Tuesday - spelling 56 & 57, math 6 & 7, and reading log
Wednesday - vocabulary 64 & 65, math 11 & 12 and reading log
Thursday - study spelling words, math page 15 and reading log
Friday - enjoy your weekend!
Friday, December 30, 2011
Spelling list: Look to the North
1. weighs
2. ceiling
3. field
4. reindeer
5. freight
6. eighteen
7. neighbor
8. receive
9. weird
10. chief
11. believe
12. seize
13. either
14. fierce
15. relief
16. windshield
17. pierce
18. thief
19. achieve
20. eighth
Bonus words
tundra
piteously
surrender
ceases
abundant
bonding
2. ceiling
3. field
4. reindeer
5. freight
6. eighteen
7. neighbor
8. receive
9. weird
10. chief
11. believe
12. seize
13. either
14. fierce
15. relief
16. windshield
17. pierce
18. thief
19. achieve
20. eighth
Bonus words
tundra
piteously
surrender
ceases
abundant
bonding
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Teacher's note December 12, 2011
We had a very enjoyable field trip to the U. of A. and the Arizona Historical Society last Friday. The weather was beautiful and the kids behaved very well. We tried to see as much of the campus as possible in the hour that was available. Then the kids listened attentively to the docent on the bottom half of the museum. The upstairs portion of the museum was perhaps our favorite because it is designed for children to touch and use. A special thank you to Mrs. Gusky, Mrs. Paul, Mrs. Wedman, Mrs. Wilson and Mr. Mourreale for spending the day with us and providing transportation.
Congratulations to Abby and Rose for winning the idiom contest with 620 idioms. 4 other teams had over 250 idioms listed. I think the kids have a better grasp of idioms now than before the contest.
Please encourage your son or daughter to hand in their reading log on time this week and in the future. Unfortunately, the reading log has become a problem for many of our students. It will even cause some wonderful students to receive a two in quality producer and lose their Distinguished Dragon Award. I absolutely want the students to be in the habit of reading and be responsible enough to hand in the reading log on time.
Monday will be exciting as the students present their nonfiction book reports. We are always curious to see the topic and listen to the oral report.
Tuesday is our unit 4 geometry test. The kids should take home their geometry flipchart on Monday to study for Tuesday's test. This unit has a great deal of vocabulary and concepts, but not as much computation. The flipchart needs to be returned to school on Wednesday and saved until we do 3 dimensional geometry. The Vmath website is also an excellent way to review the geometry concepts.
As you know, this is the last week of school before Christmas and Winter Break. We all understand that everyone can hardly wait for the festivities to begin. I will try to keep us focused on learning and balanced with a little holiday fun. I want to wish each of the children and their families a wonderful Christmas and enjoyable vacation. I look forward to seeing you in January.
Warmly,
Mrs. Figueroa
Congratulations to Abby and Rose for winning the idiom contest with 620 idioms. 4 other teams had over 250 idioms listed. I think the kids have a better grasp of idioms now than before the contest.
Please encourage your son or daughter to hand in their reading log on time this week and in the future. Unfortunately, the reading log has become a problem for many of our students. It will even cause some wonderful students to receive a two in quality producer and lose their Distinguished Dragon Award. I absolutely want the students to be in the habit of reading and be responsible enough to hand in the reading log on time.
Monday will be exciting as the students present their nonfiction book reports. We are always curious to see the topic and listen to the oral report.
Tuesday is our unit 4 geometry test. The kids should take home their geometry flipchart on Monday to study for Tuesday's test. This unit has a great deal of vocabulary and concepts, but not as much computation. The flipchart needs to be returned to school on Wednesday and saved until we do 3 dimensional geometry. The Vmath website is also an excellent way to review the geometry concepts.
As you know, this is the last week of school before Christmas and Winter Break. We all understand that everyone can hardly wait for the festivities to begin. I will try to keep us focused on learning and balanced with a little holiday fun. I want to wish each of the children and their families a wonderful Christmas and enjoyable vacation. I look forward to seeing you in January.
Warmly,
Mrs. Figueroa
Homework week of December 12, 2011
Monday - spelling 53 & 55, math page 75 & review geometry flipchart, and reading log
Tuesday - vocabulary 60 & 61 and reading log
Wednesday - math page 1 and reading log
Thursday - math 3 & 4 and reading log
Tuesday - vocabulary 60 & 61 and reading log
Wednesday - math page 1 and reading log
Thursday - math 3 & 4 and reading log
Spelling List: Two Lands, One Heart
1. Pres.
2. Dr.
3. Ave.
4. Hwy.
5. Rd.
6. St.
7. Fri.
8. Sat.
9. Sept.
10. Dec.
11. tsp.
12. lb.
13. Wed.
14. Gov.
15. Mt.
16. Rte.
17. Jan.
18. Pkwy.
19. Sun.
20. Mon.
Bonus Words
hysterically
overwhelm
interpreter
appetizing
equivalent
irrigation
occasionally
2. Dr.
3. Ave.
4. Hwy.
5. Rd.
6. St.
7. Fri.
8. Sat.
9. Sept.
10. Dec.
11. tsp.
12. lb.
13. Wed.
14. Gov.
15. Mt.
16. Rte.
17. Jan.
18. Pkwy.
19. Sun.
20. Mon.
Bonus Words
hysterically
overwhelm
interpreter
appetizing
equivalent
irrigation
occasionally
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Teacher's note December 5, 2011
We are excited to go on our field trip to the U of A and the Arizona Historical Society on Friday. We will leave the school as soon as possible on Friday morning. I am going to ask the drivers to be at our class by 8:00. The kids and volunteers should wear comfortable walking shoes for our trek around the U of A campus and bring a lunch to eat. We plan to have a picnic on campus. I do have the list of students who ordered a sack lunch from the school. The kids always seem excited to tour the U of A and the Arizona Historical Society.
We are getting all wrapped up in an idiom contest that will conclude on Tuesday. The winners with the most idioms will probably be on cloud nine to receive a homework freebie and select a P. E. game of their choice.
Due to the field trip on Friday our spelling test will be on Thursday. The nonfiction book report that is due on Friday may be handed in anytime this week or next Monday. We will not have an opportunity to listen to book report presentations on Friday.
Our geometry unit will focus on determining area with crazy cakes, types of lines, triangles, and quadrilaterals. Geometry is rich in vocabulary. We will invest time into making geometry flipcharts to help us remember the vocabulary and help us remember the concepts. The plan is to save this flipchart and use it again when we do our 3 dimensional geometry unit.
May we all have a wonderful week of learning!
Warmly,
Mrs. Figueroa
We are getting all wrapped up in an idiom contest that will conclude on Tuesday. The winners with the most idioms will probably be on cloud nine to receive a homework freebie and select a P. E. game of their choice.
Due to the field trip on Friday our spelling test will be on Thursday. The nonfiction book report that is due on Friday may be handed in anytime this week or next Monday. We will not have an opportunity to listen to book report presentations on Friday.
Our geometry unit will focus on determining area with crazy cakes, types of lines, triangles, and quadrilaterals. Geometry is rich in vocabulary. We will invest time into making geometry flipcharts to help us remember the vocabulary and help us remember the concepts. The plan is to save this flipchart and use it again when we do our 3 dimensional geometry unit.
May we all have a wonderful week of learning!
Warmly,
Mrs. Figueroa
Homework week of December 5, 2011
Monday - spelling 50 & 52, math 65 & 66, and reading log
Tuesday - vocabulary 56 & 57, math 69 and reading log
Wednesday - math 73 & 74, work on book report, study spelling and reading log
Thursday - math geometry practice, finish book report and reading log
Tuesday - vocabulary 56 & 57, math 69 and reading log
Wednesday - math 73 & 74, work on book report, study spelling and reading log
Thursday - math geometry practice, finish book report and reading log
Spelling list: The Cricket in Times Square
1. team's
2. player's
3. bird's
4. wolf's
5. horse's
6. class's
7. group's
8. girls'
9. students'
10. trees'
11. parents'
12. owners'
13. cousins'
14. teachers'
15. aunts'
16. friend's
17. children's
18. city's
19. classes'
20. country's
Bonus words
scrounging
eavesdropping
wistfully
excitable
logical
sympathetically
acquaintance
2. player's
3. bird's
4. wolf's
5. horse's
6. class's
7. group's
8. girls'
9. students'
10. trees'
11. parents'
12. owners'
13. cousins'
14. teachers'
15. aunts'
16. friend's
17. children's
18. city's
19. classes'
20. country's
Bonus words
scrounging
eavesdropping
wistfully
excitable
logical
sympathetically
acquaintance
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Teacher's note November 28, 2011
Welcome back from what I hope was a wonderful Thanksgiving break. I hope we all feel rejuvenated.
