What We Are Studying

If you have anything cool that you would like to share during these units, feel free to bring it in!

*SCIENCE*
Ecosystems, Animal Adaptations

*SOCIAL STUDIES*
The Alamo, Exploring the West (Oregon Trail, California Gold Rush), Opposition to slavery

*MATH*
Dividing Decimals, Multiplying Decimals, 3-D shapes, Problem Solving

*WRITING*
Persuasive Writing

*READING*
Summarizing text, novel study, reading strategies, DRA testing

Class Update 4/27

* CRCT Testing is finished! The kids did really great staying focused during the test, and also during the afternoons as we reviewed for the next day's content. Please congratulate your child on a job well done, and we look forward to seeing those testing reports come back to show how well they knew their stuff!

* Thank you, parents, for getting your children here to school on time for testing everyday. A special thanks to Room Mom Extraordinaire, Mrs. Kastensmidt, for organizing the snack schedule! You all did an amazing job keeping our kids fed with a variety of yummy treats each day. We even have some left over for snacks this week!! Way to go, moms & dads!

* We will be using our final weeks of school to go back over some of the Social Studies topics we only had time to briefly introduce, and to prepare for 5th grade. We have several end-of-year assessments coming up in reading, writing, and math. Please encourage your child to push through until the very end and not give up on learning! These DO count for placement and planning for 5th grade.

* How is your student's AR goal coming? After the testing each day there was plenty of time for independent silent reading, and I saw many students taking AR tests. 2 things to remember: The goal challenge will have to end by Friday, May 15th in order to still have time to celebrate during the final week of school. Also, the Ford media center will close for checkout 2 weeks prior to the end of school, and all books will be recalled at this time for inventory. So, that leaves less reading time and less opportunities to get books, both of which will need to figure in to your child's reading plan. We will run a report at the beginning of the week and send you an update mid-week to help you stay on top of your child's goal. I'd like to have everyone participating in our final AR celebration!!

* Friday is our Kennesaw State student, Ms. Jang's last day. We have enjoyed having her be a part of our classroom and she has helped out in so many ways. From one on one reading testing, small group math review, leading us in a few lessons, even playing kickball at recess, the kids have loved having her. Please have your student make a card for her to bring to class on Friday thanking her for her service to our class. We are also going to take up a collection to buy her a gift card to School Box so that she can buy supplies for her own future classroom! We are asking for just $2 per student, preferably out of their own allowance funds so that they can feel a part of her gift.

* Any ideas on an end of year homeroom celebration? Please email me with your thoughts for a special event to culminate our 4th grade year.

Classroom Announcements

* Thanks to all of YOUR efforts with the Boosterthon, our Science Lab has been up and running for 3 months, and the kids are loving it! Each classroom also received 10% of their profits back to spend on educational supplies. I have had a great time with the SchoolBox and Lakeshore catalogs, and have finally spent it all. We got numerous new board games that reinforce math, grammar, and reading skills. We look forward to playing them all - so THANK YOU!

* Spring Fling is coming! We now have a box in our classroom to collect used books, cd's, and movies to be sold "as is" at the event to raise funds for PTA. Please look around your house and see if you have anything to donate. Send it in with your child before April 16th to be collected and sorted.

* Buckle Down Math and Reading Post-tests have been given. We are using the results to focus on reviewing topics that might appear on the actual CRCT. If you plan on practicing at home (outside of the online CRCT tests), please let me know if you'd like to know of any areas to target with your child.

* Nacho, our class hamster, is looking for a "host family" for Spring Break week. If your family is not going out of town and would like to have him visit you, please email me! If more than one family volunteers we will hold a drawing. He has his own supplies, plus he enjoys leftover fruits and veggies! He is also in need of a new exercise ball if anyone has one lying around their house. We'd like to start getting him out more often because he is running on that wheel all day during instruction. :)

Extra Stick Opportunities

1. Go to the Constitution Center's website and print out the crossword puzzle. Fill it in by identifying the states who ratified the Constitution. Bring in for an extra stick!

2. Go to Math Playground and practice your algebra puzzles! Then, create a 3 x 4 grid of your own making up symbols, assigning them a value, and creating totals for each row and column. Test it out to make sure it works, then bring it in for the class to solve! (Worth 1 stick)

3. What amendment would you add to the Constitution? One for kids' rights? Write a paragraph about what you think needs to be added to the Bill of Rights.

4. Write a skit showcasing a disagreement between 2 delegates at the Constitutional Convention. What did they argue about? Make each person's position clear, and be sure to include factual information. Peform it for the class with the help of a friend! (2 sticks)

What We Are Studying

*READING*
Informational reading skills: cause/effect, fact/opinion, main idea, "Buckle Down" CRCT workbook

*WRITING*
Organizational skills for informational writing, writing to a prompt, engaging beginnings, takeaway endings, topic sentences/details. Writing Assessment is Tuesday, March 31st! Be sure to get to bed early on Monday night!

