Mr. Murphy's Class News

Friday, January 27th

"Great American Homework Race Winners Announced for the Second Quarter"

1st Place - Jordan

2nd Place - Sarah

3rd Place - (2-way tie) Collin and Erica

Congratulations!!!

Wednesday, 1/18

   The students did an excellent job on their recent recycling project!  They have designed NYC skyscrapers using milk cartons from the cafeteria. Math skills such as rounding & estimating were used to make these buildings true-to-scale.  Geometry concepts were applied, as well. 

   The project will be here during conferences for parents to view.

   Michael did a great job today during our Science test review period. Keep up the excellent job!

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Thanks for all of the great holiday gifts!  This is not expected. I am very grateful for the gifts and for the wonderful class this year! Happy New Year 2012!  If you are staying after school to work on our recycling project this Thursday, please be sure to bring your permission slip in by then. The general pickup time will be 5 P.M.

Thursday, December 23rd

   Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2012!  We have so many fun activities planned for the new year here at REW.  Upon returning to school on January 3rd, we will continue working on our "Spirit Week" recycling project. We are creating (true to scale) models of eight NYC popular skyscrapers. The students have been busy designing these models using milk cartons from the cafeteria. Also, we plan on making a model of the Brooklyn Bridge. Special Thanks to Amity Lumber Co. of Taylor for providing the wooden platform for this project. Be reminded that many of us are staying after school on Thursday, January 5th to work on our project.  The students will be able to go out onto the observation deck of Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, NJ this May (class trip) to look for some of these skyscrapers in Manhattan using the coin-operated binocular devices. If your child wishes to participate please return the permission slip before or on January 5th. On another note, please turn in your child's FUN DAY shirt order form by January 3rd.

Workers using the rivet machine during construction of the Empire State Building, which was completed in 1931. The rivets were used to fasten the steel beams together. Much of the steel used in NYC skyscrapers was made in Pennsylvania.

Here's what to expect after the holidays:  seat changes, the beginning of a new lesson in Language Arts, a new chapter in Science on "Properties of Matter," and of course, the possibility of school closings or delays (due to harsh weather conditions).  As this leads to interruptions in the learning process, our class has a plan in place. If a test is scheduled on a day that we have a school closing, the test will be administered the following day of school. If we have a test scheduled and a delay occurs, we will have the test that same day, no matter what time the class is scheduled (even if it's in the early morning). This plan is in place so that parents know in advance what to expect.

Here's a Science Preview for you.  Here's how to better understand the difference between an atom and a molecule:  atom: the smallest particle of matter that has the properties of that matter     molecule: a single particle of of matter that is made up of 2 or more atoms

A holiday connection to science...  Think of one single Lego as an atom     Snap 2 or more Legos together to make a molecule  Just a fun way of previewing the upcoming science chapter during the holidays!

Enjoy the holiday vacation!

Tuesday, December 13th

     The students are busy making holiday cards for an area assisted living home. Some are even making cards at home for the 60 residents at St. Mary's Villa in Elmhurst. This is our way of cheering up others for the holiday season.

Wednesday, 11/30

Click on the link below to complete a fun Science word puzzle for Chapter 11. Select Chapter 11. It will help you with the next test. TBA

http://www.eduplace.com/kids/hmsc/4/d/crossword/unit_4d.html

Tuesday, November 29th

 DAY-NIGHT-DAY-NIGHT-DAY-NIGHT-DAY-NIGHT

   Today, we learned about the motions of earth. Ask your child to describe each of the following motions, and to match them up with the following characteristics:

MOTIONS:

  TILT,  ROTATE,  REVOLVE

CHARACTERISTICS:

  A. HELPS TO CREATE DAY AND NIGHT (24 HOUR DAY)

B. HELPS TO CHANGE THE SEASONS (WINTER DAYLIGHT IS LESS VS. SUMMER DAYLIGHT IS MORE  

  C. HELPS TO CREATE OUR YEAR AS 365 DAYS

Monday, November 14th

     Special thanks to all of the 4th grade parents who drove to Eckley Miners' Village on Saturday, November 5th!  You helped to make this trip a huge success! Hopefully, this experience will long-serve the students who participated.

     On another note, congratulations to Jordan for winning the 1st quarter "Great American Homework Race." Coming in 2nd place was Alex. B and Madison. The following students came in 3rd place: Evan, Joshua, Caitlin, Louis and Kristen. Prizes will awarded soon.  All other students who "passed" the agenda inspections for the 1st quarter will receive consolation prizes. Let's start off the 2nd quarter on the right foot! Special thanks to the parents for doing their job in assuring the nightly homework was done.  We all play an important role in managing the agendas!  

Wednesday, November 2nd

Directions for the Eckley Miners' Village Trip will be passed out at the Taylor Community Center this Saturday. We will leave the community center parking lot at 10 A.M. sharp! An important note to drivers went home today. It has been stapled in your child's agenda book.

Wednesday, October 27th

     Today we had a great discussion in Science. Dylan had a lot to offer about the "lack of" oxygen at higher elevations. Also, Michael brought up the word "oxygen" when we needed to know what gas we need from the air to breathe. Great going guys! While on the playground today, the students pointed out STRATUS CLOUDS. Good one!

