Welcome to Our Class' Blog

2016-05-18T06:16:00.003-07:00

Odyssey Online: Greece (in class)

http://carlos.emory.edu/ODYSSEY/GREECE/welcome.html

2016-05-15T18:45:00.000-07:00

Upcoming Dates
5/19- Last day for afterschool care
5/20- Camp Read A Lot
5/20- "We All Use Math Everyday" project due

5/24- Greek Festival
5/25- Early Dismissal 12:30PM; Roberts Carnival 4PM-7PM

Just A Reminder
Greek Festival Sign Up:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0c49afac2fa4ff2-4thgrade

Carnival Sign Up
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0c4fa8a82aa6f85-re2016

Curriculum Information

Math Workshop: In math next week we will learn about integers both positive and negative. Students will plot negative and positive numbers on a number line and plot items from a sinking ship after learning knowledge about the Titanic. Students will also plan a party with a given budget and learn about and create Tessellations.

Writing Workshop: Students have finished their fiction storybooks that tied with our Rock, Rattle, and Roll Unit of Inquiry. They absolutely blew me away! These picture storybooks will be added to your child's portfolio.

Grammar- students review spelling patterns like I before e and silent consonants.

Reading- We will begin a week of drama where students will choose from several plays. They will practice them and then act them out for the class.

Science- We will review all science concepts taught and then students will take an HISD assessment on Thursday.

Social Studies- We will read TSW, week 26, where students learn about technological advances and their effects on the country and the world.

IB: We will learn about famous Greek philosophers- Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle. We will also read and act out Hercules’ 12 Labors. Then we’ll discuss the types of conflict found in literature and apply it to our Greek mythology unit.

2016-05-08T08:40:00.000-07:00

Upcoming Dates
5/9- STAAR Math
5/10-STAAR Reading

5/24- Greek Festival (sign up:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0c49afac2fa4ff2-4thgrade

5/25- Early Dismissal 12:30; Carnival 4PM-7PM ( sign up: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0c4fa8a82aa6f85-re2016 )

Reminders:
STAAR Info for Monday and Tuesday

Be on time! Students need to be seated in their chairs by 8:00AM.
Provide your child with a few extra snacks and water bottle. Please put snacks in a ziplock bag to reduce excess noise during testing.
If possible, please provide your child with an eraser. We are getting low in the classroom at this time of year.
Be sure your child gets plenty of rest tonight.

Calling All Library Books

If your child has not returned his/her library book, please make sure that you send the books to school this week. We will complete the library inventory over the next couple of weeks of school and need to account for all books. If you are unable to locate your library book, please contact Ms. Verner at rverner@houstonisd.org for the cost to replace the book.

After School Care

The last day for Roberts After School Care is Thursday, May 19^th. Beginning Friday, May 20^th we will have school wide dismissal at 3:15pm. Please make sure you have made alternate plans for pick up for your child(ren) and communicate those plans with your child’s teacher.

Last Day of School/Carnival

The last day of school is Wednesday, May 25. All students will be dismissed at 12:30pm. The school carnival is from 4:00 – 7:00pm. Students will not be allowed to remain on campus after dismissal at 12:30pm.

Curriculum Information

Writing Workshop- We will begin fiction writing. We’ll review fiction story elements and students will create a story map before beginning their story.

Grammar- Our grammar focus will be reviewing all major parts of speech and basic spelling patterns/rules.

Social Studies- We will begin week 24 in the Texas Studies Weekly where we learn about life on the frontier- ranching, cattle branding, barbed wired fencing, etc. We’ll discuss the growth of a nation as we expand Westward.

Science: We will learn and review several science concepts next week, including weather/climate and the moon and its phases. We’ll learn how weather is predicted, how the earth, sun, and moon interact, and what the moon phases are.

IB Unit of Inquiry: We are really loving learning about the Gods/Goddesses. Next week students will choose to work alone or in pairs to research a God/Goddess of their choice and create a poster. We will also learn about the Olympics starting in Greece and give students the opportunity to create their own Greek monster.

2016-05-01T09:55:00.003-07:00

Upcoming Dates
5/2-5/5- Portfolio Picnic
5/5- Barnes & Noble Book Fair; Chic-Fil-A Family Night

5/9- STAAR Math
5/10- STAAR Reading

5/25- Roberts Carnival 4PM-7PM

Curriculum Information

Math workshop: We finish up the week before STAAR with a review of many previously taught concepts. These include: multi-step problem solving, symmetry, elapsed time, multiplication/division, and many, many problems that include a variety of TEKS.

Writing Workshop: Students will work all week to finish their poetry anthologies with a variety of types of poems- acrostic, bio-poem, free verse, cinquain, haiku, rhyming, shape poetry, limericks, etc.

