HALLOWEEN!

Halloween in fourth grade is so much fun! We love to dress up for the school parade and eat way too much sugar at our party. Click on the photos for a closer look!

What a good looking class!

What a scary looking class!

Four of your favorite fourth grade teachers. (No jokes about us being witches, please!)

Teig is ready for the party to begin.

Shentara enjoying her doughnut.

Jonathan and Braxton concentrate on creating a Michaela mummy, while Stockton supervises.

Jordan, Maddie, and Abi

Anthony and Zac race to transport candy corn as Thomas and Conner cheer them on.

Tony holding court.

Nicholas looking chipper despite the chest wound.

Making words from "Happy Halloween"

Dramatic ladies: Shentara, Katie, Shirsten, Amber, and Robyn

Mega Mummy: Nicholas, Weston, Jordan, Maddie, and Abi

Despite the sugar rush, the boys are thinking hard to create new words.

Gee, which ones had the most sugar?

Thank you to everyone who helped at the party and donated items! It was a great day!

Amber's Discovery Day

Amber's mom came by to teach everyone how to sew a pumpkin. The kids did a great job!

The kids each recieved a bag with supplies.

Cameron and Jonathan help each other stuff their pumpkins.

Rylee and Shentara work to sew their pumpkins.

Amber's mom helps Zac fill his pumpkin.

Weston, Braxton, Ellie and Michaela are hard at work.

Rylee's Discovery Day

Rylee's parents came in to explain why buildings have fire sprinklers and how they worked.

It takes a lot of heat to set off the sprinklers.

Each one has a sensor.

Success!

Rylee and Dad

Recent Happenings

All dressed up for the symphony! We had a great time listening to music from Harry Potter and the Magician's Assistant.

Teig's grandpa joined us for a recent Discovery Day. We learned police officers help with lots of things besides arresting folks, such as educating kids and helping at accidents. They also prefer bagels to donuts. 

If you would like to take part in Discovery Days, send me an email. I have lots of Fridays open in 2011. (Yikes, I can't believe I just wrote that date!)

Help me with my multiplication facts!

First, the great news! Almost everyone in the class has learned to do 2 digit by 1 digit multiplication!


Now the bad news: the class noticed most of the mistakes they make with these problems are because they don't have their multiplication facts memorized. 

Please, please, please help your child review multiplication facts. If the kids don't know their facts, it will be very difficult for them to do well as we begin longer multiplication and long division. Flash cards are a great way to practice. There are also some worksheets here and there are games here. Each night students will also be bringing home a half sheet of the math facts they are working on in class. This comes from a book of three minute math drills so it should not be taking up too much time. Your kids will enjoy math much more if the facts become automatic. 


To help out others, please share how you practice multiplication facts with your family! Any hints or games would be appreciated!

Do you love stars and the night sky?

Copper Hills Constellation Labs are the place to be!

Constellation Labs are at least once a week, when the sky is clear. The labs will be located behind, south, of Copper Hills next to the baseball fields. During the labs, we’ll review the night constellations, tell stories of the constellations, and view the night sky through a telescope. Please check back often for updates of times and dates.

Labs are scheduled for:

Thursday, September 23rd @ 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday, September 29th @ 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 7 @ 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 13th @ 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 21st @ 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 27th @ 8:30 p.m.

For more information, check out the website at: 

http://www.chills.jordan.k12.ut.us/~matthewlund/Lund/Constellation_Labs_Schedule.html

Book Orders!

Book Club Order Due Date : September 17 

Online Ordering Information 

Web address: scholastic.com/bookclubs 

Class Activation Code: 

GV2KF 

Dear Parent, 

Reading at home is one of the best ways for students to improve their reading ability. The Scholastic Book Clubs have lots of great, low-cost books. Now it's easier than ever to find the right books for your child — and help us earn FREE books for our classroom library at the same time! 

With new online ordering from Scholastic Book Clubs, you can choose from a much wider selection of books than in the printed flyer. Plus, you can send your orders directly to me online and use your credit card.  

Best of all, our class earns a FREE book every time a parent places their order online. 

