Blog

Welcome

2009-08-12 15:12:00.0

Welcome to the 4th Grade!

I will do my best to blog nightly. I would LOVE comments and questions posted. Check the site often. This is a great place to communicate with myself, other parents, and students. I will also add pictures as the year progresses!

Thanks!

Kristie Mitchell

First Full Day

2009-08-17 15:51:00.0

We had a whirl wind of a day!! I hope you all come by and check the blog on a daily basis. Feel free to respond. If any of you have questions, you may email or chat on here.

We definately hit the ground running today. Just to see how many people are reading this everyday, I will give 5 bonus points to anyone who can respond telling me the name of the dog (spelled correctly) in our reading story. Posts have been hidden until tomorrow :) The bonus points will be added to the reading test on Friday.

Homework Site

2009-08-18 16:25:00.0

Hopefully you are checking the webpage often. I will update the homework page when/if there is something that needs to be changed daily (unless something comes up) If you have questions, consult the homework page. It should always have the correct information.

We do have multiple tests on Friday. We will move our Math quiz until next week, because we need more time to practice. History study guides will go home tomorrow. The test will be multiple choice and short answer.

Again, if you have questions, please post a comment or email me kristie.mitchell@claibornechristian.org

Thanks!

Tests

2009-08-19 15:24:00.0

We will be having our first spelling test tomorrow!! Study, study! We will play a few rounds of sparkle to help you prepare for the test in the morning.

I hope you found all of the answers to your history study guide. That test is Friday. Begin studying NOW!! If you would like 5 bonus points on this test, respond to this blog by answering: "Who first called what is now America the " New World" ?" You must spell his name correctly with correct punctuation.

This and That

2009-08-20 16:41:00.0

Our Sparkle Champions of the week:

Cameron (twice)

Errin

Zach

Morgan J.

Corrie

Morgan W.

Jessie

Hannah

Great Job!!!

Remember to study guys!! I want you to be prepared for all of our tests tomorrow. If you answered the blog questions correctly, on the day they were posted, you will receive 5 bonus points per question.

Also, Summer Reading forms are due no later than Friday (yes, tomorrow) for anyone that has not turned theirs in yet. Unless you have already come and talked to me, I expect to have them. If you do not turn them in, you will receive two zeros as test grades.

Test folders will go home next week with all of your graded papers.

I most likely will not blog on Fridays, just fyi.

Magazine Sale

2009-08-24 16:01:00.0

We have begun a large fundraiser for our school. All money earned will really help add technology and playground to our growing school!! Please help your children sell as much as possible to help the cause :)

I am offering a prize in class as well:

The person who sells the most (must sell at least 10) gets one week free of homework!

Any person selling at least five (5) will receive a free homework pass for one assignment. Each student may receive up to two free homework passes. (Meaning a child must sell 10 magazines to reach this goal).

Happy Selling :)

Light Test Week

2009-08-26 15:00:00.0

I hope you noticed we are having a light test week this week. We are not having Science or History tests. Things are picking up and we will "trucking" soon enough. Enjoy this slow week.

Sparkle Champions

2009-08-27 13:35:00.0

Our Sparkle Champions this week are:

Michael

Cameron

Jessie

Hannah

Great Job everyone!!

Remember to sell, sell, sell those magazines!! Tuesday is the double up day!

Balloons

2009-08-31 16:29:00.0

We found out today that Coach Matthews, our middle school math teacher, is having a little girl!! We are all very excited for the family. To celebrate, I'm asking all 4th graders to bring PINK and WHITE balloons. We will blow them up and put notes inside. We will SECRETLY place these balloons in Coach Matthew's room tomorrow. I know this is short notice, but we just found out and would like to surprise him! Thanks in advance for all you do!

Kristie Mitchell

Reading Tests

2009-09-01 16:38:00.0

Test papers went home today. I know some of you will be concerned about the reading test grades. This was a harder test, and there were some silly mistakes. We are working on comprehension, sequence, and cause and effect. We complete "fresh reads" that are worked and checked in the classroom. We also play games from the following site to reinforce learning.

http://classroom.jc-schools.net/waltkek/Fourth2.html

If you feel your child is struggling and would like to work with him/her, I would suggest reviewing last weeks test and rework the questions missed. Have your child tell you the story back. See if together you can figure out how/why the question was missed. The above link will help with the target areas we are learning ie. sequencing and cause and effect.

Post ideas that work with your child for other parents to try! Thanks for all you do!

Email

2009-09-03 11:11:00.0

Just wanted to give everyone a head's up...my email is on the fritz. I think I can receive emails, but I can not send them. I have tried to respond to a couple of you that have emailed me and those messages are still sitting in my outbox. Forgive me if I do not get back to you quickly. If you need something answered, stop me at car pick up or call the office and I will return your call when I can. The office is aware of the problem and it will be fixed promptly. Thanks in advance for the understanding.

Our Sparkle Champions for the week are:

Michael (twice)

Cameron

Zach

Jellybean (Morgan Jalaldin)

Great JOB!!

Car Pick Up and Test folders

2009-09-09 15:21:00.0

Today was the first day of car pick up under the canopy. I'm sorry for any confusion, but overall, I think it went well. Construction is underway!!