Reading/Daily 5: We will prepare the week before STAAR by reviewing reading terminology/vocabulary that might be on the test, doing a few reading passages, and reviewing our test taking strategies.

Social Studies: This week we will read Texas Studies Weekly, week 23. We will discuss the end of the Civil War, the Emancipation Proclamation, and uniting a country.

Science: We have enjoyed reviewing food chains and food webs. Next week we will learn about adaptations that animals need to survive. We will also discuss adaptations of plants and compare/contrast the life cycle of a butterfly to a plant.

IB Unit of Inquiry: Students enjoyed stepping back into Pompeii with Ms. Spencer this past week and creating their own architectural plans of a home in Pomeii. Next week we’ll read and watch videos about Pompeii and the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. Students will write a journal entry in their mythology notebooks as a survivor of the eruption. We’ll also continue reading about the Greek Gods/Goddesses.

2016-04-22T12:05:00.002-07:00

Upcoming Dates
4/30 Roberts Carnival

5/2-5/4 Portfolio Picnic

5/9 & 5/10- STAAR Testing

Just A Reminder
***Please return Portfolio Picnic RSVPS as soon as possible. They were given in this week's Tuesday Folder. Another copy will be sent home next Tuesday.

***Our class carnival booth is in need of parent volunteers to help sell drinks! The carnival is on Saturday, April 30th.

The times still needed are as follows:
1 Volunteer 10:30-11:30
1 Volunteer 11:30-12:30
2 Volunteers 12:30-1:30PM
2 Volunteers 1:30-2:30PM

Please click the link below, find the time slot on the left hand side, and sign up! Thank you!!!
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c044baea928a1fb6-roberts

Curriculum Information

Math Workshop: Next week will review lots of concepts including checking answers for reasonableness by rounding, drawing pictures and writing equations, looking for patterns, making an organized list, and solving multi-step problems. Students will work problems whole class, back to back with a partner, and independently.

Writing Workshop: We are wrapping up our poetry unit. Students will learn to write shape poetry, acrostics, and rhyming poetry. They will continue working on their poetry anthologies.

Grammar: Our grammar focus is a review of capitalization.

Reading/Daily 5: We will finish up our review of fact and opinion as well as prepare for STAAR by working on a paired passage.

Science: In science next week, we will learn about ecosystems and food chains. We’ll read the Science Fusion book as well as do the online lesson. Students will also play a game on the Smartboard with food chains.

Social Studies: Next week we will begin TSW, week 23 as we look at life in the Union vs. the Confederacy. We will learn about the Emancipation Proclamation and its effects.

IB/Art 101: Next week we will learn about the major Gods/Goddesses and have students take notes about them as well as create their own God/Goddess. Students will then take a virtual field trip to learn about government, art, Gods, plays, etc. in ancient Greece. Liz Spencer will join us next week to let students design their homes in Pompeii using architectural floor plans.

2016-04-15T11:59:00.000-07:00

Upcoming Dates

4/30- Roberts Carnival

5/2-5/4 - Portfolio Picnic

5/2- Evening Portfolio Picnic

5/9 & 5/10- STAAR Testing

Just A Reminder

Roberts Carnival

We are less than 3 weeks away from the Roberts Carnival! Our class is selling drinks this year (EASY BREEZY BOOTH!!!) Please volunteer your time using the link below. Find "Baldwin/Drinks" and sign up for a time slot. Thank you!!!!

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c044baea928a1fb6-roberts

Portfolio Picnic

Save the Date!!!!!

Come join your child as they share their portfolio and final reflections on this school year. For one lunch time during Portfolio Picnics (May 2nd – 4th), all 1st through 5th grade parents are asked to make a date with their child and bring a picnic and blanket to share together on the front lawn of Roberts. Parents and their child will have this special time to eat together, while reviewing their child’s portfolio and celebrating their achievements. This year, we are also offering one evening portfolio picnic on Monday, May 2nd from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for those parents who cannot come to school during the school day. Invitations and RSVPs will be going home in next Tuesday’s folder.

Math Workshop: Next week we will work with money. Students will learn/review adding and subtracting money as well as multiplication and division with money. We’ll review terms like deposit, withdrawal, interest, and balance. Students will also review dot plots and stem and leaf plots. On Thursday, they will take a formative assessment and we will review the assessment with students on Friday.

Writing Workshop: We are really enjoying our unit on poetry. We are moving into haikus, cinquains, limericks, and bio-poems next week. Students will also begin creating their own poetry anthology with original works.

Grammar: Our grammar focus next week is prepositions.

