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NEWSLETTER FROM MRS. KENNEY
October 31, 2011
Dear Parents/Guardians,
At the end of each term, I will be sending home a quite lengthy newsletter informing you of the happenings in our classroom. Believe it or not, term two is rapidly approaching. I can't believe how time flies! Parent/teacher conference forms have been sent out and they are trickling in. If you haven't returned your form, please do so as soon as possible. Once I receive them all, I will send you a date and time of your conference.
Now that the students are comfortable with the classroom and me, I will be adding more responsibility and expectations as we continue to move forward into the school year. Below are what we are currently doing in each subject and any other pertinent information to keep you posted.
Science - Now that we have finished our Northeast Region unit in Social Studies, we will be starting a unit on Matter in Science. Here the students will be conducting several experiments involving the properties of matter (solid, liquid, gas) as well as comparing and measuring materials. They also will learn that all matter has mass, weight, volume and density; and how the properties of substances change. Lastly, they will explore and
discover ways that substances combine to form new substances. Like the Northeast Region, I will continue to stress the importance of developing good study habits by providing them with the proper methods of studying through various proven skills such as creating flash cards, divided page method and study guide sheets.
I found an online program that provides students with another way of studying -- www.spellingcity.com is a great website that reinforces spelling and vocabulary development in a fun way. Along with their flashcards they create in class, your child can log in, using my username and password, and click on Matter-Science. Here they can learn how to spell the vocabulary words and use it in a sentence. Also, there are games he/she can play as well. I will also put all the spelling words each week on this site. Part of this program is free, but if I find this to be successful and my students actually use it, I might look into investing $49.95 for a year's subscription. Below is my username
and password.
Username - MrsKenney4
Password - kenney
Social Studies - Maps, maps, maps. To keep your child up on the geography. Have them continue to practice the United States map. Another cool website he/she can log into is www.sheppardsoftware.com. Some of my parents last year told me they love this program and it helped them with world geography. Learning never ends! After the Matter unit, we will be continuing to explore the United
States and travel to the Southeast Region.
Math - The students have adjusted quite well to the new format of the math test. The students need to apply the skills learned in each chapter to solve real-life word problems. I am so proud of the students. No one failed the first math test!! Yeah!
We are currently on Unit 3 - Multiplication and Division; Number Sentence and Algebra. The students are currently learning strategies for multiplication facts and are working toward instant recall of the facts. I will be sending home some multiplication practice sheets (frenzy worksheets) for your child to practice. Also, you will notice that from time to time addition and subtraction sheets will be sent home as well to keep those facts fresh. Your child can complete these sheets at his/her leisure. However, extra money can be earned in their checkbooks to those students who successfully complete these sheets and pass them in. Once again, drop me a note in his/her agenda book letting me know you need more practice sheets. I will be happy to send them home when needed. I will be testing them twice a week to monitor their progress.
In addition, we will be exploring true or false number sentences, and parentheses in number sentence and open sentences. Word problems will continue to be stressed throughout the year.
Your child is also practicing once a week how to write an open response to a math problem. In their Math Journals, I provide them with an open response type problem and teach them how to properly answer them in their journals.
Language Arts - The students have been practicing answering open response questions in their Reading Response Journals. This involves the students writing a topic sentence, 3-4 supporting details or pieces of evidence taken from the text and a wrap-up sentence. It continues to be a work in progress and some work is still needed, but all-in-all the students have been up for the challenge and are progressing nicely. You will be seeing some open response questions sent home a couple of times a week for the students to continue practicing their writing in this format. We are working toward a multi-paragraph essay.
Lastly, your child has a Poetry Journal. Every Monday a poem is glued into this book. Here your child learns a different type of poem every month whether it be rhyming, repetition, personification, onomonapoeia, etc. and asked to analyze the poem through a written response. The kids look forward to a new poem each week.
You might have noticed that some weeks our spelling words seem quite simple. This program that fourth grade uses focuses on a particular spelling rule and applies that rule to certain words. Encourage your child to study the spelling rule and words each and every night and try to use www.spellingcity.com at least 2 or 3 times a week if you have internet access. Lastly, the students loved my shaving cream spelling activity. If your child didn't tell you about it, ask. My room
spelled heavenly after that activity:)
Checkbooks - The checkbook system is fabulous and so much fun for the kids. Some kids look forward to adding more money in their accounts by correcting work, passing in assignments early, completing basic math fact sheets and staying on task. Some have even earned enough to have lunch with the principal or me and having an extra period with a specialist. Yippee! To add to this program, I am asking parents/guardians to send in small, gently used items (no stuffed animals, please) that our students could purchase with some of their money. I will place these small items in our Treasure Chest. Also, you will be receiving every Monday, a notice informing you of any checks written and deducted from his/her account that past week for missed assignments, being off task, etc. (these
checks will be stapled to the form) and also your child's checkbook balance. I want you to be informed and be part of the fun we are having with this system!
Town's Website - Just a reminder, this notice and daily homework is always on the townís website. Simply log in to www.town.hull.ma.us and then Hull Schools to Jacobs Elementary to teacher/faculty to Grade 4 - Mrs. Kenney
As you can see, we have been quite busy here in the fourth grade and having a great time along the way. I'm looking forward to continuing to watch your child grow socially and academically. See you at conferences.
Classroom Wish List:
Purell
Kleenex
paper towels
hand wipes
Clorox wipes
Thank you!
Mrs. Kenney
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