Worms, Worms, and more Worms!

Last week we began our Living Systems science unit.  The first investigation involves learning what a system and sub system are.  Children then went a step further and learned about the ecosystem and the food chain.  We then broke into groups and began to create an ecosystem with recycled newspaper, leaves, twigs, coffee grinds, soil, and tea bags.  Each group then put in 15 red worms and we covered them in a black bag.  The students will check on their worms weekly and record what changes are happening in the worms ecosystem.  The objective is that the students make and analyze a worm habitat as a decomposition.

In reading we focused on character traits.  The children learned some new adjectives and we talked in depth about what some of the more common adjectives really mean, such a jealously and compassion. On Friday they were given an assessment to see if they had mastered the objective.  Scores will be shared in October at our conferences. This week our focus is on figuring out what the theme of a story is.

In math we have worked very hard on 3 - 4 digit addition and subtraction. We have studying place value and rounding. We will assess the children on these skills on Thursday.

This week we will take the district language arts assessment.  This can be a long assessment but I am confidant that the students will do a great job.

I am very happy with how our class has meshed as a "school family'.  Everyday I see more acts of kindness and caring from the kids.  They are wonderful kids and they make coming to work a joy!

Please remember that cough drops are not allowed at school .  I have noticed that some of the kiddos are getting the "yuck" already.  We make sure that we wash hands and Lysol daily to help prevent illness.
Please remember to turn in your Walk-a-Thon money. Thank you for collecting it and supporting our school. We hope to buy more Surface Pros for the students to use.

Upcoming events:
Wednesday, September 16:  1:30 Early Dismissal
Thursday, September 24:  Walk-a-thon
Friday, October 2:  Pride Day
Friday, October 9:  Fall Pictures

Week Two

     The kids have all done a great job adjusting to school!  They seem to really like 4th grade and are getting used to the schedule.  In 4th grade we move very quickly through the curriculum and our day.  Some days I feel like we have run a marathon! 
Homework has started this week and your child should be able to tell you what is due and when.  If not there is a homework schedule on back of their red folder.  My expectation is that homework is completed weekly.
This year we are NOT having spelling tests.  We will work on words by using the program Words Their Way but will not be testing on them. 
Our schedule is coming together and is complicated.  Here is our routine...
8:45 - 9:00 - Morning Work
9:00 - 9:40 - Every other Monday is guidance with Mrs. Hall
                     Every day 3 is LMC check out and/or lesson/lab
                     Any day that is open is Science/SS
9:40 - 10:20 - Specials
                       Day 1 - Pe    Day 2 - Music   Day 3 - Art
10:20 - 11:30 - Snack and math
11:30 - 12:00 - Intervention
12:00 - 12:15 - Tiger Test
12:15 - 1:10 - Lunch and recess
1:15 - 3:15 - Read aloud and reading
3:15 - 3:35 - Writing
3:35 - 3:45 - Clean up and dismissal

I do know that kids get sick!  However, if you know that your child is sick or that you will be gone please contact me so I can send the work home with them .  I will only send the "must do" home but it will ease anxiety on your child to have it done before they return to school.

Here are some upcoming events:

Friday and Monday Sept. 4th and 7th - No school
Friday, Sept. 11th - Book orders are due and it is a Pride Day
Wednesday, Sept. 16th - early dismissal
Thursday, Sept. 17th - PTO meeting
Thursday, Sept. 24th - Walk -a- Thon

Please feel free to email me with questions and concerns. 
Thanks
Carrie Thompson

Welcome to the 2015 - 2016 School Year!

This is the blog that I will be using to keep you updated on the happenings in the classroom.  Later in the year I will switch to the district Canvas program.  Please make sure that you register with Canvas while you are at open house tonight.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. My email is cthompson@cr.k12.ia.us .
Thanks!
Mrs. Thompson

Week of May 11th

The children are going to be taking the district English Language Arts and the Iowa Common Core math assessment this week. Due to the intensity of the testing schedule I have told the class that there will NOT be ANY homework this week.
Their "homework" is to get plenty of rest and fresh air.  It is really important for them to have breakfast and be at school on time as well.

Please remember that book orders are due on Thursday, May 14th.

Thank You!

Thank you for all of the wonderful flowers that were brought on for Teacher Appreciation Week!.  As I type this I am enjoying them and their great smell!

Just a few reminders for next week:
Book orders are due on May 14th.
The Common Core Math test is next week as is the ELA reading test. 

Upcoming Events:
Tuesday, May 12:  Kernel's Night at the Ball Park
Wednesday, May 20:  1:30 Early Dismissal
Friday, May 22:  Family Life presentation (an information sheet was sent home on Thursday), last day to check out books.
Monday, May 25:  No School
Wednesday, May 27:  Library Books Due
Friday, May 29:  Awards Assembly 2:00 (Emails were sent to those receiving an award.)

May Happenings

It is hard to believe that we are closing in on the end of the year!  This is the time of the year that things get crazy!
Below are the activities that I know of. Please write these on your calendar and check it often.  There are many activities that the kids will need specific things for.

May 4th - NO SPELLING this week due to testing and fishing. We will be doing the state FAST testing. Please make sure your child is at school on time.

May 6th - Fishing in the afternoon.  NO sandals allowed.  Children will need a sack lunch.  Kids must wear jeans on this trip. Rain date will be May 13th.

May 8th - No School

May 10 - Planet X fundraiser

Week of May 11th - Math testing and ELA testing. Please make sure that your child is at school on time.
Dental Sealants are this week.

May 12th - Kernels Reading Program assembly and Truman Night at the ball park.

May 13th - Taft band coming to perform

May 20th - Early dismissal

May 21st - PTO meeting

May 25th - No school

May 29th - Award Assembly

June 5 - last day of school

Please check back regularly to keep updated on the events.  We will be having a park day the last week of school.

Iowa Assessments, Hawaiian Day, and Conferences

Iowa Assessments will take place Monday, March 9 through Friday, March 13. Please do not plan any doctor appointments for the morning if at all possible. Also, please make sure that your child gets plenty of sleep the night before and eats a good breakfast each morning. Thank you for your assistance!
The children have earned a school wide reward. We will be having Hawaiian Day on Thursday, March 5th. Please have your child wear something Hawaiian themed that is school appropriate.
  The weather just is not looking great for conferences tomorrow again.  If there is a weather related issue with conferences I will be holding conferences on Wednesday, March 4th from 4:00 - 6:00. Simply come whenever you can during that time and I will make sure to fit you in. 
THIS IS ONLY IF THERE IS A WEATHER RELATED CANCELLATION!
Upcoming Events:
Tuesday, March 3: Conferences
Wednesday, March 4:  Conferences
Thursday, March 5:  School (snow make-up day)
Friday, March 6:  No School
March 9-13:  Iowa Assessments
Wednesday, March 11:  Spring Pictures
Thursday, March 12:  Title 1 Night 5:00-7:00
Friday, March 13:  Celebration Day, Pride Day
March 23-27: Spring Break
Wednesday, April 1:  Hoover Museum 10:00-2:00
Friday, April 3:  1:30 Early Dismissal