Bella S. has organized a community service project to donate jackets to the Salvation Army. She is collecting used jackets or sweaters of all sizes. The jacket drive will continue until December 13th. She is even offering a pizza party to the class who donates the most jackets. Please check through your closets and see if you have a jacket to two that you no longer need, but can keep someone else warm.
During our literature block this week we will be reading an excerpt from Stealing Home and working on the skill of comparing and contrasting information. I am reading aloud The Last Holiday Concert by Andrew Clements and we are reading Shiloh as a class. We have so many great books we want to read. Our persuasive writing prompt for the week is "Should children be forced to volunteer?"
Our geometry unit will continue with angles, symmetry, finding area, lines and intersections. The kids will be building a geometry flipchart to assist us in remembering the vocabulary and key concepts.
We distributed the Arizona books last week and will focus on our great state for the next 12 weeks or so. Our next field trip to the U. of A. and the Arizona Historical Society should enhance our knowledge of Arizona.
Our class will also begin The Changing Earth science unit. Our first investigations are about erosion and wind, usually slow changes to the Earth's surface. Later we will study floods, changes man made, earth quakes and volcanoes. This unit is eye opening to how many changes really occur to the Earth's surface.
May we all have a pleasant and productive week!
Take care,
Mrs. Figueroa
Bella S. has organized a community service project to donate jackets to the Salvation Army. She is collecting used jackets or sweaters of all sizes. The jacket drive will continue until December 13th. She is even offering a pizza party to the class who donates the most jackets. Please check through your closets and see if you have a jacket to two that you no longer need, but can keep someone else warm.
During our literature block this week we will be reading an excerpt from Stealing Home and working on the skill of comparing and contrasting information. I am reading aloud The Last Holiday Concert by Andrew Clements and we are reading Shiloh as a class. We have so many great books we want to read. Our persuasive writing prompt for the week is "Should children be forced to volunteer?"
Our geometry unit will continue with angles, symmetry, finding area, lines and intersections. The kids will be building a geometry flipchart to assist us in remembering the vocabulary and key concepts.
We distributed the Arizona books last week and will focus on our great state for the next 12 weeks or so. Our next field trip to the U. of A. and the Arizona Historical Society should enhance our knowledge of Arizona.
Our class will also begin The Changing Earth science unit. Our first investigations are about erosion and wind, usually slow changes to the Earth's surface. Later we will study floods, changes man made, earth quakes and volcanoes. This unit is eye opening to how many changes really occur to the Earth's surface.
May we all have a pleasant and productive week!
Take care,
Mrs. Figueroa
Homework week November 28, 2011
Monday - spelling 47 & 48, math 44 & 45, and reading log
Tuesday - vocabulary 52 & 53, math 49, and reading log
Wednesday - analogies, math 53 & 54 and reading log
Thursday - study spelling, math 57 and reading log
Tuesday - vocabulary 52 & 53, math 49, and reading log
Wednesday - analogies, math 53 & 54 and reading log
Thursday - study spelling, math 57 and reading log
Spelling words: Stealing Home
1. shelves
2. sheep
3. teeth
4. elves
5. mice
6. calves
7. spacecraft
8. jeans
9. feet
10. women
11. men
12. geese
13. salmon
14. series
15. scissors
16. halves
17. oxen
18. crises
19. knives
20. thieves
Bonus words
tutor
glumly
impose
pastimes
irritably
disposition
bicker
grudge
2. sheep
3. teeth
4. elves
5. mice
6. calves
7. spacecraft
8. jeans
9. feet
10. women
11. men
12. geese
13. salmon
14. series
15. scissors
16. halves
17. oxen
18. crises
19. knives
20. thieves
Bonus words
tutor
glumly
impose
pastimes
irritably
disposition
bicker
grudge
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Teacher's note November 21, 2011
This time of year we tend to be thankful for the good things in our lives. One of the great blessings in my life is working at Soleng Tom Elementary where there is a very positive learning environment. Thank you to the parents who are so supportive and to the kids who are excited to learn. All of us working together sure makes teaching and learning way more enjoyable!
I am sure you are aware that the Thanksgiving Vacation is Thursday and Friday. Enjoy the days with your loved ones. We will not have spelling and vocabulary words this week. We will continue the curriculum and work hard on Monday thru Wednesday. Anyone who knows they will be absent can ask me for the work they will be missing.
Our class will start reading Shiloh, a Newberry Award winning book, this week. As we read through the book we will be discussing the most important events of the chapter, narrative elements, and writing an outline.
Our geometry lesson for the week include sorting and classifying quadrilaterals and identifying angles that are 90, 60, 45, or 30 degrees. The kids should become very comfortable with acute, right and obtuse angles.
We are going to wrap up our Structures of Life science unit by completing our science trifold and learning by vertebrates and invertebrates.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Warmly,
Mrs. Figueroa
I am sure you are aware that the Thanksgiving Vacation is Thursday and Friday. Enjoy the days with your loved ones. We will not have spelling and vocabulary words this week. We will continue the curriculum and work hard on Monday thru Wednesday. Anyone who knows they will be absent can ask me for the work they will be missing.
Our class will start reading Shiloh, a Newberry Award winning book, this week. As we read through the book we will be discussing the most important events of the chapter, narrative elements, and writing an outline.
Our geometry lesson for the week include sorting and classifying quadrilaterals and identifying angles that are 90, 60, 45, or 30 degrees. The kids should become very comfortable with acute, right and obtuse angles.
We are going to wrap up our Structures of Life science unit by completing our science trifold and learning by vertebrates and invertebrates.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Warmly,
Mrs. Figueroa
Homework week of November 21, 2011
Monday - idioms 91 & 92, math 33 & 34 and reading log
Tuesday - Arizona crossword, math 35 & 36 and reading log
Wednesday - Have a very enjoyable Thanksgiving vacation!
Tuesday - Arizona crossword, math 35 & 36 and reading log
Wednesday - Have a very enjoyable Thanksgiving vacation!
Friday, November 11, 2011
Teacher's note November 14, 2011
I certainly hope your Veteran's Day weekend was very enjoyable.
Please notice the permission slip for our field trip to the U. of A. and the Arizona Historical Society in Monday's Dragon Folder. The field trip is scheduled for December 9. I would appreciate your prompt response returning the paperwork and the two dollar entrance fee to the museum. I believe the kids will love seeing the U. of A. campus, touring the museum and having a picnic!
I was a bit disappointed last week when 9 of our All Stars did not hand in their reading log on time. Please encourage your son or daughter to hand in a signed reading log on Tuesday morning. They can even hand it in a day early if they wish.
We just have a few more days with the crayfish in our room. Our Structures of Life science unit is to be returned on Wednesday. We will concentrate on completing the unit then preparing for The Changing Earth unit.
In language arts we should finish the novel The City of Ember this week. Right now we are at the climax and anxiously awaiting to see what will happen at the end of the book. An excerpt from Sarah Plain and Tall will be the selection we will read from our anthology while we work on the skill of drawing conclusions.
The last few days we have been working on measurement activities during math. The kids have been practicing linear measurement in the metric and customary systems. Then we did perimeter measuring activities. The kids would benefit from practicing measuring items around the house. Monday we will measure out 100 feet and then we will switch to two dimensional geometry. This section is fun as we study different polygons, angles and classifying them.
May we all have pleasant learning experiences this week.
Warmly,
Mrs. Figueroa
Please notice the permission slip for our field trip to the U. of A. and the Arizona Historical Society in Monday's Dragon Folder. The field trip is scheduled for December 9. I would appreciate your prompt response returning the paperwork and the two dollar entrance fee to the museum. I believe the kids will love seeing the U. of A. campus, touring the museum and having a picnic!
I was a bit disappointed last week when 9 of our All Stars did not hand in their reading log on time. Please encourage your son or daughter to hand in a signed reading log on Tuesday morning. They can even hand it in a day early if they wish.
We just have a few more days with the crayfish in our room. Our Structures of Life science unit is to be returned on Wednesday. We will concentrate on completing the unit then preparing for The Changing Earth unit.
In language arts we should finish the novel The City of Ember this week. Right now we are at the climax and anxiously awaiting to see what will happen at the end of the book. An excerpt from Sarah Plain and Tall will be the selection we will read from our anthology while we work on the skill of drawing conclusions.
The last few days we have been working on measurement activities during math. The kids have been practicing linear measurement in the metric and customary systems. Then we did perimeter measuring activities. The kids would benefit from practicing measuring items around the house. Monday we will measure out 100 feet and then we will switch to two dimensional geometry. This section is fun as we study different polygons, angles and classifying them.
May we all have pleasant learning experiences this week.
