May 20, 2009

WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY 05-20-2009

FAREWELL TO THE BEST CLASS EVER!!!

I hope I've made a difference and left an IMPRINT with my FABULOUS fourth grade students this year!

Each of you have touched my heart in so many COUNTLESS ways...........each of you is unique and special in your own way! Don't ever conform to others!

YOU ARE ALL AWESOME AND WONDERFULLY MADE! Never forget that!

Your smiles, your sense of humor, your creative projects, your awesome improvements and successes......that is what I will always remember about this year!

Thank you for so many memory making moments...

Promise me...you will keep blossoming and blooming with energy and enthusiasm for learning as you move on to fifth grade. ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT MRS. VARGHESE HAS FULL FAITH IN EACH OF YOU!

Have a safe and sunny summer vacation......and hugs for your proud parents!

I love you all!!!

Respectfully,

Mrs. Varghese

May 11, 2009

MARVELOUS MONDAY 05-11-2009

GREETINGS TO ALL!!

Happy Monday to all!!

Special thanks to my students for the beautiful flowers and gifts.

The words you wrote were very heart warming and thoughtful!!

Thank you to all for making Teacher Appreciation Day memorable!

I have been very blessed to have your children as my students this year.

                    

This week we will continue our novel, "Ghost Cadet".  Please ask your child to tell you the plot of the book so far!  We will review writing good summaries and effectively using reading strategies.
Writing - Persuasive writing
Social Studies - Events leading to the Civil War movement
Math - 4th Nine Weeks review
Health - nutrients, the digestive system, and food groups
Vocabulary - unit 13

 

Upcoming Events: 

Last day for accepting GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS for the 25  BOOK CAMPAIGN is Friday, May 15!

ALL Media Center items must be returned by Friday,May15

Last day for meeting AR goal is Monday, May 18 ( only 10 points!!)

Dinner for all students who met the 25 Book Campaign Challenge will be on

Monday, May 15 @ 4:30.  An invitation WITH THE LOCATION WILL BE IN YOUR CHILD' S  RED FOLDER!! PLEASE REMEMBER THIS IS DUTCH TREAT!

 


                                

                          

April 28, 2009

TERRIFIC TUESDAY 04-28-2009

April 28, 2009

 

 

Dear Parents,

 

HOORAY!!!!!!  CRCT testing is finally over and I am so proud of the children!  They did a fabulous job!   Thank you to everyone for being here and on time. Results will be available this summer from the front office. Please watch the FORD Web site for details on dates and times.

Thank you for the brain food and junk food. The kids were energized and ready to test everyday!

Can you believe that we are down to 18 school days? During these 18 days we are finishing up this 9 week course work and previewing some 5th grade material.

 

Now that testing is over we are back to our normal schedule. Here’s what we’ll be picking back up with this week:

 

  • Persuasive writing- how to develop and support a position
  •   Be on the lookout for some persuading letters to come home!  Students may be writing to you to get out of chores, homework, etc!

  • In Math, we will continue to work on problem solving .  We will be focusing on the FABULOUS FIVE STEP PROCESS.
  • In science,we will continue our unit on ecosystems.  We will begin writing an informational research paper on an endangered animal. Each student will research their animal's adaptation, environmental factors that affect their animal, habitiat of the animal and finally the food chain for the animal. This project will be done mainly at school. Some word processing and poster making might be required to be done at home.

Upcoming dates:

 

Field Day 2009 - TUESDAY, May 11th

Field-day-color Bright GREEN notices were sent home with students today.  Please read this carefully and consider volunteering your time for this great event.  Volunteer forms are due to the PE department by Friday, May 1

April 18, 2009

SENSATIONAL SATURDAY!! April 18, 2009

WELCOME BACK!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful and restful spring break!!

Sorry for the delay in posting a BLOG entry...the server at school has been very slow and needless to say there were issues from doing the work at school.

CRCT

Standardized20testingYes!  The time is here for your brilliant children to strut their stuff!  The students are well prepared for the test and ready to show the test who's boss.  Just a few things that you can do at home to help your child be even more successful next week:

1) Be sure to feed your child a healthy, nutritious breakfast.

2) Get your child to school on time-ride the bus!

3) Get your child to bed early.

4) Provide your child with at least two #2 pencils

5) Go to www.georgiaoas.org and take practice tests

http://elementaryschooltutoring.com/crctskills.html

The test will be administered first thing in the morning, and specials will be after testing.  Homework will only be to read for 20 minutes, so there will be no reason for your child to be late getting to bed.  If your child comes tardy to school, he or she will not be allowed to interrupt testing and will have to make up that part of the test on a makeup day. 

