Sept. 29-Oct. 3

Upcoming events this week include:
Watch Dogs Information and Pizza Night-Tuesday 5:30-7:00
Picture Day-Wednesday! Students must have their order form brought to school by Wednesday if you are interested in purchasing pictures.
PTAC Ice Cream Social-Thursday 6:00-8:00 in cafeteria
2 Hour Late Start-Friday
Pleasantview 1k and 5k- October 11th

Here is what we will be working on in 4th grade next week!

Language Arts:
New reading logs went home today and will be due next Friday, October 3rd.
Comprehension-Decribing characters and analyzing character traits
Grammar- Types of sentences and using punctuation for effect in our writing
Vocabulary- Using context clues to find word meanings
Our words of the week are trait, concern, ruin, model.  Try using these words at home!
Word Study- Short and long i  
New lists will be put into agendas on Monday.  Students will also be bringing home an idea letter for how to be practicing their words at home.

Math:
Students will be testing on Unit 1 on Tuesday.  Below is a note from Mr. Krupa..

Good afternoon!

We had a few students not turn in a Math Log last week. These studentswere disappointed when they learned they werent able to attend the No
Late Work Reward Event due to the fact that their log was incomplete.
I want my math students to be attending this event. I want my math
students to have attain mastery of all the math facts!
So Im sending along a suggested schedule for completing the Math Facts
Log which is due at the end of every week. I've made recommendations
for every night of the week, but remember you only need to total 50
minutes of practice per week. This suggested schedule allows you to
practice more than 50 minutes a week so you could take a day or two
off. The listed sites are very user and family friendly as the
students could achieve all 50 minutes of practice online.  All
activities are placed on my blog located at
http://krupafourthgrade.blogspot.com [1]

or you can copy and paste the websites to your address bar.
Here's the suggested timeframe for practice. We begin on a Friday.

Friday

    Practice a math game on  Mr. Krupa's website - 10-15 minutes
Recommending:  Math Facts Shootout

http://www.abcya.com/math_facts_game.htm [2]

   Multiplication and Division

Saturday

  Practice a math game on Mr. Krupa's website- 10-15 minutes

Recommending: Math Bingo

http://www.abcya.com/math_bingo.htm [3]

Sunday -

 Take a quiz online and have the computer correct it  - 10-15
minutes
http://www.fun4thebrain.com/quizzes.html [4]

Monday

 Flash Cards 10 minutes.  (I have some if you need them or they are
one dollar at the dollar store) orhttp://www.fun4thebrain.com/multiplication/alienmunchmult.html [5]

Check out the entire site

Tuesday

 NWEA Math "Practice Sites" 10 - 15 minutes (located at the very
bottom my Blog, use your MAPS Test score to figure where to begin
http://www.sowashco.k12.mn.us/RO/Pages/studentlinks/map/ [6]

Check out the entire site

Wednesday

 Math Apps and Website games 10-  15 minutes (located on the blog
under "Websites")


 Recommending: http://www.ixl.com/math/grade-4/missing-factors-facts-to-12[7]

Check out the entire site

Thursday

 Flash Cards- 10 minutesor http://www.adaptedmind.com/p.php?tagId=403# [8]

Friday- Turn in your Math Log!!! Celebrate! Get a new Math Log

Check out other links under "Websites" located on the righthand side
of the  blog and Practice Sites at the very bottom of the blog.

Enjoy your improved mathematical knowledge!
Links:
------
[1] http://krupafourthgrade.blogspot.com
[2] http://www.abcya.com/math_facts_game.htm    Friday
[3] http://www.abcya.com/math_bingo.htm               Sat.
[4] http://www.fun4thebrain.com/quizzes.html           Sun.
[5] http://www.fun4thebrain.com/multiplication/alienmunchmult.html  Mon.
[6] http://www.sowashco.k12.mn.us/RO/Pages/studentlinks/map/     Tues.
[7] http://www.ixl.com/math/grade-4/missing-factors-facts-to-12        Wed.
[8] http://www.adaptedmind.com/p.php?tagId=403#                          Thurs.

Sept. 22-26

It has been a busy week getting started with our curriculum and perfecting our routines.  We are off to a great start with Class Dojo and I appreciate all who have signed up with a parent account.  You should start receiving weekly updates on your child's points for the week.  Feel free to log on each day to see what great things they are earning points for as well as PATH behaviors they need to continue to work on.
We had quite a few 4th graders miss out on our first, weekly PATH reward time today.  This is a free time set at the end of the day on Fridays to reward students remaining on the PATH with work and behaviors each week.  It also gives students time to catch up on assignments they are missing.  Please check in with your student to see if they participated today.