Warmly,
Mrs. Figueroa
Homework week of November 14, 2011
Monday - spelling 44 & 46, math 13 & 14, and reading log
Tuesday - vocabulary 46 & 47, math 17, and reading log
Wednesday - graphic aids 48 & 49, math 20 & 21 and reading log
Thursday - study spelling words, math 25 - 28 and reading log
Tuesday - vocabulary 46 & 47, math 17, and reading log
Wednesday - graphic aids 48 & 49, math 20 & 21 and reading log
Thursday - study spelling words, math 25 - 28 and reading log
Spelling List: Sarah Plain and Tall
1. boiled
2. annoyed
3. choices
4. poison
5. employer
6. joining
7. spoiled
8. voices
9. destroyed
10. pointing
11. avoided
12. enjoying
13. employee
14. voyage
15. appointed
16. poisonous
17. foil
18. loyal
19. noisy
20. disappointed
Bonus words
alarmed
windbreak
conch
paddock
rustle
2. annoyed
3. choices
4. poison
5. employer
6. joining
7. spoiled
8. voices
9. destroyed
10. pointing
11. avoided
12. enjoying
13. employee
14. voyage
15. appointed
16. poisonous
17. foil
18. loyal
19. noisy
20. disappointed
Bonus words
alarmed
windbreak
conch
paddock
rustle
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Teacher's note November 7, 2011
We had a lot to be pleased about last week! The fiction book reports were excellent! We had three new ideas that I had never seen before and they captured our attention. The kids had so much to share in their oral reports that many of the students are still waiting for their opportunity to present. Our students also did very well on the unit three multiplication and division test. Many of the students wanted to take their test home on Friday to show their family. The rest of the students will have their math test in Monday's Dragon Folder for you to see. I love to see the students feel pleased because they know they did a great job on a book report or math test. Friday many kids were feeling pretty good about themselves.
Monday afternoon will be GATE testing for those students who have written permission to take the test. This test determines who will qualify for GATE services next year. If a 4th grader is already in GATE they do not have to test again for 5th grade.
You probably already know this Friday, November 11th is Veteran's Day. We will not have school. I hope you have an enjoyable three day weekend.
Thursday we have our second art lesson from Tucson Museum of Art. It is very likely that we will enjoy doing the art project. I love to see what the students create!
As we read a nonfiction selection titled How to Babysit an Orangutan we will be working on our summarizing skills. We will practice trying to determine important verse interesting information. I noticed the need to determine important verses interesting details in the fiction book reports. Also we will write a persuasive paragraph about whether or not schools should require uniforms. That writing prompt should get the kids excited!
Monday we start our geometry and measurement math unit. Our first section is measurement. Please give your son or daughter opportunities to measure length at home using both the standard and metric measuring system. We will improve our ability to estimate length.
Have a terrific week!
Warmly,
Mrs. Figueroa
Monday afternoon will be GATE testing for those students who have written permission to take the test. This test determines who will qualify for GATE services next year. If a 4th grader is already in GATE they do not have to test again for 5th grade.
You probably already know this Friday, November 11th is Veteran's Day. We will not have school. I hope you have an enjoyable three day weekend.
Thursday we have our second art lesson from Tucson Museum of Art. It is very likely that we will enjoy doing the art project. I love to see what the students create!
As we read a nonfiction selection titled How to Babysit an Orangutan we will be working on our summarizing skills. We will practice trying to determine important verse interesting information. I noticed the need to determine important verses interesting details in the fiction book reports. Also we will write a persuasive paragraph about whether or not schools should require uniforms. That writing prompt should get the kids excited!
Monday we start our geometry and measurement math unit. Our first section is measurement. Please give your son or daughter opportunities to measure length at home using both the standard and metric measuring system. We will improve our ability to estimate length.
Have a terrific week!
Warmly,
Mrs. Figueroa
Homework week of November 7, 2011
Monday - spelling 39 & 41, math 3 & 4, and reading log
Tuesday - vocabulary 42 & 43, math 5 & 6, and reading log
Wednesday - graphs 66 & 68, math 11 & 12 and reading log
Thursday - Have an enjoyable three day weekend!
Tuesday - vocabulary 42 & 43, math 5 & 6, and reading log
Wednesday - graphs 66 & 68, math 11 & 12 and reading log
Thursday - Have an enjoyable three day weekend!
Spelling List : How to Babysit an Orangutan
1. ground
2. frown
3. downtown
4. bounced
5. council
6. about
7. scout
8. counter
9. background
10. amount
11. bound
12. shower
13. mountain
14. county
15. thousand
16. allowance
17. counselor
18. discount
19. countless
20. rebound
Bonus words
displeasure
jealous
endangered
smuggled
facial
coordination
2. frown
3. downtown
4. bounced
5. council
6. about
7. scout
8. counter
9. background
10. amount
11. bound
12. shower
13. mountain
14. county
15. thousand
16. allowance
17. counselor
18. discount
19. countless
20. rebound
Bonus words
displeasure
jealous
endangered
smuggled
facial
coordination
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Teacher's note October 31, 2011
The kids looked super cute for the Literacy Parade on Friday! It was very fun to march around the school to see other people's costumes and books.
The Book Fair is opened this week in our library. Our class will preview the books on Monday morning and then students can return later in the week if they have the money to make a purchase. Thank you to the parents that volunteer their time to work at the Book Fair.
I was very pleased with the animal reports that were due on Friday. The students seemed proud of their final copy. I will not write on the final copy unless the student agrees they want me to edit one more time with them. Students will receive a piece of paper with the animal report grade and teacher's comments. I plan on displaying the reports in our class.
Thinking about displaying, you should see our New Guinea masks that are hanging in our hall. We had a great time learning about and then producing a New Guinea mask with an expert from the Tucson Museum of Art.
Now we are going to start working on persuasive writing. The topic sentence should be a very clear statement about what the writer believes. Next, should be three or four reasons why you believe that statement. The conclusion is a call to action or restating in other words what you believe. Our first topic is whether or not chocolate milk should be served in school cafeterias.
This coming Friday our fiction book reports are due. The students may select what type of book report they want to produce and then everyone will present their book to the class. I am sure the presentations will be very interesting.
Thursday we will complete our multiplication and division unit with the end of the unit assessment. Please review the homework with your son or daughter this week and make sure they are understanding the concepts. In the Spring we will have one more multiplication and division unit. Our next math strand to cover is geometry and measurement.
I hope we all have a wonderful week.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Figueroa
The Book Fair is opened this week in our library. Our class will preview the books on Monday morning and then students can return later in the week if they have the money to make a purchase. Thank you to the parents that volunteer their time to work at the Book Fair.
I was very pleased with the animal reports that were due on Friday. The students seemed proud of their final copy. I will not write on the final copy unless the student agrees they want me to edit one more time with them. Students will receive a piece of paper with the animal report grade and teacher's comments. I plan on displaying the reports in our class.
Thinking about displaying, you should see our New Guinea masks that are hanging in our hall. We had a great time learning about and then producing a New Guinea mask with an expert from the Tucson Museum of Art.
Now we are going to start working on persuasive writing. The topic sentence should be a very clear statement about what the writer believes. Next, should be three or four reasons why you believe that statement. The conclusion is a call to action or restating in other words what you believe. Our first topic is whether or not chocolate milk should be served in school cafeterias.
This coming Friday our fiction book reports are due. The students may select what type of book report they want to produce and then everyone will present their book to the class. I am sure the presentations will be very interesting.
Thursday we will complete our multiplication and division unit with the end of the unit assessment. Please review the homework with your son or daughter this week and make sure they are understanding the concepts. In the Spring we will have one more multiplication and division unit. Our next math strand to cover is geometry and measurement.
I hope we all have a wonderful week.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Figueroa
Homework week of October 31, 2011
Monday - math 57 & 58, spelling 36 and reading log,
Tuesday - vocabulary 38 & 39, math 61 - 64, and reading log
Wednesday - work on book report, math 65 & 66 and reading log
Thursday - study spelling words, finish book report and reading log
Friday - Enjoy your weekend!
Tuesday - vocabulary 38 & 39, math 61 - 64, and reading log
Wednesday - work on book report, math 65 & 66 and reading log
Thursday - study spelling words, finish book report and reading log
Friday - Enjoy your weekend!
Spelling List: The Garden of Happiness
1. curve
2. learned
3. curly
4. pearl
5. purse
6. further
7. turtle
8. urgent
9. burning
10. hurried
11. earth
12. earned
13. purpose
14. surface
15. overheard
16. rehearse
17. current
18. disturb
19. furniture
20. research
Bonus words
inhaled
lavender
mural
skidded
haze
2. learned
3. curly
4. pearl
5. purse
6. further
7. turtle
8. urgent
9. burning
10. hurried
11. earth
12. earned
13. purpose
14. surface
15. overheard
16. rehearse
17. current
18. disturb
19. furniture
20. research
Bonus words
inhaled
lavender
mural
skidded
haze
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Teacher's note October 24, 2011
I thought the BioBlitz field trip went very well. We learned a great deal of information about the plants and animals in the desert. Thank you to Mr. Molina and Mr. McClain for chaperoning for us. Hopefully your son or daughter told you all about the field trip.
