upcoming tests

Westward Expansion Test -  Monday, May6 (Howell's class) and  Tuesday, May 7 (Phillips' class).  Students have all been give a study guide.  This can also be found under the study guide section of this blog.

Phillips' Math Class - Test on measurement (ncludes elapsed time) will be Thursday, May 2.  All students have a study packet.

April 23

Wow....I am sorry for the delay in my postings.  With spring break and CRCT preparations, and with my mom being in the hospital twice..... things have been crazy.  I apologize for the blog postings taking the back burner.


We are moving into day 2 of the CRCT.  Thank you for taking the time to encourage your child.  With a little positive motivation, they will do fantastic.

I have postponed two unit tests until after the CRCT.  Those two tests are the social studies test on westward expansion and the math test on measurement. The social studies study guide can be found under the study guide section if you would like to look over those notes with your child.  After the CRCT is over, we will spend a week reviewing those units, your child will complete a study guide, and a test date will be posted.  I do not know the test day yet. :-) 

We will pick back up with our regular daily activities next week. This would include weekly word work tests on Greek and Latin roots, math, cold reading tests, writing activities, social studies, science, and grammar. 

In closing, it is cRaZy how few days we have left in school.  Where does time go?

Westward Expansion Study Guides

We have started a new social studies Unit, the study guides can be found under the Study Guide section of this site.

March 3

I enjoyed meeting with each of you for parent/teacher conferences.  Thank you for your time. 

Silent Auction-The PTA has issued each classroom a theme for the silent auction.  It is the classroom's responsibility to try and fill a basket with the themed items.  Our classroom theme is 'baby', so the next time you are at the store, please do try and pick up an item we can add to the basket.  I was told by PTA that the room moms would be contacting parents, so you may have already heard about this.  I have a large bag in my room ready for any donations. The due date for the items in March 13.  Thanks so much.

Interims-  March 4-8 will be interims for the third nine weeks.  We will be taking one  test daily.  These tests are used to see how well your child is mastered the fourth grade AKS taught during the third nine week's of school. 

Field Trip- Field Trip permission forms are due by Friday, March 22nd. If you have indicated that you are interested in being a chaperone, then I will be get in touch with you about details.  Space is limited on the bus.



 

February 20

WOW!  Thank you for the sweet treats and coffee gifts cards for Valentine's Day.  I felt so blessed!  I love teaching your children, and I appreciate that you appreciate me. :-)

I am going to be sending home a CRCT Practice Test packet in this Friday's folder.  It will have the log-in information needed.  The website is found on the school's website under the student link section.  The expectation is for your child to do 10 tests per week scoring 80% or higher on each test.  I will check these every Friday morning along with their reading log and agenda book.  This is just one additional step in helping to prepare your child for the CRCT. 

We have started a new Social Studies unit.  This unit picks up after the American Revolution with how our government was formed.  I have added study guides to the study guide section of this blog, so please do go ahead and start reading over the material with your child. 

My math class will test on Geometry on February 21st.  They are brining home Study guides on Feb. 20th. 

In language arts, we are reviewing parts of speech.

In reading we working on poetry, prose, and plays.


Word Study: Root: -ify Definition = to make

fortify, petrify, verify, unify, pacify, solidify, testify, horrify, magnify, mortify

Fry Words: open, other, over, paper, party

Math: Geometry (points, lines, line segment, rays angles, perpendicular and parallel lines)

Science: Force and Motion; Simple Machines

Simple Machines Book due Friday, February 22nd

 

 

Revolution Test Date Changed

I failed to realize that we will not be at school on the 18th, which is the original date I had the test scheduled for.  We are also out on the Friday before.  With that said, I have moved the test date up to Thursday, February 14th for Howell and Wednesday the 13th for Phillips.  I have looked over the test, and I feel that some kids could even take it today and do well.  The study guide was made to go right with the test, so if they reall know the guide and have listed in class, they will do well. 