Test papers went home today. You will see the grammar tests in the folder. Some are graded and some are not. If it is graded, or not, the test does NOT count. Overall, the class did not understand the concept of subject/predicate. We are reteaching this week and will retest on Friday. I want to be fair and make sure your children are learning the material, not just memorizing for a test! :) Thanks for your support!

Sparkle Champions and Email

2009-09-10 11:05:00.0

We are working on my email. I'm sorry it has been on the fritz for so long. Hopefully soon it will be up and running again. Please feel free to call the office and I will get the message or call you back. Thanks for the understanding.

Our Sparkle champions today are:

Michael (twice)

Zach

Cameron

Great Job!!!

Email

2009-09-11 16:20:00.0

My email is up and running!!! Thank you for your patience!!

We are working hard. Your children gave 100% today. We worked up until the bell at 3pm! GREAT JOB everyone!

Old Testament

2009-09-15 10:12:00.0

Your children are doing a great job learning the books of the Old Testament. That is replacing the bible verse this week. Yesterday, I sent home the words to the song.

As test papers go home today, you will see that a Bible test is in your child's folder. Some made excellent grades, others did not. This was an open bible and workbook test. I have decided that those who are not happy with their child's grades may help their child correct his or her test. I will average the two tests and that will be the final test grade. The answers are in the book of Philippians and the workbook. We covered this material in class for over 2 weeks before this open book test. Again, if you are not happy with your child's grade, please help him/her correct the wrong answers and turn in again. (FYI, the bible verse was read aloud in the same translation on the test 5 times. I know it is not the version in their school bible)

If you have any questions, my email is working :) kristie.mitchell@claibornechristian.org

Tests are due by Friday if you want a new grade.

Thanks!

Measurement Monster

2009-09-16 14:41:00.0

We are creating a measurement monster to help the students learn equivalent measurements:

1 gallon= 4 quarts= 8 pints= 16 cups

I need ALL students to bring their "monster's" head by Friday. These "monsters" will be displayed in our hallway upstairs next week. Please take a minute to come in and see. I will also take pictures and put on our site! :)

Sparkle Champions and AR

2009-09-17 11:17:00.0

Our Sparkle Champions for the week are:

Morgan Wilkes

Zach

Corrie

Hannah (three times!)

Michael

Great JOB!!

Remember, we only have one more full week to get AR points. I only have one student that has reached her goal. Everyone else needs to read, read, read!

End of the 6 weeks

2009-09-21 16:55:00.0

Today marks the first day of the last week of the 1st 6 weeks. Are you still with me :)

We are having both a History and Science test this week. Study, Study, Study.

If you have any questions, email me: kristie.mitchell@claibornechristian.org

Sparkle

2009-09-23 13:26:00.0

We played Sparkle early this week because we are having our magazine sale celebration tomorrow.

Our Sparkle Champions are:

Hannah (twice)

Cameron

Evan

Michael

Way to go everyone!!!

Our magazine celebration will last a majority of Thursday! The people who qualified for the movie (sold 4 or more magazines) will go across the street at 9am for a movie. These students are:

Zach, Grace, Hannah, Morgan Wilkes, Brandon, Jessie, Noah

The student that sold over 12 magazines will do the limo ride at 11 for Johnny's Pizza. Our student for that is Grace!

Students that sold the most magazines in each class will pie their chosen teacher at 2pm.

GREAT JOB everyone!

We Did It!!

2009-09-25 16:20:00.0

We did it! We survived the first 6 weeks!!!! I think the year has begun wonderfully.

Grades are due by Tuesday, which means reports cards should be printed and mailed on Wednesday.

New 6 Weeks

2009-09-29 16:50:00.0

We have started our Narnia Novel this week. This novel will replace our reader for the next 5 weeks. Each week we will still have vocabulary and a test on Friday. This week I sent home a review sheet with the vocabulary words on it.

Also, begin working on your bird houses. They are due next Wednesday, with oral reports on Thursday.

Sparkle Champions

2009-10-01 13:20:00.0

Our Sparkle Champions for the week are:

Errin (twice)

Corrie

Hannah

Katheryn

Michael

Great Job everyone!!!

Have a Great Weekend!

2009-10-02 15:02:00.0

We had a great week this week!

Just a reminder, we have our bird feeders due on Wednesday.

Have a great weekend, see you Monday!

Bird Feeder

2009-10-05 09:48:00.0

Dear Parents,

In Science we are learning about birds, their habitats, and what we can do to enjoy God’s creation of these birds. As a result, we have decided to do a project this six weeks. Each student will make a bird feeder. This bird feeder has few requirements:

· Be hand made (yes you may buy the objects and put them together)

· Be made by the student

· Be FULL of imagination

Each student must complete his/her bird feeder by Wednesday, October 7. I understand this is a short time, but it will not be difficult. There are many ideas in their book.

Each student will also have to stand in front of class and give an oral report of how and why he/she chose the materials for his/her bird feeder and how he/she made the bird feeder and why this bird feeder will be successful in feeding the birds. The students will be graded on posture, speaking, eye contact, etc.

