January 9, 2020

  • Math: Students are encouraged to log into Think Central and Xtramath (4 points per week towards math grade) through the school portal for math practice.

-Chapter 5 Factors and Multiples. Students will be assigned a PMT for homework and their score goes towards their math grade. Please check agendas for homework/assignment numbers.

-Chapter 11: Angels. We jump ahead to chapter 11 on Fridays to be sure to cover all chapters in math throughout the school year.

****Math on the Spot videos help with the "Think Smarter" word problems.

****Animated Math Models (Carmen Sandiego with the red hat) gives more practice on the skills. Use the titles of lessons in textbook to match up with skills online.

****Interactive Student Text has practice problems and tutorials for home support. There are several practice problems after the videos for students to work through. (Personal Math Trainer)

  • Language Arts: We are using ACT Now! (Accessing Complex Text). Students work through rigorous selections using reading strategies and skills. The book is consumable, so students are able to annotate through the passages helping with comprehension. Assessments for comprehension will be tested on Readworks and Wonders passages where students will apply the skills taught. The next couple of units focus on History/Social Studies.

-Readworks passages are also used to assess comprehension skills and strategies.

  • Grammar: Irregular Nouns. Students can access Wonders online for Spelling and Grammar practice.
  • Spelling: Student will still practice the spelling from the Wonders curriculum in class, but we also use Spelling Mastery. It teaches students dependable spelling skills by blending the phonemic, whole-word, and morphographs (all parts of words).
  • Useful Websites:
    • Wonders
    • Lexia
    • Newsela
    • Readworks.org
  • Listening and Speaking: Students are graded on the listening and speaking standards for 4th grade. For speaking, they earn daily points for collaborative conversations, speaking in complete sentences, using a clear and understandable pace when speaking and presenting/reciting presentation and poems, etc. For listening, students are tested on read alouds, being able to listen and follow instructions in class, and listening during collaborative conversations and presentations.
  • Social Studies: We are wrapping up the chapters on California's Geography and Early Peoples. Students are learning about where California is located in the world, native tribes, and regions. Chapter 1 Test on Friday and Monday (open book/notes)
  • Writing: Expository/Informational - Students will be working in class on a Native American Tribe Report. They will research tribes in the different regions of California. There will be a Tri-o-rama project that will be done at home to finish off the report. Details coming soon.

*All tests/quizzes are open-book and notes.

--Social Studies and Science will integrate--

  • Science: We use Mystery Science online as well as parts of the textbook. We are currently working through Plant and Animal Structures in our Interactive Notebook.

* All tests/quizzes are open-book and notes.

---Students are encouraged to take textbooks home, or access texts online, to reread or preview lessons/readings.

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Homework Agendas: Please sign the agenda every night after your child has completed their homework. Leave me a note if there was an issue I can help them with. Please do NOT sign your child's agenda , or leave me a note, if they didn't complete their homework. Thank you!

Reading Counts: Students should be reading EVERY night for homework and taking tests weekly for Reading Counts. Please make sure your child is focused on ONE book at a time so they can concentrate on the content.

***Setting goals helps us succeed! Our class goal for the next few weeks is to finish books at our lexile level and earn at least 5 points a week.***

Grades: If you aren't registered for Synergy (Parent Vue), you must visit the office for the form. Teachers cannot send the forms home with students. This is where you will find your child's grades/progress in real time.

** Remember to check your child's Home Folder (in the very back of their binder) on Thursdays for graded tests and assignments.

Scholastic Book Club Orders: If you are interested in ordering, please order online using our classroom code: Q67CZ When you order using our classroom code, points go toward our classroom library. Thank you! Next due date is Tuesday, January 14.

Parent/Teacher Conferences: I do not use the sign up page in Synergy, so please feel free to email me for a date and time if you would like to meet.

Email address: swalther@egusd.net

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**IMPORTANT DATES & EVENTS:

  • Grades will stop on January 14 for trimester 2. Any work scored and graded after that will be counted towards trimester 3. Report cards will be sent home on Track Change Day, January 31.
  • No School Monday, Jan. 20 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.