February 4th

Word Study: Root: -arium, -orium, -ory Definition = place, room

aquarium, terrarium, library, factory, laboratory, dormitory, aviary, lavatory, auditorium, sanctuary

Fry Words: million, molecules, money, morning, music

 

Science- Force and Motion/Simple Machines

 

Reading - We have finished figurative language and have moved on to discussing the differences between prose, plays, and poetry.

 

Math-  My math class is well into geometry.  We are studing terms such as parallel, perpendicular, and intersecting, as well as discussing characteristics of plane figures and angles.  We will most likely test Friday of this week, February 8th.  If I feel we need an extra day, it will be Monday, Feb. 11th.

 

Social Studies - The Revolution Unit is a long unit.  We are finishing up the last major battle of the American Revolution, and then we will review important people involved in the revolution.  The test is planned for Monday the 18th.  They study guide has been available since the start of the unit.  It can be found under the study guide section of this site.  The students will start bringing home a study guide next week. 

 

 

January 21

Reading: Finish with Theme and then move into figurative language: Adages, Similes and Metaphors

Writing/Grammar: Writing process; Narrative writing - we started this last week

Word Study: Root: -ible, -able = can or be able to be done

drivable, portable, flexible, credible, visible, audible, acceptable, digestable, convertible, collectible

Fry Words: lady, later, letter, level, little

Math: Phillips' math class - continue with decimals to the tenths and hundredths place

Science: Sound- 

Sound Test for Howell and Phillips: Friday, January 25th

Social Studies: Revolution- compare the British Army to the Continental Army - Begin studying specific battles of the Revolution

NOTE:  A SS test date has not been set yet, but please begin looking over the SS materials under the study guide section on this website.  You will find notes and a study guide.

January 4th- Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, and Welcome Back!

Thank you somuch for the wonderful Christmas gifts.  I sent home a thank you note with each child, so I am hoping it made its way to you.  I appreciate you all thinking of me.

If you haven't already seen the social studies study guide, please begin looking over this with your child.   Your child is supposed to have it signed.  We will be finishing up this unit next week and the test is planned for Monday, January 14th.  

For Mrs. Phillips' math class, our unit of study is multiplying fractions.  The students will be applying other fraction skills we have learned this year.  We should be ready to test next Wednesday, January 9th.

Our upcoming reading skills are:  using context clues and understanding voice when reading and writing.

Word Work 

Root- tele  Definition- far, from afar

Root words:  telescope, telegraph, telegram, television, telephone, telemarketer, telephoto, telecast, telethon, televise

Our class spelling bee will be held on Monday, January 7th. A study sheet went home weeks ago.  I have attached one for you to look over with our child if they feel like they really want to work towards winning :-)

Spelling Bee Study Guide - Click HERE

Road to the Revolution Test

Road to the Revolution Unit Test- Students will have a study guide to begin studying as of Jan. 3 for Phillips and  the 4th for Howell.  The test will be on Monday Jan. 14th. It was originally planned for the 11th. We completed most of this unit before the break.  We will complete the study guide, finish, and review.  There are also study guides with the answers found on this blog under the sudy guide section.

December 2

Wow!  Can you believe it is already December?  Unbelievable!

Despite the fact that we  only have 2.5 weeks left until we get out for the winter break, we have lots to cover. 

OREOS are needed for Science... if you can send some in for Miss Howell, that would be great.  Thanks!!

Reading:  Finishing up our studies of Greek Myths and how phrases in our texts today allude to words used in Greek Mythologies.  We will also start focusing on reading closely, inferring while reading, and providing evidence from text to support our thinking.

Grammar and Writing:  Finishing up parts of speech- we have been working on this for the past couple of weeks.  Students wrote in their agenda books last week that we will take a short test on Monday (December 3).  The test will be sentences with a word underlined.  The students will need to identify if the word is a noun, pronoun, adjective, verb, adverb, conjunction, or preposition.  We will then be moving to to focus on nouns that show ownership, which are called possessive nouns.

