Explode the Moment

    I sat with my fingers glued in my mouth. I had bitten all my nails off earlier this morning. My legs trembled with fear. Today, A&M started their SEC season and we really needed a win. The T.V. screen grew quiet. "The moment we have been waiting for," announced the commentators. The stands were bleeding maroon. Young and old stood to support their team. "I wish I could be there," I pondered aloud to myself.  The whistle blew. We won the toss and were going to kick first. I felt sick. Peering at the screen, a line of Texas A&M football players charged towards the middle of the field. "Gig em; Aggies" was all I could hear.  Next thing I knew, the football was soaring.

FANBOYS

FANBOYS Chant

Do you know your conjunctions?

FANBOYS are our conjunctions.

Do you know the rule of thumb?

Comma then a conjunction.

Sound off:  One.  Two.

Sound off:  Three. Four.

For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So

For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So

Sound off:  One.  Two.

Sound off:  Three. Four.

Break It On Down

One, two, three, four

Break It on Down

One, two, three, four

Objectives This Week....

Reading- This week in reading our focus is on visualizing, drawing conclusions, and questioning as we read. All of this helps us determine what is important. Being able to acknowledge the important features of what we have read is one of the keystones of being a good reader.

Writing: Students will work on the prewriting and rough draft for our first paper. We will focus on our senses and incorporate our thoughts and feelings into our writing.

Math – This week students will continue to use place value to read, write, compare and Decimals. We will have a Decimal Place Value Test on Tuesday for our first Major Grade.  We will then be working on rounding whole numbers to the nearest 10, 100, or 1,000 to approximate reasonable results.

Science – Students will describe how to demonstrate safety during investigations, discover new information using the scientific process, as well as identify and explain how to use scientific tools. Students will conduct experiments in a laboratory setting and explore the functions of controlled variables.

Social Studies – We will continue to look at the first Texas, the Native Americans. We will learn about the differences in tribes and focus on our vocabulary words. There will be vocabulary test Friday.**

Spelling Test

First test this Friday! :)

Today we are working on Text Features for Literary Fiction/Non-Fiction Text.

This week...

Reading- Students will look at text features across different genres. We will discuss why they are important and how they help us understand. We will create a notes flip chart that students can use for an open notes quiz on Friday!

Writing: This week students will focus on how to generate good ideas for narrative writing. We will also learn how to make an everyday moment exciting and new.

Math – This week students will continue to use place value to read, write, compare and order whole numbers. We will also begin Decimal Place Value.  Comparing the decimals to money will be important in student understanding of decimals at this point.  Later in the year we will compare decimals in more detail to fractions, which will also aid in student understanding.

Science – Students will describe how to demonstrate safety during investigations, discover new information using the scientific process, as well as identify and explain how to use scientific tools.

Social Studies – Students will learn about the Native American tribes that were the firstTexans. We will begin work on a flip chart to record important information about each tribe. Students will also get their vocabulary for this unit to begin studying for a quiz to come.

Classroom Donations :)

I have had a few of you ask if there is anything we need for the classroom to start off the school year. :) 

I have included a list of a few items we would greatly appreciate and benefit from having here.
-Electric Pencil Sharpener ******
-Amazon gift cards (There are a few novels I would like to add to our library and computer ink for my classroom printer so students can publish their work in a fun, colorful, and creative way.)
-Colored Cardstock


Thank you so much for everything you do at home!!!
Mrs. Clark

This week...

Reading- Fourth graders will get a broad look of what we will cover this year in reading. We will think about why we read, the variety of texts that we read, our inner conversation, and vocabulary development.

Writing: Students will generate ideas and plans for writing. We will talk a lot about recording our thinking and having a safe place to express ourselves. The students will learn how everyday experiences can be fun and exciting if we write in an animated way.  

Math – We will introduce our Math Journals and Menus. Students will use place value to read, write, compare and order whole numbers. Students will also begin the year’s Every Day Counts program.

Science – Students will describe how to demonstrate safety during investigations, discovering new information using the scientific process, as well as identify and explain how to use scientific tools.

Social Studies – Students will learn about the regions and landscape of Texas. They will begin to work on their own map of Texas for their first social studies grade!

WELCOME!

Welcome to Fourth Grade! I am looking forward to a GREAT school year! I know we will have a blast, and it will be a year to remember!

See you Monday morning.  :) Doors open at 7:30am.  Don't forget your supplies, a snack, and a lunch or lunch money!

-Mrs. Clark-

Name

Address

Experience

• Trashman- I take out the trash daily to keep my house clean.
• Clean dishes- I was the dishes after we eat dinner everynight. 

Education

• Jan Schiff Elementary: Fourth grade student.
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Awards

• 
  
• 
  

Interests

• 
  

References

• 
  
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We have started our first small inquiry project.

Mini Research Project…. What question do we need answered?

How did Steve Jobs come up with the idea for Apple?_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Source

Notes

WEBSITES URL: http://www.marku/ sehrenfried.de/ mac/applehistory.htm l__________________ __________________ Author: Markus Ehrenfried __________________ URL: http://allaboutsteve/ jobs.com/bio/shortbio.php Author: __________________ __________________

*Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak worked together to create a phone that allowed free of charge phone calls. (illegally). * Wozniak wanted to create his own computer so him and jobs joined group called “Amateur Computer Users Group” *Learned a lot from the other computer nerds. *Woz created a computer different than the one already released. *Jobs realized the potential of the Woz Computer Wozniak said that Jobs did not help make any part of the computer but he invested and gave Wozniak the idea to begin selling them. *From there Apple began. *Woz interested in electronics. *Group also called Homebrew Computer Company *At the group the electronic hobbyist showed off their latest ideas and inventions. *Wozniak make the computer only b/c he wanted his own personal computer *Jobs realized the invention allowed software hobbyist to make software with out the hassle of assembling a computer kit. *Apple was born on April 1, 1976

How much do you weigh on other planets?

http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/weight/

Narrative by Mrs. Clark's Class

THE WINNER

The announcements began and I knew we were in for it.