*SPELLING*
Sitton Spelling Units 21-22, Test Wednesday, April 1st

*SCIENCE*
Objects in space and how they move

*MATH*
CRCT review/practice, problem solving, multiplying decimals, division fact fluency

Road to Revolution Game

As a wrap-up to our unit on the American Revolution, test your knowledge on the Road to Liberty game!

Class Update 3/16

Welcome to the last 9 weeks! How this year has flown by! Can you believe your students are about to be 5th graders? We are busily preparing them for the responsibilities of next year and looking ahead to building organizational skills for middle school as well. Here are a few announcements:

* Congratulations to our 7 Super AR readers! The following students met their goal for the 3rd 9 weeks with at least 85% accuracy: Kenny Dreisbach, Sydney Lundeberg, Grace Povich, Bethany Collins, John Nardulli, Kristen Donohue, and Tarin Sule! These students will enjoy a pizza luncheon on Tuesday to celebrate their success. A special thanks goes out to Mrs. Nardulli and Mrs. Povich for coordinating this event for us.

* Unless there are special circumstances, goals will remain fairly consistent for the 4th 9 weeks. Students MUST get started early! They will only have 8 weeks this time to meet their goals in order to leave time for the final AR celebration during the final week of school. In addition, the media center will close 2 weeks before the end of school, so students will not be able to do any "last minute" reading unless they have AR books from home or the public library. Watch out for upcoming special reading events to encourage all readers. Remember the 25 Books campaign is ongoing, and IS a Georgia State Standard. We have scaled back our morning work to allow more time for checkout and reading before school starts each morning. In addition, our class will visit the media center this Friday for a lesson and check out. Please help your child remember to have an AR book at school to read EVERY DAY!

* As a 4th Grade Grade Team we have decided to discontinue Math Compacting for the last 9 weeks and return to our homeroom classes. This will allow us to review the math standards from throughout the year and utilize our "Buckle Down" books to practice for the upcoming CRCT. We will take the post-test next week to try and identify areas of weakness. We will notify you of areas you can work on at home.

* We are prepping daily for the CRCT with emphasis on math problem solving and reading comprehension strategies. Remember that online test practice is part of our homework from the website www.georgiaoas.org. This week's assigned tests are Reading 1, Language Arts 1. Please make a note in your child's agenda when they have completed these tests. Both are due Friday.

* Our 4th Grade Writing Assessment has been postponed until the end of the month to give us a little more time to practice. Keep encouraging your child to write as much as possible at home: letters, journals, emails to relatives - writing for purpose! Writing is everywhere!!

* Spring Fling is coming April 18th! Watch your Friday Folder for more information.

Questions of the Week 3/16

1. Write 4 math word problems that have a Revolutionary War theme. Vary your operations, and try to make them 2-step! (1 stick)

3. Take home one of your writings from your writing binder, finish it, and type it on your home computer. Return the published copy with an illustration to share your final copy. (2 sticks)

4. Visit the following website to take a quiz and "show what you know" about the early fight for indepence at this website. Once you've answered all the questions, print the screen and bring it in! Correct any that you miss before printing. (1 stick)

5. What have you learned about the Second Continental Congress? Show off your new knowledge by going to this website, taking the quiz, and printing it. (just like previous activity) (Worth 1 stick)

6. Perform a puppet show, write a skit, or find another way to reenact an event that led up to the Revolutionary War. (3 sticks)

Many Thanks!

A VERY special thank you goes out to all of YOU who made my birthday so very special. My gift card tree was amazing! I was so touched and grateful to all of you for the love and appreciation you've given me. Your love and your children's love are what keep me going, and really do mean so much. I will truly enjoy spending all the gift cards (starting this weekend!) at Kohl's and Michael's, and taking a lunch break at Chili's! Starbucks, of course, is my morning pick-me-up, and keeps me energized, so it is a necessity. You all are the best parents in the world. I will be sending out personal thank-yous soon, but I just wanted you all to know right away how blessed I feel after yesterday. It made getting another year older so much easier!

Class Update for Week of 3/2

**Announcements...Announcements....Announcements!**


* Congratulations to our Odyssey of the Mind teams that competed in Dalton this weekend! Our Primary Team (coached by Mrs. Fritts and Mrs. Joaunet) performed in the "exhibition" category, and we all enjoyed their Candy Factory skit. Our Red Team (coached by Mrs. Waddell and Mrs. Rushin) placed 3rd overall in their division, but learned so much about Greek mythology during their research on Heracles and had a great time competing! We'll get 'em next year! Our Blue Team (coached by Mrs. Flores) placed FIRST in their category, and will go on to compete at the State Finals in Columbus, GA in April. We are especially proud of this team because it features our very own Sydney Lundeberg! Way to go, Sydney!!