Monday at 8:15 is the first quarter Strive for Excellence Assembly for the fourth grade. The life skills for first quarter were friendship and responsibility. Six of our students will receive an award at this assembly. Every member of our class will receive one Strive for Excellence Award during the skill year.
We have a busy schedule with wonderful events this week. On Wednesday we will have Jimmy Stewart's Weather Bus parked at Soleng Tom for the fourth graders to learn about weather. Thursday an expert from the Tucson Museum of Art is going to do an art project with us. Then Friday is the Literacy Parade, one of Soleng Tom's wonderful traditions! Kids will dress as a character from a book and march in and out of the classrooms carrying that book. It is very organized and fun to watch. I would like to invite each student to participate. No masks, blood or items that will scare younger children are allowed.
The final copy of the animal report will be due on Friday. I expect the final to be typed or written in cursive. Students may add pictures if they wish. I have read very interesting paragraphs and look forward to seeing the final copy.
Take care,
Mrs. Figueroa
Monday at 8:15 is the first quarter Strive for Excellence Assembly for the fourth grade. The life skills for first quarter were friendship and responsibility. Six of our students will receive an award at this assembly. Every member of our class will receive one Strive for Excellence Award during the skill year.
We have a busy schedule with wonderful events this week. On Wednesday we will have Jimmy Stewart's Weather Bus parked at Soleng Tom for the fourth graders to learn about weather. Thursday an expert from the Tucson Museum of Art is going to do an art project with us. Then Friday is the Literacy Parade, one of Soleng Tom's wonderful traditions! Kids will dress as a character from a book and march in and out of the classrooms carrying that book. It is very organized and fun to watch. I would like to invite each student to participate. No masks, blood or items that will scare younger children are allowed.
The final copy of the animal report will be due on Friday. I expect the final to be typed or written in cursive. Students may add pictures if they wish. I have read very interesting paragraphs and look forward to seeing the final copy.
Take care,
Mrs. Figueroa
Homework week of October 24, 2011
Monday - spelling 33, math 39 & 40, vmath and reading log
Tuesday - vocabulary 33 & 34, math 44 - 46 and reading log
Wednesday - work on animal report, math 49 & 50 and reading log
Thursday - study spelling words, finish animal report, math 51 and reading log
Friday - Have a terrific weekend!
Tuesday - vocabulary 33 & 34, math 44 - 46 and reading log
Wednesday - work on animal report, math 49 & 50 and reading log
Thursday - study spelling words, finish animal report, math 51 and reading log
Friday - Have a terrific weekend!
Spelling List: Nights of the Pufflings
1. cared
2. dairy
3. unfair
4. rarely
5. stared
6. dared
7. glare
8. airplanes
9. barely
10. farewell
11. software
12. staircase
13. everywhere
14. declare
15. square
16. therefore
17. despair
18. prepared
19. beware
20. repair
Bonus words
uninhabited
burrows
venture
stranded
nestles
instinctively
2. dairy
3. unfair
4. rarely
5. stared
6. dared
7. glare
8. airplanes
9. barely
10. farewell
11. software
12. staircase
13. everywhere
14. declare
15. square
16. therefore
17. despair
18. prepared
19. beware
20. repair
Bonus words
uninhabited
burrows
venture
stranded
nestles
instinctively
Friday, October 14, 2011
Teacher's note October 17, 2011
The first quarter Progress Reports will be sent home in Monday's Dragon Folder. Please remove and keep all of the papers from the huge envelope. Please sign the back of the envelope and return it to me on Tuesday. Feel free to contact me if you have a question or concern about the Progress Report.
Friday is our BioBlitz field trip to Saguaro National Monument. The bus will pick us up at 9:15 and we will return about 12:30. The students should wear pants, closed toed shoes, hat, sunscreen and bring a water bottle. As soon as we get back to school we can eat lunch. I still need a few students to return their paperwork in order to participate.
We have plenty to do in language arts this week. The kids are working on their animal report by writing one paragraph per day. Please help edit the paragraphs on Wednesday night. You can get a head start if you wish. We will also finish reading Babe. The kids seem to be really enjoying the book. Plus we have the vocabulary and spelling words that go with The Emperor and The Kite. As you can see, we have plenty of reading and writing activities this week.
Currently we are working on multiplication and division strategies in math. I want the students to feel comfortable using at least two strategies for multiplication and division. The kids will be given examples of the different strategies that they can use as reference to complete their homework. Plus the kids will practice writing division word problems. These are very important concepts to master and I would appreciate help monitoring your child's understanding.
The crayfish arrived in our room last Thursday and the excitement level soared. We have 8 crayfish that are our responsibility to take care the next few weeks. We have very interesting investigations using the crayfish in our near future.
During social studies this week the students will have an opportunity to learn about the three branches of our government. We will discuss the roles of each branch and how they balance each other. I believe the topic will be interesting.
That is enough information for now. I hope we all have a terrific week!
Warmly,
Mrs. Figueroa
Friday is our BioBlitz field trip to Saguaro National Monument. The bus will pick us up at 9:15 and we will return about 12:30. The students should wear pants, closed toed shoes, hat, sunscreen and bring a water bottle. As soon as we get back to school we can eat lunch. I still need a few students to return their paperwork in order to participate.
We have plenty to do in language arts this week. The kids are working on their animal report by writing one paragraph per day. Please help edit the paragraphs on Wednesday night. You can get a head start if you wish. We will also finish reading Babe. The kids seem to be really enjoying the book. Plus we have the vocabulary and spelling words that go with The Emperor and The Kite. As you can see, we have plenty of reading and writing activities this week.
Currently we are working on multiplication and division strategies in math. I want the students to feel comfortable using at least two strategies for multiplication and division. The kids will be given examples of the different strategies that they can use as reference to complete their homework. Plus the kids will practice writing division word problems. These are very important concepts to master and I would appreciate help monitoring your child's understanding.
The crayfish arrived in our room last Thursday and the excitement level soared. We have 8 crayfish that are our responsibility to take care the next few weeks. We have very interesting investigations using the crayfish in our near future.
During social studies this week the students will have an opportunity to learn about the three branches of our government. We will discuss the roles of each branch and how they balance each other. I believe the topic will be interesting.
That is enough information for now. I hope we all have a terrific week!
Warmly,
Mrs. Figueroa
Homework week of October 17, 2011
Monday - spelling 30 & 32, math 23 & 24 and reading log
Tuesday - vocabulary 29 & 30, math 27 & 28 and reading log
Wednesday - edit animal paragraphs, math 30 & 31 and reading log
Thursday - study spelling words, math 35 and reading log
Tuesday - vocabulary 29 & 30, math 27 & 28 and reading log
Wednesday - edit animal paragraphs, math 30 & 31 and reading log
Thursday - study spelling words, math 35 and reading log
Spelling List: The Emperor and the Kite
1. pour
2. orbit
3. fourth
4. source
5. sports
6. forward
7. force
8. order
9. wore
10. yourself
11. support
12. sore
13. orange
14. ignore
15. portrait
16. border
18. border
19. tornado
20. your
Bonus words
insignificant
plotting
twined
steely
encircling
loyal
neglected
unyielding
2. orbit
3. fourth
4. source
5. sports
6. forward
7. force
8. order
9. wore
10. yourself
11. support
12. sore
13. orange
14. ignore
15. portrait
16. border
18. border
19. tornado
20. your
Bonus words
insignificant
plotting
twined
steely
encircling
loyal
neglected
unyielding
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Teacher's Note October 10, 2011
Can you believe this is the last week of first quarter? This quarter seemed to go fast. On Friday the students will have the day off while teachers complete progress reports and prepare for second quarter.
Monday I will be introducing an Arizona Animal writing project. The students will select a book from the library and I will be explaining the project and expectations. They will be given a paper detailing the assignment and it will be kept in their red folder for you to see. Tuesday we will work on paraphrasing sentences to avoid plagiarism. Wednesday we will begin writing one paragraph at a time until we complete the project. The report will be written as informational text in third person. I will discuss third person in great detail with the students. The objectives for this writing project are to paraphrase information, organize a paragraph, write in third person and organize a multiple paragraph assignment. Usually the love of animals makes this assignment exciting for the students. I will ask for your help editing as the project progresses.
Our language arts time this week will be spent working on the Arizona Animal project and reading Babe. As we read Babe we will discuss the narrative elements and record cause and effect relationships that occur through out the book. Thursday we will enjoy watching the movie The Whipping Boy and comparing it to the novel we already read. We will not have spelling or vocabulary words this week.
