Thursday, December 18

Parents, due to the weather forecast for this evening into Friday afternoon, we have cancelled our field trip.  It has been rescheduled for Friday, Jan. 16.

Students, we will be watching a rated 'G' movie the last part of the day on Friday. If you have a movie you think the class would enjoy watching, please bring it in tomorrow.

Morning Work: DWP: Write a diary entry about a time when you made a difference in someone's life.  How did you make this person feel?

Reading:  Read for 20 minutes; Reading contract and Tic-Tac-Toe book projects are due Jan. 5.

Science: Science Projects/Proposals due Thursday(girls) and Friday(boys)

Complete the next three questions in your SIJ(Science Inquiry Journal) -- Due Mon., 1/5.

Wednesday, December 17

Students, we will be watching a rated 'G' movie the last part of the day on Friday.  If you have a movie you think the class would enjoy watching, please bring it in tomorrow.

Morning Work: DWP:  Write a short news article describing how volunteers can help in other parts of the world.

Reading: Finish Practice packet p. 86-87 -- Test tomorrow!  Read for 20 minutes -- Novel, reading contract, and Tic-Tac-Toe book projects are due Jan. 5.

Spelling: Finish p. 75 -- Test tomorrow!

Grammar: Finish p. 73 -- Test tomorrow!

Science: Science Projects/Proposals due Thursday(girls) and Friday(boys)

Complete the next three questions in your SIJ(Science Inquiry Journal) -- Due Mon., 1/5.

Adv. Math: SL 5.3

OTHER: Library Books due tomorrow.

Field Trip on Friday???

Parents, due to the weather forecast for Thursday night/Friday morning, we MAY NEED to cancel our field trip to the Lizzadro Museum and reschedule it for after winter break.   We will make a decision before school ends on Thursday and send a letter home with the students.

Tuesday, December 16

Morning Work: DWP

Reading: Read for 20 minutes -- Novel, reading contract, and Tic-Tac-Toe book projects are due Jan. 5.

Spelling: Finish p. 74

Grammar: Finish p. 72

Science:  Rock/Mineral Test tomorrow.  Parent signature on review sheet due tomorrow. Complete the next three questions in your SIJ(Science Inquiry Journal) -- Due Mon., 1/5.

Adv. Math:  SL 5.4

OTHER: Field Trip forms and fees due tomorrow.

The Rock Cycle

Monday, December 15

Fourth Graders, please be sure to share the Celebrate Writing letter you received in class today. You must submit your writing piece and ask to fill out the Student Assessment form. Both are due by Jan. 12.

Here is Bill Buczinsky's website: A Child's Voice

Morning Work: NO DWP Today -- Mon. Cursive

Reading: Finish Practice p. 82-83; Read for 20 minutes -- Novel, reading contract, and Tic-Tac-Toe book projects are due Jan. 5.

Spelling: Finish p. 73

Grammar: Finish p. 71

Science: Science Project Proposal Sheet due TOMORROW. Rock/Mineral Test on Wed., 12/17. Complete the next three questions in your SIJ(Science Inquiry Journal) -- Due Mon., 1/5.

OTHER: Field Trip forms and fees due Dec. 17.

Thursday, December 11

Verbs Websites:

Action Verbs Story - Active Anna

Practice Action Verbs - Quiz

The Action Verb

Morning Work: DWP -- Did you ever run in a race?  Write a brief newspaper article that tells what happened and how you felt.

Reading: Read for 20 minutes -- Novel, reading contract, and Tic-Tac-Toe book projects are due Jan. 5. Click here to review this week's vocab. words.

Spelling: Review this week's words and packet.

Grammar: Review this week's packet.

Writing:  Finish writing assignment on dialogue.

Science: Response Sheet on Calcite Quest; Rock/Mineral Test on Wed., 12/17.  Complete the next three questions in your SIJ(Science Inquiry Journal) -- Due Mon., 12/15.

Adv. Math:

OTHER: Field Trip forms and fees due Dec. 17.

Wednesday, December 10

Verbs Websites:

Action Verbs Story - Active Anna

Practice Action Verbs - Quiz

The Action Verb

Morning Work: DWP -- Who is your best friend?  Write a letter to your friend explaining why your friendship is important.

Reading: Read for 20 minutes -- Novel, reading contract, and Tic-Tac-Toe book projects are due Jan. 5. Click here to review this week's vocab. words.