Word Study:

Root: auto- Definition: self

automobile, autograph, automat, autobiography, autoharp, autopilot, automatic, autocrat, autobiographer, autohypnosis

Fry Words: flowers, forest, friends, general, happy

 

Social Studies - Phillips and  Howell's class will take their Colonies test on Friday, December 7th.  Students have had access to the study notes on the website for over a month.  They have been encouraged to study daily.  In addition, they will complete a study guide in class, as well as having notes in their journals.  Click on the link to the left for study guides if you would like to print the materials.  The main topics of this test include information dealing with Jamestown, Plymouth, and the 13 colonies.  It is a LOT of info., and I am sure you have figured out the SS content is a lot every nine weeks.  Studying each night is my best suggestion to you and your kids.  I tell them this all the time.  Thank you for working with your child to help reinforce the teachings from class.  :-)

 

Science: Earth, Sun, and Moon

Test Friday, December 7th (Howell and Phillips)

Thursday, December 13th: PTA/4th grade chorus performs @ 6:30

Wednesday, December 18th: Holiday Party 1:00-2:15

December 20th-January 2nd: Winter Break

Thursday, January 2nd: Students return to school

 

Test Updates

I have decided to move the social studies test vocabulary test to later in the week.
Both Howell and Phillips will take it on November 30, this Friday.

November 16

I hope you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

When we get back from the break.......

Writing and Grammar - We will finish up with parts of speech (adjectives, nouns, adverbs, verbs, and pronouns) and we will move on to prepositions.

Writing - We will work on informational writings, along with some holiday writings.

Word Study:

Root: per- Definition: through, thorough(ly)

permeate, percolate, perforate, persist, perfect, permanent, perspective, perfume, perspiration, permit

Fry Words: yellow, famous, father, figure, fingers

 

Social Studies - Continue with Colonization.  We have already covered Jamestown and Plymouth. We have moved into comparing and contrasting the New England, Middle, and Southern Colonies.  Please see the study guides found by clicking on the 'study guide' link on the left side of this web page. 

 

In social studies, my class will have a Colonies vocabulary quiz the Tuesday we come back from the break, and Mrs. Howell's class will have one the Wed. after the break.  All students have a list of the vocabulary in their journals, but this can also be found by clicking on the study guide link.

 

Science- (with Howell)  Earth, Sun, and Moon

 

Math - (Phillips' math class) - pick back up with our fraction unit.  We will be ready to test on the first fractions test on Thursday after we return from the Thanksgiving break.  Students will receive a study guide.  We will then move on to part 2 of our fraction unit. 

 

 

November 2

Red Ribbon week has been a lot of fun.  I enjoyed seeing everything from the crazy socks to the backwards shirts.  :-)

Reading Skill: Cause and Effect Relationships
Writing: Parts of Speech
Math: Fractions- greatest common factor, least common multiple
Greek and Latin Roots: trans-= “across, change” (transplant, transfusion, transpose, transfer, transport, transform, transmit, transfer, transgression, transit)
Social Studies: Colonies
Science:  Solar System-  earth, moon, sun. Please see the link for Miss Howell's class for more detailed information.

STUDY GUIDES FOR SOCIAL STUDIES-  I have added study guides to the  study guide section of this class blog.  Although we have just started this unit, it is never too early to start having discussions about the topics.  Please utilize this resource, as many teachers do not give out study guides this early.  Take advantage of this!!  Thank you. 

There are several fliers coming home in Friday folders.  Please look through them to see if you would like to fill any out and return to school. 

You are also getting artwork that your child designed.  There is information about ordering the artwork.  Please return this as soon as possible, and I will pass it along to the art teacher. 