Our Structures of Life science unit is getting more exciting! We have plants that are over twelve inches tall and have multiple leaves. Plus our crayfish should arrive some time this week- that should be interesting!
You have probably already noticed that we are doing multiplication again. Unit three is double digit multiplication and we are breaking apart the numbers to determine the answers. We will also begin division.
I sincerely hope that everyone of my All Stars has a wonderful week.
Take care,
Mrs. Figueroa
Monday I will be introducing an Arizona Animal writing project. The students will select a book from the library and I will be explaining the project and expectations. They will be given a paper detailing the assignment and it will be kept in their red folder for you to see. Tuesday we will work on paraphrasing sentences to avoid plagiarism. Wednesday we will begin writing one paragraph at a time until we complete the project. The report will be written as informational text in third person. I will discuss third person in great detail with the students. The objectives for this writing project are to paraphrase information, organize a paragraph, write in third person and organize a multiple paragraph assignment. Usually the love of animals makes this assignment exciting for the students. I will ask for your help editing as the project progresses.
Our language arts time this week will be spent working on the Arizona Animal project and reading Babe. As we read Babe we will discuss the narrative elements and record cause and effect relationships that occur through out the book. Thursday we will enjoy watching the movie The Whipping Boy and comparing it to the novel we already read. We will not have spelling or vocabulary words this week.
Our Structures of Life science unit is getting more exciting! We have plants that are over twelve inches tall and have multiple leaves. Plus our crayfish should arrive some time this week- that should be interesting!
You have probably already noticed that we are doing multiplication again. Unit three is double digit multiplication and we are breaking apart the numbers to determine the answers. We will also begin division.
I sincerely hope that everyone of my All Stars has a wonderful week.
Take care,
Mrs. Figueroa
Homework week of October 10, 2011
Monday - analogies 11 and 12, math 14, and reading log
Tuesday - charts 50 & 51, math 16 & 17, and reading log
Wednesday - paragraph on animal's diet, math 18 & 19, and reading log
Thursday - Have a wonderful 3 day weekend!
Tuesday - charts 50 & 51, math 16 & 17, and reading log
Wednesday - paragraph on animal's diet, math 18 & 19, and reading log
Thursday - Have a wonderful 3 day weekend!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Teacher's note October 3, 2011
The students did a very good job on their biography book reports! They were pleading with me to let them present and seemed very pleased with their work. We had some very creative presentations! I was very impressed, especially for the first book report.
We will finish up this math unit studying organized lists and vertex edge graphs. I hope we are ready to take the unit two test on Tuesday and then return to multiplication in unit three.
I believe it is very likely the kids will enjoy reading the play The Baker's Neighbor in our anthology. Cause and effect is the reading skill we will be working on this week. Plus we'll begin to study figurative language and focus on similes. Similes are comparisons using the words like or as.
We are looking forward to Stories That Soar on Friday morning at 9:00. The performance is always very entertaining. Perhaps each student is hoping that their story was selected to be performed.
There is one more form that I need to ask each parent to sign in order to participate in the BioBlitz field trip. I would appreciate your prompt response in completing the release and the parent permission form. We have been requested to not have any automobiles at the park on the day of the field trip. Please do not drive and try to meet us at the event.
Our seeds have sprouted and now we are trying to grow them further. The goal is have the bean plant produce a seed. We have a Seed Soak investigation to conduct this week too. The kids will be busy reading, writing and investigating about our Structures of Life unit.
I feel certain that this will be another exciting week full of learning.
Take care,
Mrs. Figueroa
We will finish up this math unit studying organized lists and vertex edge graphs. I hope we are ready to take the unit two test on Tuesday and then return to multiplication in unit three.
I believe it is very likely the kids will enjoy reading the play The Baker's Neighbor in our anthology. Cause and effect is the reading skill we will be working on this week. Plus we'll begin to study figurative language and focus on similes. Similes are comparisons using the words like or as.
We are looking forward to Stories That Soar on Friday morning at 9:00. The performance is always very entertaining. Perhaps each student is hoping that their story was selected to be performed.
There is one more form that I need to ask each parent to sign in order to participate in the BioBlitz field trip. I would appreciate your prompt response in completing the release and the parent permission form. We have been requested to not have any automobiles at the park on the day of the field trip. Please do not drive and try to meet us at the event.
Our seeds have sprouted and now we are trying to grow them further. The goal is have the bean plant produce a seed. We have a Seed Soak investigation to conduct this week too. The kids will be busy reading, writing and investigating about our Structures of Life unit.
I feel certain that this will be another exciting week full of learning.
Take care,
Mrs. Figueroa
Homework week of October 3, 2011
Monday - spelling 27 & 28, math 51 & 52, and reading log
Tuesday - vocabulary 24 & 25 and reading log
Wednesday - Graphs, math 3 & 4 and reading log
Thursday - study spelling words, math 5 & 6 and reading log
Friday - Have a wonderful weekend!
Tuesday - vocabulary 24 & 25 and reading log
Wednesday - Graphs, math 3 & 4 and reading log
Thursday - study spelling words, math 5 & 6 and reading log
Friday - Have a wonderful weekend!
Spelling List: The Baker's Neighbor
1. carved
2. garden
3. harm
4. farther
5. barked
6. alarm
7. chart
8. starved
9. harder
10. parked
11. smartest
12. charge
13. guard
14. argument
15. hardware
16. garbage
17. harsh
18. parts
19. radar
20. harbor
Bonus words
ad lib
shiftless
luxury
privilege
elated
shamefacedly
indignantly
assent
2. garden
3. harm
4. farther
5. barked
6. alarm
7. chart
8. starved
9. harder
10. parked
11. smartest
12. charge
13. guard
14. argument
15. hardware
16. garbage
17. harsh
18. parts
19. radar
20. harbor
Bonus words
ad lib
shiftless
luxury
privilege
elated
shamefacedly
indignantly
assent
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Teacher's note September 26, 2011
I thought Grandparents luncheon was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who helped or participated.
Our biography book reports are due on this Friday. I hope the students are nearly finished reading their book and ready to produce a book report. Everyone should be prepared to present on Friday, but some may have to present on Monday due to time constraints. We already enjoyed a wonderful presentation on Cesar Chavez!
Please notice the BioBlitz field trip information in today's Dragon Folder and return the permission form as soon as possible.
Our data analysis unit will be focused on probability this week. The kids will have opportunities to do investigations on probability. Hopefully, the kids will have a far better understanding of likelihood by the end of the week. This section of the unit is especially interesting.
This is Spirit Week at Soleng Tom. I would like to encourage all of the students to participate. The days are:
Monday - Crazy hair Day
Tuesday - Sports Day
Wednesday - Crazy Hat
Thursday - Twin Day
Friday - Pajama Day
I hope our week will be a perfect balance of learning and excitement!
Take care,
Mrs. Figueroa
Our biography book reports are due on this Friday. I hope the students are nearly finished reading their book and ready to produce a book report. Everyone should be prepared to present on Friday, but some may have to present on Monday due to time constraints. We already enjoyed a wonderful presentation on Cesar Chavez!
Please notice the BioBlitz field trip information in today's Dragon Folder and return the permission form as soon as possible.
Our data analysis unit will be focused on probability this week. The kids will have opportunities to do investigations on probability. Hopefully, the kids will have a far better understanding of likelihood by the end of the week. This section of the unit is especially interesting.
This is Spirit Week at Soleng Tom. I would like to encourage all of the students to participate. The days are:
Monday - Crazy hair Day
Tuesday - Sports Day
Wednesday - Crazy Hat
Thursday - Twin Day
Friday - Pajama Day
I hope our week will be a perfect balance of learning and excitement!
Take care,
Mrs. Figueroa
Homework week of September 26, 2011
Monday - spelling 22 & 24, math 37 & 38 and reading log
Tuesday - vocabulary 19, math 39, 41, & 42, and reading log
Wednesday - work on book report, math 45 & 46 and reading log
Thursday - finish book report, study spelling words,math 48 and reading log
Friday - have a wonderful weekend!
Tuesday - vocabulary 19, math 39, 41, & 42, and reading log
Wednesday - work on book report, math 45 & 46 and reading log
Thursday - finish book report, study spelling words,math 48 and reading log
Friday - have a wonderful weekend!
