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News from 4-3
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September, 2008 Welcome back! A Message from Mrs. Cote
I remember last June, at the final gathering of teachers on the day school ended, one teacher stood up and reminded the rest of us that we had the whole summer stretching before us, to rest and recuperate, and that we should take in the moment because September would be here soon. Well, here we are. I hope summer has been a wonderful time for you, but I also hope that you are looking forward to a fresh start to a new school year. The smell of freshly sharpened pencils is in the air, and we are ready to go!
Theme : Friendship/Respect
What a perfect theme for this time of year. We will be doing activities that will give the students a chance to get to know each other as we prepare to spend the next ten months working, playing and praying together. In class, our bulletin board quote comes from Eccliesasties -"Two are better than one. If one falls down, his friend can help him up." That is the plan for the year - that we will help each other to have a great year in 4-3!
Thank you: I would like to thank you for encouraging your child to do his/her reading projects over the summer. I know that for some of you, this was no work at all. Your child already has a deep love of reading. For others....well....Thank you for hanging in there. Hopefully, all of the children will feel the joy of books as much as I do.
What We're Studying
Language Arts
Language Arts (reading, writing and grammar) will begin by discussing the different genres of books through sharing summer reading. The students will also identify the Narrative elements in the books they have read.
In writing, the boys and girls will learn the structure of Personal Narratives by creating a newspaper about themselves that will be shared with the class. This month's grammar topic will be sentences : what makes up a sentence and the different kinds of sentences.
Religion: Our Religion classes will incorporate the information in the Religion book, as well as interpreting how Jesus's lessons can be lived out in our daily lives. The theme for Religion this year will be our journey, with Jesus as our guide and helper.
I hope your child will also share with you the many activities we will do around the topic of our monthly school theme (Respect and Friendship), various Church holidays and this month, the idea that God has created each one of us as a unique person with our own special gifts and talents.
Math: The Math curriculum for the time period of September through October will focus on the beginning concepts in the following areas: Number sense and order - Place value to 10,000 Algebra - Solving expressions, using variables and recognizing patterns Geometry - Reviewing polygons and perimeter Measurement - Measuring length, time and working with money Statistics - Using pictograms and bar graphs The students will also be taking a series of timed tests on the multiplication facts to the 11 tables. Please assist your child in memorizing any of these facts that they don't already know.
Social Studies: We will start the year reviewing some basic map skills, then it will be "The Great Empire State, New York"! The boys and girls will be learning about New York facts, and how the geography of New York came to be. I hope they take the opportunity to share any interesting things they have experienced as New Yorkers!
Science : As you will come to see, the Science curriculum for this year focuses on areas with which the students have already had experience. Weather, the Sun, Moon and Earth, Matter, Simple Machines, Electricity, Plants, Animals. My goal is to help them look more closely at these things that surround them, and begin to think like scientists - Why does that happen?, What would happen if?...
With this in mind, we will begin the year by studying weather - observing, learning the vocabulary and looking for patterns that surround us.
REMINDERS: (Things of importance for you and your child)
Snack:
Due to our late lunch (12.35), the class will have a WORKING snack at approx. 10:00 am to give them energy to get through the morning. I would ask that your child bring a simple, healthy snack (no cookies or chips, please) that can be eaten while working. Some suggestions that seem to work well are: fruit, crackers, cheese sticks, vegetables with dip.
Birthdays:
I have yet to meet a class (or teacher) that doesn't enjoy celebrating a birthday! Please feel free to send in a treat on your child's birthday. It is especially helpful if the treat is precut or divided for easy sharing, and including even simple napkins is greatly appreciated!
Native American Day is a day of workshops, activities and FUN that helps the students experience a little of what life was like for the Iroquois. This day is planned and run by parents and the fourth grade teachers. This day is held on the Monday before Thanksgiving and has already been scheduled for that day (Monday, November 24, 2008). More information about planning meetings will be distributed at "Open House".
The dates for this year's NYS tests are as follows:
English Language Arts - January 12 - January 16, 2009
Mathematics - March 2 - March 6, 2009
Science - Practical test - April 30, 2009 Written test - TBA (Please keep these dates in mind if you should be planning to go away at these times.)
Let's get this year off to a great start!
"I sure hope I get this bookshelf done in time for Mrs. Cote to put in her classroom!"
Mrs. Cote's Website
St. Pius X
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