Spelling: Finish p. 68-69

Grammar:  Finish p. 67

Science: Complete the next three questions in your SIJ(Science Inquiry Journal) -- Due Mon., 12/15.

Adv. Math:

OTHER: Field Trip forms and fees due Dec. 17.  Library books due tomorrow.

REMINDER:  Picture Re-take Day Thursday

Tuesday, December 9

Morning Work: DWP -- Write a short story telling how two foes became friends.

Reading: Read for 20 minutes -- Novel, reading contract, and Tic-Tac-Toe book projects are due Jan. 5.  Click here to review this week's vocab. words.

Spelling: Finish p. 67

Science: Complete the next three questions in your SIJ(Science Inquiry Journal) -- Due Mon., 12/15.

OTHER: Field Trip forms and fees due Dec. 17.

Monday, December 8

Schoolhouse Rock:  Verb Video 

Don't forget to turn in your field trip form and money.  They are due by Dec. 17!

Morning Work: DWP:  Write and draw a cartoon about two unlikely friends.

Reading: Read for 20 minutes; Finish Practice p. 75-76; Click here to review this week's vocab. words.

Spelling: Review Spelling Words; Finish p. 66

Grammar: Action Verbs p. 65

Science: Complete the next three questions in your SIJ(Science Inquiry Journal) -- Due Mon., 12/15.

OTHER: Book orders due Tuesday, Dec. 9.

Our First Field Trip of the Year!

We will be going to The Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art in Elmhurst, Illinois, on Friday, December 19.  We will leave first thing in the morning and return by lunch time.  

Permission slips will be in your mailbox soon!

Thursday, December 4

Morning Work: Cursive

Reading: Read for 20 minutes; Unit 2 Test tomorrow

Spelling: Unit 2 Spelling Test tomorrow

Grammar: Unit 2 Grammar Test tomorrow

Adv. Math: Self-Assessment/Unit 4 Study Guide - Test Monday

Science: Complete the first three questions in your SIJ(Science Inquiry Journal) -- Due Mon., 12/8.

OTHER:  Book orders due Tuesday, Dec. 9

Wednesday, December 3

Parents and Students, I understand that many of you had difficulties logging into the Voicethread website.  We are not sure why this is happening, but Mrs. Polito said that it works on her account.  She said that you may use her account tomorrow to finish up your project.  Just let me know if you are interested! 

Morning Work: Cursive

Reading: Read for 20 minutes -- Practice Vocab. Review Sheet

Spelling: Review Unit 2 Spelling Words

Grammar: Grammar Review Sheet on Nouns

Writing:  Finish your first draft of your persuasive essay

Adv. Math: MJ p. 113 & SL 4.6

Science: Complete the first three questions in your SIJ(Science Inquiry Journal) -- Due Mon., 12/8.

OTHER: Library Books 

Tuesday, December 2

Morning Work: Cursive

Reading: Read for 20 minutes -- Review Unit 2 Vocab. words and strategies

Spelling: Review Unit 2 Spelling Words

Grammar: Review Unit 2 Grammar packets

Adv. Math: MJ p. 111-112

Science:  Complete the first three questions in your SIJ(Science Inquiry Journal) -- Due Mon., 12/8.

OTHER: LMC Project -- Finish your Voicethread project.  You will need your epal address and password to log in.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Enjoy these Thanksgiving games!

Turkey Bowling

Tic-Tac-Turkey

Thursday, November 20

This is RED RIBBON WEEK! This year's theme is "I elect to be drug free."

Morning Work: DWP: Write a poem or letter from the point of view of Cara's snake.

Reading: Read for 20 minutes; Practice p. 70; Click here to review this week's vocab. words.

Spelling: Practice On-line Spelling Activities: 1, 2, 3

Grammar: Review packet on Plural Nouns & Possessive Nouns 

Possessive Noun Tic-Tac-Toe Game

Singular and Plural Nouns Game

Cursive: Thursday

Adv. Math: SL 4.3

OTHER: LMC Project --Native American ABC Voicethread sheet

RED RIBBON WEEK: On Friday, wear crazy hair or a hat because we "Use Our Heads and Don't Do Drugs."

Wednesday, November 19

This is RED RIBBON WEEK! This year's theme is "I elect to be drug free."

Morning Work: DWP: Write a list of safety tips on how to avoid dangerous animals in the wild.

Reading: Read for 20 minutes; Practice p. 71; Click here to review this week's vocab. words.