Reading/Daily 5: Students will review fact and opinion. They’ll do a fact and opinion scavenger hunt using magazines, review fact/opinion key words, and take a quiz.

Social Studies: Next week we move into the Civil War and the effects it had on Texas, including secession. We’ll watch videos about the Battle of Gettysburg and Firing on Ft. Sumter, while we discuss these guiding questions: “Does believing in something strongly enough make it right? What do you believe is the best way to handle disagreements with someone you have known for a long time?

Science: Next week we begin learning about producers, consumers, and decomposers. We’ll look at the importance of photosynthesis and the process. Students will create their own recipes for photosynthesis. We’ll also learn about consumers and decomposers, their purposes, and their effects.

IB Unit of Inquiry: The students are beyond excited that we’ve finally started our planner on Greek Mythology- the main reason most of them couldn’t wait for fourth grade! We’ve learned about Greek architecture, column structures, and the Parthenon. Next week we will read about Athens and Sparta. We’ll compare and contrast their daily life through readings as well as virtual activity on the iPads. We will also discuss the importance of Greek pottery and each student will make a Greek vase on paper.

We have an artist working with us for four weeks through Young Audiences – Liz Spencer. Next week she will be here working with each class as they use clay to create Greek columns.

2016-04-11T05:18:00.003-07:00

Upcoming Dates
4/12- Progress Reports go home
4/30-Roberts Carnival
5/9-STAAR Math
5/10- STAAR Reading

Just A Reminder
*For parents with students in tutorials---Tutorials will NOT be held after school this Thursday.

Curriculum Information

Math Workshop: This week we continue with measurement. This week's focus is metric length, mass, and volume. Students will take an end of unit test this week. We will also learn/review elapsed time. Students will take the time using the classroom clock, several times each day. Several new note pages will go into their Interactive Math Notebooks.

Writing workshop: We being our unit on poetry. We will review the elements of poetry that we learned in reading- stanza, rhyme, rhythm, etc. We will focus on free verse (non-rhyming) poetry this week. Students will use sensory images to write poems by taking an observation walk outside. They will also learn about line breaks in poetry and the importance of word choice.

Grammar: We continue learning about adverbs in grammar. We will look at adverbs that make comparisons and adverbs that show how much and to what extent. We’ll also look at negative adverbs- (nowhere, never, not).

Daily 5/Reading: In reading next week we will review drama and poetry. We’ll review the structural elements and vocabulary for poetry. Students will do a “poetry hunt” as they search through poetry books for stanza length, lyrical poetry, and free verse. We will also review drama terms.

Social Studies: This week we will begin Texas Studies Weekly, week 21. We learn about Texas as a new state in the United States. We will also learn about the Mexican-American War.

Science/IB: Students will take the summative test and work on their summative portfolio piece.

**We will begin frontloading for our last Unit of Inquiry- Art 101, focusing on Greek mythology and the Greek way of life. We will begin reading from D’Aulaires Book of Greek Myths and students will learn about Greek architecture, specifically columns.

2016-04-01T13:32:00.000-07:00

Upcoming Dates
4/2- Community Night 6:30PM

4/30- Roberts Carnival 10AM

Curriculum Information

Math Workshop: Next week our focus will be on area and customary measurement. On Monday, we’ll review the formula for area and work to solve area problems involving squares and rectangles. We will learn about customary length, liquid volume, and mixed measures (adding feet and inches). Will take notes in our interactive math notebook, watch videos, and work in pairs and independently to solve math problems.

Writing workshop: We will spend one week on letter writing. We will teach that when you write letters you need to understand your purpose (friendly, formal, business, etc). You also need to know the format. Students will choose someone to write a letter to and will actually mail the letter. Please make sure your child knows his/her address.

Grammar: Our grammar focus is adverbs and understanding that they describe verbs by telling how, when, and where.

Reading/Daily 5: We will review non-fiction text features next week. Students will go on a scavenger hunt in the classroom, using non-fiction texts to find the text features. We continue our Daily 5 rotations and book clubs as well as our class read aloud.

Science/IB: We really enjoyed learning about the rock cycle. Next week we will review how rocks are formed with a powerpoint and look more closely at minerals. Students will each pick two minerals to compare and contrast. We will also review for the summative.

Social Studies: We enter week 20 in Texas Studies Weekly where Texas is becoming a state. We’ll learn about the different views that many Texans had about this decision and its effect on the Republic of Texas.

2016-03-21T05:21:00.003-07:00

Upcoming Dates
3/24-Camp Write A Lot (in school writing activity)
3/25 Good Friday- No School

3/29- STAAR Test: Writing

Curriculum Information

Math workshop: This week we will begin chapter 11 in Singapore Math. We will review squares and rectangles (properties of both, finding unknown angles and and measuring side lengths. Students will take the chapter 11 test and then we will also spend a day reviewing and classifying quadrilaterals.

