December 14, 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.
We have the following projects and events coming up:
Upcoming Events

Spirit week!
 Monday: King and Queen Spirit Day
 Tuesday: Character Spirit Day
 Wednesday: Neon Bright Spirit Day
 Thursday: Dress Like a Friend Spirit Day
 Friday: Spencer Loomis/ Holiday Spirit Day

All school sing along on 12/18

Winter Break 12/21-1/1/16
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
Non-fiction: How we use reading through skills, structure and strategies to make meaning
for deeper understanding. Make sure your child has 2-3 non-fiction books to keep at school.
o
Signposts: We will use 6 different signposts to help us dig deeper into text and look for
connections.
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
Tower of Books Challenge: The students have received a challenge to read 30 books by
December 18th.
o
Writing: We will begin writing narrative fiction in January.

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:

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 are finalizing module 5 this week on geometry of angles. The assessment will be on
Thursday. We begin module 6, deepening understanding of multiplication and introduction of mixed
numbers, after break

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. We will be starting the Southeast
next week. Please continue to work with students in using resources for finding information such as states and
capitals, using a map, and finding information in print and digital text.

Homework: Practice states and capitals. Maps of the Midwest will be assigned
after break.

Science: We are just beginning to study magnetism, energy and electricity.
 Homework: All them to investigate and experiment with magnets at home.
o Science Project: There will be more information regarding our science project in January. Stay
tuned!
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Sharon Price
Sharonk.price@lz95.org
847-719-3300