* All 4th graders will take the Georgia State Writing Assessment Test this Wednesday, March 4th. We have been preparing for this all year, but in the past week have focused on different prompts and purposes, as well as timing and other tips/tricks. This test is considered a "practice" for next year's 5th grade Writing Assessment, but it will be scored. Results should be available by August, if not sooner.

* Students have until March 12th to reach their AR reading goal. Don't forget that besides achieving their point goal, they must have an overall accuracy rate of 85% or higher. In addition to the celebration to be held mid-month, students are able to "spend" their points on Friday mornings in the Million Dollar Store. Please encourage your child to read nightly for at least 30 minutes. Remember: the 25 Books Campaign is = to approx. 1,000,000 words = A Georgia State Standard!

* We will be collecting funds to attend the Kennesaw Mountain High School production of "Charlotte's Web" this week. The trip is to take place on March 25th. Sorry for the delay, due to budget constraints we were making sure that the trip could still take place before we sent home permission slips.

* Please support our Scholastic Book Fair and Food Drives this week! Both raise funds for worthy causes! However, we understand if you are not able to participate in either event. Many families are experiencing difficult times, and if there is anything we can do to assist you or your family, please contact our wonderful counselor - Mrs. Linda Charrette.

* With the weather in its current up and down pattern, going outside for recess is a day by day decision. Whenever possible, we go out to the playground. However, if the temperature dips below 40 degrees, it is Cobb County policy to keep the children inside. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather, because when the temperature is close to 40 degrees, we will not allow a child without a coat to join us for outdoor recess Thank you!

* A special Thank You to Mrs. Nardulli for our latest Fine Arts Lesson on Salvador Dali. The kids enjoyed his surreal paintings!

(EXPIRED) Questions of the Week 2/1

Each of these opportunities will be for (1) extra stick - unless you do something SUPER DUPER, then we may consider awarding you with more!

1.) Visit the Plimoth Plantation website and learn to "Talk like a pilgrim." Write a short conversation or draw a comic strip of a dialogue between two early settlers using some of the terms you see here.

2.) Read the Mayflower article about girls travelling to the new world, and write a summary of what it was about. Some very interesting facts and perspectives!

3.) Read the text of the real Mayflower Compact document. If you were about to go ashore on uncharted land with the rest of your shipmates, what would rules would you put in writing? Create your own version of the Mayflower Compact that includes the regulations you think would be necessary for "the common good."

What We Are Studying

*Social Studies* - Early English settlements, How was life alike and different in the New England/Middle/and Southern Colonies?

*English* - Helping verbs, classifying parts of speech in sentences, proofreading

*Reading* - Characteristics of and personal connections to Aesop's fables/morals

*Writing* - Finishing Response to Literature, begin Informational Writing

*Vocabulary* - Review of Units 5-8

CRCT Practice Tests Are NOW ONLINE!

Many of you have asked how to help your child prepare at home for the upcoming CRCT. Visit the practice website at www.georgiaoas.org and log in using the id sent home in a letter earlier this month. Tests have been assigned to students now in all subject areas, and can be taken multiple times. In the coming weeks, we will be assigning this activity for homework once a week, as well, and parents will need to sign their child's agenda indicating that a test has been completed. Please don't wait to try it out, however, so we can be informed of any log-in problems as soon as possible.

New Science Lab Blog

Check out the happenings in our new Science Lab!! Our class has been twice already, doing fun activities with an egg drop and a class "galaxy." They are loving Ms. Bellamonte and watching her feed the pet tarantula, Bella! Visit the Science Lab blog for more info!

UPDATE: The "Science Lab" event that was videotaped at our school is now airing on COBB edTV (Comcast channel 24 / Smyrna Charter Cable channel 97). You can see it "at or near the top of the hour" in the local shows. These shows air daily (with some exceptions) at 5am / 7am / noon / 5pm / 7pm and midnight. Please see our programming grid at: http://www.cobbk12.org/cobbedtv for those few exceptions. Our story will air dozens of times (at least) over the next several weeks and will be posted within the video archive on the Cobb Home Page at www.cobb.k12.org as well.

Ford Curriculum Night Is Coming!

Ford Curriculum Night is Thursday, February 12th, 2009

The Relay for Life Team is hosting an Italian dinner. Dinner is from 6:00 - 6:45 PM in the Ford Cafeteria
(Please send in your reservation ASAP so we can plan on you attending. Flyers are available on the Ford website)

Special Interactive Sessions will be taking place from 6:45 - 8:00 PM all around Ford Elementary. Please drop in to each session to learn more about what students are doing and learning here at Ford.

