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!