I hope this is a fun experience for you and your child. We all truly enjoyed discussing the options for building bird feeders in class. Listen to your child; we talked about all kinds of ideas. If you can come up with other original ideas, that would also be great!

If you have any questions, email me: Kristie.mitchell@claibornechristian.org

Thanks for all of your participation!

Kristie Mitchell

Sub

2009-10-06 15:23:00.0

Mrs. Nettles and I will be attending a conference on Wednesday in Shreveport. We will both have substitutes in our classes tomorrow. I will not be reachable by email tomorrow. I will respond on Thursday if you need something!

I hope you are all enjoying the bird feeders. They are due tomorrow, even though I will not be here. I am planning to stop by the school to make sure they are all here :) and to see your great work! :) Oral reports are Thursday after lunch. Any parent wanting to attend is welcome!

Conference/ Sparkle

2009-10-08 14:11:00.0

I had a wonderful conference yesterday!! I spent the full day in Shreveport with our 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Nettles in an Energy Workshop. We will be getting hands on materials to teach your children! I'm so excited!!!

Our Sparkle Champions for the week are:

Brandon

Errin

Hannah

Corrie

Noah

Great JOB!!!

Bird Feeders

2009-10-09 15:36:00.0

I was VERY proud of your children and their creations. Their first oral report of the year was a success! Grades will go home in test folders next week.

Have a great weekend!

this and that

2009-10-13 14:24:00.0

We had a great turn out at our Johnny's Pizza Pig Out!!! Thanks for showing your support. Especially those of you that had to park at the bank to go :) WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU DO!!!

I will be out again tomorrow. So any correspondence will not be answered until Wednesday. If something is urgent, call the office and they can get in touch with me.

Jr. High Basketball

2009-10-15 15:48:00.0

We had our first Pep Rally today!! It was so great to get together and show our school pride! I absolutely LOVED the pirate costumes!! There are pictures on our slide shows.

Come out tonight to support our Crusaders!!!

Fall Festival

2009-10-19 15:36:00.0

Please remember, we are collecting Louisiana items for our basket and candy for prizes for the Fall Festival. All items can be brought to Mrs. Mitchell's classroom any day this week. All items are needed by Oct. 26. Please support our basket. We want to have one of the BEST!!! :)

As always, thanks for all you do! We could not be a success without you!!

Have a great week!

Kristie Mitchell

Fall Festival

2009-10-20 16:31:00.0

Parents,
I am sending home a sign up sheet for the Fall Festival. Please, please, please volunteer to work at our booth. We are asking every family to work at least one 15 minute session. It is short so that you can help other booths if needed or enjoy family time!!

Also, basket items are needed. Donations are coming in, but we want to make a fabulous basket! Any Louisiana items will really help make our basket better!

Thanks in advance for your participation!

slideshow

2009-10-22 15:57:00.0

I hope you are checking the slide shows. I am adding pictures as often as I can. We are learning a lot and having fun doing it!

Ask your children about the American Revolution and all King George did to tax the colonists. Also, have them explain the pendulum experiment.

History Study Guide

2009-10-23 13:29:00.0

The American War for Independence

Chapter 10 Study Guide

1. Who was King of England after the French and Indian War in 1763?

2. What was the Stamp Act?

3. What items were stamps put on?

4. What is a tax?

5. A representative is a .

6. Who were the colonists allowed to sell their products to?

7. What other items did King George tax?

8. How did the colonists react?

9. What did the colonists call the British soldiers?

10. Who was Crispus Attucks?

11. What was the Boston Massacre?

12. Did England think the taxes were worth the trouble?

13. What one item continued being taxed?

14. What was the Boston Tea Party? What year did it happen?

15. Where did the patriots meet to discuss what to do next?

16. What was the meeting called?

17. Who were the patriots?

18. Who were the loyalists or Tories?

19. Who were the Minute Men?

20. Patrick Henry said “Give me liberty or give me death!”

21. In what town in the colonists secretly store weapons?

22. Who rode through the countryside warning colonists “The British are coming!”?

23. What is the first shot of the American Revolution known as?

24. What two decisions came from the Second Continental Congress in 1775?

25. What is a trench?

26. What was the Battle of Bunker Hill?

27. Who overtook Fort Ticonderoga from the British and why?

28. What action by King George crushed the hopes that the colonies could become English again?

29. Who were the Hessians?

30. Why did King George have to hire outside armies?

31. What document was to be written stating the reasons why the colonists wanted their independence?

study guides

2009-10-23 13:34:00.0

A parent requested that I post study guides online. I will copy paste the study guide to my blog. I will do this to give you extra time to answer questions with your children.

I hope this gives parents more incentive to check my blog on a regular basis. :)

I've hesitated doing this in the past because it can make students less responsible for keeping up with their own study guides. I will not provide the answers online, students must be responsible for getting those in class.

I hope posting these will encourage great study time! :)

Have a great weekend!

Fall Festival

2009-10-26 15:09:00.0

Hey guys!