Writing Workshop: We will spend the week reviewing pretty much everything we’ve taught them about expository writing. We’ll reread the pieces we’ve written, dig through our writing folders, look at possible vocabulary to use, and review all strategies for the STAAR test. We will also have a day of Camp Write A lot on March 24^th.

Grammar: Our grammar focus will be clauses, transitions, and homophones.

Reading/Daily 5: In reading, we will review how to find the main idea of a story or passage. We’ll review the difference between main ideas and details and find them in texts.

Science/IB: This week we will learn about the properties and layers of soil on Earth. We’ll even go out and do a soil dig on campus! Students will take a virtual tour through Science Fusion to reinforce these concepts. We will also read about soil conservation.

Social Studies: We will read week 19 in Texas Studies Weekly.

2016-02-26T12:55:00.002-08:00

Upcoming Dates
2/27- Roberts Auction

3/2 Picture Day

3/14-3/18-Spring Break

3/29- Writing STAAR Test

Curriculum Information

Math Workshop: We will begin unit 9 next week (geometry). Our focus will be on identifying types of angles, measuring angles (students will learn how to use a protractor), and relating turns like ¼, 2/4, and ¾ to the number of right angles. Students will watch several videos, glue charts into their interactive math notebooks, and do some extension/challenge work as well.

Writing: Next week we are really focusing on keeping our pieces organized and elaborating our supporting details fully with anecdotes, etc. We will look at actual pieces written by children to model these strategies as well as look for them in our own writing.

Grammar: We will review irregular verbs (fell, falled), subject –verb agreement, and frequently confused words (there, their, they’re).

Reading/Daily 5: Next week we will look at words with multiple meanings. We’ll review strategies for knowing how to determine which definition is being used and look at a list of common words with multiple meanings (park, fire, stamp, mold, trip, etc). Students will work with partners using task cards to solve multiple meaning words, they will also choose a word or two and define the words with multiple meanings and add it to a class book. Finally, students will take a quiz on multiple meaning words.

Science/IB: We’ll learn about all sorts of Earth moving elements. Volcanoes, glaciers, and avalanches, to name a few. Students will compare review what we know about volcanoes, discuss the Ring of Fire and watch some clips from a show about the Ring of Fire, as well as compare glaciers and volcanoes. How are they similar and how are they different? Do they transform Earth quickly, slowly? Students will then read about islands forming and illustrate the “birth” of an island.

Social Studies- The Alamo!! The long awaited battle is finally here. Students will watch a video clip and we’ll discuss the battle. We will then read from Texas Studies Weekly – week 17. Students will take a quiz on the content.

2016-02-22T04:54:00.000-08:00

Upcoming Dates
2/24-Early Dismissal 12:30PM
2/26-Go Texan Day!
2/27- Roberts Auction

Just A Reminder
*Please provide your child with a refillable water bottle every day.

*Students should be practicing their multiplication/division facts nightly! (96/8; 63/9; etc.) If students are not mastering 50 facts within 3 minutes, I will be sending assigned (extra) homework to ensure they are practicing nightly. These fundamental skills are crucial in your child's mathematical success! This has been a requirement since September.

*After school tutorials are gearing up! Be sure to check your child's Tuesday folder to see if he/she has been selected for tutorials.

Curriculum Information

Math Workshop: This week in math we will continue to learn about personal finance. Students will learn about savings options and the advantages and disadvantages of different types. They will also learn how to budget a weekly allowance, and understand the role of financial institutions. They will learn what financial institutions are, their purpose, and vocabulary such as lending, borrowing, interest, bank, etc. They will have an end of unit test this week as well.

Writing Workshop: Students will review the importance of elaborating their main ideas and will create a key with visual representations to help them remember to do so. They will label their main idea paragraphs using symbols from the key to prove they are elaborating. We will also do another review lesson on the importance of using strong, precise vocabulary. Students will be assigned another writing prompt this week.

Grammar: Students will continue working with apostrophes as well as practicing the editing/revising passages.

Reading/Daily 5: We will use this week to review context clues. Students will be reminded of the four main strategies to use when solving for the meaning of a word. We will practice together whole class, with partners, and independently.

Social Studies: This week we will read about the Mexican government and its treatment towards the Texans. We'll discuss why many people were disgruntled with the way they were being governed. Students will learn about Sam Houston's role in helping the colonists.

