SOL Countdown

SOL Practice Websites
http://www.rcs.k12.va.us/bmes/4th_grade_sol_practice_tests.htm

http://www.wendyseger.com/sol_games.htm

 http://www.fcps.edu/ProvidenceES/technology/grade4sol.htm

http://www.bristolvaschools.org/hvlawson/Virginia%20SOL%20Practice.htm

http://education.jlab.org/solquiz/index.html

http://www.augusta.k12.va.us/Page/13700

Earth Day Assembly April 20th

I am so excited for this Friday's assembly. Here is the fourth grade's part:
We will be singing "One Moment in Time". Please be practicing with the lyrics in school and at home.
Three of our classmates have choreographed a dance performance to accompany the song. They have been working hard and I am excited to see them!
A slideshow of us enjoying the Frog Bog will also be playing during the song. We will take these pictures this week.

The school will broadcast our Wordmaster/ conservation slides for the whole school to see. Miss Schaech will be working with those of you who still need to add a conservation message. Not only will our audience see a great show, they will learn some new words and read some powerful conservation lessons.

Thanks for all you do. I hope you had a great Spring Break. I spent it with Baby Owen in Florida, but I am so excited to see you all again. I have missed you!

Miss Schaech

Studio JJK

Mrs. Speder has signed Creeds up for a really exciting literary opportunity. We get to have a virtual chat with the author of the Lunch Lady graphic novel series. A handful of you have been selected to read one of the novels and have the opportunity to ask a question at Tuesday's webchat.

Check out Jarrett J. Krosocza's website. Not only is he a talented author, but he is also an AMAZING illustrator.

http://www.studiojjk.com/index.html

JJK's links (that he gave us during the webchat!)

http://www.bookweekonline.com/voting

http://www.studiojjk.com/LL7content.html

Your blog posting this week:

Explore the website. Which feature was most interesting to you? If you could speak to "JJK" himself, what would you ask him?

What a Week!

Wednesday- IPT

Thursday and Friday- Language Arts Test II

We will be ready for the weekend!

Students,

• Share your test GOAL with a parent.


• Discuss strategies a good reader uses on a test.


• Discuss the rewards we discussed in class. What will happen if everyone reaches their personal goal?


• Share the strategies you plan to focus on this week in order to meet your goal.

MAKE YOUR GOAL A REALITY!

Like last week, have a parent sign your white slip. This will tell me that you had the conversation. When you bring it back to school, you will recieve two tickets. This is considered blog homework.

Have a BEAUTIFUL week. Make sure to find some time to get out and run around in the sunshine.

Miss Schaech

Creeds Takes the IPT Wednesday 3/21

Please read this with a parent. Return the signed slip to Miss Schaech. The signed slip will say that you read and discussed this. Returned slips will be rewarded with 2 tickets.

This information is also being sent home in the Tuesday folder.
Thanks-
Fourth Grade Team


How to Do Well on the IPT

What is the IPT?
• IPT stands for Integrated Performance Task.
• The IPT is not a standardized, multiple-choice test.
• The IPT is a performance task with a real-life situation and a choice for you to make.
• Your answers to the IPT questions, called prompts, will provide information about your critical-thinking, problem-solving, and written communication skills.

How can I do my best on the IPT?
• These are some things you should not do:
1. Do not study for the IPT—you can answer the prompts by using the information in the IPT booklet and things that you already know.
2. Do not worry about taking the IPT—you will not get a grade on the IPT in any subject. The IPT is to help you, your teacher, and your parents understand how you use ideas and information to solve a problem.

These are some things you should do:
1. Take the IPT seriously. It is good practice for situations, problems, and choices you will need to make as you get older.
2. Listen carefully and follow along in your IPT booklet while your teacher reads the directions and the IPT. (The situation and documents will be read aloud to fourth graders.)
3. Circle, highlight, or underline important information and take notes in your IPT booklet as you read.
4. Circle, highlight, or underline words or phrases you don’t understand as you read. (Fourth-grade teachers have a glossary in their IPT Administration Directions booklet. Seventh-grade students have a glossary included in their IPT booklet.)
5. If you can’t read a word, a phrase, or a sentence, or if you don’t understand a word or a phrase in the IPT booklet, raise your hand so your teacher can help you.
6. Make sure you have read carefully and understood everything in the documents before you begin answering the prompts.
7. Save enough time so you can finish typing your answers to all three prompts. If you are slow at typing, start typing on your computer any time you want to—you do not need to write your answers in the IPT booklet first.
8. Read your answers to all three prompts carefully to see if they make sense before you raise your hand to submit your answers.