Thank you for helping us do our very best! 

CRCT dates: April 21 - 27

Special Thanks to our AWESOME room mom for organizing the snacks!

Thank you for helping us do our very best! 


Tuesday, April 21 - Reading

Wednesday, April 22 - Language Arts

Thursday, April 23 - Math

Friday, April 24 - Science

Monday, April 27 - Social Studies

March 26, 2009

GLORIOUS FRIDAY!! MARCH 27,2009

Happy Friday to all!!!

I am so very proud of your children this week!!! They have been working really hard and they are beginning to see the fruits of their efforts and perserverance!!

Boys and Girls...continue to push on and give your 100% till the end...only 7 more weeks to go!!

We completed our Buckle Down post tests and I have analyzed the data collected.  I am pulling small groups to differentiate instruction.  Please be on the look out for notes in the agenda of areas that need to be addressed at home!!! Thank you for your continued support and encouragement!!!

Our Star Student for next week will be Jack!  Can't wait to learn more about you, Jack!!   

In reading, we will continue working on reading comprehension skills (inference, sequence, cause and effect, main idea, finding facts, details, and context clues).

Continue to review Science and Social Studies notebooks - especially those topics we are learning about now - Trail of Tears, Texas acquisition and the Alamo, Oregon Trial, and the California Gold Rush.

In math, we will move on to geometry - 3-D shapes while continuing review for CRCT.  Keep practicing multiplication and division.

CRCT is just around the corner!!!!  Please check your child's agenda in the next coming weeks for concepts that need to be reviewed at home. 

Upcoming Events:      
                                 Ms. Foerch's birthday - April 1
                                
Spring Break - April 6-10
                                 Spring Fling - April 18

The following tests are due this TUESDAY, March 31

4th SCIENCE 3

4th MATH 2

4th LANGUAGE ARTS 3

 

TESTS THAT ARE DUE ON TUESDAY, APRIL 14   ARE THE FOLLOWING:

4TH SCIENCE 4

4TH MATH 4

4TH LANGUAGE ARTS 4

4TH SOCIAL STUDIES 4

Here are some review links for the up coming CRCT tests!!

 

Comma Practice!!!

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/words/grammar/punctuation/commas/quiz.shtml

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/interact/g_commaEX1.html

 http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/interact/g_commaEX1.html

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/interact/g_commaEX3.html

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/interact/g_commaEX4.html

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/interact/g_commaEX5.html

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/interact/g_commaessEX1.html

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/interact/g_commaessEX2.html

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/interact/g_commaessEX3.html

http://www.chompchomp.com/exercises.htm#Commas

  MATH PRACTICE

http://mtbethel.blogs.com/files/math.pdf


http://mtbethel.blogs.com/files/math-number20sense20and20numeration20quiz2031.pdf


http://mtbethel.blogs.com/files/math-2.pdf


http://mtbethel.blogs.com/files/geomtry20and20measurement20test2081.pdf

March 20, 2009

Happy Spring!! 03-20-2009

GREETINGS!!!

HAPPY SPRING!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS to all our AR students who reached their goal!!

Special thanks to all the parents who generoulsy donated items to make this NINE WEEK PIZZA PARLOR A SUCCESS!!

 

I can't believe it is almost spring break...only two more weeks!!!

Well....until then we need to WORK HARD AND BUCKLE DOWN!!!


CRCT IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!  PLEASE CHECK YOUR SON/DAUGTHER'S AGENDA IN THE NEXT COMING WEEKS FOR CONCEPTS THAT NEED TO BE REVIEWED AT HOME.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

FIELD TRIP TO KENNESAW MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA PERFORMANCE

SPRING BREAK APRIL 6 - 10

SPRING FLING APRIL 18


This fourth nine weeks we will be focusing on the following concepts and topics:

Language Arts: Persuasive Writing and an Author Study

EQ: How do I read and understand the work of a particular author?

EQ:  How do I write a persuasive essay?

Math:  data, multiplying and dividing decimals, 3-D geometry, algebra and coordinate systems

EQ:  How do I compute with decimals?

EQ:  How can I gather and display mathematical information?

EQ: How can I identify and classify solid figures?

EQ:  How do I locate points on a grid?

Social Studies: Westward Expansion and The Civil War

EQ:  How were the western territories explored and aquired?

EQ: What were the causes and effects of the Civil War?

EQ: How was the U.S changed as a result of the war?

Science:  Ecosystems and Adaptations

EQ: What are ecosystems?

Extinction to Ecosystems
 

Life Science

S4L1. Students will describe the roles of organisms and the flow of energy within an ecosystem.

  • a. Identify the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers in a community.

