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Newsletters |
May Newsletter – 4 Miller
Welcome to the final two months of the school year! I look forward to seeing many of you at the Spring Fair on Saturday. In math we have moved away from operations and are looking at measurement and geometry outcomes. We will be discussing what measurements seem reasonable. Would our classroom be 9 cm long or 9 m long? Students should be able to estimate the length of items around the house. The width of a pinky finger is about 1 cm. After linear measurements we will be exploring the volume, capacity and mass of various things and looking for real world applications for these skills. From now until the end of the year we will also be exploring fractions and decimals. In science we have started a unit on habitats. In health our presentation from the public health nurse was postponed so we will be exploring the physical and emotional changes of puberty as soon as we can reschedule the visit. In Language Arts we are exploring persuasive writing. The students are learning how to support their opinions with facts and are attempting to persuade others with these opinions.
Mrs. van de Hoek will say goodbye to our class on May 10th. The class has enjoyed her teaching time. We wish her the best as she continues her education and great success in her future teaching career.
Homework Reminders:
Important Dates:
5 th - Spring Fair
10th - Volunteer Tea
11th – Professional Development Day
21st – Victoria Day – NO SCHOOL
March Newsletter 4 Miller
Well here we are in March; I am looking forward to the arrival of spring this month. In Math we have completed our unit on multiplication and have moved on to division. The students will be introduced to long division. The concept can be very challenging for many, and progress tends to be slow. Experience has taught me that much practice is required as students try to master this new skill. I will send home an explanation of how long division will be taught in the classroom after the students are familiar with the method. This will give you the opportunity to see how we are doing things and your child should be able to be the teacher at home and share a method that may be very new to many of you. A solid understanding of multiplication facts is essential for division. Many still do not have these facts memorized and it will slow them down with long division.
In Language Arts we continue to look at revising our written work. In reading we are exploring the strategy of inferring; reading between the lines. Although we have used non-fiction resources in class, a good resource for inferring is using comics as there tend to be few words but the reader needs to infer what is happening based on the picture and the limited text. So if your child wants to read the comics why not use the opportunity to discuss with them what the author is really trying to say.
Over the past few months the students have been asked to complete most class work and homework using cursive writing. This is a challenging skill for many students but with continued practice I hope they can become efficient writers.
March 12th-16th March Break
March 30th Assessment and Evaluation Day
February
Newsletter 4 Miller
Well the month of February is here and we are officially half way through our school year. We have been working on multiplication. Students learned last year to represent this concept with pictures, numbers and words. In grade four students are introduced to more complex representations of multiplication including multiplying numbers with two and three digits. In grade four students are also expected to learn the multiplication tables to 9x9. Continuing to practice these nightly and record study minutes on the multiplication log is necessary. Once mastering the multiplication facts students will be moving on to studying division facts. Having a solid understanding of the multiplication tables is essential as we move on to division.
In Language Arts we will continue to focus on comprehension strategies such as visualizing, questioning, inferring, predicting and making connections to what we read, using non fiction texts. We have also been focusing on the revision of our writing. We have looked at making our writing more intriguing for the reader to want to read further into the story.
In Health we have had some good discussions around emotions and anxiety during particular situations. In Science we have been learning about light and have enjoyed making observations while doing hands on experiments.
We will have a small Valentine celebration on Feb 14th. You will find a class list on the back for addressing valentines. We will follow the same procedure as previous celebrations within the class; the students are welcome to bring an individual snack that is peanut free on that day.
Important Dates
Thank you and have a great month.
January News 4
Miller 
Happy New Year! I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday season with family and friends. Here is a peak at the month of January for us.
The regular homework schedule has resumed. If for some reason homework cannot be completed, a note from a parent would be appreciated. Parents please remember to sign the agenda nightly.
This month in Math students will be introduced to multiplication of two digit numbers by one digit. Practice and memorization of multiplication facts is very important this year. Some review and practice will take place in school, but work at home on this skill is essential. The Multiplication Logs are a recording devise to assist families with this task. The practice sheets, flash cards and oral drill are two strategies to use. Since this can be an overwhelming task for some, try taking it a section or two at a time. For example, study all of the 2 and 4 facts and then move on to 3 and 5, etc. Some students are very close to being ready to move on to studying division facts. I know that lives are very busy but a few minutes spent each day will be beneficial to all students. Our Annual Family Math Night on January 18th will have a variety of games to practice multiplication facts with your child. Hope to see all of you there.
Catchy Headlines are beginning this Monday. About once a month, your child will come to school on Monday ready to talk about something. It could be an interesting book, movie or television program. It could be about a special person. Maybe they did something special on the weekend. Something funny or unusual may have happened to them. They might want to talk about a special place. It can really be about anything. On Friday, Catchy Headline will be written in their agenda if it’s their turn. They should come prepared to write a “Catchy Headline” on the board. Each student will have a chance to share their headline and then orally tell us about their topic. It just has to be a few sentences. Most are less than a minute. There is no need for anything to be written down. This is just an opportunity for each student to become comfortable speaking in front of the class.
In Language Arts we’ll be looking at text features of non-fiction materials. We will continue developing our comprehension strategies using non-fiction books. Writing workshop time will be spent revising and editing our stories. In Science we are beginning a unit on light.
Looking forward to a great new year!