Science/IB: This week we will be looking at the composition of Earth and its layers. We'll also teach students about plate boundaries and how they affect Earth (volcanoes, earthquakes, mountains, etc). Students will also learn about the four main types of mountains and how they are formed. Each group will create a poster on a specific mountain type stating how it was formed and where that type can be found.

2016-02-14T10:31:00.000-08:00

Thank You!
The field trip to Austin was the best one yet. The weather was gorgeous, the kids were so involved (& so VERY well behaved), and the parents couldn't have been a better help! Did I mention those fancy buses :) The kids were nonstop on Friday morning reflecting on the field trip. They LOVED every part, and learned so much. So a HUGE thank you to all parents who dropped your kiddos off bright and early, and especially to those who stayed with us to chaperone.

Upcoming Dates
2/24 Early Dismissal 12:30PM
2/25 Go Texan Day
2/27 Roberts Auction

Curriculum Information

Math Workshop: We will spend a couple of days looking at word problems and reviewing chapters 7 and 8. Students will take the end of unit tests for 7 and 8 on Tuesday. For the next three days we’ll learn about personal finance and profits- fixed and variable expenses and how to determine if you’ve made a profit.

Writing Workshop: Next week we’ll look at the rubric that TEA uses to score the kids’ writing. This will help students get a better understanding of what is expected of them on the writing STAAR. We’ll also show actual samples from last year’s writing STAAR with scores of 1, 2, 3, and 4. Students will be assigned another prompt on Thursday, and the teacher will model first with shared writing. This helps students see thinking and planning modeled, as well as the actual writing. We will practice more editing and revising as well.

Grammar: Our grammar focus this week is apostrophes. We’ll study apostrophes in contractions, in singular nouns when adding s, and making plural nouns possessive.

Reading/Daily 5: We loved learning about poetry and hearing each child read their selected poem. This week we move into drama. Students will learn terminology such as props, narrator, set, stage directions, script, scenes, actors, acts, etc. We will read dramas, interpret them, and answer questions.

Social Studies/IB: This week, students will take the summative test on government. They should be studying the review we made in class. We will also begin learning about the Texas Revolution by learning first about the Mexicans getting independence from Spain and then the colonists coming in to Texas and Stephen F. Austin setting up colonies.

Science/IB: We are beginning a new unit of inquiry in science. Next week we will frontload by having students look at pictures that show a variety of things such as weathering, erosion, glaciers, volcanoes, etc. Students will generate questions about how Earth’s landscape became/becomes this way. We will also learn about Alfred Wegener and his theory of continental drift (Pangaea).

2016-02-09T05:01:00.002-08:00

Upcoming Dates
2/11- Austin Field Trip
2/12-Valentine's Day Party

2/24- Early Dismissal 12:30PM
2/27- Roberts Auction

Just A Reminder
Final notes on the Austin field trip will be in today's Tuesday folder.

Curriculum Information

Math Workshop: We will review decimal concepts such as adding, subtracting, comparing and ordering. We will also teach representing fractions and decimals as distances on a number line. Students will do lots of partner and independent practice. On Friday, we have fun math activities planned around Valentines Day, which include graphing, estimation, probability, fractions, and measurement.

Writing Workshop: The writing benchmark has been moved to Tuesday instead of Wednesday. Students will take the benchmark on Tuesday, and the rest of the week they will be finishing up their final drafts from last week on their favorite hobby or pastime.

Reading/Daily 5: Students are so excited to get back into the routine of Daily 5. We will continue reading our leveled novels, complete book club jobs, and other literacy stations.

Science: We are finishing up our learning on solutions and mixtures and students will learn about how matter is observed in our everyday world. We will read in the Science Fusion workbooks as well as conduct a lab on solutions and mixtures on Wednesday.

Social Studies/IB: Students will learn what means to be a responsible citizen and informed voter. We will review the concepts learned during this unit with task card activities, oral and slate review, as well as a paper study guide.

2016-02-02T08:58:00.000-08:00

Poetry Links

http://www.poetry4kids.com/classics

http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poems/famous/children/

http://www.poetry4kids.com/poems

https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/text/poems-kids

http://www.gigglepoetry.com/poetryclass.aspx

2016-01-29T11:25:00.001-08:00

Upcoming Dates
2/11- Field Trip to Austin
2/12- Valentine's Day Celebration

2/24- Early Dismissal 12:30PM
2/27- Roberts Auction

Just A Reminder
Attention Chaperons for Austin!- A detailed letter of the Austin trip will be coming home in next week's Tuesday folder. Be on the lookout for that.

Curriculum Information

Math workshop: We will continue learning about decimals. Next week we will learn to add and subtract decimals as well as rounding decimals. Students will also take a math benchmark test on Tuesday, February 2^nd to get an overall picture of how well they have mastered concepts taught.

