More Moments Exploded

Let the Games Begin

Then came the games. The room mom announced to the kids in their seats, “Form 2 lines. It is girls against the boys.” The kids were a herd of elephants running to the floor. The adults all stood back for fear of death. “I wanna be first, no me,” rang out through the crowd. The room mom calmed the children and reviewed the directions. Each child was passed a chocolate shaped cone covered in foil. The first student was handed a pair of minutes. They had to open the candy with their mittens and pass them back. The timer started and the children were off.

Two Wheels

The training wheels were off and it was time to ride my two wheel bike. The kick stand held my bike just enough so the handle bars were off the ground. With dad trailing behind me, I approached my bike. I grasped my right hand around the rubber handle bar. My right leg was planted strongly on the cement for balance. I lifted my left leg and bent my knee into my chest. I reached for the left peg and planted my booty on the seat. “ Dad, I’m ready!” I hollered back.

Batter Up!

Batter Up!

Step by step. I nervously approached the batter’s box. My legs felt like jelly with each step. I spread my feet shoulder length apart. I gripped my hands around the cold metal bat with all my might. I crouch down, bending my knees just enough to have a little spring. Bringing the bat over my right shoulder about 6 inches above it, I bend my elbow and get ready! To my left in the diamond, stands the pitcher on the mound. He lifts his leg, winds up, and throws.  I see a white round circle with stitches coming towards me as fast as lightning bolt.  I thrash my arms forward.  “Strike One!” the umpire bellowed. My heart sank. I prepared myself again. The pitcher winds up. Within seconds, I hear a smack. It sounded like the 4^th of July. The ball went soaring through the air.  Over the first tree, over the fence, and it was gone. The crowd goes wild! HOME RUN!

How can I help my child in writing?

NARRATIVE

How can I help my children with narrative writing? I am so glad you asked! J

It is important that students are completing their pre-writing (STARS) and complete story for every prompt. After they have finished here are a few questions you can help conference with your child:

Did they describe where they are at in detail? They should build their setting, not describe it.

Did they pick one small moment and describe it?  One setting and one place.

Can you tell what they are thinking throughout the story?

Do they have a Show, Not tell?

If they answer yes to all these questions they should be ready to go. There are a few examples on my blog.

This week...

Reading- We are studying the elements of fiction  this week. It is important to identify the plot elements in stories, and to be able to use those events to write a summary. Students will take a literary fiction plot quiz on Friday!

Writing: Students will begin writing their second narrative paper of the school year. This piece of writing will focus on a favorite moment with a special person.

Math – This week students will continue using addition and subtraction to solve problems. We will also round and estimate to approximate results in problem solving situations. The Addition & Subtraction Study Guide is due on 9/27 and the test is on 9/28 – Major Grade.

Science – This week students will continue learning about the classification of animals and how to compare adaptive characteristics of various species.

Social Studies – Now that we have learned about the Native Americans, we are ready to discuss the explorers who came to Texas next. These explorers were all in search of land and riches.

**Retests are only offered on major grades. Major grades will be labeled as such in the newsletter.

Write Time

This week...

Reading- Students will delve into the world of characterization this week. We will analyze text to discover clues about character traits and relationships.

Writing: Students will finish the rough draft of a narrative paper centered on a special place. We will also complete the revising and editing process to polish our writing before publishing. There will be a grammar quiz on Friday covering the rules we have learned so far this year.

Math – This week students will begin using addition and subtraction to solve problems. We will also round and estimate to approximate results in problem solving situations.

Science – Students will demonstrate knowledge of safe laboratory practices and scientific process skills. Scientific process skills test on Tuesday.**  Students will begin next unit by learning to compare adaptive characteristics of various species.

Social Studies – We will continue to look at the first Texas, the Native Americans. We will learn about the differences in tribes.

**Retests are only offered on major grades. Major grades will be labeled as such in the newsletter.

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

• 
  
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Interests

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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.