I'm sending a note home, and will probably blog daily. We still needs to fill our basket for the Fall Festival. You have done an amazing job collecting candy and prizes to support the festival, but our basket is lacking. Please consider picking up something or sending in $10 for our room mom to pick up Louisiana items for the basket. All items need to be here by Thursday. The basket must be wrapped and turned over to be set out for auction by Friday morning, so this is the final deadline. We really need your support on this one guys.

As always, thanks for all you do!!

Kristie Mitchell

tired

2009-10-27 15:52:00.0

You guys are going to get tired of me saying this, but we really need help with our Louisiana basket. If you are like me, you like to wait till the last minute. Well guys, the last minute is here!!! :) All items must be here by Thursday. Please send your donations, or if you don't have time to shop send $10 in a closed envelope and Melissa will purchase items. Thanks so much for all you do! If you have already sent in your items, thank you!!!

Lion Witch and Wardrobe

2009-10-29 16:01:00.0

We finished our novel!!! The final test will be Friday. We will also watch the movie Friday afternoon. It will be a great day!!!

Fall Festival

2009-10-30 09:33:00.0

Hey Parents!! I sent home work times for the Fall Festival, but just in case someone didn't receive theirs, or is like me and has way too many papers :) and just plain lost it, here is a list.

5:00-5:15 Kitty Head

5:15-5:30 Terry Toney

5:30-5:45 Jeanie Jalaldin

5:45-6:00 Jill Ray

6:00-6:15 Robyn McCarty

6:15-6:30 Melissa Wilkes

6:30-7:00 Nancy Heath

7:00-7:30 Shawn Brazzell

7:30-7:45 Kristy O'Neal

7:45-8:00 Michelle Miller

Thanks for giving of your time so generously!!!

Can't wait to see you then!

Study Guide for Friday's History TEST

2009-11-02 15:47:00.0

The American War for Independence

Chapter 10 Study Guide

1. What five men worked together to write the Declaration of Independence?

2. Who did the actual writing of the great document?

3. Who was the president of the Continental Congress?

4. Why must the men stick together who worked on the Declaration of Independence?

5. What is known as Independence Day and why?

6. Why was the Liberty Bell rung on July 8, 1776?

7. What did the Declaration call America to become?

8. Which ministers could not support the war?

9. Which religions would not fight, but helped in other ways?

10. What other ways did they help?

11. Who was James Caldwell?

12. What were the Americans fighting for?

13. Who was the commander in chief of the colonial army?

14. What did George Washington do to be called “the Father of His Country?”

15. Why did the British want to capture NYC?

16. Did they succeed?

17. Who was James Armistead?

18. Who was Nathan Hale?

19. What happened at Trenton, New Jersey?

20. Who is known for making the first flag for the United States?

21. What day is known as Flag Day?

22. What was the Battle of Saratoga?

23. Who was persuaded to help the Americans after this battle?

24. Describe the conditions of the winter at Valley Forge 1777-1778.

25. What was the real enemy that winter?

26. What picture was painted of George Washington during that time?

27. What did George Rogers Clark do to help in the battle for Independence?

28. Who was John Paul Jones? What is he known for doing during the war?

29. Who was General Lord Cornwallis?

30. Who was Nathanael Greene?

31. Describe what happened at Yorktown in October 1781.

32. What was the Treaty of Paris in 1783?

Famous Quotes:

“We have to resolve to conquer or die.” George Washington

“The British are coming!” Paul Revere and William Dawes

“ have not yet begun to fight!” John Paul Jones

“I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” Nathan Hale

“Give me liberty, or give me death!” Patrick Henry

“Gentlemen, we must all hang together.” John Hancock

“Yes, or we shall all hang separately.” Ben Franklin

Mistake

2009-11-03 09:22:00.0

There was a mistake on the study guide posted yesterday. The final two quotes were actually both made by Ben Franklin. Please make the following changes.

“Gentlemen, we must all hang together or we shall all hang separately.” Ben Franklin

The corrected version of the study guide will be sent home on Wednesday. The test is on Friday

test folders

2009-11-03 15:10:00.0

Test folders are not ready today. We will send them home tomorrow.

Thanks!

End of Another 6 Weeks

2009-11-05 11:00:00.0

Friday is the last day of the 2nd six weeks. Wow, time if flying by!! All grades will be posted on Monday, and report cards go home hopefully before Veteran's Day on Wednesday. (At least, they will be mailed before then.)

Our Sparkle Champions for the day are:

Errin

Noah

Cameron

Great Job. Our whole class did great on the game today.

Educator of the Week

2009-11-06 15:06:00.0

Your children will be shown on KTVE's NBC 10's Educator of the week. They were filmed in class today! It will air on Monday night at 9 on channel 9 or at 10 on channel 10. Normally, this section airs the first 10 minutes of the news broadcast.

Veteran's Day

2009-11-10 14:17:00.0

Tomorrow is Veteran's Day. School will be closed. I was kind of thinking, since Mr. Sikes is such a valuable member of our school and a veteran, we, as a class should do something special for him on Thursday when we return. Any ideas, please comment on this blog. I think I may make cupcakes or brownies. I will check back tomorrow to see if anyone else wants to do anything!

Thanks for all you do!

