I can't believe we are so near the Reading FCAT! Is it bad to say it doesn't stress me out nearly as much as Writing does? :) This week and next you will see lots of FCAT-style packets coming home. We have worked on them in class and discussed each answer but a WONDERFUL way to help your kiddo make sure they understand is to ask them to explain to you WHY the answer is right. When you have to explain something to someone else that is how you show you truly understand it. If they are struggling to do this, talk to them about it! Ask them their thinking. Which could they easily rule out with process of elimination?

In other news, report cards won't come out until after FCAT but we will have our class ceremony next Wed. the 11th at 9am. I hope you can make it!

Looking forward to the long weekend

Hello All! This week we are continuing our work on procedural (or how-to) writing and recognizing the difference between fact and opinion. Please check the grade portal to see how your kiddo is doing for this 9 weeks. After the break I will check book logs and so make sure they are logging those books at home! Also, please let me know if you would like some extra FCAT practice over the break. Our school is still selling books for $8, I have some materials I can provide, or you can also head to http://fcat.fldoe.org/fcatrelease.asp if you would like to download some of the full released tests. I hope you enjoy the week off, I might need it to recover from daylight savings time, HA.

We had a great 1st week back. In reading we have begun literature groups. Students are reading 1 of 3 books. The Giraffe and Pelly and Me by Roald Dahl, The Witches by Roald Dahl, or Rules by Cynthia Lord. Ask your child what they think so far! In writing we are beginning BOOT CAMP! That means we will be having lots of writing prompt lessons and practice. So if they come home complaining of a sore hand, tell them to tough it out! :)

Finally, thank you so much parents that helped with our Christmas party. Your time and donations are truly appreciated... and made for a fantastic good time!

In the past few weeks we wrote some fun mystery stories on special bags and published our narrative writing. Most students are on track for doing well on the Writing FCAT. Ask your child what their score was... if it was a 3 or 4 they are just where they should be.

This week the book fair is at our school. Make sure to stop by for great books (kids and adults). Tomorrow is a special flag raising ceremony for Veteran's Day. We will have an honor guard and will be retiring our school flag.

Next week you can have Thanksgiving lunch with your child at 11:20 in the cafeteria. Remember to turn in report cards and progress folders if you have not already.

Here are a few of the as promised MOSH pictures!

From Mrs. Reese's blog
 http://nbeteamcenter.blogspot.com/
"Hope you can join us Thursday for our ALL STAR LEARNING NIGHT Thursday evening starting at 6:00pm. A lot of fun learning activities have been planned. Maggie the Reading Dog will be there, South Paw from the Jacksonville Suns and our annual Literacy Pumpkin Patch. The patols will be selling hotdogs and the TOTS will sell dessert, so don't worry about dinner. All purchaes will be cash only. Also, T-shirts will be on sale for $8.00. Please join us for all the fun! Students will get a free homework pass for attending."

Also, remember to return your field trip form to go to the Symphony on the 26th. Parents interested in chaperoneing please contact me.

My goal is to sometime this weekend post some photos from our field trip to MOSH! It really was a lot of fun. Though that laser light show made me kinda dizzy!

Hi All! Our field trip to the Museum of Science and History is this Friday. We are going to the JEA Electricity and Planetarium shows. Remember to bring a bag lunch from home.

We had a really nice short week... although benchmark testing threw a wrench in some of my plans! If your child is in Mrs. Thompson's homeroom, don't worry I counted that homework for Word Webs as extra credit! I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to go over with them in depth. Monday we will again have testing, but for math instead. We've been reading a great story in class called George's Marvelous Medicine by Roald Dahl and working on DRA's. These will help me determine your child's reading level :) Next week we will learn to plan for narrative writing.

A few reminders--
Tues. is Picture Day so dress cute!
Tues. is the last day for t-shirt money.
Thurs. is Open House.
Fri. is the last day for parents interested in chaperoning MOSH to get their info/money in.

Have a great weekend!

Well you probably know that we lost our class pet on Tuesday. Chewy was a great friend to many children in his lifetime and we will miss him! However, even with this loss we still had a great second week of school. We read several books and discussed our rituals and routines for the school year. We are already running like clockwork! Our daily routine is to come in, unpack, and hand in homework. Then begin on morning work. After that, we have reader's and writer's workshop.

If you missed Orientation I am attaching a copy of the PowerPoint to this post. I hope to see you at Open House next week on the 15th at 6. Hope everyone has a great 3-day weekend!

2 reminders--
- Make sure all source books are turned in
- Send in t-shirt money (a copy of the form is below)

Welcome to 4th grade! I hope you have enjoyed the summer break. This summer I traveled to Puerto Rico and Orlando... and spent some time just getting things done around my house (not all of it was watching tv, I promise). My goal is to frequently update this website with blog posts, photos, and helpful information. I encourage you to respond to the posts if you have questions or thoughts. I look forward to this school year and can't wait to meet you and your children.