Here is a brief listing of some of the topics: (a map and program will be available that evening at the door)
*special guests - Durham Principal Georgeanne Young and Lost Mountain Principal Dr. Terry Poor
*Test Taking Skills
*Candy Grams
*Technology
*SmartBoard activities
*Centers in the Gym
*Math games
*Cobb Virtual Library Resources
*Spelling Games
*Online Resources
*Science Lab
*Accelerated Reader demonstrations
*Extension & Enrichment

And much more!

Classroom Update 1/30

Hello, everyone! This week just FLEW by! Conferences are over, and we enjoyed meeting with each and every one of you to discuss progress in the 4th grade. That was our "official" meeting, but please feel free to contact us via email at ANY time if you have questions/concerns, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. If you need to set up a meeting to talk face to face, we are available for that, too. Take this weekend to refresh, read, and get ready to be back at school for full days next week - EXCEPT for Early Release Day, Wednesday the 4th! A few announcements:

1.) February is "Love the Bus" month, and we'd like to get the kids involved in the campaign to show appreciate for their bus driver. Visit the Love the Bus website for ideas on how to participate. You can even share stories and nominate your favorite bus driver for recognition!

2.) Mark your calendars - Curriculum Night is coming! Thursday, February 12th at 6 p.m. All 4th graders are invited to be greeters that night, sign up with Mrs. Micklow ASAP. Many educational activities will be presented that evening, with a delicious lasagne dinner beforehand! Come see the 4th grade "SmartBoards" in action.

3.) If you go out this weekend to purchase Valentine cards, please remember that there are 24 students in our class (minus your child). We will send home a class list next week with everyone's name on it for your child to personally address their Valentines. No one is required to bring in cards, however if you choose to do so, please make sure to send in one for EVERYBODY!

(Expired) Questions of the Week

Each one of these is worth (1) extra stick. Write down your answers on regular paper, and bring in to show to your teacher:

1.) What historical significance can you find for the date in history, Jan. 14, 1784? What does "ratified" mean? What was the document called? Write a brief paragraph describing what this day means in our nation's history.

2.) Visit the website on Isaac Newton's Laws of Motion to read up on the man and his thoughts. Print out the quiz at the end, and fill in the answers yourself using the website for clues.

3.) Did you know that besides motion and gravity, Sir Isaac Newton also developed theories about light? (what we're studying next in science) What did he discover about white light? Use your internet sleuthing abilities to find out! Write it down, and also answer the question: How did a man of such poor and humble beginnings become "Sir Isaac Newton" instead of just Mr. Newton?

4.) When we came back to school, we didn't have much time for sharing holiday tales with each other before we got right back to the business of studying! Write a 1-page story about a highlight from your two week break. Maybe an outing you took, a favorite gift you received, a friend/relative whose company you got to enjoy, or a special family tradition that you practiced. Tell us all about it using rich details and colorful language. Illustrate it, too!

Classroom Update - January 8th, 2009

1.) No spelling or vocabulary this week. We are completing a writing project and taking a pretest in our new "Buckle Down" CRCT practice workbooks. We'll start back with vocabulary unit 7 next week.

2.) Our Fire Safety program with the Cobb County firemen began this week. It will last every Tues/Thurs from 11:00-12:00 for three weeks. Hopefully you noticed that your child brought home a workbook to complete last night. These lessons are completed for both classwork and homework. Your child WILL receive a health grade for their efforts during the 3 week fire safety program. Because this time slot affects our regular lunch schedule, on Tues/Thurs we will be eating sack lunches in the classroom. If your child does not like the school sack lunch, please remind them to bring a lunch from home for the next 2 weeks on Tues/Thurs.

3.) Congratulations to all our students who met their last 9 weeks AR point goal with 85% or better accuracy! This Friday we will have a lunch + dessert bar celebration for those super star readers. If you'd like to help out, please contact either Mrs. Losure or Mrs. Kastensmidt via email.

4.) Please send in your conference confirmation form ASAP. You will receive your child's 2nd 9 weeks report card during this meeting. Don't forget that school will dismiss 2 hours early the week of January 26-30th, and make the necessary transportation arrangements.

5.) All parents are invited to come to meet the new Science lab teacher this Friday morning during her Open House from 9-10 am. Hope to see you all there!

6.) Every student was given new AR goal for the 3rd 9 weeks TODAY. It was written in their agenda. Please review this with your child to help them make a plan for meeting this goal. Many students require that extra "push" to hold them accountable for their nightly reading, especially at this mid-point of the year. Remember, books from the public library and reading TO your child are both OK! This is an incentive based program, and does not directly affect your child's reading grade, however it does benefit their overall comprehension ability. Don't forget students are supposed to be filling in story maps on the books they complete towards the 25 book campaign. Reading for a minimum of 2 hours per week is a 4th grade requirement, and will count towards the Six Flags Reading Program. (more information to come home Monday) Thank you for all your support of your child's reading - it really does make a difference!