September 18, 2015
Dear Parents,
A consistent message we are conveying in our building is- “This work
is important; you can do it; and I won’t give up on you.”
Classroom Environment:
 Class room expectations
o Respect: We show respect to property, to others, and ourselves through our words and actions.
o Responsibility: We should be responsible to ourselves and others by being kind, helpful, and following
through on obligations.
o Safety: We maintain a safe environment by accepting other people as they are, cleaning up after
ourselves, supporting each other during times of struggle, and following school expectations in the
hallways, bathrooms, playground and the cafeteria.
 New Chairs!
o We have new storage cube ottomans for each child! They have invented many ways to use the cubes
from sitting and storing; to turning them upside own for desks. What a great use of space!
We have the following projects and events coming up:
Upcoming Events
 Picture Day on 9/22
 No School 9/25
 MAP testing 9/28-29
 Early Release 9/30
 Book Fair 10/7-10/9
Curriculum Bites: In our newsletters, we will highlight the upcoming topics/concepts in curriculum we will be studying so you
will be able to discuss and assist your students. Here are the concepts we will be learning about over the next few weeks.
 Literacy:
o Workshop model: How we use reading through skills, structure and strategies to make meaning for
deeper understanding.
o Signposts: We will use 6 different signposts to help us dig deeper into text and look for connections.
 Contrast and Contradiction is the first signpost we are working on. This helps us look at
characters and how they are changing. Ask your student about this important signpost!
o Reading expectations at home: Read 30 or more minutes every day. Record your book on your log
at school. Parents ask your student a question about their reading such as, “Tell me about your
story so far.” “Why would the character do that?”
o Writing: We are working on the writing process beginning with ideas and brainstorming. The
students have a writing journal where we write a journal entry every day. They also have a writer’s
notebook where they collect words and ideas for future writing. We are spending much time on
writing sentences and paragraphs. Below is our criteria for success in writing sentences:
 1. Must have a subject (noun).
 2. Must have a predicate (verb).
 3. Must have a capital at the beginning of the sentence.
 4. Must have end punctuation.
 Homework: Most of the writing will be completed in class; however, there will be
assignments to collect words and practice structure, mechanics and grammar of writing.
This week we will be working on sentence structure.
o Words their Way: We have begun our study of Words Their Way. The groups have all met with
me to discuss the importance of not only spelling words correctly, but being able to understand the
words and related parts, and to be able to recognize the patterns when presented with new words
in their text.
 Homework: Please see the first pages of their Words Their Way notebooks for weekly
homework. Other ways to study would be to locate words in their reading or other printed
text. Write a story using their words. Making a person dictionary of words.
 Math: We have begun Module 2. This module further develops addition and subtraction skills using both a
number line and tradition algorithm. See attached parent information letter.
 Homework: There is less homework with Origo, however, we will send home the workbook
nightly to complete if necessary and for the students to review their daily school work at
home with you.
 Social Studies: In fourth grade we study the regions of the United States. We begin by discussing reasons
people move including economy, culture, geography and climate. This week will be focusing on constructing
social studies notebooks to collect information on the regions. We are currently in the midst of the northeast
and will follow with the southeast. Please continue to work with students in practicing using resources for
finding information such as states and capitals, using a map, and finding information in print and digital
text.
 Homework: Study states and capitals. Ready to Roll Map due 9/22. Family homework
has been delayed until next month.
 Science: We will begin by investigating the scientific process. This understanding will help the students to
understand their science project that will be assigned later this year. We will study the human body during
the month of October.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Sharon Price
Sharonk.price@lz95.org
847-719-3300