Tuesday, December 8

Just a few odds and ends this week:

1. On Friday, December 11, fourth grade and third grade are planning to walk to Oak Crest Villa at 2:00 pm so that we can sing a few of our Christmas songs for them. No parents are needed--Mrs. Kremer will lead, and Mrs. Johnson will be the caboose. We plan to be back at school by 2:30 or sooner.

2. The science test for this unit will be either Friday or next Monday, depending on whether or not we have a snow day. The worksheet that we have been doing in school will serve as the study guide. Since there is no point sheet for this unit, the test grade will be the only grade. There will be no science next week, so if your child does not do well on the test, s/he could do some of the usual extra credit that appears on the point sheet, such as find a poem that talks about something like a volcano or even just a mountain, and mount it on construction paper like we always do. Or they could find Bible verses that talk about the earth, or earthquakes, or mountains or valleys or such. Each of these extra credit projects would be worth 10 points, just like always. Students are welcome to do either or both of these for extra credit even if they DO do well on the test.

3. Speaking of snow days, there are two assignments that need to be taken care of, whether there is a snow day or not. The hymn (24) that we are singing with third grade for the Christmas service needs to be learned by Friday. It will be assigned as memory work in Tuesday morning and practiced in music class that afternoon. Verse one is for Wednesday, 2 is for Thursday, and 4 is for Friday. This must happen even if there is no school on Wednesday. Also, and this is less important, we are reading The Mouse and the Motorcycle. Chapter 6 was assigned for tonight. We will read 7 in class tomorrow, 8 will be assigned tomorrow for homework, and 9 will be read in class on Wednesday. But if there is no school on Wednesday, chapter 9 should also be read at home so that we can finish the book before Christmas break. Having to finish it in January would not work very well. I will be explaining this to the class tomorrow also. It's not my intention to spoil the fun of a snow day, but these two assignments would not take more than 1/2 hour. We wouldn't want anyone to get bored, now, would we?

4. Last week's blog work involved a little work, but most kids who tried it, got it.
There were actually several answers that worked, even though the one I was thinking of was CAVE. This week's challenge is a bit easier. The word is MINERAL, but to get a sticker you need to give me the name of the place where you might find one. (It's in the word mineral.) Show it to me on Friday.

5. Spelling this week is all calendar words. The test will be on Thursday, even if there is a snow day, because there will be no time on Friday. You should have a list at home to study from.

Christmas party snacks update: so far we have cookies, cheese, sausage and crackers, and punch. Some kids have told me they want to bring something, but we need to hear from a parent. So stop in to sign up, or send a note, or email Mrs. Johnson if you would like to help out. The party is now just 10 days away!

Christmas party explanation

No one is required to bring a treat for the Christmas party. But those who wish to do so should let us know what they are bringing. You could email me, send a note, or sign up on the list in the parent note tray at school. You could also talk to either of the teachers. But don't tell your child to tell us to sign you up because sometimes kids will take it upon themselves to volunteer you for something and then forget to let you know.

Snow is here, and we are excited. Don't forget boots, and dress warm.

Christmas party snacks

I almost forgot about this. There is a note pad in the parent note tray for those who want to sign up to bring snacks for the Christmas party, which is December 17 in the afternoon. You can sign up for paper products or food. We try to do healthier snacks as much as possible, and we already have someone bringing cookies. We could use some cheese and crackers, veggies and dip, fruit, and the like. For our drink we prefer NOT soda; fruit punch or juice would be better. Let us know if you have an idea that isn't mentioned. Thanks for offering. Because there are two teachers, we don't usually need help with serving on the day of the party.

December 1

We had everyone in school today! Thank you, God.

Because we will be getting ready for the Christmas service, we will probably not be having recorder this month. We had a mini-class today since everyone was present. The sound is beginning to resemble music!

Your Christmas gift for the almoner fund can be brought to school at any time. Some are already here! Put it in an envelop with your child's name on it and that it goes to the almoner fund and then it can be placed in Mrs. Johnson's hand-in tray.

Book-It for pizza is an optional program for those who like to earn free pizzas. The requirement for December is to read 5 poems of at least 8 lines each, from 5 different authors, from a book. No internet poems are allowed. We have many books in our room. There is a note in school explaining it to the students.

