October/November 2011

October 21st, 2011

October  27 , 2011          Family Reading Night (starts @ 5:45 PM), Book Fair

October  28, 2011          End of First Marking Period

November 1, 2011          Report cards mailed home 

November 7, 2011         Picture Re-takes

November 7-10, 2011    Parent/Teacher Conferences Early Dismissal@12:42

November 11, 2011          No School, Veteran’s Day

November 18, 2011         Manor Excellence Assembly at 8:45

November 23-25, 2011  Thanksgiving Vacation

 

 

Final Days

May 12th, 2011

The last student day is approaching quickly. The students worked very hard on their Reading DCAS and STAR Tests. Most made great progress. The Math DCAS will be Monday and Tuesday morning. Make sure your child goes to bed early and eats a good breakfast Monday morning. Fourth graders will also take the Social Studies DCAS test the week of May 23rd.

The following calendar may be helpful for your end of the year planning:

May 16, 2011       Math DCAS Testing

May 17, 2011       Math DCAS Testing

May 18, 2011       Terra Nova Math and Reading Assessment

May 19, 2011       Field Trip to Old New Castle

May 23, 2011       Social Studies DCAS Testing

May 24, 2011       Social Studies DCAS Testing

May 25. 2011      6th Marking Period Ends

May 27, 2011       Half-Day- Professional Development for Teachers

June 3, 2011        LAST STUDENT DAY

February Calendar

February 7th, 2011

stripesnstarsblackhistoryheart4

 

February 9-16, 2011                 DCAS Testing

February 17, 2011                     Biography Report Due

                                                         Delaware Museum Field Trip

February 18, 2011                     No School- Teacher Professional Development

February 21, 2011                      No School-Presidents’ Day

Biography Reports

February 7th, 2011

Black History MonthStudents will be selecting a famous African-American for  their first biographical report. Each child received an outline indicating steps essential to the completion of  the report and a data collection sheet. Moreover, a chart must be submitted showing various phases of the individual’s life. The projects are due Thursday, February 17, 2011.

Calendar News

January 11th, 2011

January 17, 2011            NO School- Martin L. King , Jr. Holiday

January 21, 2011             End of Third Marking Period

January 26-28, 2011      Parent Teacher Conferences(Dismissal 12:42 )

January 28, 2011             Report Cards Mailed

   Winter

Wilmington University Student Teacher

January 11th, 2011

teacherGreat News, Room 15 welcomes Ms. Kasmira Gray! Ms. Gray has started her student teaching experience and is  looking forward to an exciting time with the students. She is completing her Master of Education degree at Wilmington University. Ms. Gray can be reached by calling the school and leaving a message at my extension or via a note sent by your child.

DCAS Testing

November 4th, 2010

This week all fourth graders are participating in  the Delaware Comprehensive Assessment System (DCAS). The students are being tested in the areas of reading and math. This first test is a “pre-test” of skills yet to be taught to determine a baseline of students’ skills. The students will be assessed two more times this school year, in the winter and spring. Hopefully, the students will show academic growth. More information is available for parents at the DCAS website http://de.portal.airast.org

Students Vote in Delaware Elections!

October 28th, 2010

On Wednesday, October 27, 2010 all fourth and fifth graders had the opportunity to vote for Delaware candidates in the upcoming elections. Our class spent time discussing the branches of government and the  importance of choosing good leaders to represent us at the state and federal levels. More information on the mock elections are available at the following web site:

http://nationalmockelection.org/

Writing at Home

October 18th, 2010

Writing is an important skill used across the curriculum in fourth grade. Many students struggle to write well. My writing grades include the use of varied vocabulary the students have learned in word study, reading and other subjects. This marking period we are focused on narrative writing. Students are asked to write in response to what they have learned from the literature.  The Writing Process activity below can be used as a resource. Additionally, a hard copy will be coming home with your child that includes more activites.

Story Stepping:

1. Start a creative story! Begin with a few sentences or paragraphs and…

2. Then pass it along to your child. Ask your child to continue the story for a bit (without ending it). Encourage your child to take the story in ANY direction.

3. Then, you add a bit more, then the child continues it further… This is a true cooperative activity between parent and child. The final piece will be something you created together!

Parent tip from Discovery Education

October Events

October 18th, 2010

October 22, 2010         Manor Excellence Assembly      10: 25  AM

October 26, 2010         Class Votes in Mock Election

October 29, 2010          Artesian Water Presentation     1:40 PM

November 1, 2010        DCAS Testing starts for Fourth Grade

November 2, 2010        No School Election Day

November 11, 2010      No  School Veteran’s Day

November 12, 2010      End of Second Marking Period