Miss Heckathorne's Classroom News
Starside Elementary
Contact Information
Email: checkathorne@usd232.org
Website: tinyurl.com/bnzhn4h
Location: Starside Elementry, West 91st Street, De Soto, KS
Phone: (913) 667-6270
Specials Schedule
11/4 T - Music/PE
11/5 C - Library
11/6 O - Art
11/7 M - Music/PE
11/8 E - Computer
What We Are Learning
Math - Topic 1: Multiplication and Division: Meanings and Facts
Our objectives for the week are as follows:
- drawing a picture and writing an equation
- reviewing multiplication and division concepts
- identifying and extending patterns
Reading
Novel Study of Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator
Our objectives for the week are as follows:
- describe story elements in depth
- identify main idea
- using context clues to understand new word meaning
The Land of Nod
We are beginning to read and analyze poetry this week. We will look at structure, word choice, and meaning. We will also be writing in response to the poems that we will read. Our writing prompt will be based off the poem listed above. The prompt is: "I would like to live in the Land of Nod forever - Agree or disagree with this statement and support your opinion with evidence from the text."
Science - Our Changing Earth
We are continuing to study Our Changing Earth. The students will learn about the layers of the earth, rocks and minerals, erosion, weathering, natural disasters that shape the earth and much more. The students will have the opportunity to learn from guest speakers, videos, non-fiction texts, realia, and hands-on experiments. This week the students will also write a narrative about tornadoes and earthquakes, tying their knowledge of science with writing.
Spelling
All of the 4th grade teachers decided to adopt a new spelling practice and we started with new lists last week.
This is our new spelling routine:
Monday: Orally Read and Spell, Copy and Spell, Cover and Spell, Uncover and Check
Tuesday: Word Meaning and Spelling Dictation
Wednesday: Word Study Activities (syllables, missing letters, etc.)
Thursday: Edit for Spelling Activities
Friday: Spelling Test (Includes sentences that the students must write using the words)
On Friday, the new spelling list for the following week will be introduced, and important consistencies will be pointed out, such as a phonetic or structural element. Our list this week focuses on digraphs (ch, tch, th).
Our hope is that having more time focused specifically on spelling will increase scores and will help students to transfer learned spelling patterns into their everyday writing. This will also help the students to see the words in a deeper context.
Please help your child practice their spelling words each week. For now, you can still use spellingcity.com but you'll just need to manually enter the words. Thank you.
Family Movie Night
The movie being played will be The Croods. Doors open at 6:45 and the movie begins at 7:00. PTA will provide water and popcorn. You can bring pillows and blankets. Parents must stay with children.
Friday, Nov 8, 2013, 06:45 PM
Starside Elementry, West 91st Street, De Soto, KS
Starside
Our Mission:
Through a collaborative learning community we will build a foundation upon which all students can develop essential academic and life skills.
Our Vision:
Starside will be a Learning Community (staff students, parents, and community members) that collaborates to:
· Provide a safe, positive environment that promotes academic growth, good character, and values diversity.
· Implement researched-based strategies to ensure students achieve academic skill
· Maximize learning time to focus on essential skills
· Monitor student growth based on high expectations