Veteran's Day

2009-11-12 13:20:00.0

Our kids had a great time making cards for Mr. Sikes. He definitely appreciated the cookies Shawn brought. THANK YOU!!!

Our Sparkle Champions for the week are:

Hannah

Corrie

Morgan J.

Great Job guys, especially missing a day this week!

Thanksgiving

2009-11-17 09:57:00.0

We will be having our Thanksgiving Feast for the elementary school tomorrow, Wednesday. If you would like to attend, adult meals are $5.00. Your child's meal will be added to his/her normal lunch bill. Lunch will be at 11:30. We would love to see you all here!!! Everyone is going across the street for lunch tomorrow. Meet us in the RDFC!

Test papers will also go home tomorrow. I am being observed to complete my Louisiana Teachers' Certification today, so I didn't get everything together. :) Thanks for understanding!

Study Guide Answers..

2009-11-17 15:58:00.0

Ok, for once, I'm going to post the answers to the study guide. This test will be an open book/notebook/studyguide test on Thursday. Students still need to go over the study guide to understand the concepts we've gone over in class. This test will be a great chance for students to work on skimming and looking for specific answers in a document. Please stress the fact that students still need to review!

1. Did the thirteen states want one big government?

NO, they were scared of one big government.

2. What was the first plan of government that the states agreed upon?

Articles of Confederation

3. Why did the government not have much money?

It had no power to tax the people

4. What was the name of the meeting discussing what could be done to make our government stronger?

Constitutional Convention

5. Who was president of this meeting?

George Washington

6. Who did the most important work at this convention?

James Madison

7. What was the plan for the new government?

Constitution of the United States

8. What would be the main purpose of the new government?

Protect the freedoms granted in the Declaration of Independence

9. The government would have to be strong enough to protect the people, but not so strong to take away their freedoms of people who obey the law.

10. What are the three branches of government?

Executive, Legislative, Judicial

11. Who has the power to see that the laws are obeyed?

The President

12. Who makes the laws of our country?

Congress

13. What are the two houses of Congress?

Senate and House of Representatives

14. Which house has TWO representatives from each state, no matter the state’s size?

Senate

15. Who judges whether the Constitution is being obeyed?

Supreme Court

16. What is the highest court in the land?

Supreme Court

17. Why did states have to consider carefully before signing the Constitution?

They were giving up their power to completely govern themselves

18. What was added to the Constitution to protect the freedoms of individuals and groups?

Bill of Rights

19. What is a government controlled by citizens, not a king?

A republic

20. Which branch of government has the most power, or all of the power?

None!

21. Who was the first President of the United States?

George Washington

22. Who was the first Vice-President?

John Adams

23. Where was our nation’s FIRST capital?

New York

24. What do we call the day the president is sworn into office?

Inauguration Day

25. What did George Washington have brought to him to be sworn in?

A bible

26. How many terms did Washington serve as our president?

Two (8 years)

27. Where did Washington and his wife return after he was president?

Mount Vernon

28. Washington warned that people should be more loyal to what, than what.

To their country, then their political party

29. This new government can only work in an atmosphere of what?

Strong morality

30. Who was the 2^nd President of the US?

John Adams

31. What black American wrote a scientific book and helped plan the new capital?

Benjamin Banneker

32. What two states gave land to build the new capital?

Virginia and Maryland

33. What was the land called that the city was built on?

District of Columbia

34. What is the name of the Capital of the United States?

Washington, D.C.

Thursday

2009-11-19 16:27:00.0

Is it Thanksgiving Break yet? I know your children are ready to be finished! They even asked to take their Science test today. They did and did very well!

Our Sparkle Champions are:

Noah (twice)

Corrie

Great Job. Everyone did well on the Spelling test as well!!

Have a great evening!!! See everyone tomorrow!

welcome back

2009-11-30 16:50:00.0

Welcome Back. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

We are back in the full swing of things! It will be a busy 3 weeks until Christmas holidays. Look for a note about our Christmas service project. We will be going to a nursing home to sing Christmas carols and pass out Christmas cards. Permission slips and parent driving requests will go home soon.

I will also send home a note about Ag Alley in January. 4th graders across the twin cities are invited to learn about Louisiana Agriculture at this event. This will help your child learn more about our state, preparing him/her for the LEAP test in the spring.

History Study Guide

2009-12-01 15:08:00.0

Our next history test will be Tuesday, December 8.

