Mrs. Balch's Room 4-15

Hope everyone had a Happy Mother’s Day.  We have a busy four weeks ahead of us.

This week I am updating PowerSchool to reflect the most test, quizzes, and homework grades.  Please check PowerSchool beginning Tuesday morning to see your child’s current grades. We have only 4 weeks before we finish fourth grade, and if your child has missing work it is his/her responsibility to hand it in.

Mrs. Bonahoom has informed me that she has about a dozen copies of the fifth grade summer reading book, “The Mixed Up Files of  Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler” available for $5.  If you would like a book, please contact the office.

Math: We will finish Chapter 8, “Decimals.”  We will have a quiz on Thursday, and then begin the next chapter. As we approach the end of the year, I try to introduce as many skills as possible.  We will continue to have Thursday quizzes, but will not have any more chapter tests.

Science:  We will complete our textbook study of  Chapter 3, “Ecosystems” this week.  The biome dioramas that students are working on can be brought to class any day after the Memorial Day weekend, but they are due  on Thursday, May 31.    We will be presenting our biomes and animal masks to the second grade on Friday, June 1. This week students will be starting to write a short paragraph about their animals for the second grade  presentation.  Students will continue to work on their masks in art.

Social Studies:  We will be reviewing the states using  Discovereducation.com this week.  The final states, capitals, abbreviations, and map test will be Thursday, May 24.  This is mostly a matching test.  The states and capitals will be listed by region, and the students will need to match them up.  A blank  U. S. map will be numbered and the students will need to match the number to the correct state.  The students will need to fill in the postal abbreviations for each state.  The abbreviations will not be listed on the test.  Each student was given a list of the states, capitals, and abbrevations, along with a large map to help in studying.  There are a number of games that can be played online to help students recognize state shapes and identify the states  on a  U. S. map.  One site is listed under my links on this website  ” Games – 50 states.”  Check it out.

If a student or a parent wishes to have a planner signed at the end of the day, it is the student’s responsibility to bring the planner to the teacher.  Assignments for the day are listed in both classrooms.

If you have any concerns, please feel free to contact me via email kathy.balch@stregis.org or voice mail 248-2686 Ext, 405 . Emergency messages should be directed to the office. Thank you for your continued support.

It was wonderful to see the moms at school for the Mother’s Day program.  We have lots of things planned for the last 5 weeks of school. We did not hand out Friday Folders on Thursday last week, but will be handing them out at the end of this week.

Students may begin to wear the alternate school uniform this Monday.

Math: We will start Chapter 8, “Decimals.”  As we approach the end of the year, I try to introduce as many skills as possible.  We will continue to have Thursday quizzes, but will not have any more chapter tests.

Science:  We will continue our study of  Chapter 3, “Ecosystems” this week.  In conjunction with this chapter we have viewed various videos and are learning about biomes or ecosystems.  In class we are talking about a project which will include picking a biome, creating a diorama, making an animal mask, and writing a short presentation for the second graders about an animal and the biome they live in.  A project sheet was sent home on Thursday. Students need to have a picture of their animal’s face for art on Wednesday. They will be start to sketch their masks.

Social Studies:  We finished Unit 7,  “The  West.”  The next test will be on Thursday, May 10. Students received their assessment packets back and a map of the Western states.  For the test, students will answer content questions from the unit and correctly spell the Western Region states and capitals. The state abbreviations will be given on the test. Students will also list the appropriate locations of the states. We will continue to work on the state suitcase project  in art.

After we have completed all the regions, we will have a final map test that will include listing all the states on a map.  There are a number of games that can be played online to help students recognize state shapes and identify them on a  U. S. map.  One site is listed under my links on this website  ” Games – 50 states.”  Check it out.

If a student or a parent wishes to have a planner signed at the end of the day, it is the student’s responsibility to bring the planner to the teacher.  Assignments for the day are listed in both classrooms.

If you have any concerns, please feel free to contact me via email kathy.balch@stregis.org or voice mail 248-2686 Ext, 405 . Emergency messages should be directed to the office. Thank you for your continued support.

We will not have Tuesday mass this week since we are celebrating Mother’s Day on Friday, May 4.  On Friday, please arrive for 8:30 mass and sit with your child.  A short performance will follow the mass.  Moms will be invited to the classrooms after the performance.  We are looking forward to seeing everyone at this special celebration.

Math: We have finished Chapter 7, “Fractions and Mixed Numbers.”  I handed out a review packet with the various concepts we learned in the chapter.  The packet is due on Tuesday.  In order to get an extra 3 points on the test, the form should be signed. We will have the test on Thursday, May 3.  We will do the textbook chapter review and test for homework in preparation for the test.