DECEMBER NEWSLETTER – 4 Miller
With three weeks left before the Christmas break we still have lots of learning and fun activities ahead of us. Our class is fortunate to have a student teacher from Mount Saint Vincent University. Mrs. Van den Hoek will be with us until Dec 9th and then will return in the spring. In Language Arts we are visualizing. This strategy involves creating pictures in your head while reading, and helps build a deeper understanding of the text. In math we have just begun working on data management outcomes. We will be collecting, interpreting and using data to create several different types of graphs. Continued at-home practice of addition, subtraction and multiplication facts is still important for many students. The A+ Math website is a good source for games and practice. http://www.aplusmath.com/.
The week of December 12th
we will take a break from the regular homework routines. December is such a busy
month!
A reminder that
multiplication facts should be studied four nights per week. The multiplication
log should be kept in a plastic cover within the homework binder.
8th – First term report cards go home
12th – Discovery Centre Trip (more info to follow)
16th –Last day for students
Have a peaceful month and enjoy the holiday season with your family.
November Newsletter
– 4 Miller
We are into our third month of grade four already! In math the students have been reviewing addition and will learn to add and subtract up to the ten thousands this year. Students are also estimating reasonable answers and learning that an exact answer is not always necessary. Think of examples in the “real world” where we estimate the cost of something instead of calculating it exactly. We will be focusing on problem solving using addition and subtraction. Students will learn to slow down and read problems more than once, so they get all the information needed to solve. Continued home practice of basic addition and subtraction facts is still important. Students will be better prepared to solve longer, multi-step problems if they have the basic facts memorized. Try using flash-cards (found at any dollar store) or incorporating mental math into real-life situations.
Homework reminders:
Reading Comprehension – students are asked to read the home-reading passage aloud to an adult. This is an important part of this assignment as it gives them an opportunity to practice their fluency. Make sure they are reading sentences in phrases and stopping to take a breath when they see a period or comma.
Spelling Activities- please make sure the weekly syllables remain in the duotang after the word cards have been cut and removed.
Homework agenda – most students have their agendas signed each night and are remembering to have them open on their desk each morning to be checked.
Multiplication Log – each night the facts should be studied and recorded.
Important Dates:
October
Newsletter – 4 Miller
The first month of school has passed by in a flash! We have settled into our classroom routines nicely and the children have been working hard on many aspects of the grade 4 curriculum. In Math we have been focusing on place value and number patterns. In Science the students have been exploring rocks and minerals. We have some real “rockhounds” in our class! In Language Arts we have been discussing and practicing reading strategies. In writers workshop we have been focusing on generating ideas.
In the package handed out on Curriculum Night was a list of “no excuse words”. This is a list for you to keep at home and contains words often used by students. If needed, keep it handy during homework time. Most grade 4 students should be able to recognize and spell these words. Students can practice these site words at home until they can consistently spell them in their daily writing, as that is what I will be expecting of them. A list is also posted in the classroom.
I have noticed several children still require practice forming cursive writing letters. Although some time is dedicated to this at school, most students would benefit from extra practice at home. I can provide materials if needed. I am expecting students be using cursive writing for their daily work and homework. I know this can be challenging for many, but it definitely gets easier with practice. This is also a good time of year for the students to brush up on their addition and subtraction facts at home. The use of cue cards and oral drill is beneficial for many students.
It was great to meet so many of you during Curriculum Night. My apologies to anyone I did not have a chance to speak to. Any questions regarding the curriculum document please don’t hesitate to contact me.
A few reminders:
Multiplication Log – facts should be practiced each day for 10 minutes. Please keep the log in the homework folder, a plastic sleeve may help to protect them.
Reading Comprehension/Spelling Activities– Duotangs go home on Monday and return by Thursday. Students read with you and complete the activity. Please sign this work each week.
Homework agendas – Please sign each night when homework is completed.
October Dates
10th– Thanksgiving Monday – NO CLASSES
19th- Picture Retakes
26th- PTC Meeting
28th– Conference Day – NO CLASSES for students
SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER – 4 MILLER
Welcome back to another school year! I am looking forward to working with you and your child. I am very happy to have such a great class. If you have any questions or concerns regarding curriculum I will be happy to address them on September 22nd during BLT Curriculum Night or anytime at 876-3230.
Schedule
Our class will have phys. ed on Tuesday and Thursday. Music will be Tuesday and Wednesday. French class is everyday. Library will be determined in the near future.
Homework
Students copy homework in their agendas each day before they leave school. They are responsible for making sure the necessary materials go home to complete the assignments. Parents are asked to sign the agenda each night after the homework has been completed. Agendas are checked each morning when homework is passed in. I will be starting the formal homework schedule in the near future and will send home more information at that time.
Book Order
Each month students will be given the option to order books from the Scholastic Book Order. Through these orders I am able to build our classroom library. Scholastic offers some quality books at reasonable prices. It is a good way to build home libraries as well. Please make sure you check prices in the column intended for Nova Scotia as taxes differ in other provinces. As I am not able to send cash through the mail I ask that parents write a cheque if at all possible.
“Highlights”
This month I am sending home a one-time offer for a subscription to “Highlights” magazine. Please fill out the yellow form even if you do not wish to subscribe as each form returned helps us earn extra supplies for our classroom. There is no obligation to order.
21st – Picture Day in the 3-5 building
22nd – Curriculum Night
I look forward to meeting everyone soon.
millerj23@staff.ednet.ns.ca email
http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/millerj23/ class website
millerj23@staff.ednet.ns.ca email
http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/millerj23/ class website