What else can I do to help me do better on the IPT?
While you are reading, watching TV, or listening to someone, think about these things:
1. Does everything you are reading or hearing seem correct or believable? If it does not all seem correct or believable, think of reasons why it may not be. Think to yourself, "that doesn’t sound right because..." and then finish the sentence.
2. What other information do you need to help you have a better understanding of what you are reading or hearing? What exactly is it that you don’t understand and how could the information help you gain a better understanding?

•If you are in a situation when you have to choose, take some time and ask yourself:
1. Did I think about all the good things and bad things that go along with each choice?
2. Is the choice I decided to make based on the right reasons or the wrong reasons?

•Practice persuasive writing—write letters that give reasons why your ideas are best.
•Practice typing. Here are some websites that have free typing games and lessons:
http://fivejs.com/free-online-typing-lessons-for-kids
http://webinstituteforteachers.org/~gammakeys
http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/keyboarding_games.html

Narrative and Expository

Who knew that a few weeks ago these two words were unknown to us? Now, they are a part of our everyday vocabulary.

I want you to go on a search of your house. Can you find an example of each of these types of writing in your home?

Share them with us!

See Miss Schaech's example posting for a model.

Reading Response: Week of Valentine's Day

Make 2 lists in honor of this week's holiday.

List #1: What are some reasons you LOVE to read?

List #2: What types of text do you LOVE to read?

Much love,

Miss Schaech

For the Love of Zimbabwe!

The third graders in our school are doing a big project to support children and schools in the African country of Zimbabwe. We will hear about their efforts, see them around school wearing red, and help them collect funds. I thought this week that we might do some research of our own to better understand this beautiful country.

There are 2 parts to this week's blog response.

Part 1: Read article

1. Go to http://www.creedses.vbschools.com/

2. Click Library Media Center

3. Click World Book

4. Click World Book Kids

5. Search "Zimbabwe"

6. Read article entitled, "Zimbabwe"

Part 2: Respond to article. Write an EXPOSITORY comparative/ contrast piece. What are 2 things the US has in common with Zimbabwe? What are 2 differences?

Remember, World Book is a resource for you to use anytime that you need to research a topic. If you were using it as a resource for a project, you would want to make sure to cite your sources!

Have a GREAT week! If you feel strongly about this cause, consider bringing in some money to support our Third Grade friends and thier global project!

Miss Schaech

Reading Response: Week of January 30th

Oh, it feels so good to be back in a Wordmasters Round again. I love learning all these new words and I love seeing YOUR presentations. They have been creative and your classmates have really picked up on the meanings. I am proud of all of your hard work.

Here are the words that will have been presented as of this Friday:
prow
erect
slack
migrant
huddle
mousy
ordeal
decrepit
schooner
demolish
rebellious
disband
settler
condense
mislead
intricate

For your posting this week, I'd like you write a story! In your story, I'd like you to use at least 5 of these words. Your story can be about any topic that you'd like. It can be as long as you'd like. Please make sure your story has character(s), setting, problem, events, and a solution/ ending. See Miss Schaech's example posting.

It's Reading Month!

January is Reading Month!

Creeds has some EXCITING Reading Month activities planned for you!
Listed below are some ways for you to participate:

1. All month we will be reading Chocolate Fever. It is interesting to think that every student at Creeds will know this story by the end of the month!



2. On Fridays, the PTA is sponsoring a "Read In" at lunch. After eating, you can curl up on stage with a book.



3. Mrs. Dawson is sponsoring a Reading Poster Contest. Design a poster persuading others to read. There will be a winner chosen from each grade level. The posters are due January 13.



4. Get caught reading! Anytime you have free time, READ! You could earn a ticket. Turn your tickets into the library. You could be a winner!