Science:  We will continue our study of  Chapter 3, “Ecosystems” this week.  In conjunction with this chapter we have viewed various videos and are learning about biomes or ecosystems.  In class we are talking about a project which will include picking a biome, creating a diorama, making an animal mask, and writing a short presentation for the second graders about an animal.  A project sheet will be sent home this week.

Social Studies:  We  are finishing Unit 7,  “The  West.”  The next test will be on Thursday, May 10. I will hand out a map for the states in this region during the week.  We will continue to work on the state suitcase project  in art.

After we have completed all the regions, we will have a final map test that will include listing all the states on a map.  There are a number of games that can be played online to help students recognize state shapes and identify them on a  U. S. map.  One site is listed under my links on this website  ” Games – 50 states.”  Check it out.

If a student or a parent wishes to have a planner signed at the end of the day, it is the student’s responsibility to bring the planner to the teacher.  Assignments for the day are listed in both classrooms.

If you have any concerns, please feel free to contact me via email kathy.balch@stregis.org or voice mail 248-2686 Ext, 405 . Emergency messages should be directed to the office. Thank you for your continued support.

This is Book Fair week!  Room 15 will preview the books on Monday afternoon and have the opportunity to purchase books on Thursday morning during the time we would ordinarily have our library special.

Math: We will continue studying Chapter 7, “Fractions and Mixed Numbers.”   We will have a quiz on Thursday.  This is a challenging concept for some students, but we will review the basics several times before the final chapter test.  I will also hand out a study packet at the end of the week that includes samples of the skills needed for the chapter test (date TBD).  We still have several other concepts I hope to cover before the end of the year.

Science:  We will be starting Chapter 3, “Ecosystems” this week.  In conjunction with this chapter we will be viewing various videos and learning about the biomes or ecosystems on Earth.  In class we are talking about a project which will include picking a biome, creating a diorama, making an animal mask, and writing a short presentation for the second graders about an animal.  We will be working on the project throughout May and more info will follow after we have previewed the ecosystem videos.

Social Studies:  We  are finishing Unit 7,  “The  West.”   We will do a short assessment packet before scheduling the  next test. We will continue to work on the state suitcase project  in art.

After we have completed all the regions, we will have a final map test that will include listing all the states on a map.  There are a number of games that can be played online to help students recognize state shapes and identify them on a  U. S. map.  One site is listed under my links on this website  ” Games – 50 states.”  Check it out.

If a student or a parent wishes to have a planner signed at the end of the day, it is the student’s responsibility to bring the planner to the teacher.  Assignments for the day are listed in both classrooms.

If you have any concerns, please feel free to contact me via email kathy.balch@stregis.org or voice mail 248-2686 Ext, 405 . Emergency messages should be directed to the office. Thank you for your continued support.

We had a short, but busy first week of the fourth quarter.

The specials for Room 15 have changed slightly.  Room 15 students will have their second Music/Band on Friday and Spanish on Wednesday. The  specials for Room 15  during the second quarter are:

Monday:  Gym

Tuesday:  Mass and Music/Band

Wednesday:  Spanish and Art

Thursday:   Library

Friday:  Computer,  Science Lab, and Music and Band

Math: We will continue studying Chapter 7, “Fractions and Mixed Numbers.”   We will have a quiz on Thursday.

Science:   We made jello plant cells during the Friday lab. Lots of fun!  The Chapter 1 test is scheduled for Friday, April 20.  A study guide was handed out in class.  More exciting projects are planned for the fourth quarter as we begin our study of animals and ecosystems.

Social Studies:  We  are starting our last unit,  “The  West.”   We have listed the states and capitals, and will read the lessons over the next couple of weeks. We have also started a state suitcase project  in art.  We will be working on it in school over the next several weeks.  

After we have completed all the regions, we will have a final map test that will include listing all the states on a map.  There are a number of games that can be played online to help students recognize state shapes and identify them on a  U. S. map.  One site is listed under my links on this website  ” Games – 50 states.”  Check it out.

If a student or a parent wishes to have a planner signed at the end of the day, it is the student’s responsibility to bring the planner to the teacher.  Assignments for the day are listed in both classrooms.

If you have any concerns, please feel free to contact me via email kathy.balch@stregis.org or voice mail 248-2686 Ext, 405 . Emergency messages should be directed to the office. Thank you for your continued support.

Welcome back.  I hope everyone had a relaxing Spring Break.