Our Nation Grows

Chapter 12 Study Guide

1. In the 1800s what did the “West” mean?

2. What type of people was among the early pioneers?

3. Who was called “the pioneer of pioneers?”

4. What was the Wilderness Road?

5. What was Boonesborough?

6. What did the Land Ordinance of 1785 provide?

7. What was the Northwest Ordinance of 1787?

8. How did the United States double its size?

9. What was the important port city included with the Louisiana Purchase?

10. What two men lead a group on an expedition to explore the Louisiana Territory?

11. Who went with the explores to translate the Indian language for them?

12. Who ruled France and sold the Louisiana Territory?

13. Why did the United States declare war on England in 1812?

14. In 1812, what did the British burn?

15. During the battle of Fort McHenry what did Francis Scott Key write?

16. Which side won the War of 1812?

17. What was the benefit of the War of 1812?

18. Why did President James Monroe offer to buy Florida from Spain for 5 million dollars?

19. Did Spain receive the money to pay for Florida?

20. What were circuit-riding preachers?

21. Why did they do this?

22. Who was one of the best-known circuit riders?

23. Why did Mexico offer to sell land to Americans cheaply if they agreed to become Mexican citizens?

24. Why did the Mexican government begin to worry about Texas in 1834?

25. What did Mexico do about this problem?

26. What dictator took control of Mexico in 1833?

27. What did the Americans living in Texas do in 1836?

28. Who led a group from Tennessee to fight at the Alamo?

29. What happened at the Alamo?

30. Who led the Texans into the battle of San Jacinto where Santa Anna was captured and was later elected Texas’s first president?

31. When Texas became a state in 1845 how did Mexico feel about America?

32. What did America consider the boarder of Texas?

33. Who sent an army to guard the boarder of Texas?

34. Who won the Mexican War of 1846 in which Mexico and America fought for the Texas boarder?

35. What land did the U.S. purchase from Mexico after the war?

36. What was the Gadsden Purchase?

37. Who was John Sutter?

38. What were the miners called that rushed to California in 1849?

39. Who became rich as a result of the Gold Rush?

40. Why was California so dangerous during this time?

41. What are ghost towns?

42. In 1850 California became a state. How did this change the U.S.

43. What was the Oregon Trail?

44. What were the reasons for schools springing up everywhere?

45. What two Americans wrote textbooks to teach the children?

Pep Rally

2009-12-08 16:21:00.0

We had a great time at our pep rally today! come out and support your Crusaders Basketball teams tonight! Both the boys and the girls teams are having great seasons!

This six weeks is quickly wrapping up. We still have a little work to do before grades are all in, so don't give up on me yet! ;)

Field trip forms went home yesterday. Please return those no later than Tuesday of next week with $5.00 for lunch.

Friday In-Service

2009-12-10 13:29:00.0

Students do not have school tomorrow. Teachers are having an in-service. Enjoy the three day weekend.

We are also beginning Secret Santa on Monday. Please do not spend a lot of money on this. We are just giving little surprises every morning to our secret person. On Friday at our Christmas party we will reveal who we have had all week. The final gift should not exceed more than $10.00.

We are having our service project on Thursday. We will be singing at Glenwood. We will not be going into the ER or the people's rooms. We will sing in the halls and visiting rooms. Afterwards, we are going to Cane's for lunch.

We are having our Christmas party on Friday. More details to come...

Secret Santa

2009-12-14 16:26:00.0

Everyone enjoyed Secret Santa this morning! Thanks for all of the participation! We will continue through Friday. Friday is a half day. We will have our party with pizza and the Polar Express!

Tomorrow is the last day to bring permission slips for our Service Project on Thursday. I only have a couple of students that have not returned their forms.

Test Folders

2009-12-15 15:26:00.0

Please check your child's homework folder for important announcements about upcoming events. Test folders are not quite ready. They will go home Wednesday.

Our service project to the hospital will be on Thursday. Thanks for all of those that signed up to drive. We have plenty of drivers!! :)

Our Christmas party is on Friday. That is a half day! We are having pizza at 11:30, then we will dismiss at noon. Students are encouraged to wear pajamas! Thanks to Shawn and Melissa for planning the party!

field trip and test folders

2009-12-16 14:29:00.0

Once again, test folders are not ready. I'm apologize for the tardiness. It is a hectic season! :) I'm sure you can all relate.

Tomorrow is our Service Project. We are meeting upstairs in our classroom tomorrow morning. Parents, if you are driving, please join us by 10 am. We will load up and leave by 10:15. We will carol from 10:30-11:00. We will eat Cane's immediately afterwards. Children's meals will be covered by the $5.00 you provided. Again, I'm asking if you are a parent, please do not buy extra food for your child at Cane's. If a child's meal is not enough, please send snacks, instead of purchasing extra. Thanks for understanding. We should be back at school by noon. We will work on our alligators after the caroling. If you would like to observe your child's class pet, you are more than welcome to stick around! :)

As always, thanks for all you do!

Parent Teacher Conferences

2010-01-04 14:43:00.0

It's that time of year!! If you want to meet with me, we will dismiss class at noon on Wednesday. Sheryl is taking conference times in the office. Please schedule a time with her. If you need more than 15 minutes, please sign up for two time slots. The earlier you sign up, the options you have. Please don't just stop by the room to see if I'm with someone. Everyone would like to maintain privacy. I will check throughout the day to see if anyone else signed up. If it is your time and the door is shut, please knock. We will wrap up our conference.

I'm looking forward to meeting with you!

Parent Teacher Conference

2010-01-05 16:01:00.0

Reminder...

We are having Parent Teacher Conferences tomorrow...Call Sheryl for times!!

Sorry, I blogged about it yesterday, but forgot you don't see the title of the blogs! :)

Hope to see you tomorrow!

Sparkle Champions

2010-01-07 14:32:00.0

I enjoyed meeting with many of you yesterday. Thanks for taking the time to meet with me!

