Weekly Update, Sunday, September 20th, 2015

My day started with meeting Washington Capitals' superstar Nicklas Backstrom at breakfast!  Anything interesting to share with me?  Any photos you share, I'll be able to put on our morning message to share with the class - feel free to send me any photos throughout the year!

Here is an overview of what's going on in class, and what's coming up:

Science: We learned about our watershed address, which is the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, and why it's important to keep it clean.  This week we will build our own watersheds in a STEAM project, pair up with Ms. Syme's 1st grade class (they're our STEAM Buddies), and continue to learn about Virginia's natural resources.

Virginia Studies: Students did well demonstrating their knowledge of the regions and their land forms, this week we will learn about Virginia's waterways.  Ask your student what, "Please Remember Your Jacket" means!

Writing: We began writing an expository essay on Virginia's five regions, which we will finish next week.  Tomorrow we will begin Word Study.  I will provide ample time for students to complete their Word Study in class over the next two weeks to ensure they are completing assignments correctly.  After this period of word study, students will be expected to complete these assignments at home.

Reading: Students are LOVING The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo.  We've been "talking back to books," ask them what that means!  Please make sure your child is reading and filling out his or her reading log every night, and ask him or her to read out loud for a few minutes each night too.  Last week students set a weekly goal for themselves as well, please discuss the goal your child chose for him/herself and if he or she was able to meet it.

Math: Fourth grade wrapped up its Place Value unit and will begin adding and subtracting larger numbers next week, as well as estimating sums and differences.  Please make sure your child is going on Reflex Math at least twice a week.

Please make sure you look at the flyer sent about Ellie's Hats in this week's Pinebrook Message and Spirit Week.  

Also, please sign up for a conference if you have not done so already.  If the available times do not work for you, please email me directly with a date and time that you'd prefer.  I can meet before school!  Click here to sign up for a conference!