Last Friday, the Lower School started our day with an interactive capoeira performance by the Brazilian Cultural Arts Center. 

Remember that we will be exchanging valentines on Tuesday, so bring a box or a bag for your goodies:) If you plan on bringing cards and/or treats, please make sure that you do so for everyone in our class. 

Upcoming Tests, Projects, & Quizzes

Spelling Test Unit 19–Friday, 2/3/17

Unit 5 Math Test–Friday, 2/3/17 (Please note change)

February Book Report–Friday, 2/24/17

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Upcoming Events

“Fly up to Fifth Grade” Night–Thursday, 2/2/17 (6:15-7:30)

Michael Katz Visits Lower School, Wednesday/Thursday, 2/8/17 & 2/9/17

Science Discovery Night–Wednesday, 2/8/17 (3:00-4:30)

Valentine Exchange–Tuesday, 2/14/17 (1:45-2:10)

LS Parent/Teacher Conferences–Thursday, 2/16/17 (No School)

Teacher Professional Development Day–Friday, 2/17/17 (No School)

Presidents’ Day–Monday, 2/20/17 (No School)

1. Tonight, please drop your child off at Kalfas Computer Lab (building just before you enter Spaulding Auditorium) at 6:00 p.m. for the Winter Concert.
2. Tomorrow, please send your child’s costume in a bag for tomorrow’s Explorers Wax Museum. They will change into them around 10:40. The exhibit will open under the Pavilion at 11:10.

Monday

1. Read for 20 minutes and record it in your reading log. Your nightly reading should be a book that you are reading for your next book report. Remember that you must choose a different genre each time, and graphic novels count as a genre. When you finish it, you can choose any book you would like to read.
2. Complete math study link 4.6.
3. Finish your spelling lesson for unit 13.

Tuesday

1. Read for 20 minutes and record it in your reading log. Your nightly reading should be a book that you are reading for your next book report. Remember that you must choose a different genre each time, and graphic novels count as a genre. When you finish it, you can choose any book you would like to read.
2. Practice your explorer speech.
3. Practice your math facts using flashcards, having someone quiz you, or using one of the math websites on the blog under Websites for Kids–Math Web Links.  

Wednesday

1. Read for 20 minutes and record it in your reading log. Your nightly reading should be a book that you are reading for your next book report. Remember that you must choose a different genre each time, and graphic novels count as a genre. When you finish it, you can choose any book you would like to read.
2. Practice your explorer speech.
3. Practice your spelling words for the spelling test on Friday (no homework on Thursday night).

Thursday–No homework due to the Winter Concert.

Upcoming Tests, Projects, & Quizzes

Unit 8 Spelling Test–Friday, 11/4/16

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Upcoming Events

Halloween Celebration–Monday, 10/31/16 (1:45-2:45)

Parent Conferences (No School for Students)–11/10/16

Owls in Wonderland–11/13/16

Thanksgiving Lunchtime Dessert–11/18/16 

We are having pizza for lunch this Friday at the Hope Ranch campus. Please make sure to cancel your child’s regular lunch order for Friday. If your child has dietary restrictions and cannot eat pizza, please send a lunch to school with him or her. 

Upcoming Tests, Projects, & Quizzes

Unit 7 Spelling Test–Friday, 10/21/16

First Book Report Due–Friday, 10/28/16

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Upcoming Events

4th Grade/8th Grade Mini-Leadership Retreat–Friday, 10/21/16 (11:00-1:45)

Tall Ship Overnight–Monday-Tuesday–10/24/16-10/25/16 (NO SCHOOL ON TUESDAY)

Jogathon–Friday, 10/28/16 (3:00)

Halloween Celebration–Monday, 10/31/16

Dear Parents,

The first few days of school were so much fun. I love getting to know my students, and I want them to know who I am. I started with a Prezi presentation about myself. I shared with them some of the things I love to do when I’m not in the classroom. This generated a great deal of discussion about what they love to do. Additionally, your children answered a survey for me so that I know what they are passionate about, both in and out of school. My goal is to tap into their interests and inspire them to learn and grow in new ways.

Professional Growth

This summer, my professional development included some terrific books about the instruction of reading and writing. The Book Whisperer is one of the most inspiring books I have read. I read it last summer, and reread it this summer!

I’ve worked diligently on growing my classroom library over the past couple of years. I want your children to be surrounded by a variety of books. We currently have 466 books in our collection. I would love to see it grow! Each month, you will receive a Scholastic Book Club order form. Whenever your child buys books, we earn points as a class. I use those points to buy more books for our library. I thank you, in advance, for your support of our class library.

This is what it looks like now….

These empty bins are ready for new books!

In addition to my summer professional reading, I attended an iPad summit right here in Santa Barbara. I’m always looking for the most effective apps to use with my students, those that facilitate meaningful learning.

I feel so lucky to have a one-to-one iPad program in fourth grade. On Thursday, we learned about caring for our classroom iPads.

Leadership

We have a terrific team of leaders this year in fourth grade! I have already witnessed them reaching out to younger students on our campus to offer a helping hand or to include them in a game at recess. I look forward to all that we will learn together this year!

Blogs

Be on the lookout for a blog permission note and blog instructions. I will not post photos of your child until the permission note is signed and returned. They will be coming home this week. I will also provide instructions for how to subscribe to the our blog. This is my primary means of communication, so you will want to subscribe:)

Have a terrific week!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Brown

Monday

1. Read chapters 11-13 in Island of the Blue Dolphins. 
2. Math–Study for the unit 7 math test.
3. Complete spelling lesson 35.

Tuesday

1. Read chapters 18-20 in Island of the Blue Dolphins. 
2. Math–Complete test corrections.
3. Practice your math facts using flashcards, having someone quiz you, or using one of the math websites on the blog under Websites for Kids–Math Web Links.

Wednesday

1. Read chapters 24-25 in Island of the Blue Dolphins. 
2. Math review sheet
3. Log onto Spelling City from any computer, login, and access your spelling words for practice. There are games and practice tests. Make sure you don’t take the real test.

Thursday

1. Read chapters 27-28 in Island of the Blue Dolphins. 
2. Math review sheet
3. Practice your math facts using flashcards, having someone quiz you, or using one of the math websites on the blog under Websites for Kids–Math Web Links.