Spelling: Finish p. 60 -- Practice On-line Spelling Activities: 1, 2, 3

Grammar: Plural Nouns & Possessive Nouns - Finish p. 59-60

Possessive Noun Tic-Tac-Toe Game

Singular and Plural Nouns Game

Cursive: Wednesday

Adv. Math: SL 4.2 & Enrichment 4.2

OTHER: LMC Project -- Continue adding onto your Native American ABC book.  LIBRARY BOOKS DUE TOMORROW!

RED RIBBON WEEK: On Thursday, wear a team jersey because we are "teaming up against drugs!"

Tuesday, November 18

This is RED RIBBON WEEK! This year's theme is "I elect to be drug free."

Morning Work: DWP: Imagine a snake escaped from a cage in your house and it disappeared.  Make a list of adjectives describing how you would feel.

Reading: Read for 20 minutes; Click here to review this week's vocab. words.

Spelling: Finish p. 59 -- Practice On-line Spelling Activities: 1, 2, 3

Grammar: Plural Nouns & Possessive Nouns - Finish p. 58

Possessive Noun Tic-Tac-Toe Game

Singular and Plural Nouns Game

Cursive: Tuesday

Adv. Math: SL 4.1 & Enrichment 4.1

OTHER: LMC Project -- Continue adding onto your Native American ABC book.

RED RIBBON WEEK: On Wednesday, wear pajamas to "follow your dreams and don't do drugs."

This week's reading theme is SNAKES!!!  Here are some videos that I think you'll enjoy.

Snake Fakes Video

Sidewinding Snake Video -- see it catch its prey!

Monday, November 17

This is RED RIBBON WEEK!  This year's theme is "I elect to be drug free."

Morning Work: DWP: Name a reptile you want to see at a zoo.  Write a brief explanation telling why.

Reading: Read for 20 minutes; Practice Packet p. 66-67 -- Click here to review this week's vocab. words.

Spelling: Finish p. 58 -- Practice On-line Spelling Activities: 1, 2, 3

Grammar: Plural Nouns & Possessive Nouns - Finish p. 57  

Possessive Noun Tic-Tac-Toe Game

Singular and Plural Nouns Game

Cursive: Monday

Adv. Math: Multiplication Quiz tomorrow

OTHER: LMC Project -- Continue adding onto your Native American ABC book.

RED RIBBON WEEK:  On Tuesday, wear sweats because "Drugs are no sweat."

Thursday, November 13

Alliteration ABC Book

Idiom Websites:

Lots of examples of idioms on this site.

Funbrain's Paint by Idioms

Morning Work: DWP: Write a dialogue between you and Ben Franklin. 

Reading: Read for 20 minutes; Finish Practice Packet; Test tomorrow - Click here to review this week's vocab. words.

Spelling: Review for tomorrow's test. REMEMBER, THE SPELLING TEST WILL CHANGE FROM MULTIPLE CHOICE TO WRITING OUT THE WORDS.  Click here to review this week's spelling words.

Grammar: Review for tomorrow's test on possessive singular and possessive plural nouns. Click here to review possessive nouns.

Cursive: Thursday

Adv. Math: Self-assessment; parent signature on Study Guide - TEST TOMORROW

Monday, November 10

There will be NO SCHOOL on Tuesday, November 11, due to Veteran's Day.  

Morning Work: DWP: What do you think is the greatest invention ever created?  Explain why.

Reading: Read for 20 minutes; Practice Packet p. 59

Spelling: Finish p. 52-- STARTING THIS FRIDAY, THE SPELLING TEST WILL CHANGE FROM MULTIPLE CHOICE TO WRITING OUT THE WORDS.

Grammar: Possessive Nouns - Finish p. 51

Cursive: Monday

Social Studies: Review for the Ch. 3 test(11/13/08) Click on: History Alive Tutorial

Adv. Math: SL 3.8 & SL 3.9 -- Test on FRIDAY

Native American Cultural Regions

We have finished reading about all seven Native American cultural regions.  Our chapter 3 test will be this Thursday!  Make sure you study your color coded flashcards we created in class and take the tutorial as many times as you need to before Thursday.  We'll review and share our group presentations on Wednesday.  

Here are some silly ways to remember a ton of information(created by the creative and clever Mrs. Cheek!):

Northwest Coast: The Cool Kwakiutl live on the Coast. They wear waterproof cedar bark capes, trap salmon with cedar bark fish traps, and live in wooden houses with cool cedar totem poles.