Writing Workshop: Next week we continue with expository essays with a focus on writing strong conclusions and using the pillar to plan correctly.

Grammar: Our grammar focus is commas in appositives and commas to set off interruptions.

Daily 5/Reading: We are beginning a unit on poetry. Students will learn about the structural elements in poetry- rhyme, meter, stanzas, line breaks, etc. as well as language used in poetry (similes, metaphors, imagery, et). Students will have a reading benchmark test on Wednesday, February 3^rd to get an overall picture of how well they have mastered concepts taught.

Social Studies/IB: The students are really enjoying learning about the systems our government has in place to help our country run smoothly- Constitution, how a bill becomes a law, role of the three branches, etc. Next week we will study our responsibilities as U.S. citizens and the importance of voting. We’ll conduct a voter simulation activity that will be eye opening and informative in more ways than one. We’ll also look at the current potential candidates for the upcoming election and gather information.

Science: In science next week we will be studying mixtures and solutions. We will conduct investigations to identify what happens to physical properties in both a mixture and a solution and will also justify why some objects float and some sink.

2016-01-29T07:20:00.002-08:00

http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=4706

2016-01-22T13:23:00.001-08:00

Upcoming Dates:

1/27- Early Dismissal 12:30PM

2/11- Austin Field Trip

Curriculum Information:

Math workshop: We are beginning chapter 7 in math- decimals. Students will learn decimal place value as well as comparing and ordering decimals. Students will practice calling out and recording decimals with friends, saying the place values correctly, and learning strategies to compare and order.

Writing Workshop: Next week students will be editing, revising, and publishing their expository piece on their favorite room in their home.

Grammar: We continue to focus on commas, specifically in addresses, dates, and numbers. We will also look at commas in quotations and with dependent/independent clauses. Students will create a foldable of all the comma rules.

Daily 5/Reading Workshop: Next week we will teach analogies and how to figure out the relationship being shown. We will teach students the five main relationships in analogies and work to solve them all week.

Science: We will be learning about how temperature affects matter. We’ll discuss water changing state based on addition or removal of heat and students will watch videos and look at graphic organizers. We’ll also discuss how volume, mass, and temperature change when water goes from a solid to a liquid and how the properties changed.

Social Studies: The students really enjoyed learning about the three branches of government. Next week, they’ll learn how a bill becomes a law. We’ll discuss the entire process and discuss how difficult it is to turn a bill into a law with a little help from “Schoolhouse Rocks.”

2016-01-12T11:34:00.000-08:00

Symbols:
US http://bensguide.gpo.gov/liberty-bell-1753

Uncle Sam Facts
http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/who-is-uncle-sam

Washington Monument
http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0194025.html

Lincoln Memorial

http://mrnussbaum.com/lincoln-memorial-for-kids/

State http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/states/united-states/texas

San Jacinto Monument

http://www.sanjacinto-museum.org/About_Us/Media_Kit/

The Alamo

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/history/us/monuments/alamo/

Weekly Update 1/11

2016-01-08T12:45:00.005-08:00

Upcoming Dates
1/18- MLK Holiday, No school
1/27- Early Dismissal 12:30PM

2/11- Austin Field Trip

Curriculum Information

Math Workshop: Next week in math we will work on comparing and ordering fractions. We will also solve word problems that involve fractions. Students will review and take the chapter 6 test.

Grammar: Our grammar focus is combining sentences with compound subjects and predicates and end punctuation.

Daily 5/Reading workshop: We continue learning about figurative language, by teaching idioms next week. Students will have fun finding idioms in text as well as drawing idioms figuratively and writing what they literally mean. Each student will help make a page or two of our class idiom book.

Science: We will continue learning about matter and its physical properties. We will look at ways to classify matter using observations and then also look at when tools are needed in order to classify matter’s properties.

Social Studies/IB: We had fun learning about world governments. Next week will we begin working hard to create our e-books on state and national symbols on the iPads. We will focus on the constitution and the Bill of Rights. Students will dissect the Preamble and understand the role of the constitution and Bill of Rights. Each student will create a personalized mini-book about the Bill of Rights where the write about each amendment and why it’s important to them.

2016-01-04T11:53:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year!
I hope that you and your family enjoyed an eventful and relaxing holiday break!

Upcoming Dates:
1/18 : MLK Holiday, No School
1/27: Early Dismissal 12:30PM

2/11: Austin Field Trip

Curriculum Information:

Math Workshop: This week we will add fractions to get mixed numbers, rename whole numbers when adding and subtracting fractions, and use bar models to represent fractions of a set. We’ll also review previous concepts such as converting improper fractions into mixed numbers.