  • b. Demonstrate the flow of energy through a food web/food chain beginning with sunlight and including producers, consumers, and decomposers.

  • c. Predict how changes in the environment would affect a community (ecosystem) of organisms.

  • d. Predict effects on a population if some of the plants or animals in the community are scarce or if there are too many.

    S4L2. Students will identify factors that affect the survival or extinction of organisms such as adaptation, variation of behaviors (hibernation), and external features (camouflage and protection).

  • a. Identify external features of organisms that allow them to survive or reproduce better than organisms that do not have these features (for example: camouflage, use of hibernation, protection, etc.).

  • b. Identify factors that may have led to the extinction of some organisms.

    The Food Cycle

  •  

    Food Webs and the Energy Flow  Food webs and food chains show the flow of energy through an ecosystem.

    Nature's Web  -  Check out the connections between animals that live thousands of miles apart.

    Ball of Wool Game : This activity demonstrates the complexity of food webs and how living things in a habitat are interrelated.

    Interdependence and Adaptation - interactive activity

    E-Trip: Biscayne National Park - an underwater ecosystem adventure

    Unique Animal Adaptions:

    Shoreline Animals
    Temperate Ocean Animals
    Tropical Ocean Animals

    Plant Adaptions in Different Ecosystems
    Plants and Life on Earth

    E-Trip: Glacier Bay - A Living Laboratory for Studying Marine Mammals

    Threat of Extinctions:

    Georgia's Threatened and Extinct Plants and Animals

    Wildlife at Risk from the National Federation of Wildlife

    Endangered and Threatened Species

    The following tests are due this TUESDAY, March 24

    4th SCIENCE 2

    4th MATH 3

    4th SOCIAL STUDIES 2

     

    TESTS THAT ARE DUE ON TUESDAY, MARCH  31  ARE THE FOLLOWING:

    4TH SCIENCE 3

    4TH MATH 2

    4TH LANGUAGE ARTS 3

     

    Please start using these words at home with your child.

    Trace - outline, sequence, step-by-step, time line

    Analyze - break down, separate, small pieces

    Infer - read between the lines, find clues

    Evaluate - judge, decide, rate

    Formulate - solve, create, plan, decide, build

    Describe - tell about, include the 5W's and H (who, what, when, where, why, how) 

    Support - defend, tell why, prove it, give reasons

    Explain - tell about, give reasons, how does it work

    Summarize - tell about, retell, main idea

    Compare - same

    Contrast - different

    Predict - future, what will happen, forecast

     


        TASK OF THE WEEK: WHAT ARE THE THREE TYPES OF CONSUMERS? GIVE A DEFINITION AND SPECIFIC EXAMPLE FOR EACH. ( 2 STICKS )...USE COMMENT SECTION TO ANSWER THIS TASK!!!

    Download Gr4plenglishq4[1]  - Here the concepts we will be studying in MATH this last nine weeks.

    March 13, 2009

    FABULOUS FRIDAY 03-13-2009

    GREETINGS!!

    ONLY NINE WEEKS LEFT!!!  Where has the time gone???

    CONGRATULATIONS to all our AR students who reached their goal!!

    NATHAN, LAUREN K, CORRIE, MEREDITH,TARA,MAX, KYLE,CHRISTOPHER,ANNIE,MITCHELL,STEWART,MASON AND MACKENZIE!!!

    Our Fourth Grade AR celebration will be on Tuesday, March 17. 

    Mrs.Birgit Keenan is in charge of this of event.  I know she needs assistance with OUR  " ST. PADDY'S PIZZA PARLOR"  If your son/daughter received an invitation today...please contact her ASAP to HELP!!!!

     

    Please start using these words at home with your child.

    Trace - outline, sequence, step-by-step, time line

    Analyze - break down, separate, small pieces

    Infer - read between the lines, find clues

    Evaluate - judge, decide, rate

    Formulate - solve, create, plan, decide, build

    Describe - tell about, include the 5W's and H (who, what, when, where, why, how) 

    Support - defend, tell why, prove it, give reasons

    Explain - tell about, give reasons, how does it work

    Summarize - tell about, retell, main idea

    Compare - same

    Contrast - different

    Predict - future, what will happen, forecast

    Our annual SPRING FLING is just around the corner!!!

    SAVE THE DATE...APRIL 18...rain out date...APRIL 25

    This fourth nine weeks we will be focusing on the following concepts and topics:

    Language Arts: Persuasive Writing and an Author Study

    EQ: How do I read and understand the work of a particular author?

    EQ:  How do I write a persuasive essay?

    Math:  data, multiplying and dividing decimals, 3-D geometry, algebra and coordinate systems

    EQ:  How do I compute with decimals?