    We have very exciting news concerning officers for this year's student council organization. Madison was elected President and Caitlin is the newly elected secretary. Both roles require a great deal of responsibility, and we all know you will handle it! Let's keep those pennies rolling in for the Penny Parade!

Tuesday, October 25th

   Jordan leads the Great American Homework Race! Just a reminder that this Friday is the final day to sign up for the Eckley Miners' Village trip. School photos will be taken tomorrow. No need to wear a school uniform. Uniforms must be worn on Thursday, but not on Friday. Friday's Dress Down Day will cost $1.00  Our Halloween party will be Monday, 10/31  There is a student council meeting tomorrow morning in the Art Room. Finally, Vincent shows good leadership skills at school. He is really on the ball!

Wednesday, 10/19

 Preparing for our Fall Road Trip!

   Please look for the letter stapled in your child's agenda concerning a movie which will be shown in the coming weeks. "The Molly Maguires" was filmed at Eckley Miners' Village by Paramount Pictures back around 1970. This movie tells the story of conflicts and struggles faced by immigrant anthracite coal miners in the 1800's. You only sign it if you DO NOT want your child to watch it. Otherwise, please don't sign it. It is rated PG. The students will also be able to compare scenes from the movie once they arrive at Eckley Village on Saturday, November 5th. This is an educational trip, and the students will be well-prepared in advance to get the most out of this experience. Have a nice night!

Wednesday, 10/12

    We've reached the mid-way point of the first marking period. The Great American Homework Race is getting heated!  In first place we have Alex B. and Jordan! We also have a 5-way tie for second place between Louis, Vince, Sarah, Caitlin and Madison. With plenty of days left in the quarter, this is still "anyone's" race to win!

Monday, October 10

   Congratulations to the following students for winning the recent student council election. Our classroom reps will be Madison, Kristen and Caitlin.  Also, congrats to all candidates! Enjoy your Columbus Day holiday!

Tuesday, 10/4

   Louie did a real nice job today in Language Arts class! He "noted" an "effect" for Cause & Effect Relationships in the practice book.  He discovered that since Zach was now invited to Michael's party, they became friends again. Also, Alex S. discovered that the "Daily Proofreading Practice" sentence needed an exclamation point as its end punctuation mark. Keep up the great work! Let's dress for the weather. Students without coats/hoodies, etc. will not be permitted to go outside for recess on chilly days. Finally, it's not too early to begin preparing for this Friday's Language Arts test. Have a nice night!

Tuesday, 9/27

     Overall, I am pleased with the management of student agendas. The students seem to be getting into the routine of things at school. Let's keep on top of things with regards to tests this week. Don't wait to study until the last possible night before a test. This same message is given at school each day. Reminder: 11:30 Dismissal this Friday.  Have a nice night!

Tuesday, September 6th

   I look forward to a new and exciting year! Back-to-School Night is scheduled for Wednesday, September 14th from 7 - 8 P.M.  Our classroom is in the back hall of the school (Room #140). Parents/Guardians are welcomed to attend. This really isn't for the children to attend. This event is for the purpose of meeting your child's teacher and to learn more about our curriculum and procedures. It is not a parent-teacher meeting. I look forward to meeting all of you. In the meantime, look for "many" important forms coming home Wednesday night with your child. Please fill out all forms that need to come back. Not all forms need to come back. 

Monday, Sept. 12th

   Last week, the students created "Peace Promises" to fight bullying. Their promises are displayed in the classroom, and are a tribute to those who lost their lives during the attacks on September 11, 2001. Although we are presently beginning a unit on Geometry, please review the basic multiplication facts (concentrate on 3s through 9s) with your child at home. Look for their frustration level, then go up from there. This can be done orally, with the use of multiplication cards (which can be purchased at most dollar stores), or by writing them. Meanwhile, I will be sending worksheets home periodically, which will begin at their frustration level. Finally, please work on getting the textbooks covered as soon as you can. The following books should be covered:  Reading Anthology, Science book and Social Studies book. They have not yet received their Social Studies book. Everyone did a fantastic job at getting their forms filled out for the new year!  Thanks and have a good night! 

Friday, September 16th

The Great American Homework Race is on!

   The American Homework Race Update...

Sarah and Jordan are tied for first place!  At this point, there is a 3-way tie for second place: Alex B., Erica and Louis.  It is still very early in the quarter. Managing your agenda book well and doing your homework nightly will continue to give you a chance to be the "End-of-the -Quarter" WINNER! The students took their Math and Reading 4-sights this week. Evan did a real nice job with silent reading today! Finally, let's all go out to support our Vikings tonight as they play against North Pocono H.S. Families are asked to kindly bring items to the game tonight to donate to the flood victims. Items such as bleach, scrub brushes, sponges, rubber gloves, large trash bags and such are welcomed. There will be a drop-off box at all gates. Have a nice weekend!

http://www.eduplace.com/kids/hmsc/4/c/crossword/unit_4c.html

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