Ms. Goosby

Students,

This week you are to research the following:

1. The part of speech the word is - (ex. adjective, adverb, verb, noun, etc.)    2. The definition of the word   3. Give a synonym of the word  4. Give an antonym of the word  5. Use the word in a complete sentence.

PRODUCER - (Science related)

Click on comments below and type ONLY your name first name and the first initial of your last name.  Then your Study Island e-mail address (add a .com to the end) in the mail section and leave the website section BLANK. In the big box, write the definition of the word of the week and use the word of the week in a sentence.  Use complete sentences, proper grammar and proper capitalization!

For this assignment, you will need a sheet of paper, numbered from one to ten.   Read to discover which clue, matches which person.

Click here for the assignment.

Click on comments below and type ONLY your name first name and the first initial of your last name.  Then your Study Island e-mail address (add a .com to the end) in the mail section and leave the website section BLANK. In the big box, write the definition of the word of the week and use the word of the week in a sentence.  Use complete sentences, proper grammar and proper capitalization!

voluminous

Parents,

You have now been granted the capability to check your child’s work whenever you feel. Everyone received an username and password along with their 2nd quarter report card.. In order to log on to the Parent Potal, you must first enter some important information.

1. Go to the website https://parent.cps.k12.il.us/pc/default.aspx.  Press “Click here to sign up”. This is where you as a parent enter your information. You would then add an e-mail address. Click on the “I agree” statement in order to continue.

2. In the next field you are to place the student information. This information has to be the same as what the school has. 

3. Keep your child’s pin number handy because you will input this information later, when you get to the child’s information. Please note, you may attach more than one child to your information; however, they must be entered separately. You must have each child’s individual pin number.

4. Please look at the “Triggers” link. This link is here so that you may be notified if your child receives a score of 85 % or lower. You may also receive an e-mail if your child has been late or absent any day. Please remember, you have to set this up to be notified, because it will not do this automatically.  

5. Everytime the teacher has entered in new grades, you will have access to the information. You will be able to look at the description of the work given, as well as each category they are being graded on. Please stress to your child that it is IMPERATIVE that they COMPLETE and TURN IN each and every assignment given on time to receive the greatest chance of  acceptional grades. If he/she misses one assignment, that score is a zero. 

Once you have tried the following and still are not successful, please contact me or the school and we’ll walk you through the steps.

READING- We are coming to the end of Bud, Not Buddy, by Christopher Paul Curtis. We are learning a lot through this text like:  The Great Depression, various character traits, plot, climax, cause and effest, etc. Please purchase or check out from the library the next book which we will begin in a week,  

The Watson’s Go To Birmingham, by Christopher Paul Curtis. Students who do not have the book by February 23rd will receive an “F” for not being ready with the proper materials.

FYI- I have pre-ordered this book at:

SEMINARY CO-OP BOOKSTORE -  5757 SOUTH UNIVERSITY 60637 - 773-752-4381

They should be in by Tuesday, February 17, 2009

MATH-We are finalizing chapter 5 with regard to multiplication and division. Students will have an open-notes test on Chapter 5 this Tuesday. Be prepared.

SCIENCE- We are finalizing chapter 2 on Living Things. Students should be able to describe the life cylcle of Humans, Plants, and Animals. Open notes test will be this Tuesday.

SOCIAL STUDIES- We are studying the Southeast region. Students should be able to identify the main idea and supporting details of each lesson. We are currently working on Lesson 2. Students are designing Foldables to assist in organizing information from each lesson. The open notes test ill be next Tuesday February 17th.

Sincerely,

Ms. Goosby

Parents,

Please remember that today is report card distribution day. Your child will have his/her grades on their person at the close of the day. If you desire to conference with regards to the 2nd quarter grades, please remember to call the school @ 773-535-0870, so we may set up a day and time.

This 3rd quarter, we will need to put our best foot forward in all subject areas. I want all students to strive for A’s, while turning in the quality of work that merits an A. Turning all assignments in on a timely basis is crucial in obtaining outstanding grades.

                          WE ARE A TEAM, AND WITH THIS TEAM WE WILL WIN!!! 

