Monday, August 29, 2016

What's Happening in Room 30...........

Important Announcements:


  • We had our 1st facts test on Friday over 2's.  Your child's test is in his/her Homework Folder.   If your child passed, he/she will be working on 3's this week and tested on Friday.  If not, he/she will be retested on Tuesday.  Please make sure your child is practicing the facts at home each evening.  Just a few minutes each night will help your child master them. This will help build confidence in math as they are introduced to new concepts this year.
  • If you have not done so, please complete this Parent Questionnaire as soon as possible.  The information you provide will help me get to know your child better.       
  • Your child brought home a "Week in Review" reflection sheet on Friday.  It is a snapshot of the week while the students reflect on things they learned, moments they are proud of and set a goal for the following week.  Please review, sign and return each Monday.  
Dates to Remember:  

Tuesday:  Fundraiser Collection Day
                   LEAP Begins
Friday:   Last Fundraiser Collection Day
                 Mad Science Assembly at 1:45
Monday:  No School - Labor Day

   
What's Happening in Our Room....
Reading Workshop: 
  • The students learned about the three areas they can focus on setting reading goals; reading stamina, fluency and comprehension.  This past week, the students created their own personal reading goal.  This week the students will develop their personal reading plan.  This will include their "at home" reading plan for nightly reading.  The students will be required to read at least 4 times a week for 20 minutes.  This will increase as the year progresses.  
Writer's Workshop:
  • The students will continue to develop writing ideas and practice their writing stamina.  We have been having a fun time listening to each others' writing.  Our 1st writing piece will be a personal narrative, and we will begin drafting at the end of this week.
Math:
  • The students have been working hard as they practice saying numbers in the millions.   They will continue learning about place value this week and also practice rounding numbers.  They will review chapter 1 on Thursday and will be tested over chapter 1 on Friday.
Science:
  • The students did a wonderful job working with their group as they investigated in science last week.  They will continue this practice as they explore different science tools this week.
Social Studies:
  • Every other day, the students will move to Miss Dausmann's classroom for Social Studies.  

Sunday, August 21, 2016

What's Happening in Room 30.........

Important Announcements:


  • We had a great start to the year!  I feel a strong community is beginning to develop, and I am truly looking forward to working with this group of children this year and partnering with you as we embark on a new year.  We are going to have a great year!
  • We spent time last week discussing what 4th grade means to us and what we would like our 4th grade family to look like.  After collecting the students' ideas, we created a Class Mission Statement.  Our Mission Statement will be read aloud every morning as part of our routine.  I am proud of the ideas and expectations the students have this year!  
  • Below you will find our Class Mission Statement:
  • The mission of Mrs. Branding's fourth grade class is to have a growth mindset while learning new things.  We will do this by encouraging others, learning from our mistakes and working hard. We commit to being kind, peaceful, organized and hardworking.  We will do this so we can be the best we can be.
  • If you have not done so, please complete this Parent Questionnaire as soon as possible.  The information you provide will help me get to know your child better.          

  • The students will be expected to master their multiplication facts. Mastering their facts will make math much more enjoyable and less stressful.  They should practice the facts a few minutes every evening. The students will be given flashcards as a resource to help them master their facts.  I have several fun multiplication games on the blog under the "Fun Math Sites" tab at the top. This week, they will be given the 2's and will be tested on Friday.
Dates to Remember:  

Monday: Fund Raiser Assembly - Fund Raiser will be coming home
Tuesday:  4th Grade Strings Instrument Check - Bring instruments to school 
Thursday:  Fund Raiser Collection - Day 1
                      All Strings Students Meet
Friday:  Back to School Assembly
                All Strings Students Meet

   
What's Happening in Our Room....
Reading Workshop: 
  • This week, the students will learn about our class library expectations and check-out procedures.  They will also begin practicing reading stamina.  If your child is reading a book at home, it should be brought to school every day.  We will be reading independently in the classroom every day and the students are expected to read every night at home.  The students will log their at home reading time on the Week in Review sheet that will be kept in their Take Home Folder.   We will begin this next week. I encourage the students to read the same book at school as well as at home.
Writer's Workshop:
  • The students will learn the expectations of Writer's Workshop and begin generating writing ideas in their Writer's Notebook.  They will also begin practicing their writing stamina.  The students will be assigned to decorate their writing folder over the weekend.
Math:
  • The students will be introduced to Math Workshop this week as we begin our first unit on Place Value.  They will also take our online math assessment through ALEKS.  ALEKS is our online math program that the students will be working on at home as well as at school throughout the school year.
Science:
  • The students will have science every other day in our classroom.  We will begin the year with learning about what it means to be a scientist.  Science will include a lot of fun, hands-on activities throughout the school year.
Social Studies:
  • Every other day, the students will move to Miss Dausmann's classroom for Social Studies.  

Sunday, August 14, 2016

Welcome 4th Graders!!

I am so excited to start the school year!  See who is in our 4th grade family!

Hussein A
Randy D
Braden D
Ellee E
Isabella H
Madison H
Oliver L
Leo M
Gabrijel M
Nick M
Claire M
Mac R
Emma S
Javonte T
Angelena T
Noah V
Lucas W
Bailey W
Kayla W
Navani Y