August 19-23

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 This week the fourth grade: 

• Discussed the process skills that scientists use when experimenting
• Collected  information about classmates and created a graph to represent the data
• Connected the morals in The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School to their own classrooms 
• Completed their first week of wordly wise activities
• Students can get extra practice at http://www.wordlywise3000.com, or download the free app for interactive flash cards!
• Took their first wordly wise test
• Established and practiced independent reading procedures
• Identified ways in which multiplication can be used as equal groups
• Examined patterns for multiplies for 2, 5, and 9 
• Practiced routines for collecting recycling for the school
• Practiced creative writing from journal prompts
• Began our study of Missouri with "Missouri Mondays"
• Learned about landforms and climates in the United States

Next week we will:

• Review the four types of sentences and identify fragments and run-on sentences
• Identify and review multiplication properties
• Continue practicing multiplication
• Find connections between multiplication and division
• Continue to practice scientific process skills  
• Review important parts of story to help them understand what they are reading
• Continue with creative writing
• Learn what states make up each of the 5 regions of the United States

Upcoming dates:

• Friday 8/30:  Spirit Day
• Monday 9/2:  NO SCHOOL, Labor Day 
• Thursday 9/5:  Curriculum Night, 6:00 pm in the second floor commons 
• Tuesday 9/17:  School Picture Day
• Friday 9/20: Family Fun Fest
• Friday 9/27:  Pet Blessing, Spirit Day

Other important information:

In an effort to maintain high behavioral expectations for our students, the Lower School faculty created a Lower School Pledge that was introduced during the 2012-2013 school year.  This pledge was introduced to students in chapel, posted in classrooms and hallways, and revisited by classroom teachers throughout the year.  Now that we are in our third year as a united division (Previously 1st and 2nd were part of ECC and 3rd-5th were the Intermediate Division), we have developed a more detailed plan that will help students understand our expectations and will also ensure that our school environment is a place where all students feel valued and safe and where academic time is maximized.  By visiting the "Lower School Behavioral Plan" page of this blog you can see an electronic copy of the document.  Your child also brought home a hard copy in his/her backpack on Thursday, August 22nd.  Please review the plan with them and have them return the signed Pledge sheet that is located on the back by Thursday, August 29th.  Thank you for all your support an assistance as we help students develop self-discipline and practice the St. Paul's Life Skills.


On the days that your child has P.E., please have them wear (or bring to school) appropriate shoes so they can fully participate. Due to safety concerns, your child will not be able to participate if they do not have safe shoes on. Examples of shoes that are not appropriate: Sandals, Crocs, flip-flops, boots with heels, shoes with wheels. All shoes must have skid resistant soles, cover the entire foot and be properly secured to the foot. If you have any questions about what kinds of shoes are permitted, please do not hesitate to email Mrs. S: cshurtleff@speds.org

You can order books for your child through Scholastic Book Clubs!   

Shop Online: scholastic.com/readingclub
One-Time Class Activation Code: HFWTD 
Every online order earns three free books for our classrooms!  We use these free books for classroom libraries and as a punch card reward.

Here's to a great week in the fourth grade!

Mrs. Van Maren and Mrs. Field