Here is what we will be doing in our classroom this coming week-

Language Arts-
A new reading log went home today and will be due next Friday.
Comprehension: Summarizing
Vocabulary: prefixes im-, in-, il, ir
Words of the week:  comfort, proper, consist, intend (Please use and look for these at home!)
Grammar:  Subjects and predicates within complete sentences
Writing: Choosing precise words, writing summaries

Word Study:  We will be starting word study this week!  Please watch for a list to come home in your child's agenda.  They will get a new list each Monday and be tested on the week's pattern on Friday.  This year we will really be focusing on the patterns of spelling rather than just memorizing words.  This will help them transfer their skills into their everyday writing.  We will be learning routines to do this at school and I will send a practice idea list home later this week!

Math-
A new math fact log went home today and will be due next Friday.  Mr. Krupa age flashcards to anyone who needed them today.
Continuing Unit 1

Have a great week:)

September 15-19

We had a great second week and  are coming a long way with our routines and expectations for the year.  Your student brought home 2 parent letters today explaining our reading and math homework expectations.  Please take some time to talk about these with your child and sign the bottom slip to return.   You may have your student bring their reading response journals home often to check their progress and get clarification on the goal guidelines.

New logs will come home every Friday and will be due the following Friday.

Thank you to all of the families who submitted book orders.  Because of your orders, we were able to get 6 new series sets for our classroom:)

Here is what this week will look like in our room!

Language Arts:
-Comprehension Focus: Story Structure with plot and setting details
-Grammar: Writing complete sentences
-Vocabulary: the prefixes re-, un-, and dis-
-Writing:  We will continuing to work on writing quality reading responses
-Word Study:  We will be taking a spelling inventory to prepare our word study groups

Math:
-Continuing Unit 1
-Math MAPS will be taken on Tuesday, September 16th

Science/Social:
-We are continuing with our PATH and social skill lessons.  This week we are going to focus on organization and being a good friend.

Have a great week!

What a GREAT First Week!

Wow!  We have had an amazing first week!  It has been so wonderful getting to know all of the members of our class and seeing them transition so well into 4th grade.  We spent a lot of time this week talking about PATH expectations.  Please take some time to ask your student what the letters in PATH stand for and how they have been showing that they are on the path this week.

Our first round of MAPS testing is already here!  Our class will be taking the Reading MAPS test on Monday morning and the math one on September 16th.  These test results help us get a preliminary look at the skills our students have mastered and ones we need to continue practicing.

We will be having reading W.I.N. time again this year, however, it will not start until October.  Before we decide our grouping, we will be doing reading level assessments with each of our students.  This helps us get a closer, more accurate look at what exactly each student needs so that we are able to help them be the best readers they can be!

Here is what next week will look like in each of our subjects:

Language Arts:
-Continue to practice Read to Self routines
-Set up reading response journals and interactive reading notebooks
-Review 4th grade reading goals and expectations
-Start Word Work and Writing
-Students can start getting in the habit by reading 20 minutes each night
* Details about our 4th grade expectations and reading logs will be coming home on Friday*

Math:
-Begin Unit 1 on Word Problems
-Students can start getting into the habit of practicing their multiplication facts

Social Studies
Mr. Krupa has also decided to start covering some of our Social Studies during their extended math time.  They will start by learning about our 50 states.

Other Reminders:
-Book orders are due next Friday!  Thank you to all families who have already sent in your orders:)

Have a great week!

WELCOME to 4th GRADE!!!!!

I am so excited to be starting another wonderful school year here at Pleasantview!  Fourth grade is always a very exciting year for students and I can tell already that we have an amazing group of students.  Thank you to everyone who was able to make it to open house on Wednesday.  If you were unable to make it, no worries, we will send all of the necessary forms home with your student on Tuesday.

One of my goals is to keep the families of my students informed about what we are learning in the classroom on a weekly basis.  I believe that students benefit most from a team effort between home and school.  The two main forms of regular communication I will use are this blog and their agendas. Each day we will update agendas with what we are learning, assignments and upcoming things to remember.  Please make a habit of checking and signing your student's agenda on a daily basis.  I will update this blog each week with details of what we are learning and exciting things happening in our classroom.  I also like to add pictures so you can see the action!  Each time I update the blog I will send an email with a link for your convenience.

Our first week of school we will be focusing on learning daily routines, reviewing PATH expectations and getting to know each other better.  More information on homework routines and reading goals will be coming home the 2nd week of school.

