This Week In Room 20

Welby Way is collecting "Change for Change" to help Syrian refugees. 
Specific information from Mrs. Boyle will be sent to you soon.
Students are assigned the article 
"Syrian refugees among few to find a happy ending in Chicago"

on Newsela
Please try to bring in change to support these efforts!
Thank you!

There are middle school tours this week.

Please let me know if your child is attending one of the tours. It is ALWAYS a great idea to see the schools and get personal feelings in order to make an informed choice. 

Curriculum Foci

In Math:
Continuing to work on multiplying multi-digit numbers (Module 2, Lessons 7-11)
On Khan Academy:
Multiplying 2 digits by 2 digits
Multiply 2 digit by 2 digit with area models
Click BELOW for
Module 2 Homework Help

In ELA:
Continuing our reading and discussion of  Wonder.
Focus on Point of View (Point of View quiz will be on Tuesday)

Wordly Wise Quiz will be on Thursday, October 8th

In Science:
Continue focus on Mixtures and Solutions

Main Concepts:

(Test will be on Wednesday, October 7th)
Use Science Notebooks and Assigned readings in Science Resources Book to study!

In Social Studies:
We will finish reviewing First Americans (Unit 1 in OUR NATION)
You can access your textbook and assigned videos and activities by clicking below to go to the website: SOCIAL STUDIES, OUR NATION TEXTBOOK
THERE ARE 9 TO HELP YOU WITH THIS UNIT!
All passwords are room20ww
Usernames will be given in class!
(Test will be on Friday, October 9th)

The first DODGER playoff game is this Friday!
Please wear your Dodger gear or Dodger Blue THIS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9th, to support our Los Angeles Dodgers!

Just a reminder that you have only a few more weeks to sell the 5th grade restaurant cards to earn money to pay down your 5th graders Palicamp expenses.  

Last day to earn (50%) personally is  October 23rd!

  After that 100% of the money from cards sold will go into the 5th grade general fund.

Updates and Other Points of Interest

This week we will be studying:

In Math: Finishing up our division unit and moving on to fractions
Click HERE for an EXCELLENT overview of fractions the COMMON CORE way

In ELA: Continuing Who Was Steve Jobs, along with informative writing and text structure

In Science: Mrs. Dant continues instruction in Earth Science

In Social Studies: Finishing up Explorers and moving on to California Missions. There will be a quiz on Explorers this Wednesday. Use the link in the upper right hand corner to log on to your  Pearson OLE Social Studies  page (using the same username and password as Pearson Realize-Math) for assignments to help you study

In Art: Continue our study on creating texture using lines to create Power Hands!

Thank you for contributing to our Donors Choose project. 

We have secured 4 Chromebooks and 6 iPearl covers!

You are the best!

We are SO grateful and appreciative!

The 3rd and final phase will include 2 more Chromebook and a storage center! That will be coming soon!

GLOBAL THINKING

Ethiopian Pen Pals

We are in the process of writing back our Ethiopian Pen Pals and creating a video to show our life in West Hills. We are even learning how to write some Amharic phrases in Fidel! Pretty impressive!

Students are brainstorming ideas and we may need your help in capturing photos and very short videos of your child engaged in their everyday activities like dance and sports.

A video they shared with us of their Wolitic traditional dance

We are in need of tissues, paper towels, and white copy paper in the classroom

Thank You!

Thankful to Be Back to School!

Student Led Conferences

It was fabulous to meet and talk with all of you last week during our student led conferences and I am thankful for our team! I enjoyed talking with parents and students together.  I also learned a lot about my students and I hope the process was beneficial for you as well.  When we get back from the Thanksgiving vacation we will continue to work on our goals.  Thank you for your support and interest.

Why is this new math so different?

Many parents asked me about the common core math we are doing right now.  Our classroom is using a combination of Pearson/Envision Math for CCCS and Engage NY.  Both programs are aligned to the Common Core standards and will prepare your child for future learning in math, as well as the Smarter Balance testing.  I think this video explains it well.  If you have 10 minutes to spare and are interested in learning some reasons why the "new way" of doing math has many benefits, please check it out...