Writing Workshop: This week we will review the components of an expository piece.

Our grammar focus is conjunctions and combining sentences.

Daily 5/Reading workshop: This week we will learn about similes and metaphors. Students will learn meanings of those words, find similes and metaphors in picture books (and explain their meanings) and create a “Wanted” poster of themselves or a made up character, using similes and metaphors as clues. Students will review with practice worksheets and be quizzed. Students will also look for similes and metaphors used in their novels and be able to explain their meanings.

Social Studies/IB Unit: We begin our new unit of inquiry this week, on government. Our focus this week will be to frontload and discuss why we have rules in our homes, classrooms, country, etc. We will then learn about the different forms of government in our world. We’ll discus and read about state and national symbols and students will choose some to research more about and create an E-book on the iPad showing their learning.

Science: This week we will look at the physical properties of matter-specifically solids, liquids, and gases. Students will classify objects in the classroom based on specific properties and we will discuss. Students will also learn how to classify properties of matter with and without tools.

2015-12-13T16:53:00.003-08:00

Upcoming Dates

12/14- Artifact Box DUE!

12//14- 3rd Grade Business Fair

12/15- Explorer Project Presentation 9:00-9:20AM in the CAFE

12/17- Holiday Party

12/18- Pajama Day

Congratulations to Zoya and Nubaid from our class for qualifying for the Spelling Bee. I’m so proud of Zoya, Nubaid, and of all those who were risk takers and tried out for the bee last week. Nice job!

This week we’re finishing up a few lessons on fractions, completing sequencing in reading, and electricity in science. I’m also beginning the middle of the year reading assessments with each child. I’ll send home their progress in the Tuesday folder as I finish (some will be before Winter break, others will be after).

***All artifact boxes are due Monday!!! Please help your child remember. I can’t wait to see their finished products!

Our class presents their projects on Tuesday, December 15^th at 9:00AM in the café.

*** Our class will shop at the 3^rd grade Business Fair TOMORROW at 9:45 am. Please send your child with a few dollars if you’re allowing them to shop.

***Don’t forget to wrap a new or gently used book to participate in our class book exchange. I talked in depth with the class about bringing in a book you know other kids your age would like. (aka- don’t bring in My Little Pony or a Barbie book). It needs to be a book most kids would enjoy. They are always free to trade once the book exchange ends.

2015-12-07T05:10:00.001-08:00

Upcoming Dates
12/9- Spelling "Pre" Bee 7:15AM in Mrs. Heemer's classroom

12/14- Explorers Project due (Artifact Box & Brochure)
12/15- Explorers Presentations in the CAFE 9:00-9:20AM
12/17- Holiday Party
12/18- Pajama Day

*Purchase $1 wristbands to participate from 12/14-12/17 in circle drive

Just A Reminder
Your children should be working on their explorer's project (artifact box) at home. The final product is due next Monday, December 14th.

Curriculum Information

Math Workshop: This week in math we’ll review mixed numbers from our lesson on Thursday. Students will write a mixed number and display using models. We will also learn what an improper fraction is, how they’re represented, and how to express mixed numbers as improper fractions.

Writing workshop: We’ll spend two days learning how to elaborate the details we write using our senses. Students need to support their main ideas with examples/deatails, but also need to know how to elaborate those details. We’ll also learn how to vary our sentence structure using a technique called flip the subject.

Grammar: Our grammar focus will be conjunctions- coordinating and subordinating.

Reading/Daily 5: We will review the concept of sequencing and why it’s important in reading. We’ll also discuss where we use sequencing in other subjects at school and in our outside world. Students will be read a picture book and will rearrange pre-typed sentence strips in sequential order. We will also have students physically wear sentence strips and physically arrange themselves in the correct order.

Social Studies/IB: The students are working very hard on their notefacts and will begin their brochure on either Monday or Tuesday, depending on where they are with their notefacts.

Science: This week we’ll learn about electromagnets. How do they work? What’s the difference between an electromagnet and a bar magnet.

Weekly Update 11/30

2015-11-24T08:26:00.000-08:00

Upcoming Dates
11/25-11/27 Thanksgiving Break

Just A Reminder
If you can provide any boxes of tissue, that'd be so helpful to us in class. Thank you!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

If your child is interested in the Spelling Bee this year, please read the memo from Ms. Turek:

Roberts Spelling Bee Information

Students in first grade through fifth grade are invited to participate in the Roberts Elementary preliminary grade-level spelling bee. Each grade-level bee will be held before school on December 9^th at 7:15 am in the designated grade-level classroom (see below). This is a student-only event. Parents will be invited to the school-wide spelling bee on January 7^th.

