MAPs

Fourth grade students have worked so hard this week during their MAPs testing. I am very impressed with the effort I have seen this week. Students have completed their reading, math, and language tests. Make-up tests will be taken on Thursday. I will  have the results to share with you at parent teacher conferences, but if you would like to sit down earlier than that, just let me know.

National Park Research Project

Now that we have discovered the nearest national park, students will study national parks in other areas of the country. Last week, each fourth grade student was assigned one national park to research. That research begins this week. The majority of research and note-taking will be done at school. However, if students would like to investigate further, I encourage them to do so. I am attaching a copy of our research packet below since students will not be allowed to take their original packet home. One part of research is giving credit for sources that have been used. Students will be expected to cite all books, websites, and encyclopedias used for this project. Below are some links to help cite reference material.


National Park Research Packet
Citing a Book
Citing a Website

Rocky Mountain National Park Pictures

Field trip pictures are coming soon!

Fact Monster

I just came across a fantastic website that I want to share with you. FactMonster.com is an online bank of information. Students could spend hours learning and exploring on this site. I have linked to several pages that connect with content we are covering in class that may offer some enrichment opportunities. Enjoy!

FactMonster: National Parks
FactMonster: Fifty States
FactMonster: Math Flash Cards
FactMonster: Greek and Roman Mythology
FactMonster: Astronomy and Space Exploration
FactMonster: Research Skills

MAP Testing

It's that time of year! Students will be taking MAP tests this coming week on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. These online assessments will cover math, reading, and language usage, just like CSAP.

Most of your students have taken MAP tests before, so this is nothing new. However, there may be information that you don't know about these assessments. Below is a link to the Parent Toolkit produced by Northwest Evaluation Association, the company that produces our MAP assessments.

NWEA Parent Toolkit: A Guide to NWEA Assessments

AR Test- due September 30

Students should be reading an AR book of their choice at home and preparing to take an AR comprehension quiz by the end of the month. Students may take more than one test. I will put the highest score into the gradebook.

Click on the link below to access the AR site and start a quiz!
Accelerated Reader

We're going on a field trip!

On Thursday, September 22, fourth grade will be traveling to Rocky Mountain National Park to explore the park. We will be meeting with rangers to learn about the park's history and study ecology and the impact humans have on the environment. Permission slips will be coming home on Monday.

We will be gone from school all day, so students will need to bring a sack lunch, snacks, and a water bottle. We will be outside all day, even if it rains or snows. Please make sure your child is dressed in layers appropriate for any and all weather. This does include footwear as well. We will be walking around the park, so tennis shoes or sturdy boots would be appropriate.

If you have any questions about this trip, please let me know. Look for the permission slip to come home on Monday. Students are encouraged to bring their signed permission slip back to school on Tuesday. The deadline is Wednesday.

Math Facts Practice

I have found some wonderful math practice sites I would like to pass on to you. Knowing math facts will help students be successful in math as we start to apply the facts to work with larger numbers.

Addition & Subtraction
Math Playground: Timed Flashcards
AAA Math: Addition Lessons and Review
AAA Math: Subtraction Lessons and Review
CoolMath4Kids: Addition
CoolMath4Kids: Subtraction

Also check out the math page on this site for more practice opportunities.

Operation Timed Tests

Each quarter, students will be asked to complete four timed tests, one for each operation. We will be doing these tests in class, but I strongly encourage all students to be practicing their facts at home.

Operation Timed Tests

Homework Calendar

Below is a copy of September's homework calendar. A paper copy will also be sent home with students on Tuesday. Please remember that this calendar does not include assignments that may be assigned during the week. If you have any questions, please contact me.

National Park Research Project

In fourth grade, students will be completing two research projects: researching a national park in the fall and a planet in the spring. Over the next few weeks, we will be reviewing features of nonfiction and how to read for information. We will also be learning how to take notes in an outline which will be the format for students' research packets. During social studies, students will choose a national park to research and present on. Additional information will be posted as we move forward in this project, but here is a link to get your students thinking about national parks.

http://www.webrangers.us/entry_gate.cfm