There are  many exciting things planned as we begin the final quarter in Fourth Grade. Buckle your seat belts as we ride the fourth quarter roller coaster finishing off our academic year.

Math: We will continue studying Chapter 7, “Fractions and Mixed Numbers.”  Due to the shortened week, we will skip our weekly quiz.

Science:    We will finish Chapter 1, “Classifying Plants and Animals,”  this week.  We will build plant jello cells during the Friday lab.  The test for this chapter will be on Friday, April 20.  A study guide will be handed out this Friday. More exciting projects are planned for the fourth quarter as we continue our study of animals.

Social Studies:  We  finished  Unit 6, “The  Southwest,”  prior to the break.  The graded assessment packet for the unit will be returned to students on Tuesday.  Students who were absent before the break should hand in their packets as soon as possible for grading.  The test for the unit will be Friday, April 13.   There are only four states and capitals in this region, but correct spelling of the states and capitals are required for the test.  There will also be a map for locating the states. We will study the last region, “The West,” next.

After we have completed all the regions, we will have a final map test that will include listing all the states on a map.  There are a number of games that can be played online to help students recognize state shapes and identify them on a  U. S. map.  One site is listed under my links on this website  ” Games – 50 states.”  Check it out.

If a student or a parent wishes to have a planner signed at the end of the day, it is the student’s responsibility to bring the planner to the teacher.  Assignments for the day are listed in both classrooms.

If you have any concerns, please feel free to contact me via email kathy.balch@stregis.org or voice mail 248-2686 Ext, 405 . Emergency messages should be directed to the office. Thank you for your continued support.

The third quarter ends on March 30.  Grades for the quarter will be finalized and posted on PowerSchool next week.

There are  many exciting things planned as we begin the final quarter in Fourth Grade.

Math: We will complete our study of Chapter 6, “Measurement and Negative Numbers.”  this week. There are some basic measurements of customary length, weight, and capacity that will need to be memorized. A pink sheet detailing all the basic measurements was handed out on Friday.  The chapter test will be on Wednesday, March 28.  In order for this test score to be included in the third quarter, all students must take the test before the break.  A couple of parents have advised me of early vacation plans.  If your child will not be on school on Wednesday please let me know.  An individual will be allowed to take this test on Tuesday, if I am advised of a planned absence.  Assignments that are missed due to  a planned absence will be made up when the student returns.

Science:    We had our final session of the  GM sponsored  “A World in Motion” project presented by our guest engineers, Tom Chaput and Jeff Giddings on Friday.  These gentleman and our volunteer parents have been wonderful and the students did a fabulous job on their gliders.  The third graders voted on the best looking gliders and three gliders from each class won. Prizes were also awarded to students who had the most accurate and lengthy flights in the science lab. The students  thoroughly enjoyed this hands-on project.

We have  started studying Life Science.  We are at the beginning of the book,  Chapter 1, ” Classifying Plants and Animals.”   After the break, we will do an enjoyable lab, creating an edible  jello plant cell.  More excitement is also planned for the fourth quarter as we study animals.

Social Studies:  We will be finishing  Unit 6, “The  Southwest.”  There are only four states and capitals in this region.  A packet for this region will be handed out on Monday and is due on Wednesday, March 28.  The test for this region will be scheduled  after the break.  We will also begin a fourth quarter state project when we return.

In the fourth quarter after we have completed all the regions, we will have a final map test that will include listing all the states on a map.  There are a number of games that can be played online to help students recognize state shapes and identify them on a  U. S. map.  One site is listed under my links on this website  ” Games – 50 states.”  Check it out.

If a student or a parent wishes to have a planner signed at the end of the day, it is the student’s responsibility to bring the planner to the teacher.  Assignments for the day are listed in both classrooms.

If you have any concerns, please feel free to contact me via email kathy.balch@stregis.org or voice mail 248-2686 Ext, 405 . Emergency messages should be directed to the office. Thank you for your continued support

There will be author visiting on Monday.  Jonathan Rand will be in the gym for an assembly.

We will have an all school mass on Tuesday.

The third quarter ends on March 30.

Math: We will continue our study of Chapter 6, “Measurement and Negative Numbers”  this week. There are some basic measurements of customary length, weight, and capacity that will need to be memorized. We will cover metric capacity and temperatures (Fahrenheit and Celsius) this week. We will have our weekly quiz on Thursday.

Science:  We are finishing our gliders in class this week.  We will have a final session of the  GM sponsored  “A World in Motion” project presented by our guest engineers, Tom Chaput and Jeff Giddings on Friday, March 23.  These gentleman and our volunteer parents have been wonderful. The students are thoroughly enjoying this hands-on project.  We will start studying Life Science next.  Chapter 1 is about classifying plants and animals.

