Santa's Workshop

Starting Monday Santa's Workshop will open up. The students will have the opportunity to make simple, inexpensive gifts for family and friends. The gifts are not something "junky" and just to be thrown away when the gift is given.  (Everything they make is a gift to be given away. They may not keep them for themselves.) In order for the student to work in the shop they will need to have all of their assignments completed each day.

There are some supplies which would be helpful to have donated to the class. They are:

jumbo colored paperclips
ribbon
beans, feed corn
potpourri
glass flat rocks
empty cans (washed out)
stickers
hair clips
flowers

It would be great if you would donate these items to our class. Many of these items can be purchased at the dollar store.

I know, from experience, children like to be part of the gift giving and not everything needs to be bought from a store to be given, (nor cost lots of money). Please help out by donating if you can.

Thanks!

Native Americans

This past week each student chose what Native American Tribe they wanted to work on. From there they were given a simple worksheet to fill out by finding information. They needed to find out what food was eaten, where they lived in the state of Utah, weapons used, what kind of shelter they had, and their clothing. With this information, all of the students, will be working in a group of three or for people to make a poster and decided who is going to present what information to the class. Every student will need to present to the class. This project becomes part of their grade in several different areas on their report card.

We will be making drums in class starting this week. They should go very quickly since Grandma Kathy will be helping along with two student teachers. This should be fun!

Parent/Teacher conferences are next week. Please take a look at the Online Scheduler to schedule your appointment with me. If you have a situation where you need help with the scheduler or need a totally different time please contact me.

Off Track

Yes, in just a couple of more days we go off track. The students are very excited for this to happen. I, on the other hand, is having a hard time believing it is time. It seems like the school year just started!

The students need to keep their reading going. They have been given their Weekly Reading Log sheets for the three weeks they will be off. We have been on track for ten weeks. On Wednesday, October 24th, the students will turn in their Read Across Utah books. By this time they need to have read ten books and filled out the correct counties to match up with the book genre. This grade goes on the report card for independent reading. Both the Weekly Reading Logs and Read Across Utah make up this grade. Please help your student to be on the right track.

I hope you have some great times while being off track. I have some great plans for my some of my time but I do have a few things to get ready for when we come back on track.

Have fun and get ready to work hard when class begins Monday, October 22.

Animal Reports

Your child choose which Utah animal they wanted to do their Animal Report on yesterday during class. They need to bring information about their animal to class. We will be doing the different parts together for this report. Daily there will be something new to add to their report so it is very important they come prepared everyday. If you have not heard about this report yet PLEASE ask your child to see the packet I have put together.

Remember we will be working on this report in class. In fact, most of the work is done in class as long as your child is in class daily. If they are not they will have homework to catch up. Also, if they do not come to class prepared they will need to do homework to catch up to where we are each day.

The animal report is due September 19th. Then your child will present to class their animal and give an oral report to us. Both parts of this report have grades, the report itself and the oral part.

Please help your child to be successful with this first report since there will be others during the school year.

Working Hard!

We have been working hard!!!! I hope you are seeing your child's planner each night and discussing with them the learning which is taking place each day. Your child should be showing you their math everyday and checking for completion.

The daily work your student is doing is to be completed daily unless otherwise stated. Math must be turned in daily or your child receives a "zero" for the assignment. The spelling packet is due every Thursday and also graded.  On Fridays the DLR, handwriting, vocabulary sort, and spelling assignments are due. (The spelling assignments are different than the spelling packets.)

We will start doing a writing assignment each week and will need to be completed and turned in.

The "Weekly Reading Log" is brought home on Monday and returned the following Monday. There is a grade given on the report card for "Independent Reading". This grade goes along with their "Weekly Reading Log" and their "Read Across Utah". If you have not seen or heard of these two items please ask your student. If there still questions please contact me.

We are learning lots about being responsible and accountable for the work and learning process. Thanks for all of your support and help you give your child.

Great First Days of School

   We have been working hard and learning the routines of 4th grade with Mrs. Spencer. Everyone is dong their part and trying to work hard.
   Each night you should see math, spelling, reading 30 minutes (10 minutes out loud to an adult), and playing "Ogre" (multiplication game). If you are not seeing these items please ask your child about them and have them explain their planner to you and ask to see the work. A signature in your child's planner and on their math homework should be asked for each night. Many of you may think this is a "pain" but I am trying to teach your child to have responsibility for their actions. Thanks for your help and support with this. (I may also write a note to you in their planner which I want you to see. Just a way of communication.)
   Across the top bar of this blog you will notice "Weekly Assignments" board. Please click on it to see what your child will be learning each week. This will also help you to know what kinds of things to ask your child about.
   In their planner today I placed a sticky label with my email address and the blog address on it. I hope this will help you to stay in contact with me if you have that need and the blog to let you know what is happening in class.
   Thanks for your help and support to get the year off to a good start!

Welcome!

We are into the fun learning this year. I have many interesting learning activities to get the year started and I can't hardly wait!!!! Are you as excited as I am? I sure hope so.

Daily 5 is going to become a daily event for us where you will be able to make choices for your learning. Reading is going to become something you will LOVE to do. (I LOVE to read.) We are going to take many adventures and explore while we read.

 Do you like to write stories? This was a little hard for me when I was in school, BUT, I have learned some great new things to help all of us enjoy our writing time in the classroom. I think you will be amazed at the growing you will do this year in writing.

Yes, I know you are wondering about library, lunch, science, crafts/art,  social studies, recess, computers, friends, your teacher, and so much more. To find out about these things and so much more you will need to come to school! Hope to see you very soon!!!!