California Intermountain Region: The Pretty Pomo, wear pretty shell necklaces, and make pretty baskets decorated with shells and beads. The Pretty Pomo live in a pretty cone shaped redwood house.

Southwest: The Hot Hopi live in the Southwest and have to stay cool by wearing cotton dresses. The Hot Hopi are thirsty from being so hot and from climbing the ladders up to their adobe apartments. They are so thirsty that they store water to drink in clay pots.

Plateau: (This is the gross one.:)) This region is shaped like a foot and it is green! This region is the Plateau (Pla- TOE) Yuk. The Yakima lived there and ate roots to survive. Roots are at your toes (Pla-TOE). The Yakima lived in underground winter houses--think roots are underground, too. You can remember that they put baskets on their heads because everything else is already at their feet.

Great Plains: Think PLAIN and simple. The Sioux lived here. (Think: Sue is a simple name.) They used buffalo for everything! Buffalo and teepees are PLAIN and simple to remember when you are studying Native Americans.

Eastern Woodlands: Think tongue twister! The Algonquian (Al-gon-kwee-an) in the Eastern Woodlands lived in wigwams wearing wild turkey-feather ceremonial capes. The turkey is a bird and you can link that to a turkey bird birch canoe. :)

Southeast: The Southern Seminole used cypress canoes. To keep safe from the sharp saw grass they wore deerskin leggings. They lived in palm leaf chickees so they wouldn't sweat!

China

What a great coincidence it was that Mrs. Polito got to travel to China this past week which happened to be our reading theme for the week!  

We had some wonderful conversations in both our whole group and small group discussions, and I was so impressed by your comments and questions.  

Here are some links that relate to our topics of conversations.  I know that some of you came up with some great research questions, and I hope you'll be able to find some of the answers below!

China

Giant Pandas

IMAX China's Pandas

Story of Silk

Three Gorges Dam Project

Thursday, November 6

***  Congratulations to our SUPER STAR students for October!  These six students turned in all of their homework on time for the entire month!  Way to go, students 4, 12, 14, 16, 18, & 19!!! ***

Reminder:  November Book Order Forms are due Friday.  You can either order on-line or

 turn in the order to me.

Morning Work: DWP: Write a headline and news article explaining how art was stolen from a mummy's tomb. 

Reading: Read for 20 minutes; Finish reading small group book and post-its; Practice Packet p. 56

Spelling: Review for tomorrow's test.  STARTING NEXT WEEK, THE SPELLING TEST WILL CHANGE FROM MULTIPLE CHOICE TO WRITING OUT THE WORDS.

Grammar:  Review for tomorrow's test on irregular plural nouns

Cursive: Thursday

Social Studies:  Start reviewing for the Ch. 3 test(11/13/08)   Click on: History Alive Tutorial

Adv. Math: SL 3.6 & SL 3.7

OTHER: Ivy Hill Spirit Day!

Wednesday, November 5

Reading: Read for 20 minutes

Spelling: P. 48

Grammar: P. 46-47
Cursive: Wednesday

Adv. Math: SL 3.5(2-sided)

OTHER: LIBRARY Books; Mis-match Clothes Day!

November 4 - Election Day

Why do we have Election Day on a Tuesday in America?  Watch this clip and then ask your parents this question.  Do you agree or disagree with the officials that are trying to change this tradition?

Watch this "catchy" video created by some middle school students that explains the pros and cons of presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama.

Don't forget to check our district's election website to find out the results of our mock election that was held today. Click here.  This Friday we will create our podcasts of our presidential campaign speeches.  You can listen to them here.

Monday, November 3

It was so exciting to Skype with Mrs. Polito today!  Even though she's over 6500 miles away, we were able to see and talk to her!  Be sure to check out her blog at http://ivyhilllmc.blogspot.com/ to view her journal and photos of her adventures in China!

REMINDER:  Tomorrow is a SIP Day, as well as Election Day, which means NO SCHOOL for you!  Enjoy your day off and I'll see you on Wednesday morning!

Morning Work: DWP: In China, it is a custom to bring a gift for your host.  What gift would you bring?  Explain why. 

Reading: Read for 20 minutes; Practice Packet p. 52-53

Spelling: P. 47

Grammar: P. 45
Cursive: Monday and Tuesday

Adv. Math: Math Journal p. 74

OTHER: Backward Clothes Day!

Halloween Party

A big thank you to our wonderful party planning room Moms for a fun-filled party!  We greatly appreciate all of your hard work to make our afternoon so memorable!