Why Is Math Different Now? VIDEO

What can I do to help my child become a better reader?  

• Consistent daily reading helps increase your child's comprehension and builds confidence.  Read with your child as often as possible.  Or at the least, check in with he/she daily.
• Ask questions about the story or non fiction book.  Here is a document Mrs. Hauser gave to some parents at her conference last week to use as a guide. I liked it, so I wanted to share it! Click on this link to download it.  Have a discussion using these questions.
• Read a variety of fiction and non-fiction texts.  The Common Core Standards consist of a  balance of the two types.  

If you have any more questions please let me know.  Thank you again for attending the conference and I hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

This Week in:

Math, 

we will be continuing multiplication, focusing on problem solving

There are some FABULOUS math games on Pearson Realize

Click here:

Pearson Realize Math Games

You will need to use your Pearson Realize username and password

Language Arts, 

we will be continuing to work on figurative language, preparing to create a resource book. We will have a test on Chapters 6-10, Winn Dixie on Wednesday. Vocabulary to focus can be accessed by clicking on the VOCABULARY tab above

Science, 

we will learn about electricity conductors and insulators

California Location Movies are DUE ON 

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5TH

Off To A Flying Start!

We are about to enter our 5th week of 4th grade!

Days are flying by.

Dates to Remember

Tuesday, September 9th Menchie's Day (on Fallbrook Ave)

I will be there around 4:00 PM, so come say hi and support our school.

Thursday, September 11th is Patriot Day

Wear red, white, and blue!

At 8:15AM we be gathering for a moment of silence and the singing of some patriotic songs.

Friday, September 12th is Spaghetti and BINGO Night

Please RSVP and come support our school.

YOUR TEACHER, MRS. SLEZINGER, will be the BINGO caller for the evening!

Thursday, September 18th is Picture Day
Wear your BEST smile!

Thank you to those who have donated to AGC!

We are filling up our light bulb toward no homework and a double recess.

It is not too late! Any amount is appreciated!

We still need math rotation volunteers!
If you are available from 10:10-11:30 on any day except Thursdays, please let me know. It's fun, I promise!

Also let me know if you are available on either Tuesdays or Fridays at either 12:15 to run the Classroom Store.

The school is looking for volunteers to help with Psychomotor. Our time is on Tuesdays form 8:50-9:50.

THANKS!

Curriculum News

English Language Arts Rotations

Last week, we started rotations with Mrs. Dant and everyone seemed to enjoy it. In Room 20 we are learning about figurative language. We listened to Taylor Swift's song Mean, to learn more about similes. We discussed the difference between saying, "Your voice like nails on a chalkboard," and "Your voice is annoying," or "Your voice is irritating!" Laughter could be heard all around and hopefully, new concepts learned. In rotations, two days per week, I will continue to focus on figurative language and response to non fiction text, while Mrs. Dant focuses on word origins, vocabulary, and grammar.

English Language Arts Classroom

Last week we read My Diary From Here to There and worked on writing a concise summary and sequencing events in a story using a flow map. This week we read The Adventures of Ali Baba Bernstein, focusing on analysis of story structure, and character, setting, and plot.

Writing

We are conquering the universal fear of "figuring out what to write'" by brainstorming small moments and books we wish existed, focusing on characters that share our own struggles. All of our amazing author ideas are kept compiled in our notebook creating a wealth of ideas and inspiration.

Math

We will continue to focus on 

Number and Operations in Base Ten 

Generalize place value understanding for multi-digit whole numbers 

Use place value understanding and properties of operations to perform multi-digit arithmetic.

For activities to supplement at home, go to 

4th GRADE NUMBER ACTIVITIES: NUMBER AND OPERATIONS IN BASE TEN

Science

We finished up our section on Magnetic Force. Students should be able to explain: the forces of attraction and repulsion, what magnets "stick" to, north and south poles and the rules for how they attract and repel.

Social Studies with Mrs. Dant

Geography of the World Unit continues
Check out the following sites for fun games:
BrainPop Latitude and Longitude
Latitude Longitude Map Game