May 5, 2008

Dear Parents,

     Happy Cinco de Mayo.  The class celebrated this holiday with a special treat: sombrero cookies.  We will be busy with many different activities this month as the school year winds down.  We have started chapter nine in math-Fraction Concepts.  We will be learning about equivalent fractions, fractions in simplest form, comparing and ordering fractions, mixed numbers and improper fractions, and comparing mixed numbers. Please continue to reinforce multiplication facts.  They are important in learning to compare fractions and reducing to simplest form.
     The fourth grade is almost finished with the grammar section of our language arts book.  We have learned the proper use of periods, commas, and apostrophes.  We will learn how to use quotation marks and capital letters correctly.  We will continue to practice different types of writing and review the skills we have learned this year.
     In addition to using our literature book, the class will be reading Mr. Popper’s Penguins.  The children will be reading this classic novel in class and at home.  Some skills that we will be learning through the stories in our literature book will be plot, conflict, climax, and resolution.  The class will also be practicing skills in graphic source, author’s purpose, text structure, and visualizing.
     This week we will begin chapter three in unit three-Exploring the Oceans.  In this chapter the children will learn about mapping the ocean floor, exploring the ocean depths, the movement of ocean water, and organisms that live in the ocean.  The class will also do an activity to investigate currents and waves.  The final chapter in unit c will be Movements in the Solar System.  This is always a favorite with the children.
     In May we will be focusing on the Ten Commandments.  We will begin chapter 11-The Third Commandment and continue until we cover all the commandments.  In addition to this, we will be reviewing the Rosary and devotion to Mary.  As part of morning prayer, the entire school will be dedicated to Mary, as May is the month of Mary.  We hope that many of you will join the school community on May 9 for the May Crowning.  It is always a highlight of the school year.
     The children will also be busy preparing for the Spring Concert, enjoying Field Day, and going on a field trip.  The excitement is mounting as the year comes to an end.  I hope that you will enjoy as many of the year end activities as possible and enjoy the achievements of your children.

Fondly,

 

Kathy Mays    

 

 

December	Spelling Lesson	Vocabulary Lesson
7	11	9
14	12	10
21	No Spelling	No Vocabulary
January	Spelling Lesson	Vocabulary Lesson
4	No Spelling	No Vocabulary
11	13	11
18	14	12
25	15	Review 9-12
February	Spelling Lesson	Vocabulary Lesson
1	16	13
8	17	14
15	18	15
22	No Spelling	No Vocabulary
29	No Spelling	No Vocabulary
March	Spelling Lesson	Vocabulary Lesson
7	No Spelling	No Vocabulary
14	19	16
February 29th Book Report Due