Social Studies:  We have started  Unit 6, “The  Southwest.”  There are only four states and capitals in this region. We will read the lessons and complete a packet for this region before the break, but the test will be scheduled after the break.  We will also begin a fourth quarter state project when we return from break.

In the fourth quarter after we have completed all the regions, we will have a final map test that will include listing all the states on a map.  There are a number of games that can be played online to help students recognize state shapes and identify them on a  U. S. map.  One site is listed under my links on this website  ” Games – 50 states.”  Check it out.

If a student or a parent wishes to have a planner signed at the end of the day, it is the student’s responsibility to bring the planner to the teacher.  Assignments for the day are listed in both classrooms.

If you have any concerns, please feel free to contact me via email kathy.balch@stregis.org or voicemail 248-2686 Ext, 405 . Emergency messages should be directed to the office. Thank you for your continued support

I hope that everyone has had an opportunity to check the PowerSchool grades.  The 3rd quarter ends on March 30.

We have a shortened week.  We will not have classes on Friday as the teachers will be attending a curriculum conference.

Math: We will continue our study of Chapter 6, “Measurement and Negative Numbers”  this week. There are some basic measurements of customary length, weight, and capacity that will need to be memorized. We will also be studying the metric system. We will have our weekly quiz on Thursday.

Science:  We had a great science lab and will be working on finishing our gliders in class over the next two weeks.  We will have a final session of the  GM sponsored  “A World in Motion” project presented by our guest engineers, Tom Chaput and Jeff Giddings on Friday, March 23.  These gentleman and our volunteer parents have been wonderful. The students are thoroughly enjoying this hands-on project.

We have completed  Chapter 15, “Objects in Motion”.   The test for the chapter will be on Thursday, March 15.  A study guide will be handed out on Monday.

Social Studies: The  Unit 5, “The  Midwest” test will be Monday, March 12. We have reviewed in class and the assessment packet was handed back to the students. Students will need to list the Midwest states and capitals on  the test.  The state abbreviations will be listed. Students will also need to locate the the Midwest states and the five Great Lakes on a map. Correct spelling of the states, capitals, and the individual Great Lakes  is expected.

In the fourth quarter after we have completed all the regions, we will have a final map test that will include listing all the states on a map.  There are a number of games that can be played online to help students recognize state shapes and identify them on a  U. S. map.  One site is listed under my links on this website  ” Games – 50 states.”  Check it out.

If a student or a parent wishes to have a planner signed at the end of the day, it is the student’s responsibility to bring the planner to the teacher.  Assignments for the day are listed in both classrooms.

If you have any concerns, please feel free to contact me via email kathy.balch@stregis.org or voicemail 248-2686 Ext, 405 . Emergency messages should be directed to the office. Thank you for your continued support

The Dear America speeches and posters were excellent.  The posters will remain on display in the hall for the next couple of weeks.

Math: We will start Chapter 6, “Measurement and Negative Numbers”  this week. There are some basic measurements of customary length, weight, and capacity that will need to be memorized. We will also be studying the metric system. We will have our weekly quiz on Thursday.

Science:  We will finish   “Objects in Motion,” Chapter 15.   The test for the chapter will be on Thursday, March 15. A study guide will be handed out in this week’s  Friday Folders. In conjunction with this chapter, we are learning about, designing, and building gliders in the science lab.  The glider project will continue over the next couple of weeks.  The project is presented by Tom Chaput and Jeff Giddings, retired GM engineers.  The supplies for the project are donated by GM through their “A World in Motion” educational project.

Social Studies: We will complete  Unit 5, “The  Midwest.”    The graded assessment packet will be returned to the students during the week. The test will be Monday, March 12. Students should be practicing the Midwest states and capitals. Students will also need to label the the Midwest states and the five Great Lakes on a map.

In the fourth quarter after we have completed all the regions, we will have a final map test that will include listing all the states on a map.  There are a number of games that can be played online to help students recognize state shapes and identify them on  U. S. map.  One site is listed under my links on this website  ” Games – 50 states.”  Check it out.

If a student or a parent wishes to have a planner signed at the end of the day, it is the student’s responsibility to bring the planner to the teacher.  Assignments for the day are listed in both classrooms.

If you have any concerns, please feel free to contact me via email kathy.balch@stregis.org or voicemail 248-2686 Ext, 405 . Emergency messages should be directed to the office. Thank you for your continued support