Gerth's Gossip
2-10-17
4th Graders Work Hard!
Today is the last day to sign up for next week’s science fair! Don’t forget to sign up both partners in your group if you are working with someone else. Also, don’t forget to submit your project idea for approval. Science Fair is next Thursday, February 16, 2017!
Valentine Parties are February 14th at 1:30. Today we made our bags to collect Valentines from all of our friends!
It is becoming more important for our kiddos to bring in devices for class daily. If they have a device to bring it, we will be using it on a regular basis for the rest of the year. We still have devices available for their use when needed.
There has been an increasing number of students bringing in homemade fidgets. While these are great to keep our hands busy, we have had many of them break or become stuck to other things in our classroom. Please do not let your child bring in slime or homemade fidgets for use during the day.
- Our instruction each day is often being enhanced with technology. We are so thrilled to have more devices in our POD for sharing. Thanks to you too for sending them in with kiddos as often as possible. #AMPLIFYCCS through the use of technology is in the works each and every day in room 17. Students and teachers alike are getting more and more confident with using and submitting work through Canvas and Google Drive! TODAY WE WERE INTRODUCED TO THE NEW IPADS AVAILABLE FOR USE!
Gerth's Rockets Rock
Email: sgerth@ccs.k12.in.us
Website: www.ccs.k12.in.us
Phone: 317-571-4086
Twitter: @GerthGrade4
Literacy In Action
Looking ahead to next week, we will continue working in Unit 6 “Treasure Hunters”. We will continue diving into understanding characters, determining importance of Information, finding text evidence, reading with fluency, enhancing our understanding & developing the craft of opinion/persuasive writing. The students are doing a great job working in their small groups, and really analyzing their book!
Why do we seek treasure? We are learning a lot about pirates and buried treasure in our Reach Unit 6!
This unit is focusing on character, theme, and summarizing with the most important ideas.
We are also learning about pronouns, and next week’s spelling pattern is vowel blends with the letter “o.”
Please continue to talk to your children about their reading. Encourage them to share the strategies they are using when they read. Ask them to summarize, infer, make predictions, etc. Practicing these things will help your child grow as a reader!! Also asking for their opinions about what is going on in their book, which character they could relate to or making predictions of what’s ahead are wonderful critical thinking skills. You can even take it further and ask them why they think the way they do and show you evidence from the text of what made them reach their thought. Finally, please remind and encourage your student to do their 20 minutes or more of reading every night. This really does help them grow in all areas of the curriculum!
Math
Mathematicians have been hard at work this week! We have also added Xtramath.org for some great fact practice into our routine!
Fourth grade math is on Unit 8. They have been studying perimeter and area.
We should be ready for a test towards the end of next week over Unit 8!
Fifth grade math is also on Unit 8, but the focus of their instruction is fractions,
decimals and ratios.
Both grade levels have been using the CUBES problem solving strategy to tackle
word problems in math. It is a very helpful way to decipher a problem.
Remember too students also have log-ins taped in the front of their assignment notebooks for www.everydaymath.com where there are many valuable resources for support.
Science
We have almost finished up our Unit on Motion and Design.
Next week we will review some of the previous science standards taught and begin our study of Social Studies which focuses on our great state of Indiana. The students will have a consumable notebook with all of our content, and they will also have access to materials and activities online.
Upcoming Dates
Valentine Parties – Feb 14 –* Reminder please do not send in candy or food with your valentines. A class list went home earlier this week!!
Science Fair –February 16- So Proud of My Science Risk Takers
Presidents Day –Feb. 20 - No School
Have a wonderful weekend!
This sounds fun for newcomers!
NEWCOMER COFFEE
If you are new to Smoky Row, new-ish, or interested in supporting newcomers, please join us for the Newcomer Coffee on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at 8:30 AM* at Julie Henderson’s Home, 1582 Noric Court, Carmel, IN 46032. This is a casual get-together to welcome you, see how you are doing now that school is in full swing, and answer any questions. It is also an opportunity for you to meet other newcomers. Please RSVP by 2/13/17 by texting, calling, or emailing (630) 346-5490 or julie-henderson@sbcglobal.net. *If you are interested in an evening event, please contact me and we’ll schedule it.