Monday Update

1. We had a very productive post-CRCT week! We are currently working on many important standards in the classroom - the year isn't over yet! We are revising our Revolutionary War biographies to improve our informational writing skills. We continue to learn the structure for persuasive writing, and will have one more graded writing worth 60% of our English grade before the end of the year.

2. 5th grade teachers want the students to be proficient in the "short way" to do multiplication/division, so we are introducing the students to the old-fashioned way of solving problems. They have the background to understand the how-to's of multiplying and are ready for another method. So, good news! Parents can once again help with math homework!

3. Continue to work on non-fiction book reports. They are due next week. Remember, the goal is to present your information in an interesting way using non-fiction text features, such as charts, graphs, diagrams, and other visuals. Be creative! Listening/speaking are also 4th grade standards. What can you teach us?

4. Accelerated Reader goals must be met by May 16th, with our "Extreme Recess/Coke Float" party happening after the 4th Grade Awards ceremony on May 20th. Invitations to follow, but we will need help with supplies for this event. Keep reading! Don't forget you must have an accuracy rate of above 85%.

5. Mrs. Gomez is helping me to plan an after-school End of the Year celebration for our class. We are scheduling it for immediately after school on Thursday, May 22nd. Unless there are major conflicts, this will be our date. It will be a family picnic, and we should be finished by 4-5 o'clock so that kids can get to their various practices. I hope everyone can attend, because it will be great fun, and we will be celebrating the publishing of our class book, which will be passed out that day. More info to follow. Save the date!!

6. Our RISE student, Marissa, has her last day with us on May 19th. She has been a big help to our classroom this year, and the kids love her! Since she's going off to college next year, I'd love to collect money for a Bed Bath and Beyond gift card to show our appreciation. If every student can just bring in $1-2, I will cover the rest to get her a $50 preent. It'd be great if the students could also take the time to write her a card or Thank You note for all that she's done for us. It's really been like having an extra teacher in here during math this year!

Question of the Week 5/5

1. On the last page of Word Eater, a psychic in an advertisement says: "Something is going to happen on September 1st." What do you think is going to happen on that date? Write another chapter of the book that would include your version of events. (Worth 1 stick)

2. To further understand the conflict between the North and South at the beginning of the Civil War, write a debate between two people living in the two different regions. What sort of differences of opinion would they have? What would their positions be on the state of things in the union? What were the important issues? You can write this as a conversation, or two letters or diary/journal entries. You must use your historical background knowledge. (Worth 2 sticks)

What We're Studying

English - Adverbs, pronouns, use of commas

Reading - Novel Study Word Eater, reading for information, summarizing, skimming

Social Studies - Conflicts of the Civil War

Science - Our Solar System

Math - Multiplication/Division algorithms

Writing - Persuasive Writing with reasons and examples to support argument

Friday Update, April 18th

* Spring Fling News: I know that it's a hectic time of year, and that Prom is also Saturday, but I really do appreciate those of you that supported our fundraising efforts for the Spring Fling! Mrs. Bachman really had to perform some miracles to make our class auction basket, and she had to dip into our class funds a bit to finance it. If you are able to send in any late donations to replenish these $$, that would certainly help our ability to hold any end of year parties or final AR celebrations.

* Although we did not collect much in the way of candy, used media, and stuffed animals on these various collection drive, i hope you will all still support Ford by attending the Spring Fling tomorrow, from 4-8! There will be raffles, games, prizes, auctions, and fun. (Not to mention a pie-throwing booth featuring Ford staff members!) All proceeds benefit Ford PTSA and will go towards wish list items for our school, such as Smart Boards, other technology items, media center books/games, and instructional materials. It's a great cause, and hopefully the rain will hold off! (Keep your fingers crossed) If you did not get an activity wristband for your child, they will be sold at the door for $15. Don't forget to ride the "Yellow Limosine" shuttle to and from Ford - there will be NO parking for this event. See the PTSA website for further information.

* Please read over the information about the upcoming CRCT next week. Due to the amount of donations being collected at this time, I will not try and get snacks for testing. Please make sure your child has eaten a healthy breakfast, and brought their own snack to eat during our testing break. Water bottles will be allowed, but they cannot be out during the test, due to potential spillage on the testing materials. Thank you in advance for also making sure your child is well-rested and on time to school all 5 testing days!

Spelling Words Unit Test Friday, May 9th

1. pattern
2. either
3. absolutely
4. finally
5. instead
6. apply
7. towards
8. question
9. happened
10. among
11. often
12. language
13. brought
14. least
15. frequently
16. information

A Few Reminders

Please remember the following items that you may have missed via emails/newsletters:

1. Spring Fling is April 19th. We are in desperate need of items for our class basket for the silent auction. Our theme is "Camping." Mrs. Bachman sent out a list of requested items, or you may donate $$ for those of you who don't have time to shop. We need these items as soon as possible.

2. Mrs. Cunningham sent out an email about turning in used media items for our Spring Fling "Garage Sale" to raise money for PTSA activities. We are looking for DVD's, CD's, tapes, books, etc. We have a collection box in the classroom. All itmes are due by Friday, April 18th.

3. The school is collecting new or gently used stuffed animals for the war-torn chioldren of Iraq. What a great opportunity to teach your child about giving! Please send in these items as soon as possible.

4. CRCT is coming! The dates are April 23-29. It starts on a Wed, and runs through the following Tuesday. 4th graders will be tested on all 5 subjects all five days. Please make sure they are getting the online CRCT practice at home. If you need more suggestions on how to prepare, please email me. More information will follow as the date draws closer.

5. On the Tuesday before CRCT begins we will be attending 2 seperate field trips. Target students are going to the Georgia Aquarium to culminate their unit on sharks, and the rest of the classes will be attending Kennesaw Mt. High's production of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe." Please make sure all permission forms/$$ are returned ASAP. This will be a great way to unwind before the test begins the next day!

6. Please check AR reports carefully for your child's progress this 9 weeks. I have formed teams to add another competitive element to this program, and the students watch those results anxiously. Reading is essential, and the State Standard is that every 4th grader reads 25 books this year. We will not have the full 9 weeks this time, due to library checkout being suspended before the end of the year, and to ensure there is time to count up points and arrange a celebration for those who meet their goal. Plan on having all points completed by May 14th.

7. Have a wonderful Spring Break! Enjoy each other, and get some rest!!!!

Mid-Week Update 4/2

1. Our class book is FINALLY ready to be sent off for publishing! I appreciate all your support and patience in this undertaking - it really was a bigger project than I anticipated, but we are so excited about the final product! There is a slim possibility that the company will not be able to get it back to us before school is out, but if that happens we will have get together over the summer for our publishing party. Our kids wrote such long and fabulous stories that my piece they encouraged me to write ended up on the cutting room floor - as there are space limitations. No biggie, I'm only disappointed that we couldn't write more! Thanks to all my "typing Moms" who came in and helped, as well as all of you who are buying a book! I think it will make a great keepsake. LAST CHANCE - if you did not purchase one, and you still want to, please email me ASAP and I will get an order form home to you tomorrow. The book will be on its way via UPS on Friday, and no late orders can be accepted. The total cost, including shipping, is $17.90. You are not obligated to buy one, I just wanted to make sure that everyone had the same opportunity to get their copy.

2. You should have received an email from our fabulous Room Mom, Mrs. Bachman, about our Spring Fling auction basket. Our theme is "Camping." Please send in your items or donations as soon as possible. Let me know if you have any questions.