Yours truly,

Ms. Goosby

Welcome Parents/Guardians and Students,

I would like to welcome you to Room 203’s blog. This communication devise will be used to inform all parties of events, assignments and any activities that we are engaging in within the 4th grade class here at Bret Harte School.

Anyone who reads this blog will be able to respond, ask questions, and communicate with me at any time. Please be mindful that I may not be able to reply right away. Please allow me 24 hours to address any particular issues you may have with regards to the curriculum and/or instruction.

For starters, the students of Room 203 are working on several Inauguration Day projects. Each child was given a packet last Thursday with various projects to choose between. I have asked for the students to pick at least 3 different projects to complete. Each project has specific instructions to follow. Please assist your child in understanding the assignment. Reasearch the websites attached for assistance.

In Reading, we have started, Bud Not Buddy, by Christopher Paul Curtis. Each child should have their own copy of this book. If you have not received a copy, you may purchase one from any book store for $5.99 or at any library. 

This book is about an orphan boy who is trying to find his father. He runs into a lot of obstacles along the way. While reading this book together and in class, we will disect this book for understanding of unknown words, figurative language, main idea, drawing conclusions, and making inferences. Each night students are to read several chapters. They are to “Stop and Jot” any questions, ideas, concerns they may have about the text.

Here is a list of books that we will cover in 4th grade before June 12, 2009. Please write them down, purchase them, or be ready to check them out of the library when we begin. I will inform all parties a week in advance.

1. The Watson’s Go To Birmingham, by Christopher Paul Curtis 2. The War with Grandpa, by Robert Kimmel Smith 3. The Giver, By Lois Lowry 4.The Bread Winner by Deborah Ellis 5. The Report Card, by Andrew Clements and 6. Fourth Grade Rats, by Jerry Spinelli.

Remember, ISAT testing is the first week of March. Please, please, please make sure your child is studying the lessons on Study Island before taking any tests. This will help in understanding the standard(s) before they test in the area.  Students are assessing greatly in Math, but remind them that they will be testing in Reading and Science.

Please allow your child to complete the interactive ISAT practice test at home. Once completed, it will give you a final score. Review this with your child and help explain why their answers were incorrect. Place this website under your favorites as the ISAT practice test. Test regularly.

http://metacat2.com/iltestlinks.html

In Math, we have just completed the unit on Decimals. Please work with your child on adding and subtracting of decimals. Students are making careless mistakes when subtracting, which costs them points and lowers their overall grade. Students should always make sure they are reading all directions along with doing step-by-step procedures when solving POW. We have been working on Math Extended Response questions and how they should answer to receive the highest amount of points; however, they’re quite a few students who take the easy way out and barely go through the steps discussed on class. I issued out a rubric to accompany the POW each week so students and parents will know how it will be graded. Practice makes perfect. If they do it the right way in class, then they will do it right on the ISAT test. This stands true with Reading Extended Response.

GRADES

Second quarter grades will be distributed on this Wednesday, January 28, 2009. Make sure you receive  and sign it. Return a copy to me by Thursday, January 29, 2009. If conferences are needed, one must call the school so we can schedule an appointment @ 773-535-0870. Please be mindful and contact Ms. Goosby via phone before showing up to the school. I will not conference without an appointment. 

We are now working within the 3rd quarter of school and I’m truly upset with the kind of work several students are giving. I have requested that each assignment be turned in with a parent signature. This means that a parent has reviewed and approved the work. Parents, please DO NOT sign any work that you have not reviewed thoroughly. We have to work together as a TEAM for your child’s success. Each day the assignment is written on the HOMEWORK CHART. This stays on the chart all week until Friday. If your child is absent, he/she will get the assignment from this board. Your child is to write every assignment down in his/her planner and complete accordingly. Any missed assignments result in a ZERO, which hinders his/her average and makes it so much harder to raise. Please be mindful that there is no summer school for 4th grade within CPS.

WE ARE A TEAM. LET’S WORK TOGETHER SO THAT OUR CHILDREN WILL BE SUCCESSFUL.

Yours truly,

Ms. Goosby