Ms. Tovey's Blog

English
Last week I covered pages 4 and 5 in the English book. The topic for these two pages was Declarative and Interrogative sentences. On Friday I introduced Imperative and Exclamatory sentences. This week I hope to cover pages 6 – 9 in the English book which further discuss imperative and exclamatory sentences and introduce complete subjects and predicates.

Writing
Over the long weekend some of the children were asked to bring the rough draft of their Summer Fun paper home to have a parent check it for spelling and grammar mistakes. A large number of children forgot to do this. Please know that there will be times the children are asked to bring their rough drafts home and that it is very important that they do this because spelling/grammar are a large part of the paper’s grade.
We spent some time last week working on writing good topic sentences and on Friday I introduced the Superhero paper. This week the children will continue to write their Superhero paper. Last week each child was given a set of directions to guide them in their writing, so please feel free to ask your child to view them.

Science
We will continue our unit on graphing. To date I have introduced the three types of graphs that are used in science and the children have made two simple bar graphs. Your child should have notes in his/her notebook on the three types of graphs and when it is appropriate to use each type. I gave one more set of notes last week on the parts of a graph. Please know that when it comes time to study for a science test all your child will need to bring home is his/her notebook. I have discussed with the kids how important it is to put the notes neatly into their notebook. If you notice that your child is missing notes please let me know so that I can get them caught up.
This week we will concentrate on making a line graph correctly.
The Science Test on graphing is scheduled for Friday, September 12th. There will be two parts to the test. The first part will cover the notes that each child should have in their notebook and the second part will require each child to make a bar and line graph.

English
Last week I covered pages 6 and 7 in the English book and introduced subjects and predicates on Friday. This year the concept of subject and predicate is a little different than it was last year. In fourth grade the children are introduced to complete subject and complete predicate and simple subject and simple predicate. This can get a little confusing for some kids so please feel free to review it with your child. My goal for this week is to cover pages 8 – 11 in the book.

Writing
This week the children will finish up the rough draft for their Superhero paper. The rough draft is due on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the children will begin typing their story in computer class and finish typing it on Thursday when we go to the lab as a class. The stories are very cute so please be sure to ask your child to read his/hers. We will also spend some more time this week on topic sentences and how to write a good one.

Science
Monday the children will be introduced to double bar graphs. On Tuesday they will do an M&M Candies activity that will encourage them to use their critical thinking skills and create a double bar graph.
On Wednesday, I will begin The Animal Kingdom with the children. Since this topic is part of the fourth grade curriculum, but not a part of the fourth grade science book I have put together small booklets for each child. Your child may bring the booklet home at anytime for you to see but please make sure it comes back to school the next day. Remember when it comes time to study for a test all your child needs is his/her notebook. Please continue to encourage your child to take clear and accurate notes as they are given.

English
I hope to finish chapter one this week. (pages 12 – 15) The test is tentatively scheduled for next Tuesday, September 30th. On Monday, September 29th each child will be given a review sheet to help them study for the test. Please be sure to remind your child to bring this sheet home on Monday night.

Writing
Last week the children finished up their super hero stories and typed them in the computer lab. I did not get to writing good topic sentences so we will spend the beginning part of this week working on this. Later in the week the children will begin their third narrative writing paper. This paper will be a biography of the Sprouse brothers. (“Dylan and Cole on The Suite Life of Zack and Cody”) We will set up an outline together as a class and also working on writing an introduction paragraph. The final paper will be hand written.

Science
I was unable to begin the unit on The Animal Kingdom last week so we will begin it on Monday. Please remember that when it comes time for a test the only book your child will need to bring home is their notebook.

English
We finished up chapter one on Friday and the test is scheduled for Tuesday. Each child will be given a review sheet on Monday. Please remind your child to bring the review sheet home to study. On Wednesday, we will begin the next chapter in the English book. This chapter is on nouns.

Writing
The children will continue working on their Sprouse Brothers’ biography. The handwritten copy of this paper will be due on Wednesday. On Thursday, the children will go into the computer lab and do research on a presidential or vice presidential candidate. The children will choose which ever candidate they like. On Friday, we will set up an introduction paragraph together and the children will begin writing their short biography.

Science
This week we will continue our study of The Animal Kingdom. To date your child should have notes in his/her notebook on invertebrates and the five vertebrate groups.