    EQ:  How can I gather and display mathematical information?

    EQ: How can I identify and classify solid figures?

    EQ:  How do I locate points on a grid?

    Social Studies: Westward Expansion and The Civil War

    EQ:  How were the western territories explored and aquired?

    EQ: What were the causes and effects of the Civil War?

    EQ: How was the U.S changed as a result of the war?

    Science: Weather, Ecosystems and Adaptations

    EQ: What are ecosystems?

     

    The following tests are due this TUESDAY, March 17...

    4th language arts 2

    4th social studies 1

    4th reading comprehension 6

     

    TESTS THAT ARE DUE ON TUESDAY, MARCH 20 ARE THE FOLLOWING:

    4TH SCIENCE 2

    4TH MATH 3

    4TH SOCIAL STUDIES 2

     

    TASK of the WEEK:

    Which inventor came up with the concept of daylight savings time? EXPLAIN his reasons. ( 2 sticks )

    In a brief paragraph explain  the " Westward Expansion?" ( 2 sticks )

    BOTH QUESTIONS MUST SUBMITTED THROUGH THE COMMENT SECTION ON THE BLOG TO BE GIVEN CREDIT!!

    HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!!

    RESPECTFULLY,

    Drena Varghese

    March 11, 2009

    Wonderful Wednesday 03-11-09

    SCIENCE STUDY GUIDE ( ASSESSMENT TOMORROW )

    • PLANETS IN ORDER FROM THE SUN
    • PLANETS IN ORDER OF SIZE
    • STAR'S COLOR - WHAT DOES IT MEAN - HOTTEST TO COLDEST
    • LIFE CYCLE OF A STAR
    • TECHNOLOGY AND TOOLS TO STUDY SPACE
    • MOON PHASES

    SOCIAL STUDIES STUDY GUIDE ( ASSESSMENT FRIDAY )

    • WHY THE DELDGATES CREATED THE CONSTITUTION
    • DEBATES AT THE CONVENTION ( WHAT DID THEY ARGUE ABOUT? )
    • THE 3 PARTS OF THE CONSTITUTION
    • WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE PREAMBLE
    • KNOW THE NAMES OF THE THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT
    • KNOW THE MAIN JOB OF EACH BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT
    • WHAT IS A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT?
    • WHAT WAS THE GREAT COMPROMISE?
    • WHY DID PEOPLE WANT A BILL OF RIGHTS?
    • WHO WERE THE FEDERALISTS AND THE ANTIFEDERALISTS?


    March 06, 2009

    FUN FILLED FRIDAY!! 03 -06 -09

    Spring Forward THIS WEEKEND!

    Daylight Savings Time begins March 8

     

    Parents we continue to push forward to learn ALL our fourth grade standards.  Thank you for your support in helping me with this task!!

    Thank you for making sure that your child is better prepared for CRCT!! 

    This week students were assigned  3 CRCT tests...these were listed in last weeks BLOG...these are DUE ON TUESDAY, MARCH 10!!!

    The following 3CRCT tests are being assigned now so that students have PLENTY OF  time to complete them. I realize many outdoor activities are beginning soon...SO PLEASE USE YOUR TIME WISELY!! These two tests are due on March 17...

    4th languagearts 2

    4th socialstudies 1

    4th reading comprehension 6

    WRITING - we will continue informational writing instruction.  Students will be writing  an informational essay on " THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR"  

    READING -  we will continue reading informational texts with emphasis on reading comprehension skills (cause and effect, main idea, finding facts, details, inferencing and using context clues). 

    SCIENCE -  we will continue to learn about moon phases and Our Solar System.   Continue to review Science Notes nightly!!

    SOCIAL STUDIES - we will continue to learn about The Birth of our Nation and LEARN about our New Constitution and Our New Government. 

    IMPORTANT DATES:

    March 12 - LAST DAY TO MEET AR GOAL

    March 17 - AR Celebration Pizza Party...details to come soon!!!

    March 25 - Kennesaw Mountain HS play

    All field Trip permission forms for our Kennesaw Mountain HS play must be turned in by Tuesday, March 10.

    MANY THANKS TO ALL PARENTS WHO HAVE DONATED ITEMS TO OUR WISH LIST!!   

    March 05, 2009

    Thrilling Thursday!! 03-05-09

    Parents and Students:

    Here is the site I promised you!

     

    Social Studies

    Social Studies-Creating a New Government Essential Questions

    How does the Constitution establish the structure of our government?
    What events led to the writing of the Bill of Rights?
    What freedoms does the Bill of Rights guarantee?

     

     

    The Constitution Song

    I'm Just a Bill