5. January 20 is Dress Like Your Favorite Book Character Day!



6. January 26 is Wear Pajamas Spirit Day. We will be having a Drop Everything and Read Celebration in school that day.



7. Every Thursday from 6:00-7:00 is Creeds Reads in the library. For every Thursday you attend in January, you will get a HW pass. The 4th grade teachers will be attending on January 12. Please plan to join us!



8. Your Read A Thon Fundraiser and Logs are due January 31.



9. Brag Tag Reading Logs are due January 14 and January 28.

WOW! What an agenda! Please share this information with your family.

Response for the week:

Which Reading Month events do you plan on participating in?

Wild Ocean Educators' Guide

Click Here for Link

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/document-preview.aspx?doc_id=108529396

Reading Response: Week of December 5

Characters!

My favorite character of all time comes from my favorite book, Stone Fox. To me, Little Willy is a dynamic character. He is diligent in earning money to save his grandfather's farm. He is nurturing towards his sick grandfather. He is kind and respectful to his competitor, Stone Fox.

A strong character and story can teach a lesson that you can apply to your own life. After I read Stone Fox, I tried to be a little more like Little Willy in my own life. If I have a problem and am facing obstacles, I try not to give up. If I am in a challenge or race, I treat the others in the competition with respect. A character like Little Willy taught me how important those things are in life.

For this week's reading response, I'd like you to think about characters.

Answer the following questions.

1. Of all the stories you have read, name a character that has really inspired you. What story did the character come from?

2. What did that character do in the story to inspire you?

3. What lesson did you learn from this character? How have you used this in your own life?

Reading Response: Week of November 28th

I hope everyone had a restful, relaxing Thanksgiving break. We are moving into December and I am pretty sure 2012 will be here before we know it!

Our first Wordmasters Challenge is on December 8. Have you been trying to incorporate some of the words in your conversation or writing? When Miss Schaech does practice in the classroom, do you feel that you are understanding the meanings of the words? Between now and the challenge, we will be doing lots of practice in the classroom. I know you'll do great. Keep looking at your Wordmaster packets for review.

Assignment for the week.

Take 3 of your favorite Wordmaster words (that we have discussed so far). Use each of them in a descriptive sentence and share them on the blog. After you write and post your sentences, take the time to read some postings of your classmates. Reading other people's work will give you even more experience with these words. (Plus, isn't it fun to read what our friends write?!)

I am excited to read your thoughts!!!

Miss Schaech

Reading Response: Week of November 11

Advertisements are a classic form of persuasive writing. The author of an advertisement is usually trying to CONVINCE you to spend money on their product.

Directions: Look for an advertisement. It can come from any PRINT source (newspaper, magazine, internet, mailing).

Questions about the ad you found:

1. Where did you find the ad?

2. Who is responsible for the ad? (Hint: Look for a logo—a symbol used by companies

to identify their products.)

3. What is the ad trying to get you to buy, do, or think?

4. Who is the ad meant for (the target audience)? What makes you think so?

5. Is there anything in the ad that you feel is untrue or misleading? If so, what is it?

SEE MISS SCHAECH'S EXAMPLE POSTING ABOUT THE CRAYON ADVERTISEMENT. DO NOT BASE YOUR RESPONSE ON THE CRAYON ADVERTISEMENT.

Reading Reponse Week of October 31- Reading a Graph

Oh my, more graphics to read! Yes! Good readers can read charts. Good readers can read maps. Good readers can also read and interpret, or understand, GRAPHS. I found this bar graph recently and thought it was interesting. Take the time to look at it and answer the following questions:

1. I don't really like the title of this graph. What would be a better title for this graph?





2. How do you think the author of this graph got the data (information) for this graph?





3. If I have a scarcity of money, where is the best place for me to buy my candy bar?





4.Why might candy bars be so expensive at a pro-sports event?





5. Who might be interested in the data on this graph?





6. If Miss Stolle asked you a math question about this graph, what might she ask you?





7. What is your favorite candy bar?




Next week, we will look at and discuss (through our blog) a line graph. FUN!!!

Reading Response Week of October 24: Reading a Map

Last week, Miss Schaech told you that good readers can interpret, or understand, information on a chart. Well, guess what? Good readers also need to be able to look at various types of maps and think about the information given to them.