October 21

Topics of Study-

Reading: Point of View; Compare and Contrast 

Writing: Opinion

Quotation Marks/Fragments and Run-On Sentences - Test: October 26th (Friday)

Word Study: Root: trac, tract = pull, draw, drag

tractor, contract, retract, attract, subtract, extract, detract, distraction, attractive, retract

Fry Words: crops, decimal, developed, attractive, retract

Word Study Test and Daily Grade on Friday

Science - Solar System

Phillip's class: Vocabulary Test Monday 10/22

Explorers Test - October 31 - See thevstudy guide section to the left for a copy of the study guide.  Your child also has a copy we are completing in class.

Math test for Phillips' Class - Wednesday, October 24

Sunday, Oct. 14

Word Study: Root: terr= land, ground, earth

terrain, Mediterranean, terrace, terrarium, subterranean, extraterrestrial, territory, terrier, Terre Haute,

terra-cotta

Fry Words: continued, copy, cotton, course, cows

Word Study Test and Daily Grade on Friday

Social Studies-  We will take our vocabulary test this Friday, Oct. 19th.  I had planned to give this a week ago, but with our interim testing last week, scheduling changes, etc. I just didn't feel we were ready. All students have the vocabulary in their journals.  You can also print this from the study guide section here on the class website.

Math-  We are working on dividing up to a 4-digit dividend by a one digit divisor.  We will most likely test on this on October 21.  Please continue to work on basic division and multiplication facts at home. Accuracy is also an important factor. 

Science- Phillip's class: Vocabulary Test Monday 10/22

Progress reports were sent home in Friday folders.  Please make sure you sign and retun the envelope as soon as possible.  Thank you. 

Tuesday, October 16th: Math/Technology Night @ 6:15

Social Studies Study Guides

We are just starting  our unit on explorers.  Please start looking over the study notes with your child.  Look under the 'study guide' link to the left to print these out.  Your child will get one in the near future.

September 29

Math - My math class will have their 2nd multiplication test on Thursday of this week.

Grammar - Finish up with types of sentences.  We worked on this last week, too.  Students will take a test on the 4 types of sentences this Wednesday. There is not a study guide for grammar tests.

Word Study - This is a review week.  No new words will be introduced.

October 1st and 2nd: Parent/Teacher Conferences; Early Release Dismissal at 12:5), Book Fair Preview

October 1st- October 4th: Book Fair purchase

October 2nd: Reading/ELA Interim

October 3rd: Science Interim

October 5th: Fun Run

October 9th: Math Interim

October 10th: Social Studies Interim

Friday Movie Day Treats Needed

UPDATE-  as of Tuesday we have popcorn being sent in by Nicholas P and Daniel, and candy being sent in by Keevin.  We still need 1 more person to send in 5 bags of already popped popcorn.  Thanks.


We have our movie day this coming Friday. I will need 15 bags of microwave popcorn already popped sent in Friday morning. In addition, I will need a bag of small Hershey bars (32 bars). We have enough drinks left from last time. Any volunteers? It would be great to get 3 people to each send in 5 bags of popped popcorn and 1 person to send in the candy. Please send me an email at molly_phillips@gwinnett.k12.ga.us if you can help out. I will then come back and post here when we have it all taken care of. Thanks so much for your help! :-)

September 22

The Native American test has been moved up to Thursday of this week.  It was originally scheduled for Friday, but due to the movie reward day we had to move it up a day.  The kids were told about this last week, so hopefully they passed that information along. 

Word Study: Root: voc-, voke-, voice- = voice, call

vocal, convoke, revoke, invoke, vocabulary, vocalize, convocation, vocation, avocation, multivocal

Fry Words: building, business, carefully, cells, cents

Word Study Test and Daily Grade on Friday

My math group will have their first multiplication test on Wednesday of this week.  We will review in class.

Conference schedules went home this week in Friday folders.  Please make sure you sign and return that on Monday. For those of you that got a form from me earlier in the week, thank you for returning it, and I have you down for the scheduled time. 

The book fair will be arriving this week.  Our preview day is Monday, October 1, and our purchase day is Thursday, October 4.  A brochure went home in Friday folders. 

This Friday is the PTA Disco Night... come out and have fun!