Spelling List: Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride
1. loop
2. wounded
3. shoot
4. booth
5. broom
6. boost
7. mood
8. fooling
9. afternoon
10. smooth
11. tooth
12. raccoon
13. bloomed
14. room
15. souvenir
16. routine
17. roofs
18. loose
19. coop
20. stoop
Bonus Words
outspoken
practical
brisk
elegant
elevations
miniatures
starstruck
marveled
2. wounded
3. shoot
4. booth
5. broom
6. boost
7. mood
8. fooling
9. afternoon
10. smooth
11. tooth
12. raccoon
13. bloomed
14. room
15. souvenir
16. routine
17. roofs
18. loose
19. coop
20. stoop
Bonus Words
outspoken
practical
brisk
elegant
elevations
miniatures
starstruck
marveled
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Teacher's note September 19, 2011
I really enjoyed visiting with you during the parent, teacher and student conferences. I hope you felt the conference was beneficial.
I have some good news! Our class was selected to participate in the BioBlitz at Saguaro National Monument. All of the fourth graders at Soleng Tom will go on a bus to attend the morning field trip. You will receive a parent permission slip very soon with more specific details.
Perhaps the most exciting event of this week will be the Grandparents' Luncheon on Friday. The kids absolutely love when their grandparents can join them to eat lunch at school. I can imagine that the grandparents enjoy the experience too. The PTSA, Parent Teacher Student Association, organizes the free event that offers a salad bar to our guests. If a grandparent is not available on Friday, another family member can be the substitute. I feel extremely confident that this year's Grandparents' Luncheon will be a huge success.
Speaking of PTSA, I would like to invite each of us to become members. I have already joined. You can be a member of the finest Parent Teacher Association in the whole state of Arizona. They have many awards as my evidence for the statement. Plus they provide funds for the music teacher, part time librarian, planners, special events and far more. Please join Soleng Tom's PTSA.
Science is about to get very exciting. Our Structures of Life unit has arrived. The kids will do a seed search on Monday and then start a mini and class sprouter on Tuesday. We will have to see if we have a green thumb this year.
The kids seem to be really enjoying reading The Whipping Boy. We should finish the book by the middle of the week. I think the kids will also love reading about Lou Gehrig in our anthology. They will learn about Lou's positive attitude in spite of his challenges. Then the kids will have the opportunity to write about a time they had to show perseverance.
I hope we all have a wonderful week of learning.
Take care,
Mrs. Figueroa
I have some good news! Our class was selected to participate in the BioBlitz at Saguaro National Monument. All of the fourth graders at Soleng Tom will go on a bus to attend the morning field trip. You will receive a parent permission slip very soon with more specific details.
Perhaps the most exciting event of this week will be the Grandparents' Luncheon on Friday. The kids absolutely love when their grandparents can join them to eat lunch at school. I can imagine that the grandparents enjoy the experience too. The PTSA, Parent Teacher Student Association, organizes the free event that offers a salad bar to our guests. If a grandparent is not available on Friday, another family member can be the substitute. I feel extremely confident that this year's Grandparents' Luncheon will be a huge success.
Speaking of PTSA, I would like to invite each of us to become members. I have already joined. You can be a member of the finest Parent Teacher Association in the whole state of Arizona. They have many awards as my evidence for the statement. Plus they provide funds for the music teacher, part time librarian, planners, special events and far more. Please join Soleng Tom's PTSA.
Science is about to get very exciting. Our Structures of Life unit has arrived. The kids will do a seed search on Monday and then start a mini and class sprouter on Tuesday. We will have to see if we have a green thumb this year.
The kids seem to be really enjoying reading The Whipping Boy. We should finish the book by the middle of the week. I think the kids will also love reading about Lou Gehrig in our anthology. They will learn about Lou's positive attitude in spite of his challenges. Then the kids will have the opportunity to write about a time they had to show perseverance.
I hope we all have a wonderful week of learning.
Take care,
Mrs. Figueroa
Homework week of September 19, 2011
Monday - spelling 19 & 21, math 19, and reading log
Tuesday - vocabulary 15 & 16, math 23 & 24, and reading log
Wednesday - pictographs, math 28 & 29 and reading log
Thursday - study spelling words, math 33, and reading log
Friday - Have a wonderful weekend!
Tuesday - vocabulary 15 & 16, math 23 & 24, and reading log
Wednesday - pictographs, math 28 & 29 and reading log
Thursday - study spelling words, math 33, and reading log
Friday - Have a wonderful weekend!
Spelling list: Lou Gehrig: The Luckiest Man
1. those
2. coach
3. solid
4. include
5. crew
6. plus
7. operate
8. broke
9. upset
10. tune
11. June
12. floating
13. plume
14. renew
15. husband
16. honor
17. smoke
18. conflict
19. stew
20. thunder
Bonus words
immigrants
salary
modest
valuable
appreciation
courageous
tremendous
sportsmanship
2. coach
3. solid
4. include
5. crew
6. plus
7. operate
8. broke
9. upset
10. tune
11. June
12. floating
13. plume
14. renew
15. husband
16. honor
17. smoke
18. conflict
19. stew
20. thunder
Bonus words
immigrants
salary
modest
valuable
appreciation
courageous
tremendous
sportsmanship
Monday, September 12, 2011
Homework week of September 12, 2011
Monday - analogies 9 & 10, math 5 & 6, memorize 9s and reading log
Tuesday - prefixes 33 & 34 math 8 & 9, memorize 10s, and reading log
Wednesday - graphs, math 13, 15 & 16, memorize 11s and reading log
Thursday - following directions, math 17 & 18, memorize 12s and reading log
Friday - Have a terrific weekend!
Tuesday - prefixes 33 & 34 math 8 & 9, memorize 10s, and reading log
Wednesday - graphs, math 13, 15 & 16, memorize 11s and reading log
Thursday - following directions, math 17 & 18, memorize 12s and reading log
Friday - Have a terrific weekend!
Teacher's note September 12, 2011
I am looking forward to our conferences this week! The students will be dismissed at 11:17 on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Please discuss with your child whether or not you want them to purchase a sack lunch from school on those days. Thirty minutes have been allotted for each conference so we will not feel rushed. I absolutely want the student at the conference.
We will not be reading a selection from our anthology this week and so there will not be spelling or vocabulary words. Instead our time will be spent reading Weather Forecasting and the novel The Whipping Boy.
Our class has been busy gathering data on the heights of fourth graders and first graders. They have constructed line plots and made statements. Now we are working on building double line plots and writing comparison statements.
Once again, I look forward to personally talking with each family and sharing information. I will see you soon!
Take care,
Mrs. Figueroa
We will not be reading a selection from our anthology this week and so there will not be spelling or vocabulary words. Instead our time will be spent reading Weather Forecasting and the novel The Whipping Boy.
Our class has been busy gathering data on the heights of fourth graders and first graders. They have constructed line plots and made statements. Now we are working on building double line plots and writing comparison statements.
Once again, I look forward to personally talking with each family and sharing information. I will see you soon!
Take care,
Mrs. Figueroa
Monday, September 5, 2011
Teacher's note September 6, 2011
Please be aware that picture day is this Wednesday. Every student will have their picture taken whether or not they desire to purchase any photos. The pictures will be used for lunch tickets and possibly the yearbook.
Next week will be Parent, Teacher and Student Conferences. On September 14th, 15th and 16th students will be dismissed at 11:17 to allow time for the conferences. I want the student to attend the conference. In fact, I believe they will be the most important person at the conference. The appointments are scheduled to last thirty minutes. Please wait outside my hall door until I invite you into the classroom. I will send home a reminder notice or a letter to select a time for your conference.
We took the unit one multiplication test on Friday. The graded test will be in Tuesday night's Dragon Folder. Those students that did not demonstrate a solid understanding of the concepts may have another opportunity to take the test. Please review the test with your son or daughter on Tuesday evening to get a sense of how well the concepts were understood.
I am excited to share that our class will be learning buddies with Mrs. Perdreauville's kindergarten class. Starting this week we will meet with our learning buddies on Friday afternoon. The kids usually love being a learning buddy!
Let me give you a brief description of our curriculum goals for the week. In writing we will be working on organizing informational paragraphs. Understanding narrative elements is what we will be focusing on during reading. Plus we will practice the strategy of making and confirming predictions. During math we will continue to work on our multiplication facts but move on into our data analysis unit. The kids will learn how to read line plots, gather data, and produce their own line plot. By the end of the week our class should be much better at reading weather maps and understanding the symbols used. Also, we should know more about the temperature regions of the earth.
That is enough information for now. I hope we all have a wonderful week.
Take care,
Mrs. Figueroa
Next week will be Parent, Teacher and Student Conferences. On September 14th, 15th and 16th students will be dismissed at 11:17 to allow time for the conferences. I want the student to attend the conference. In fact, I believe they will be the most important person at the conference. The appointments are scheduled to last thirty minutes. Please wait outside my hall door until I invite you into the classroom. I will send home a reminder notice or a letter to select a time for your conference.
We took the unit one multiplication test on Friday. The graded test will be in Tuesday night's Dragon Folder. Those students that did not demonstrate a solid understanding of the concepts may have another opportunity to take the test. Please review the test with your son or daughter on Tuesday evening to get a sense of how well the concepts were understood.