Friday, October 31

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

Reading: Read for 20 minutes. Oct. reading contract/character traits WS due Monday, Nov. 3

Cursive: Friday

Writing: Finish persuasive RADIO AD.  We will record our podcast on Monday.

OTHER: Conference Slips; Room Rep Forms from Students 6 and 11

This week's "GLOWS" and "GROWS":

Our "GLOWS" from this week:

* Performing the 4th Grade Show!

* We beat our record for "THE GAME" by 50 seconds!

* Halloween parade and party

* Earning lots of marbles

* Student #13 lost two teeth in two days!

* Got a great report from the sub.

* Student #4's birthday

* Student #1 is coming back next week from India

Our "GROWS" for next week:

* Walk quieter in the hallways and stay in a straight line

* Earn more marbles

* Be better listeners

* Try to beat our record(again) for THE GAME!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Here are some links to some Halloween activities and games. Enjoy!

Halloween Hangman

Frankenbrain

Creepy Crossword

Halloween Smash

Halloweeen!

Halloween Sudoku

Thursday, October 30

Please read Ms. Csensich's letter regarding tomorrow's Halloween Parade. It was sent home yesterday via your child's backpack.

Morning Work: DWP: Write an ad to persuade people to visit your hometown. Include descriptions of 3 places tourists would enjoy.  

Reading: Weekly Assessment tomorrow.  Read for 20 minutes.  Oct. reading contract/character traits WS due Monday, Nov. 3

Spelling: Test tomorrow

Grammar: Test tomorrow
Cursive: Thursday

Writing: Finish persuasive RADIO AD

Adv. Math: SL 3.4

OTHER: Conference Slips; Room Rep Forms; HALLOWEEN LUNCH ATTENDANCE FORM

Wednesday, October 29

Fourth Graders, 

What an outstanding job you did at today's show!  I am so proud of you.  I hope you had a great day with Mrs. Wagner. Hopefully you all earned some marbles today! :)

Morning Work: DWP

Reading: Read for 20 minutes.  October reading contract due Nov. 1.

Cursive: Wednesday

Writing: Final copy of personal narrative due Thursday

OTHER: Conference Slips; Room Rep Forms; LIBRARY BOOKS; signed Halloween lunch form

Tuesday, October 28

Reminders: 1.  The 4th Grade Show is tomorrow @ 10:30 and 2:30; 2.  Read and return Halloween party sheet by Friday; 3.  November book orders are due Nov.5.  Look for directions attached to this month's order form for ordering books online.

Morning Work: DWP: Imagine it is your first day at a new school.  Create a word web to describe how you feel.

Reading: Read for 20 minutes. 

Spelling: Finish p. 42

Grammar: Finish p. 41
Cursive: Tuesday

Writing: Final copy of personal narrative due Thursday

OTHER: Conference Slips; Room Rep Forms

Monday, October 27

Last week's "GLOWS" and "GROWS":

Our "GLOWS" from last week:

* Fire Safety House

* Rehearsing for our 4th Grade Show

* Weekly tests

* Picture Day

* LMC Election commercials

* Earned 5 marbles

* Finished ch. 2 of History Alive

Our "GROWS" for this week:

* Be quieter in class and in the hallways

* Act mature

* Earn more marbles

* Be responsible with assignment notebook and homework

* Do better on the TFK quiz

* Be more responsible with indoor recess games

* Follow Ivy Hill expectations and display Character Counts traits

Morning Work: DWP: Write a journal entry about moving to a new city.  Give details about what your first day would be like.

Reading: Read for 20 minutes. Finish Practice Packet p. 45-46

Spelling:  Finish p. 41

Grammar: Finish p. 39-40
Cursive: Monday

Social Studies: PARENT SIGNATURE ON CH. 2 STUDY GUIDE; STUDY FOR CH. 2 TEST; TAKE TUTORIAL.

Adv. Math: Finish MJ p. 65

OTHER: Conference Slips; Room Rep Forms

Thursday, October 23

Morning Work: DWP-Suppose you could interview a famous baseball player.  What three questions would you ask?

Reading: Read for 20 minutes; Practice p. 42 and/or p. 44
Cursive: Thursday

Adv. Math: SL 3.1; PARENT SIGNATURE ON STUDENT PROGRESS REPORT

OTHER: PTA Reflections Entries due Friday; Conference Slips; Room Rep Forms