2010

Welcome back! My apologies for not posting homework this past week as we've all tried to get back into our routines and juggle the unexpected snow days! My goal is to begin posting each night again, starting tomorrow.

Some upcoming events of interest:

• NO SCHOOL on Monday, January 18th.
• We will have a substitute while I attend writing training the morning of Wednesday, January 20th.
• Friday, January 22nd is Ability Awareness Day. This is an AWESOME experience for the kids, and I can't wait to share it with you on our class news blog!
• Students have until the end of this week (1/15) to return their Time for Kids packets. This is completely free, does not require anyone to purchase anything (even the recipients of the letters), and is a tremendous help to our school as it provides us with our weekly TFK subscriptions.
• PRISM sign-up is going on right now. Students interested in participating need to submit the blue entry form (sent home yesterday) by January 29th. This is not required, but is worth extra credit this quarter in Science.

Please also check our class news blog www.svalter80.blogspot.com to keep up with the exciting things happening in our classroom this semester!

December 10th

Tonight's homework:

• Bring in your completed reading log with 60 minutes (no additional time tonight)
• Spelling contracts are due
• Math worksheet 12.3
• Science worksheet on solutions (due Monday)
• Social Studies packet (due NEXT Friday)

There will be a Science test next Thursday over matter and a Social Studies test next Friday.

Don't forget that tonight is our Winter Concert! Students need to arrive in the tile floor gym by 7:15!

Scholastic book orders were due today, but I will accept paper orders through tomorrow. You can order online at www.scholastic.com/parentordering through midnight tonight.

December 7th

Tonight's Homework:

• Reading = Read 15 minutes and fill out log
• Writing = Write ten minutes (writer's notebooks due this week), work on contract
• Math = multiplication problems (several students finished at school)
• Science = mixtures page, due Thursday
• Social Studies = packet

Reminder: This Thursday evening is our Winter Concert at 7:30. Also, Scholastic book orders were sent home today--anyone wishing to order needs to place the order by Thursday so items are shipped before Winter Break.

December 4th

Homework assignments this weekend:

• Reading-- Start new log (15 minutes over the weekend)
• Writing--Work on contract (due 12/10 or 12/11)
• Math--Start Chapter 12 bonus packet (tentative due date = Dec. 11th)
• Social Studies--Start new packet

Also, check out the poem we wrote on our class news blog at svalter80.blogspot.com. Have a great weekend!

Science activity assignment

Dear Fourth Grade Families,

As your child may have told you, we will be doing a "surprise" science activity later this week, and I have asked each student to bring in some materials. First, EVERY child will need an empty clear plastic bottle with a cap--2 liter bottles or water bottles work best. Second, students are asked to bring one of the following items:

#1-6 vegetable oil (this does not need to be a full bottle, 2 cups should be plenty to share) #7-11 food coloring (this can be one color or several, and whatever is left will be
returned home)
#12-22 coarse salt/pretzel salt (just a cup or two in a ziploc bag should be plenty!)

Students will be keeping our finished "project" and bringing it home to show you! All materials are needed by this Wednesday, Dec. 2nd. Thank you!

Monday, November 9th

Tonight's Homework:

• Reading--Read 15 minutes and fill out your log (make sure you at least read a little and fill out your log EACH night!)
• Writing--Contract (due either this Friday, 11/13, or Monday, 11/16--check your letter for specific dates), write for 8 minutes
• Math--Worksheet 9.1 (expressions with multiplication and division)
• Science--(due Thursday) find the volume of five household liquids (this should be printed on the bottle--for example, a can of soda typically has 355 mL)--Remember to make sure your measurements are recorded in METRIC units!
• Social Studies--packet due this week

Monday, October 26th

Tonight's homework:

• Reading--read 15 minutes and fill out your log
• Writing--work on your contract (no writing tonight)
• Math--start the chapter 8 bonus packet
• Science--write in your science notebook about the properties of an object--five you can observe and one you can measure (i.e. an eraser = pink, rectangular, about the size of a matchbox, you cannot see through it, velvety in texture, and measures 4 cm x 2 cm)

Please also check our class news blog at svalter80.blogspot.com to view a slide show of pictures from last week's Pioneer Day.

Friday, October 23rd

For homework over the weekend, students need to:

• Read 15 minutes
• Work on word study contracts

(Note: We will not be writing on the weekends--unless you want to!)

Tuesday, October 20th

Tonight's Homework:

• Reading--Read 15 minutes and fill out log
• Writing--Write 6 minutes (Don't forget to bring in your addressed envelope if you forgot today!)
• Math--Visiting the Zoo page (circle graphs)

Reminders:

• Tomorrow is Pajama Day for Red Ribbon Week
• Thursday is Pioneer Day
• Don't forget to return your Pumpkin Run permission slip!

Monday, October 19th

Tonight's Homework:

• Reading: Read for 15 minutes and fill out your log
• Writing: Write in your Writer's Notebook for 6 minutes. Address your envelope (Remember, if you'd like to mail it from school you need to bring it with a stamp on it tomorrow!).
• Math: Finish worksheets 7.2 and 7.3 (We combined these lessons because both are about line graphs. They should not take any more than 10 minutes combined!) Our Chapter 7 math test will be this Friday!

Other Important Reminders:

• Tomorrow is Stuffed Animal Day for our Star of the Week and Hat Day for Red Ribbon Week!
• Please bring your Pumpkin Run permission slip as soon as possible! You are required to have this in order to participate in the run!
• This Thursday is Pioneer Day!
• Parent-Teacher Conferences are next Monday and Wednesday nights. Report cards will be given to parents at the conferences.