One activity they will be doing this week will be to complete a poster to teach us all about themselves.  They will be asked to complete the poster at home and add pictures if they wish.  They will be getting the paper and directions for this on Tuesday.  Feel free to do this together!

I have attached a copy of our weekly schedule under the hand outs tab on the right side of this blog.  I will add copies of other important items as they come.

*Reminders for the 1st week of school*

-Bring remainder of supplies to school on Tuesday, September 2nd.
-Send back completed paperwork in your student's take home folder.  If there are no changes to be made on their white health sheet, simply sign it and return.
-Gym shoes will be needed on Thursday.  If they have an extra pair it may be helpful to keep them in their locker for the year.
-Our first day of book check out is Friday.
-All students will be offered FREE breakfast in the classroom this year.  Because of this, there will be no additional milk/juice or snack cart offered.

I am looking forward to getting to know all of our new students and families.
Please feel free to email or call with any questions, concerns or feedback you may have.

Enjoy the weekend and I cannot wait for our first day:)

-Mrs. Bakke

Last 5 Days of 4th Grade!

It is hard to believe this year is coming to an end already.  The students and I were talking the other day about how fast our time together has gone by, and it is hard to believe the end of the school year is here. I can say with complete honesty that this has been one of the most hard working, respectful, positive and enjoyable groups that I have ever worked with.  I am beyond proud of the work they did this year and they should be extremely proud of their success.  I also want to thank all parents and families for all of your support this year and for helping encourage your students to make their goals.

Part of me wishes I could keep them all in fourth grade again, but a bigger part is excited to see and hear about all of the great things they will do moving forward.  I truly believe this group is unstoppable and feel very fortunate to have been a part of their journey!

Here is what we will be busy with for our last 5 days..

Reading:  We completed Bridge to Terabithia this week and are still working on finishing up the final assessment.  We will celebrate our completion with watching the movie edition on Wednesday.  Their last reading logs are due Tuesday! We will also take some time to do some end of the year reflections and evaluations.

The deadline for reaching their reading goal was today!  If your student made their goal, please remember to return their swimming permission slips with $3 on Tuesday.

Writing:  Will be writing and putting together our final drafts of our biography books on Tuesday.  These are turning out pretty amazing so make sure to look at them when they are brought home next week.

Math:  Mr. Krupa will be finishing up Unit 10 which focuses on 3 dimensional figures.

Word Study:  Final word study practice sheets are due Tuesday and they will be taking their last word test.  There will be no new word/pattern list coming home.

Other Reminders:

We will be visiting the BOGO book fair on Tuesday.  Students may bring in money to purchase books.

Final White Elephant Sale/Auction is Wednesday.

Reading Celebration/Swimming Field trip is Thursday

PLEASE return all classroom books to school by Thursday.

Please send an additional bag with your student on Friday for desk and locker cleaning.

We will be walking down to the park and visiting the DQ the last day of school.  Next week we will be sending home a price list for them to choose what they would like.  They must come with their selection made and an envelope with the exact change inside.  This greatly helps them with our lines that are 120 students long!


 Let me know if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions.  I am open to and welcome any suggestions that you may have to help me be a more effective teacher in years to come.
Thank you again for such a great year!

Erin Bakke

May12-16

We are in the final countdown with just over 3 weeks left!  Next week we will be busy with our last round of MAPS testing as well as our 4th grade field day taking place on Wednesday.  Please refer to the pink calendar for the letter/theme of each day.

Next week happenings:

Reading:  We will be reading chapters 10-12 in Bridge to Terabithia and focusing on theme.  We will also be doing a lesson that takes a look into gender roles and stereotypes in literature.  The two classes have been really enjoying reading the book and using it to reinforce our reading skills.

Rox reading logs are due Monday.  Orange word study is due as well.

Writing:  Next week we will be planning and writing our biography drafts.  Thanks to everyone for your help with their at0home research this week.

Math/Social:  Mr. Krupa will be continuing to focus on social studies and map skills.

If you borrowed a math book from our classroom, please send it back with your student this week.

*Reminder* All library books are due MONDAY! Please also check homes, cars etc for classroom books.

Please return pink swimming permission slips as soon as possible so that we are able to give the high school final numbers.  All students have until the 23rd to complete their goal.  I will not accept more than 1 books finished per day and their books have to be in their good fit range.  The goal was to have them put effort into the goal all year long- not only the last month.

I hope everyone has a great week and a wonderful Mother's Day to all of you great moms!