For your blog word this week you need to do a little work. I am giving you the word volcanoes, but in order to get a sticker, you need to take the letters from "volcanoes" and make a word that is also something found in the earth (volcano does not count). There may be more than one answer. Have your word in your assignment notebook to be checked on Friday.

November 24 note

Fourth Grade Tuesday Times
November 24, 2009


Science

The points list with your child’s grade is coming home today. We began our next unit today also. There will be no points sheet for this one because it will be done in a more traditional fashion, with grades coming from each assignment. There will be a worksheet/outline that we will be working on in class. Last unit I gave the outline to the students to put in their notes. This time they will be working in groups to find important points themselves. Since December is a busy month for family activities, you will not have to worry about science projects. I will be offering a few simple extra credit ideas next week.

Book IT Pizza Coupons

This month the requirement is for the child to read a nonfiction book of his/her choice. The book should be approved by Mrs. Johnson as to its appropriateness for this grade level. When finished, your child should ask for a form to fill out. To be eligible for a November coupon this must be finished by Monday, November 30.

Family Trees

Several weeks ago you received a packet with instructions. This is just a reminder to work on these when you get a chance. They are not due until the middle of January. That way, those of you who will be seeing relatives during the holidays can use that time to get information and/or do the interview. Those of you who don’t even want to think about it during the holidays can wait until they are over and still get it done on time. If you have any questions, you can ask Mrs. Johnson any time. You can also hand them in whenever they are finished.

Christmas Party

It is hard to believe that we need to be writing about this already, but it is coming soon. Our class party will be on Thursday, December 17. As God’s children, we wish to stress giving more than getting. In years past the cost for the gift exchange has been set at $5.00. We feel that our students really don’t need any more “stuff”, so instead of a gift exchange, we are taking a collection for the St. Jacobi almoner fund. This fund does a lot to help those in need, and at Christmas time, there are many people who need more than we do. Then, so the students don’t feel too left out, we have each child buy something for $1 (the Dollar Store has some interesting items, and many stores like Target also have a dollar area) – boys buy something a boy would like, and girls buy something a girl would like, and bring it on party day to exchange. Our goal for the almoner would be to give about $100. Using the original $5 gift as a guide, if each child spends $1 on a fun gift, and brings $4 for the project, with 24 students we could easily come close to that goal. No one is required to give $4, and you are certainly welcome to give more. The number is just a guideline. Out of love for Jesus, who gave himself for us, we look forward to giving a little something to help others.
Information on snacks for the party will be coming home next time. We plan on focusing on foods from Wisconsin and healthy eating as much as possible.

Science grades

I just finished correcting and tabulating science and will soon be posting grades on Power School. But I realized that I forgot to collect point sheets on Friday, so if your child has saved it, be sure s/he has it in school on Monday. It is worth 2 points, and believe it or not there are several people for whom it will take them to the next grade or to the prize level.

There will be no spelling this short week and no blog word.

We will be finishing our Christmas poems and our expository paragraphs, and on Wednesday we will be reading to the class the poem we practiced as a forensics activity. I'm looking forward to it!

We will also be reading several more Cinderella stories in addition to watching the Disney version.

Tuesday Note part 2

Fourth graders had their first "Switch Day" today. Mrs. Johnson taught in the morning and Mrs. Hackmann in the afternoon. They adjusted very well to the change!

Book order forms are now available. This will be the last order sent in before Christmas, so if you want to order a gift, now is the time. Please fill out the order form and place it in an envelop with the correct amount of money, or paper clip or staple together. If writing a check, make it out to Scholastic. ONLY ONE CHECK NEEDS TO BE WRITTEN, NO MATTER HOW MANY FORMS YOU USE. These are due Tuesday, November 24 and should arrive soon after Thanksgiving. If you want your order, or part of it, to be a surprise, put a note in the envelope. Then when the order arrives, I will get it to a parent and not the child. Any questions go to Mrs. Johnson.

I just posted grades on Power School.

If your child brings a recorder home to practice, be sure it comes back to school. Those who are missing recorders when we have class will have their music grade lowered. Recorder class is part of music, and if you don't have a recorder, you can't participate. We played some really jazzy music today, all on one note! We have music on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Not every day is recorder; usually Thursdays. But we had it today because everyone was there!