It's so simple! Here's how it works: 

SIGN UP at  www.Scholastic.com/bookclubs. On the parent page, click the "Don't have a User Name and 

Password?" link, then register for your own username and password. When prompted, enter the one-time Class 

Activation Code shown above. This code ensures that your order is sent to me. 

SELECT the books you'd like to order from over 500 titles available online...and take advantage of online-only 

specials and discounts. Lot of books for less than $3 each! 

SEND your order to me online by the due date. Books will be delivered directly to our classroom, as always. 

Of course, you can still order using the form from the printed flyer. Either way book orders for this month are due by Friday, Sept. 17. 

Ordering online is fast, easy, and secure. Plus our whole class benefits thanks to the FREE books we'll earn with 

every parent online order.  

Go to  www.Scholastic.com/bookclubs now to get started. 

Thank you for supporting our class!

Improv Comedy

On Friday, Robyn's Dad and big brother helped the class learn to be better communicators through the art of Improv Comedy.

Amber and Robyn helping their "puppets" move through a scene.

Class game of Simon Says. You have to be a good listener to win!

Carter, Tony and Michaela "mirror" the conductor.

Discovery Day - Volcanoes!

On Friday, August 6, Katie's Mom and big sister came to visit. They explained how volcanoes work and helped the kids create their own miniature versions.


Michaela's volcano is exploding!

Carter, Weston, and Tony examine their exploding projects.

Picture Day Cuteness

What a good looking group!

Now we get a little crazy!

Off-track activities

Hello everyone!
We have finished the first three weeks of school! I hope you get a chance to enjoy the last bit of summer. Thanksgiving Point has a great deal on Tuesday for the next couple of weeks. It is only $2.00 per person to get into the different exhibits!

The only required homework for the kids is to continue reading. Each child should read at least 100 minutes a week and write it down on the calendar. Reading calendars are due the day we get back to school, Tuesday, Sept. 7.

I would encourage everyone to practice math facts and typing. We use some of the following sites at school.

Cup Stack by Typing!

Dance Mat Typing

More Games - Tons of different games we use at school

This weekend I'm going to download some pictures from my camera and post them so you can see what we've been up to. Check back soon!

I'm sure you've heard lots about fourth grade. Ask your child what his or her favorite part is so far and why. If you post the answer in the comments section, your child will earn star cards when we get back. Have a great vacation!

New School Year!

Hello Fourth Graders and families!
I'm excited to get to know everyone and to start the school year. I will be posting information, updates and photos on this blog throughout the year. Feel free to become a "follower" and check back often. If you want a sneak-peek at some of our activities, look through the older posts.

Summer Fun

A few free or cheap activities for your family this summer! In no particular order:

July 19-20 11 AM - 9 PM Days of '47 Float Preview
See all the parade floats up close and personal.
Free at South Towne Expo Center, 9575 South State Street

July 10 10 AM All Horse Parade
Parade route begins at 10000 S and 240 W in Sandy
Contact Jerry King for details 801-580-6383

July 9 10 AM - 5 PM
FREE admission to This is the Place Heritage Park
Lots of free activities including: rodeo games, train rides, magic show, pioneer demonstrations, and free popsicles!
2601 East Sunnyside Ave. (800 S)

July 9 and 10 at 7:30 PM Pops Concert at Abravanel Hall
Free but contact Sterling Poulson at 801-363-9708 or spoulson@kutv2.com for tickets.
Alex Boye and the Utah National Guard 23rd Army Band and the Repertory Dance Theater will perform.

July 17 10 AM The Days of '47 Youth Parade
July 24 9 AM Days of '47 Parade
Parade routes in downtown Salt Lake City. See www.daysof47.com for details.

July 17 2-4 PM Days of '47 Youth Festival
Inflatable slides, cowboys, clowns, minuture train rides, crafts, and more!
Free at Washington Square, 200 E 500 S, SLC

August 7 Noon-? Fire Water & Ice Festival at Kearns/Oquirrh Park
Swimming, ice skating, rides, food, and music
Kids $3, Teens $4, Adults $5
www.kopfc.com

Family Night at Jamba Juice
Every Monday this summer from 4-8 PM
Four 16 oz. smoothies for $10!