I found this map about temperatures across the world. Study the map and answer the following questions:
1. What information am I getting from this map?

2. Why is it important that I see a colored version of this map?

3. I am going on a trip. How would this map help me?

4. Tell me about the area of the map that you live on. Do you agree with the information?

5. The word "mean" has multiple meanings. What definition of the word "mean" is being used in this map title?

Maps are everywhere and one of Miss Scheach's favorite things to study. Next time you see a map, think to yourself...what information is this map giving me?

Reading Response Week of October 17th

This is a chart displaying the Fujita Scale. It sorts tornadoes into categories (F0-F5).


Reading comes in all shapes, sizes, forms, and fashions. One of my favorite ways to read information and write information is using CHARTS. Charts help organize information. Please read the information in the chart above, think about what it means, and answer the following questions:

1. Charts have titles. What title would you give this chart?

2. Where would I find a chart like this?

3. Who would find this chart's information useful?

4. What powerful WORDS on this chart do you find very descriptive, precise, and descriptive?

5. If I wanted more information on tornadoes, where would I look (Be specific!)?

6. Which part of this chart did you find MOST interesting?

7. What questions do you still have after looking at this chart?

8. Do you agree with Miss Schaech that charts are easy to read and organize information well? Explain your answer.

Reading Response: Week of October 10th

Hello, Boys and Girls!

Happy October! I love the season of Autumn. The leaves are changing colors. I see pumpkins on doorsteps. The air is getting cooler. It's a perfect time to curl up with a blanket and read poetry. In my opinion, poetry is a wonderful format to read. Poetry can give us information. Poetry can give description. Poetry can tell a story. Sometimes poetry rhymes, sometimes it does not rhyme. Some poets are serious, some are silly. Some poems are very short, some are very long. I encourage you to try out reading different types of poetry. You might find that you share my love of poetry. Some of you might even enjoy writing your own poetry.

For this week's reading response, read the poem "Leaves" and answer the following questions.

1. What does this poem remind you of? (Make a Connection)

2. What word or phrase from the poem did you like?

3. How does this poem make you feel?

4. Why do you think the poet (author) wrote this poem? (Entertain, Inform, Instruct, Describe)

5. If YOU were the writer of this poem and I asked you to give it another title, what you entitle it?

Two of my favorite children's poets are Jack Prelutsky and Shel Silverstein. I know some of you love these poets because I have seen you checking out their books at the library. Here are their websites, check them out!

http://shelsilverstein.com/indexSite.html

http://www.jackprelutsky.com/

Reading Response Week of September 26: Word Collecting

For the last few weeks, we have been collecting words through reading. We know that the more we read, the larger our vocabulary grows. I have been trying to convince you to always have a book with you. I am always in the middle of a book. I read whenever I get a free moment. Sometimes it's waiting at the bank, sometimes it's on a car trip, much of the time it is curled up on the couch with Tuna. :)
I hope that you paid attention to Mrs. Spreder's book talks this week in the library. I hope that you have discovered a great read somewhere. Was it at the library? Was it at the bookstore? Was it something you already had at home? Maybe it was something you borrowed from a friend or my classroom?

Response Question:
What book are you currently reading? Share THREE new or interesting words that you have come across in your reading.

Continue to keep reading and logging in your minutes. Brag Tag Reading Logs are due October 5th.

Week of September 19 Reading Response: Four Types of Sentences

Good writers use a variety of sentences when they write. There are FOUR different types of sentences that writers can use: declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory. To understand each type of sentence, look at the graphic above OR look in your class notes. You have a quiz on types of sentences on Friday September 23rd. On the quiz, you will have to identify types of sentences and you will have to read sentences and determine the correct ending punctuation mark. (? ! . ) On Monday, I will give you a practice packet to complete to help you prepare for the quiz.

These websites will help you practice the four types of sentences:
http://www.quia.com/quiz/106467.html

http://www.quia.com/pop/35934.html

http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/clubhouse/index_pre.html



Reading Response:
Take a book hunt. Look at how authors use the different types of sentences in their writing. Find an example of each type of sentence.

At the end of your response, please cite your source. Tell me what book your sentences came from. (It is fine to use more than one book.)

To see a good example posting, please see Miss Schaech's posting.