First	Boston
Second	Cornelius
Third	Engen
Fourth	Heemer
Fifth	Ruff

Students interested in participating in the class bees should sign up with their teacher no later than Monday, November 30^th by the end of the school day. Your child’s teacher has already given copies of the spelling lists to each interested child so that they can begin studying.

On testing day, please have your child arrive between 6:55 am and 7:10 am- late students will not be permitted into the classroom. 20 words will be selected from the designated grade level spelling lists and the participating students will write the words on a sheet of paper. When the test concludes, students will be escorted to their designated morning arrival areas.

Administrators will then grade each test and winners will be selected based on the highest amount of words spelled correctly. There is a possibility that more than one student from each grade level will advance to the school-level bee. Each grade-level winner will then receive a spelling packet of words to study and prepare for the school-wide bee which will be held on January 7^th. Winners of the school-wide Roberts spelling bee will then qualify to participate in the district-level bee in February.

If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Turek at mturek@houstonisd.org

Thank you!

Curriculum Information

Math Workshop: When we return from Thanksgiving break our focus will be on fractions as we start chapter 6. We will begin with a review of fractions – numerator, denominator, equivalent fractions, etc. We will then teach students how to add like and unlike fractions, subtract unlike fractions, and report fractions as mixed numbers. Students will end the week with a fun fraction lesson using Smarties.

Writing Workshop: In writing, students have focused on writing distinct main ideas. Next week we will learn how to write interesting main ideas by teaching four strategies- pitchforking, descriptive segments, anecdotes, and onomatopoeias. Students will also learn a technique called word referents to avoid repetition throughout their expository pieces.

Grammar: Our grammar focus is sentence fragments, run ons, and rambling sentences.

Reading/Daily 5: Our focus next week is summary. Students have learned how to find the main idea of a piece and supporting details. Now we’ll focus on how to write a summary using the strategy- Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then (SWBST). Students will have lots of whole group, partner, and independent practice finding and writing a summary.

Science: We will learn about parallel and series circuits next week during science. Students will use the Science Fusion workbook and online tutorial as well as draw and label their own circuits. We will review all concepts covered during electrical circuits and give students a quiz.

Social Studies/IB: Students will begin notetaking on Monday, November 30^th in order to gather research and complete brochure. We are using Independent Investigation Methods (II M), which they have used in previous years.

2015-11-23T06:10:00.002-08:00

Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt

http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/birchwood/links/grade4links/thanksgivingscavenger_gr4.html

2015-11-14T13:40:00.001-08:00

Upcoming Dates:
11/18: In class Book Fair Visit
11/18: Early Dismissal 12:30PM
11/19: Family Night at the Book Fair 5:30PM

11/25-11/27: Thanksgiving Holiday

Just A Reminder:
Fun Run money is due! Please turn in no later than Monday, November 16th.

Explorer project is beginning! Refer to the letter that was sent home in the Tuesday folder. I need to know the explorer by Nov 18th and all materials (books, printed out research) is due by Nov. 23rd.

Our class is getting low on boxes of kleenex. If you can, please send in a box of tissue with your child to help us through the upcoming winter and spring months. Thank you!

Curriculum Information:

Math workshop: Next week we begin chapter 5 in math. All week students will be looking at data and learning how to determine the mean (average), mode, range, and the median. We will also introduce stem and leaf plots (one more way to display the results/data). Another topic we will cover is outcomes/probability- certain, more likely, equally likely, less likely, and impossible.

Writing Workshop: Next week we will review a strategy to help us think of great main ideas and examples for specific topics. This is called pick, list, choose. We will also discuss ways to make sure our main ideas are distinct and don’t overlap. Finally we will identify givens and variables in a prompt (the givens are the things you absolutely must address and the variables are the things you may choose on your own).

Grammar: Our grammar focus is on simple subjects and simple predicates within a sentence. Students will do review pages, task cards, and will be assessed on this concept.

Reading Workshop/Daily 5: Next week we will discuss what good readers do draw conclusions (use what you know from your own background knowledge and use what the text gives you). Students will do several fun drawing conclusion activities to learn/review this skill. One activity is having students look at “abandoned shopping carts” with specific items left in them and having them determine what meal the person was making or what they were buying items for. We’re also going to do a similar activity with some abandoned suitcases and students will help us determine “what type of person” the suitcase belonged to and what they were doing.

Social Studies: We will be reading Texas Studies Weekly, week 12 about the Spanish missions created in Texas. We will also watch a video on the missions. They will also take a virtual field trip to learn about the missions.

Science: Next week we will begin learning about electrical circuits, conductors, and insulators. We will read from the Science Fusion book, watch videos through Science Fusion, and view/discuss a powerpoint.