Our Sparkle Champions for the week are:

Cameron (twice)

Hannah

Katheryn

Jessie (twice)

Michael

Chapter 13 Study Guide

2010-01-07 15:07:00.0

The Civil War

Chapter 13 Study Guide

1. Who invented the cotton gin?

2. What is a cotton gin?

3. What effect did this have on the south?

4. Because the North’s climate was too cold for cotton and tobacco, what did their economy depend on?

5. Why did the North begin to dislike slavery?

6. Define Free States.

7. Define Slave States.

8. Who became President of the United States that made the South want to leave the Union?

9. What state was first to leave the Union?

10. Who became the president of the South?

11. What did the South call herself?

12. Who were the Union troops and what color were their uniforms?

13. Who were the Confederates and what color uniforms did they were?

14. Where was the first battle of the Civil War fought?

15. Who fired the first shot?

16. Who won the first battle?

17. What states made up the Confederacy?

18. Explain the Merrimac and the Monitor. Why were they important to the Civil War?

19. What was the Emancipate Proclamation?

20. Did the Emancipation Proclamation set any slaves free? What did it do?

21. Who was the commander of all the Union Army?

22. Who was the commander of the Confederate Army?

23. What was the turning point of the Civil War?

24. Why was the Battle of Vicksburg so important?

25. Describe Sherman’s “March to the Sea.”

26. What was the capital of the Confederacy?

27. Where did Lee surrender to Grant?

28. What were the two results from the war?

29. Who was John Wilkes Booth, and what did he do?

30. Who took President Lincoln’s place?

Homecoming Week

2010-01-11 15:55:00.0

It is Homecoming Week. We are celebrating by dressing up each day, decorating our door, and having a pep rally on Friday! It is always such a fun day!

Monday- 70's Day

Tuesday- Camo Day

Wednesday- Twin Day -Details Below

Thursday- Pajama Day

Friday- Mr. Azad Day (draw a fun mustache on your face :)

***For Twin Day, we decided to dress in matching Skyjacker shirts. Skyjacker is generously giving us shirts for $10 a piece. If you are willing to pay $10 please send it with your child ASAP. Shirts will be passed out on Tuesday. We plan on wearing them on Twin Day, which is also our Ag Ally field trip. We don't have a class shirt, so I thought this was the next best thing :) Thanks for all you do!

Ag Ally

2010-01-12 16:31:00.0

We are leaving for Ag Alley tomorrow morning at 9 am. Thanks for all those parents that signed up to drive! We should be back by around 11:30. Those that chose to get Skyjacker shirts, remember to wear them tomorrow. If you have not paid for your shirt, it is $10.00.

Thanks!

Homecoming Week

2010-01-14 15:54:00.0

Tomorrow is Friday, Mr. Azad Day...come bearing your best Mr. Azad mustache!!

We also have a pep rally at 2pm!

Reminder...we do NOT have school on Monday. We are observing Martin Luther King Day!

Sparkle Champions for the week are:

Katheryn

Brandon

Hannah

Cameron!

Great Job!

Spelling Bee

2010-01-20 14:56:00.0

We are having our annual Spelling Bee tomorrow at 9AM. Several of our 4th graders are participating. Please come support our class!

We moved our Science test to Friday, instead of next week. We are having a History test next week and the class as a whole felt like they are ready for the test.

History Study Guide

2010-01-25 17:03:00.0

New Frontiers

Chapter 14 Study Guide

1. What was the major disagreement between cowboys and farmers?

2. Why did the cowboys sing to their cattle?

3. Why did cowboys go on long cattle drives?

4. Who was Booker T. Washington?

He was a black teacher in Tuskegee, Alabama. He worked hard and made the students work hard to get an education. His school was called the Tuskegee Institute

5. Who was George Washington Carver?

A chemistry teacher who came to work with Washington and found 118 uses for sweet potatoes and 285 uses for peanuts.

6. What animal provided the Indians with food, shelter and clothing?

7. What were pieces of land that the U.S. set aside for the Indians?

8. What was the railroad that crossed from one side of the U.S. to the other?

9. Where and when did the railroad meet?

10. What law promised 160 acres of land to anyone who would farm it?

11. Why were the cattle in the West branded?

12. What was a wild running of cattle called?

13. Where did the U.S. have the land rush?

14. Who invented the first mechanical reaper?

15. What two changes where brought about by the transcontinental railroad?

16. What was the name of the town where cowboys took the cattle to be sold and shipped by railroad?

class tips

2010-01-26 16:00:00.0

I know many of you will not be happy with your student's reading test grade. The following website is one I use in class to help reinforce skills we are learning in class. It may help to go over is at home as well.

http://classroom.jc-schools.net/waltkek/Fourth5.html

Also, I am sending home the next oral presentation. Please read the green test folders! If you have any questions, please email me.

Thanks, Mrs. Mitchell

Kristie.mitchell@claibornechristian.org

4H Demonstrations

2010-02-02 16:29:00.0

We had a great time with our 4-H demonstrations today. Thanks to all those that volunteered and presented!!