The 8:00am morning bell rang in our ears. It was time to start an ordinary Wednesday. We all hustled into the classroom like football players charging the field. The projector displayed Schiff Fins TV loud and proud. Students quickly began to swarm Mrs. Clark like bees in a hive. “Sit down students, wait until after the announcements! She shouted.”  I could smell the fresh cologne of SteVonte sitting right next to me. He must have showered this time. The announcements began.

          After the pledge and moment of silence the Top Shark of the Sea, also known as MRS. BREWSTER, approached the screen.  She declared she had a special announcement. My heart pounded. What could this announcement be? Were we getting a pool at our school? Did the STAAR test get canceled? She glared into the video camera and grew real serious. I knew it was about to be something good.  The other students seemed as anxious as I was. What could it be? I felt like I was going to have a heart attack.  Then Mrs. Brewster began. “Schiff Sharks…the results are in…” I was biting my nails to the numb. “We have a top winner of the Box Tops.”  Oh my gosh! Could it be us? I pondered. I was determined not to get my hopes up. “The winner is…. MRs. Clark’s class!” The class erupted in a roar of applause. We jumped out of our seats like fireworks on the Fourth of July!

          This day I received a special gift. The gift of winning the box tops.  I felt as if I could do anything. I learned that if you keep you head on your shoulders set a goal for yourself, you can achieve anything!

Expository by Mrs. Clark's Class

Field Trips

School field trips are an important part to a successful school year.  They give us an opportunity to bond with our classmates, let parents join in on the fun, and best of all ride that big yellow bus! Zoo, parks, fire stations are all options for field trips. But the one that I could not go without taking my class to see is The Alamo.

          Let history come to life! The Alamo is the best place for a school field trip because it would give my class a glimpse of real life history. Fourth grade studied the Texas Revolution. If we went to the Alamo we could view a movie to help us better understand the battle. The Alamo also has actual weapons used in the war.  Imagine being able to take my classmates to see the weapons we have read about.  Also, there are things from the warriors of the Texas Revolution. I can see Brigid now so excited just to see the vest of Davy Crocket.  The Alamo would also offer us the opportunity to see the monument for our selves.  We have seen pictures but to be there in real life is amazing. My family went to the Alamo this last summer. As soon as we walked onto the battle field it took my breath away. To read about it is one thing but to see it with your own eyes is priceless.  The Alamo is the best place to go on a field trip to give my classmates the experience of Texas history.

          The zoo is a blast, don’t get me wrong. I love a good time at the pool. But the one that tops the cake is the Alamo. It is a part of who I am today.

Writing Prompts

1) Write about a job you would like to have when you grow-up. Explain what the job is and why you want to do it.

2) Write about one invention that is important to your life. Describe the object and what makes it important.

3) Write about your favorite activity. Explain what makes it fun.

4) Write about a food that you would choose for a special occasion. Describe the food you would choose and explain why you would choose it.

Practice Website for Revising/Editing

http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/resources/online/2003/grade4/writing.htm

Lego Competition by Joey

Lego Competition

         I had been in a Lego competition all day and it all came down to this, I was going head to head with some German kid who thinks he’s better than me.

          The walls where 20 feet high, and there where 2 tables on each side of the light blue room. There was 1 table in the middle and 2 referees watching us to make sure we don’t cheat. The only thing I could smell was the sweat pouring off me like I was a water hose. I was working on the one and only Joey Lego masterpiece. The plastic Lego bricks in my hand and a table to put them on where the only things I could let my hands wonder on to as the huge clock only had 12 seconds left on it as I was going as fast as I possibly could and my arms felt like they where about to break. I was racing like a NASCAR to finish in time as the clock slowly ran out. I had to get all the pieces together to win. I put the last piece on and beep the buzzer goes off and the referees tell us to drop the bricks in our hands and wait I didn’t have any bricks left but nether did he. We where finally done as I brought out my 3 feet tall model of the statue of liberty. I don’t mean to brag but it was so good I felt like I was a professional Lego builder. But when he brought his out it was full scale 4 feet tall model of the holiday inn resort I was so scared I almost peed my pants in public. The judges came out and I was as scared as a little ant next to a human. But when I finally opened my eyes I saw that the judges where stuck to my project like glue on paper it was the best time of my life. Then they said the “final decision has been made our new finalist is Joseph cotie”. Then they brought the massive trophy to me as I saw the German kids face get as red as an apple.

             That night me my mom my dad and my little brother all went out to a fancy dinner and celebrated my victory at the Lego competition.

Can you solve this puzzle???

http://www.brainbashers.com/dailylogicpuzzleplay.asp?u=1093fa76250479e8b83dde108035d705

What is this a picture of? Brain Teasers!

Fractions/Decimal Test Tomorrow

Review!
Write each fraction as a decimal and sketch a grid to represent the decimal.
1.) 2/5      2.)  1/2     3.) 4/100

4.) Create a number line to represent three and four tenths.
(Show as a fraction and a decimal.)

5.) Create a number line to represent forty-three hundredths.
(Show as a fraction and a decimal.)

Write each fraction in simplest form.
6.) 8/24    7.) 3/12     8.) 2/9   

Write each fraction as a decimal.
43/100     2/10     9/100     70/100   4/5

Write each decimal as a fraction.
$2.97    0.4     0.04