Discovery Days

Aki's tae kwon do instructor came to our class last Friday for our latest Discovery Day. The kids learned about believing in themselves, being good listeners, and working hard. I'm sure you also heard about their board-breaking abilities!

If you would like to participate in Discovery Days, please let me know. I invite parents or special guests to present on Friday mornings. There are several dates available after we come back on track. In the past, parents have done art projects, talked about their jobs, and showed pictures from trips. We love learning from you!

Historical Fiction Book Report

By now, all of the kids have a book picked out for their historical fiction book report. Several kids are done reading! Please make sure your child is making progress on the report. This book report is due Friday, April 30. If your child has misplaced the directions for the book report, they can be found here:

http://page.bps101.net/web/T2485/documents/Reading/ScrapbookBookReport.pdf

The only change would be on the Souvenirs section; I'm only requiring three souvenirs.

This week's question: What are the best projects your child has been assigned over the years?

Lexile Levels

This week your child brought home a paper with his or her lexile level for reading. Attached to this sheet was a list of books matching your child's interests and reading ability. If you are interested in finding more books on your child's level, visit http://www.lexile.com/findabook/parents.aspx and enter the lexile level.

What are some of your child's favorite books? Right now the kids are enjoying Diary of a Wimpy Kid, the Percy Jackson books, Fablehaven, Rangers Apprentice, and Harry Potter. What others are being enjoyed at your house?

Let's Move Program

First of all, thank you to everyone who was able to make it to conferences last week! I always enjoy meeting with you and talking about school and your child's progress. Thank you for supporting your child!

Despite the morning's snow, it is officially spring. Each year I try to encourage my class to take advantage of the nicer weather by getting outside to play and exercise. I also encourage them to get up a little earlier and walk to school each day.

Michelle Obama has become a spokesperson for the fight against childhood obesity and to encourage exercise in our children. Her new program is called Let's Move and has lots of information and ideas for encouraging your children to be active.

This week's question: How do you encourage your child to get out and play? What sort of activities do you do as a family?

Why are they learning that?

I often have parents asking why something is or isn't taught in fourth grade. All teachers in Utah are to be following the state core curriculum. If you would like to see exactly what this includes click here and select the grade and subject.

I have leeway about when and how to teach topics. If I find the children are really interested in a topic, I spend more time on it. Current events are also included, such as elections, the Olympics, earthquakes, etc. One of our favorite sites to use is Brain Pop! I have a subscription but there are many free videos on it as well.

Despite having a well-written core, I find there are some holes for some students. When I was young, I never learned measurement very well. What topics do you think your child should have been learned by now but hasn't?

Distinguished Cub Award

Thank you for your input! We have a chart in our class tracking progress on the Cub Award. I'll have it at conferences for you to see. I have posted a list of the requirements for the fourth grade version of the award on the top right side of this page. At this link, I talk about which goals should be passed off already, which we will do in class, and which can be worked on at home. If you don't have a copy from the beginning of the year, feel free to print one and keep track at home.

Parent Suggestions

Hello Parents!

I would like our class blog to be interactive. I want to know your thoughts and needs as the parent of a fourth grader. I hope to post a new question and some resources each week. Feel free to respond to each others posts as well. You are all wonderful parents and I think it would be great to spread your wisdom around.

This week's question: What information would you like from your child's teacher that you have yet to receive?

I have information about helping students with reading comprehension and math skills that I will be sharing at conferences. What else would you like?

Tween Tribune

Today in computers, we explored a new website called Tween Tribune. It is a site with news articles tailored for children! The articles lead to some very interesting conversations. It can be accessed at tweentribune.com

It is accessible from any internet connection.

In the future, each of the students will create a login and be able to comment on the articles. In this way, the class will be learning about current events and practicing writing opinions. In fifth grade, all students will be writing a persuasive essay for the state test. This website is a great way for your child to get a head start on persuasive writing