I am excited to share that our class will be learning buddies with Mrs. Perdreauville's kindergarten class. Starting this week we will meet with our learning buddies on Friday afternoon. The kids usually love being a learning buddy!
Let me give you a brief description of our curriculum goals for the week. In writing we will be working on organizing informational paragraphs. Understanding narrative elements is what we will be focusing on during reading. Plus we will practice the strategy of making and confirming predictions. During math we will continue to work on our multiplication facts but move on into our data analysis unit. The kids will learn how to read line plots, gather data, and produce their own line plot. By the end of the week our class should be much better at reading weather maps and understanding the symbols used. Also, we should know more about the temperature regions of the earth.
That is enough information for now. I hope we all have a wonderful week.
Take care,
Mrs. Figueroa
Homework week of September 6, 2011
Tuesday- spelling 16, memorize 6s, and reading log
Wednesday - vocabulary 11, math 1 & 2, memorize 7s and reading log
Thursday - study spelling words, math 3 & 4, memorize 8s and reading log
Friday - Have a wonderful weekend!
Wednesday - vocabulary 11, math 1 & 2, memorize 7s and reading log
Thursday - study spelling words, math 3 & 4, memorize 8s and reading log
Friday - Have a wonderful weekend!
Spelling list: My Name is Maria Isabel
1. mine
2. tie
3. wild
4. type
5. smile
6. drive
7. size
8. blind
9. visit
10. thick
11. die
12. prize
13. fifty
14. picnic
15. arrived
16. decide
17. child
18. civil
19. divide
20. library
Bonus words
pageant
rehearsals
restless
troublesome
tropical
attentively
2. tie
3. wild
4. type
5. smile
6. drive
7. size
8. blind
9. visit
10. thick
11. die
12. prize
13. fifty
14. picnic
15. arrived
16. decide
17. child
18. civil
19. divide
20. library
Bonus words
pageant
rehearsals
restless
troublesome
tropical
attentively
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Teacher's note August 29, 2011
Congratulations to Bella S. and Peyton for being elected as our class student council representatives for first semester. I am sure they will do a great job.
I was pleased to see so many of you attend Curriculum Night last Tuesday. Thank you for attending and I hope you have a better idea about what to expect this school year.
The kick off assembly for Stories That Soar will be on Monday morning. The kids may write as many stories, poems or reports as they wish to to feed the Magic Box. They may write at home or at school. They may have a partner or write alone. The writing should be student work with out any adult assistance. The kids will be busy writing in hopes that their story is selected to be performed at the final assembly. I am going to encourage all of my students to participate.
This week P.E. with Mrs. MacFarland and a lesson from Mrs. Damek will be added into our routine. We are hoping the library will soon be open for student use. Due to a conflict with GATE I moved our computer lab schedule to Tuesday mornings.
We took our first timed multiplication test last Friday. The students were given four minutes to complete 30 multiplication facts. We have a great opportunity to show improvement in both our time and number correct. The students were given a copy of the timed test that can be used to practice. On Monday morning I will give each student a Multiplication Memorization Chart and explain how to complete it at home. Each night the students are asked to memorize the multiples of a factor. I am going to ask you to quiz your son or daughter in random order and sign your initials when you feel confident those facts are memorized. If someone would like to volunteer to help students memorize their facts at school just let me know.
Oh, there is so much more to share. I hope you discuss with your son or daughter what happens at school. I do not want to make this note too long.
Have a wonderful three day week end!
Take care,
Mrs. Figueroa
I was pleased to see so many of you attend Curriculum Night last Tuesday. Thank you for attending and I hope you have a better idea about what to expect this school year.
The kick off assembly for Stories That Soar will be on Monday morning. The kids may write as many stories, poems or reports as they wish to to feed the Magic Box. They may write at home or at school. They may have a partner or write alone. The writing should be student work with out any adult assistance. The kids will be busy writing in hopes that their story is selected to be performed at the final assembly. I am going to encourage all of my students to participate.
This week P.E. with Mrs. MacFarland and a lesson from Mrs. Damek will be added into our routine. We are hoping the library will soon be open for student use. Due to a conflict with GATE I moved our computer lab schedule to Tuesday mornings.
We took our first timed multiplication test last Friday. The students were given four minutes to complete 30 multiplication facts. We have a great opportunity to show improvement in both our time and number correct. The students were given a copy of the timed test that can be used to practice. On Monday morning I will give each student a Multiplication Memorization Chart and explain how to complete it at home. Each night the students are asked to memorize the multiples of a factor. I am going to ask you to quiz your son or daughter in random order and sign your initials when you feel confident those facts are memorized. If someone would like to volunteer to help students memorize their facts at school just let me know.
Oh, there is so much more to share. I hope you discuss with your son or daughter what happens at school. I do not want to make this note too long.
Have a wonderful three day week end!
Take care,
Mrs. Figueroa
Homework week of August 29, 2011
Monday - spelling 13, math 30 & 31, memorize 1&2, and reading log
Tuesday - vocabulary 6, math 35 & 36, memorize 3s and reading log
Wednesday - practice 7 & 8, math 41 & 42, memorize 4s and reading log
Thursday - study spelling words, math 43, memorize 5s, and reading log
Friday - Have a wonderful 3 day weekend!
Tuesday - vocabulary 6, math 35 & 36, memorize 3s and reading log
Wednesday - practice 7 & 8, math 41 & 42, memorize 4s and reading log
Thursday - study spelling words, math 43, memorize 5s, and reading log
Friday - Have a wonderful 3 day weekend!
Spelling List: Donavan's Word Jar
1. asleep
2. empty
3. queen
4. deal
5. needed
6. spelling
7. east
8. feelings
9. tea
10. keeping
11. beneath
12. agree
13. elevator
14. coffee
15. suggested
16. method
17. feature
18. metal
19. disease
20. television
Bonus Words
uneasy
disappointment
compromise
perseverance
leisure
chortle
2. empty
3. queen
4. deal
5. needed
6. spelling
7. east
8. feelings
9. tea
10. keeping
11. beneath
12. agree
13. elevator
14. coffee
15. suggested
16. method
17. feature
18. metal
19. disease
20. television
Bonus Words
uneasy
disappointment
compromise
perseverance
leisure
chortle
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Teacher's Note August 22, 2011
Thanks for all of the supplies that you have sent in for us to use this school year. I believe that we have everything we need at this time. I appreciate your generosity.
I enjoyed getting to know the students the first week of school. We do have great kids! The seating chart has been changed to provide a better working environment for all of us. Our language arts routine will go into place this week with vocabulary, spelling, reading from the anthology and working on specific reading skills. Music, GATE and resource classes will begin this week too.
I hope to see all of you at Curriculum Night Tuesday evening. The K-2 will meet from 6:00 to 6:40 and then 3rd - 5th will meet from 6:50 until 7:30. We will be meeting in our classroom and sharing a vast amount of information. I honestly believe it will be well worth your time to attend. The conversation will be directed towards adults, but the students are welcome to attend too. A Homework Freebie will be offered to every student that has a parent or grandparent attend Curriculum Night. Please attend.
Warmly,
Mrs. Figueroa
I enjoyed getting to know the students the first week of school. We do have great kids! The seating chart has been changed to provide a better working environment for all of us. Our language arts routine will go into place this week with vocabulary, spelling, reading from the anthology and working on specific reading skills. Music, GATE and resource classes will begin this week too.
I hope to see all of you at Curriculum Night Tuesday evening. The K-2 will meet from 6:00 to 6:40 and then 3rd - 5th will meet from 6:50 until 7:30. We will be meeting in our classroom and sharing a vast amount of information. I honestly believe it will be well worth your time to attend. The conversation will be directed towards adults, but the students are welcome to attend too. A Homework Freebie will be offered to every student that has a parent or grandparent attend Curriculum Night. Please attend.
Warmly,
Mrs. Figueroa
Homework week of August 22, 2011
Monday - spelling page 10, math 15 & 16 and reading log
Tuesday - vocabulary 1, math 17 & 18 and reading log
Wednesday - math 20 - 22, list objects and where they are made and reading log
Thursday - study spelling words, math 23 & 24 and reading log
Friday - Have a wonderful weekend!!!!
Tuesday - vocabulary 1, math 17 & 18 and reading log
Wednesday - math 20 - 22, list objects and where they are made and reading log
Thursday - study spelling words, math 23 & 24 and reading log
Friday - Have a wonderful weekend!!!!
