globe model and maps where we see each hemisphere separately. We also worked on the different oceans and continents that can be found in each hemisphere. The students took their CO map tests on Monday, which came home in folders today. We have also been working on creating our big Colorado maps which will come home next week.

Next week will be in Tech and Think Tank.

Reading: I didn't give students a new homework packet this week, since we have a long weekend and a short week next week. Enjoy!

Math: Ms Crawley's class and my class will continue to receive nightly math homework next week.

Social Studies: none planned

Homework Policy: Ms Crawley and I both accept late work, but encourage students to complete work on time! Homework is practice and practice is important for learning!

We didn't get a chance to do planners today with the assembly this afternoon. There is no homework other than missing work.

The students are doing a great job of filling out their planners. You can check to see that your child filled in their homework correctly using the homework page on my website. Please review their planner/homework with them every evening and initial their planner each day. They will receive a PRIDE ticket if they have your initials. I encourage you to only initial the current day, so that you and your child are checking in on a regular basis while they are building the important student skills of time management and responsibility.

Your child brought home:

• map test
• picture day information
• school flyers

• Our school wide goal is to raise $60,000 with this Fun Run - we need your help! Please help your child reach out to friends/family for support for our school! Every donation, big or small, adds up! Prizes will be awarded for individuals, classrooms, grade levels, and the whole school. Please see the awesome lineup of prizes on the Fun Run page! Fundraising continues through September 14 at 11:59pm. Thank you for your support in this very important fundraiser.
• Fun Run and Prize Day are really fun days to be at NRE! Please consider filling a volunteer slot if you are able.

Cold Stone Night is Tuesday, September 8th. I will be scooping ice cream from 6:15 - 7pm.

Please consider signing up for a Volunteer Shift!

Picture Day Volunteer Sign Up

On Thursday, October 22nd from 12:00--2:05 Nature Educators will be coming to do a one hour program for our fourth grade students. The Nature Educators is a wildlife education program in Colorado. This program will be about animal adaptations and habitats. Nature Educators will bring a few different animals such as: birds, reptiles, amphibians, or invertebrates to discuss the various diets, habitats, and adaptations for each. Students will be viewing the program in the library. The funds have been generously covered by a PTA grant. Parent permission is still required on MySchoolBucks. Thank you for supporting your child in this engaging educational experience.

Different volunteer opportunities are listed below. Please sign up for anything that you are interested in. Involved families make our school better! If you are interested in volunteering, you must sign a Parent Volunteer Form.

If you have a special talent that you think would enhance the learning in our classroom, please feel free to email me.