Test papers will go home tomorrow. Sorry for the crazy schedule. :)

We will be having a small Valentine's Day party on February 12 at 2:00. Think about things you would like to bring. Remember, if you bring something for one person, you must bring something for EVERYONE. There will be NO special gifts for a special person! I will send home a roster with everyone's name on it so cards can be made. We will be making bags at the beginning of next week for our party. If you have stickers or ribbon you would like to donate, all items will be used :)

Super Bowl

2010-02-05 13:40:00.0

Well, it looks like everyone is ready for the big game on Sunday, by everyone's outfits today!:) Great job on the Black and Gold!

Below is the link to an interview with Drew Brees. We watched it in class today. I think it is so great to see how God blesses those that follow Him faithfully! Please watch and enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0buCfbFuHw

Oral Presentations

2010-02-08 16:25:00.0

Just a reminder...

Oral Presentations will be on Friday, Feb. 12. We will complete them in the afternoon most likely after math.

Live and Silent Auction tickets are on sale now!! Come and support our school. The money raised will go towards a new elementary computer lab!! I am challenging our 4th graders to try to sell 10 tickets each! I know that is a big goal, but I think we can reach it!

Snow Day

2010-02-11 15:54:00.0

CCS will be closed on Friday, Feb. 12 due to inclement weather. Therefore, Thursday will be the last day of the six weeks as far as testing goes. We will not take the reading or grammar test set for tomorrow. The oral presentation will move to next week. Check the homework page for the final details of the day. AR will be extended until Tuesday. Mrs. Brooks was able to override the system. If your child tests on Tuesday, it will still count for this six weeks. After Tuesday, however, it will count for the 5th six weeks.

As for our Valentine's Day party, we are already losing two days of school with the snow day and President's Day. Therefore, we will pass out Valentines and have snacks at recess, but we can not devote any more class time to the event. Thanks for all of you that offered to send something. Any snacks will work, but we do not need a lot! Thanks!

What a week!

2010-02-18 16:00:00.0

Wow. How is it already Thursday?

This week has flown! We moved our Spelling test until tomorrow because of the short week. We are reading Indian in the Cupboard for our reading story. We are testing on Chapters 1-3 tomorrow. Please help your child study his/her vocabulary.

Sparkle and Olympics

2010-02-19 13:38:00.0

I haven't posted our Sparkle Champions in a while...

This week our winners are:

Brandon

Errin

Cameron

Michael

In previous weeks that haven't been posted:

Evan

Grace

Corrie

Morgan Wilkes

Katheryn

Michael

Also, we are starting charts and graphs in Math on Monday. To introduce the lessons, we are charting Olympic medals won. Talk to your children about what countries won medals. Who won the most. What countries aren't winning as many possibly because fewer participants are competing, etc.

Thanks for all you do, and have a great weekend!

Louisiana History

2010-02-22 16:20:00.0

We have begun our Louisiana History Unit. I will send home the following note in test folders tomorrow, but for you early birds :)

Louisiana History Project

Each student will be required to create an item from/about Louisiana to enhance the learning about our great state. This project must be researched and made by the student. Each student will then give an oral presentation about his/her project. This project will count for 3 100 point test grades as follows:

Project: Each student will choose an item special to Louisiana. They will recreate that object in a 3-D manner. (In other words, it can not be pictures pasted on a board, it MUST be recreated). The student may use clay, foam balls, dirt, or any safe material to recreate his/her project.

Report: Each student must write/type a one page paper about his/her project. This report must tell how/why/when/where the project is special to Louisiana.

Oral Report: Each student will stand in front of class and tell what he/she made, how it was made and what makes it special.

All Projects are due by April 1. Oral reports will begin that day as well.

And I forgot Again!

2010-02-24 15:23:00.0

Yikes...I seem to be so forgetful lately! I again forgot to send home the instructions for the Louisiana project. I will send it home tomorrow in the homework folder. I am SO sorry!

Skeleton

2010-03-02 15:53:00.0

In Science, we are doing our Health Unit. The first chapter is on bones. The following site is a set of online games developed by another teacher that helps students learn and recognize the scientific names of our bones. http://www.quia.com/jg/67534.html

We played in class today and many of the students enjoyed it! I think it is great to expand their vocabulary. :) Please use the site to reinforce and play with your child.

Also, please review reading vocabulary.

Great Week

2010-03-05 16:22:00.0

We had a great week this week!

I can't believe we only have one week until Spring Break. We will have a very busy week next week. We will finish tests on all the chapters we are working on, so no one will have to study over the break. Then it is crunch time until LEAP.

Check the homework page for important test dates to make sure your children are ready for the tests this week!

Spring Break

2010-03-12 15:14:00.0

If you are interested in keeping your child's wonderful brain growing and in gear for school over Spring Break, here are a few ideas:

La History Project (Due April 1)--Project, Oral Report, and Research Paper

AR--Last day to test for the six weeks is April 1

Equations-- New in math today (example) N+6= 7 x 3

N + 6 (-6) = 21 (-6)

N = 15

LEAP Practice book--Yes, the answers are in the back of the book! Use the rubric to grade your child's writing. How do you think he/she measures up?