Spelling List: The Gardner
1. played
2. escape
3. thank
4. subway
5. gray
6. safely
7. mistake
8. greatest
9. break
10. after
11. planting
12. scratch
13. address
14. holiday
15. natural
16. paragraph
17. blanket
18. capital
19. taken
20. cabin
Bonus words
anxious
recognizing
adore
vacant
sprucing
retire
2. escape
3. thank
4. subway
5. gray
6. safely
7. mistake
8. greatest
9. break
10. after
11. planting
12. scratch
13. address
14. holiday
15. natural
16. paragraph
17. blanket
18. capital
19. taken
20. cabin
Bonus words
anxious
recognizing
adore
vacant
sprucing
retire
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Teacher's note August 15, 2011
I enjoyed meeting the students and parents at the Pop In on Thursday. The beginning of the school year is always exciting and frightening for each of us. I hope to ease the fears and begin to build a trusting relationship with the kids this week. Plus we will jump right into the curriculum.
A few of the activities planned for this week include starting to read Fourth Grade Rats as a class and beginning The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane as a teacher read aloud. We will enhance our knowledge of the six traits of writing and produce a visual to help. Our first math unit is one digit times one digit multiplication. Weather is the science unit that we study first. This week we will learn the tools a meteorologist uses and set up our class weather station. The kids will also be reading about hemispheres, continents and oceans then producing their map of the Earth with locations labeled.
Please save next Tuesday, September 23 for Curriculum Night. We will be meeting in my classroom and discussing schedules, routines and curriculum. The students are welcome to attend, but the conversation will be directed at the adults. I believe valuable information will be shared and worth your precious time.
I am excited for this school year and sincerely hope each one of us has a wonderful year full of learning experiences.
Warmly,
Mrs. Figueroa
A few of the activities planned for this week include starting to read Fourth Grade Rats as a class and beginning The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane as a teacher read aloud. We will enhance our knowledge of the six traits of writing and produce a visual to help. Our first math unit is one digit times one digit multiplication. Weather is the science unit that we study first. This week we will learn the tools a meteorologist uses and set up our class weather station. The kids will also be reading about hemispheres, continents and oceans then producing their map of the Earth with locations labeled.
Please save next Tuesday, September 23 for Curriculum Night. We will be meeting in my classroom and discussing schedules, routines and curriculum. The students are welcome to attend, but the conversation will be directed at the adults. I believe valuable information will be shared and worth your precious time.
I am excited for this school year and sincerely hope each one of us has a wonderful year full of learning experiences.
Warmly,
Mrs. Figueroa
Homework week of August 15, 2011
Monday - finish math pages 3 & 4, finish cutting out continents and complete forms in Dragon Folder
Tuesday - math page 5, start reading log and final copy of biopoem on a computer
Wednesday - math 7 & 8, start 6 traits poster and reading log
Thursday - math 9 & 10, finish six traits poster and reading log
Friday - Have a wonderful weekend!
Tuesday - math page 5, start reading log and final copy of biopoem on a computer
Wednesday - math 7 & 8, start 6 traits poster and reading log
Thursday - math 9 & 10, finish six traits poster and reading log
Friday - Have a wonderful weekend!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Figuring Out Mrs. Figueroa!
Welcome to Mrs. Figueroa’s class and the All Star learning community, our team name is the All Stars. We will treat each other with respect as we learn together. I want all of the students and parents to feel comfortable and welcome in our class. I am looking forward to getting to know each of you.
I will describe myself to help you get to know me. This will be my twenty fourth year of teaching for TUSD and my eleventh year of teaching fourth grade at Soleng Tom. I love my job and my students! I received my Bachelor’s and Masters from the University of Arizona
We will use class time wisely and I assign about an hour of homework each night Monday through Thursday. I expect the students to hand in every assignment on time and I appreciate when parents review the homework with their child. I will do my best to challenge each student at their level.
We will use class time wisely and I assign about an hour of homework each night Monday through Thursday. I expect the students to hand in every assignment on time and I appreciate when parents review the homework with their child. I will do my best to challenge each student at their level.
All Star Blog
Our class has a blog titled Fourth Grade All Stars where you can go to find information about projects, homework assignments, spelling lists, teacher notes and upcoming events. The blog will be updated weekly. The address of our blog is www.figueroa4thgrade.blogspot.com. Or you may go to the Soleng Tom Elementary website and click on staff. Then go to fourth grade and Mrs. Figueroa and you will see the blog link. I recommend saving it in your favorites for quick access.
Dragon Folders
Dragon Folders
Every Monday Dragons Folders will be sent home. I place new information on the right side of the folder and graded work will be returned on the left side. Please return the Dragon Folder every Tuesday.
Homework
Students will have homework every night Monday thru Thursday. Usually each night there will be three assignments that will always include math and reading. The third assignment will vary among the other subjects.
The math homework is due the next day. Frequently we start the math assignment in class and then complete it at home. Parents are more than welcome to review the nightly homework assignments with their son or daughter. Students need to be responsible for their own homework. If a student is late or missing four or more assignments they will not receive a Distinguished Dragon Award.
I want to encourage my students to develop a habit of reading self-selected material. I expect the students to read at least 100 minutes per week – I know many students will read far more than that. This is the most flexible homework assignment of the week. Students may read five days a week for twenty minutes, seven days a week for seventeen minutes or 100 minutes on Saturday. They just need one hundred minutes completed by Tuesday morning. Each student needs to read, record the minutes on their reading log and have an adult verify the reading with a signature. Reading logs are due on Tuesday morning. I would like to suggest reading a book for the next book report and take care of two jobs at once.
Book Reports
The students will be completing a variety of book reports through out the year. We will rotate between fiction, nonfiction and biographies so we can read a variety of books. You will be given a schedule listing the type of book and due date for each report. Students may only work on the next report due and not complete all the reports first quarter. The students will be given many choices on the method of their report. Basically they need to convince the class and me that they really did read the book. They can produce a poster, write a summary, make a power point presentation, write a letter, or make a diorama, ECT. Just convince us that you read the book.
Science
We will enjoy doing many hands on science experiments this year. Our investigations will include plants, snails, crayfish, electricity, weather, and the changing earth. Students will record their experiments in their science notebooks which will be stored in the room. You will not see many science papers coming home because they will be kept in the notebook. I can assure you that we will be doing science. We tend to love science due to the exciting investigations.
Social Studies
We will be studying the regions, government, history and geography of Arizona and the United States
Birthdays
We love celebrating birthdays! Each child will have an opportunity to celebrate their birthday with the class. As my gifts to the student they can pick the P. E. game for that day and no homework for that night. The students with birthdays that fall on a weekend or in the summer may select a school day that works for them. The students may bring a nutritious treat to share with the class to be eaten during the snack break at 10:15. Of course, we will sing a beautiful rendition of Happy Birthday.
Discipline
If a student is not modeling respect or doing their best they may be invited to my room after they eat lunch. They will not be allowed to go outside and play, but will write a letter to a parent(s) describing the situation and how they plan to solve the problem. I will write a short note on the bottom of the letter. The student will be responsible to take the letter home and have a parent read it. Please sign the letter and return it to me the next morning. I will call or write as I feel appropriate. Severe discipline issues may be sent directly to Mr. Dotson. I truly hope the kids are working hard and modeling respect so they do not have to write the dreaded letter.
Physical Education
I consider P.E. a valuable part of the curriculum. We will do a variety of activities that will improve our coordination, fitness level, skills and knowledge of team sports. One day a week the entire fourth grade will gather for stretching and then a ten minute jog. At first, the ten-minute jogs seems extremely difficult, but the kids that exert effort take great pride in being able to accomplish the goal of running for ten minutes with out stopping. We will be participating in P.E. nearly every day and the students should wear shoes and clothes that enable them to be involved.
Nutrition Snack
Every morning the students may eat a healthy snack about 10:15. Please provide a snack that can be eaten in five minutes or less and does not have to be heated or cooled. Please do not send in candy, sweets, chips or soda pop for snack. I will definitely encourage healthy snacks.
I am sure I did not answer all of your questions, but I hope you now know more about what to expect this year. I honestly hope each one of us has a wonderful school year! Go All Stars!
Supply List
The supply list for Mrs. Figueroa's class is a little different than the regular 4th grade list.
Please let me know if you have any questions!
Individual use
scissors
1 package of odorless dry erase markers
1 package of colored pencils
1 package of crayons
2 spiral notebooks
2 composition books
pencils - regular or mechanical
Class supplies - if you can help provide any of the following:
Kleenex
5 glue sticks
loose leaf lined paper
hand sanitizer
markers
permanent markers
Please let me know if you have any questions!
Individual use
scissors
1 package of odorless dry erase markers
1 package of colored pencils
1 package of crayons
2 spiral notebooks
2 composition books
pencils - regular or mechanical
Class supplies - if you can help provide any of the following:
Kleenex
5 glue sticks
loose leaf lined paper
hand sanitizer
markers
permanent markers
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)