Out with October and in with November!

Wow!
      Our first 9 weeks of school has come to a close, and the second 9 weeks has begun! As we teachers finalize these first quarter's grades, please be sure that you are regularly logging onto SKYWARD so that you can view an updated report of your child's grades/averages for each subject.  Fall conferences have commenced, as well! Mr. Steffens, Ms. A and I look forward to meeting with you and sharing your child's fall benchmark measurements (CBM's) with you.  
      In Math, we launched into Unit 4, which covers the relationships between decimals, fractions, and percents.  This is still a challenging topic for many students, so the more they are exposed to it, the better.  There are some great games available for practice on Everyday Math Online's website (students should have their login information):

• Number Top-It with 2-Place Decimals
• Number Top-It with 3-Place Decimals
• Credits/Debits Game
• Frac-Tac-Toe (there are several versions)

      We finished our studies about the American Revolution, last week.  Today, students selected topics for their individual project.  They will spend the next couple of weeks researching, writing about, and completing their selected topic assignments. All together, each 4th grade student's topic will create a cohesive American Revolution timeline.  Stay tuned for more information!

Important dates:

- Wednesday, Oct. 26th & Weds., Nov. 2nd:  Wacky Wednesdays!  Be sure to send your child to school in sneakers and comfortable clothing

- Thursday, October 27th, 5pm-9pm: Gator's Dockside Dinner Fundraiser for 5th Grade DC Trip

- Friday, October 28th: no school; teacher workday

- Friday, November 4th: no school; UF Homecoming

- Friday, November 11th: no school; Veteran's Day

October has arrived!

Wow!  October is here, and fall weather has finally reached our city of Gainesville!  The students have definitely enjoyed the cooler breezes during recess, although the inside temperatures have been up and down (the air conditioner still rules the roost in our rooms!).  With that said, we'd recommend sending your child to school dressed in layers, with some sort of light-weight jacket or cardigan he/she can keep on his/her chair.  Also, please remember to get a water bottle  for your child to keep in class at all times.  This way, if a student would like a drink of water, it will not disrupt instruction or learning/practice time.

In Reading/S.S., we've traveled through history from the point of the French and Indian War, have visited all the important causes and events which led to the American Revolution, and now are engaging in the actual battles of the Redcoats versus the "Rebels."  The students are truly engaged and have a vested interest in the ultimate outcome.  For instance, we dissected the Declaration of Independence into its important parts, which helped us understand why America wanted to break free from Britain.

Students are able to learn more about each important topic on our Reading Weebly Website.  Please feel free to visit this site with your child!  There are many interactive websites which allow you to further explore what we've discussed in class.  The website link is on our PK Yonge 4th Grade Webpage.  There is a special password you need in order to enter the website, which your child knows and can provide.

In Math, we will finish Unit 3 next week, with the End-of-Unit test scheduled for Monday, October 17th.  Study Guides and Review Packets will be sent home next week.  Many complex concepts will be covered on the test, such as: true/false number sentences; using parentheses (order of operations); multiplication/division relationships (in particular, the key terms - factors, products, multiples).  We will also post the Study Guides and Review Packets on our website, soon.

Students are into their 3rd week of Word Study, and have been doing well on their homework and assignments, overall.  As a reminder - your child will come home every Wednesday with a NEW set of words to study and practice in his/her Word Study Journal.  He/She must complete all assignments in the Journal, and return it to school every Tuesday (which is the day he/she will be tested on his/her words).  Please contact your teacher should you have any questions.

Mark your calendar for these important dates:

• Friday, October 14th, 4-7pm: PKY's Fall Carnival fundraiser for the PTO.  If you've signed up for a shift for your class booth, then a parent rep. will be contacting you this next week to remind you of your specific times.
• Monday, October 17th: Everyday Math Unit 3 Test
• Friday, October 28th: NO SCHOOL-Teacher Workday