Ms. Gelzer’s 4th Grade Blog

Hi families,

Here are the topics for the class. Please look at the great photos from OCEAN WEEK. There will be no spelling homework due to speeches. See you at Wild Duck for Edison’s fundraiser.

•Language/Social Studies Presentation: with all the hard work and learning about our nation’s first people, we will start giving speeches on WEDNESDAY.  Students will sign up for a place and be ready with their notecards and picture/keynote/powerpoint (whatever medium they selected) to share information with a strong, clear, voice, knowing their material very well.
Practicing the students use their notecards to practice since reading a report makes one look down at the paper and not out to the audience. We practice Mon. eve and in class Tuesday working with partners,  to be ready for  Wed. and throughout the week. The first three students will be recognized for taking the first turn which shows courage!

•Math: We’re working on symmetry, triangles, and problem solving. Keep students working on IXL geometry for further understanding.

•Reading: Greek mythology comes to a close this week. Our D’Aulaire go back to to the district’s library. Students will complete/check journals for poems, questions, summaries and cause-effect pictures. We’ve acted in skits the main action of stories with many enjoying the small stage. We will organize a mini “Greek Festival” where the class wears togas (sheets or white towels) and create games for each other and our reading buddies and maybe some food. We may need parent help here.

Science: we’ll learn about the insides of fish, and hope that our fishmanager is able to visit us.We’ll continue to paint our kelp forest ocean scenes.

Thanks for your help and bon semaine y buenas semanas,

Debra, Cassidy, Aaron and Yi Chun

Dear families,

Our OAKS testing is almost over, and there will be another opportunity in May for those who were absent and those who need a second round. The results of the testing will be available at report card time in June. Please remember that this is only one part of your child’s math/reading evaluation.

The class is enjoying Chinese lessons that Yi Chun is teaching on Tuesday and Thursday. Students have learned vocabulary and phrases that help with meeting people and talking to family members. It’s so cool to hear how well they pick up this challenging language. Thank you, Yi Chun.

As you may know, Mr. Aaron, our student teacher, is taking charge of the geometry math lessons and Greek mythology reading. He enjoys working with the students and is amazed by their abilities. I think they are enjoying him as well.

Topics for the next few weeks:

4th Grade Music Program will take place this Wednesday from 10:00-10:30am. Join us if you are able. We have been lucky to have Laura Beeses as our music teacher this spring.

Portland Field Trip: Last week, Jenny and I sent home field trip forms inviting both students, and  parents to chaperone the trip on Thursday, May 23rd. Please return the forms to help in planning.

Our Science Unit, Kelp Forest, is part of the big science exploration of oceans. We are studying the kelp forest, plants and animals that live in this important ecosystem. We celebrate with all the other grades in “Ocean Week” starting April 22nd. Fish Printing on Tee shirts is an amazing activity. Please make sure your student has a white or light colored shirt this week for the activity. If you need one, let me know the size and there are extras at school. 4th grade also makes sushi. If you would like to help out with this delicious class,let me know.

Greek Mythology: We continue to read from the different books completing summaries, poems, questions, and pictures. At the end of April we will put on a “Greek Festival” with booths which have games to play based on stories. Students will work in teams to create these at home. More about this coming up.

Enjoy the blossoms, rain, sleet, and sunshine.

Debra, Aaron, and Yi Chun

Dear Families,

What a wonderful week with friends, relatives, sunshine, and happy times!

We welcome our new student teacher, Aaron Loghry, who will teach many subjects this spring semester to complete his Master’s Degree. Please read his bio on our biography page.

We will start our OAKS testing this Friday and the following week in math and reading. Please make sure your child has a good night’s sleep and a nutritious breakfast.

You will be receiving information about our field trip to Portland next week. There is no worry, since every adult who would like to chaperone has a place. I will be glad to answer questions after Jenny and I send you field trip forms.

TOPICS for the WEEKS

• Reading– Our new unit will be about Greek Mythology using Daulaire’s Greek Myth Books. The stories include the origin of the gods and goddesses, as well as the heroes such as Hercules, Perseus, and Jason.

• Math-  We will revisit fractions and decimals for a short bit, and start our geometry unit. For the first few days of this week, we will complete a math project called Palindromes. Our division drills continue making sure students are competent with facts.

• Writing– We were not able to complete our Sacagawea stories before Spring Break, so we will work on it this week. It allows the students to try their hands at writing in the historical fiction genre.

• Social Studies – the students will need to complete their Native American Report research for their note cards this week. I have asked them to bring home the cards so that you can help them find information on the five topics this week. The next step will be to put the facts into an outline.

Buenas Semanas y bonne semaine,

Debra, I Jung, and Aaron