Jan. 20-24

Congrats to Eliana and Moxi for winning our class spelling bee.  They will be participating in the 4th grade level bee on 

Monday, 1/27!  Good Luck!

Coming Up:

• W. 1/29 - Early Dismissal - Students dismissed at 11:00
• Th. 1/30 - Museum of Science & Industry Field Trip
• W. 2/19-Prairieview McTeacher Night at McDonald's in Darien on February 19. https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgxwGCkmWNhXJwTqkVCZzpndDQSvh?projector=1&messagePartId=0.2

Spelling -  None
There will be no spelling lesson due to the short week.


Reading - Unit 1 - "Courage"
The Greek Mythology Project will be worked on this whole week during our ELA block.  The project will be due next week on Friday, Jan. 31st!  Students will present their projects that day. It's been a pleasure to see their excitement over this project. I'm looking forward to seeing their final products.

Time for Kids - We will be reading an issue of this magazine that reviews the events of 2019. Students will reread the magazine at home to prepare for related activities during the week of 1/27.

English - Explanatory Writing
Work will continue on the explanatory essays.

Social Studies - The Midwest
The Midwest map QUIZ is scheduled for Monday, 1/27.  

Science - Energy Conversions
During our last lesson, we made the claim that something went wrong with the electrical system and that’s why the blackout occurred.  This week we will study about energy converters.  To better understand what happened with the electrical system, we are going to investigate the electrical devices that are part of the system.  The essential question for this chapter is: What makes the devices in Ergstown output energy or fail to output energy?

January 13-17

Congratulations to our December PRIDE! Winner!

Math Stations this week.  How did you solve your problems?

Visitors from our Class Party this last Friday!

Coming Up:

During the week of 1/13, our class will take two reading common assessments and one math common assessment. The purpose of these tests is to provide data for the teachers that will help to drive instruction. The results will not be entered into the grade book. Students are encouraged to do their best and to NOT stress!

• M. 1/20 - No School - Martin Luther King Day
• W. 1/29 - Early Dismissal - Students dismissed at 11:00
• Th. 1/30 - Museum of Science & Industry Field Trip

Spelling -  Unit 14 - Soft "g"
This week's list will consist of words that contain the soft "g" sound like fragile and giant.  The final TEST for this lesson will be on Friday, 1/17

Reading - Unit 1 - "Courage" 
I will introduce a mythology project that focuses on personalized learning. Students may choose to work individually or in a small group to complete a project from a given list. Each group will be assigned a different myth. The project will include a written piece and a presentation. Project details will eventually be posted on Google Classroom if you are interested in viewing the details.  


English - Explanatory Writing
We will begin our study of explanatory writing with a look at "hooks". Students will learn about different types of hooks and look for examples of hooks in literature. I will model how to write an original hook while writing a "whole class" essay on why 

Lou Gehrig is considered a hero. I will also introduce how to write key ideas. Students will then begin writing their own explanatory essay about who is a hero in his/her life.


Science - Energy Conversions
Our focus in Science this week will be on how to support a claim with evidence. We will look at how to gather evidence through a simulation activity and with a reference book. Then, we will work to write a design argument to help Ergstown solve its blackout problem.


Social Studies-Midwest
We will be studying the Midwest next, but we will take a break from SS for a week or two to do some science catch-up.


Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) - Managing Strong Feelings
Managing strong feelings is our topic for the week of 1/13. Students will learn that staying in control of your emotions and actions helps you get along better with others and be successful at school. My objective is that students will be able to demonstrate the ability to interrupt escalating emotions, determine a personal "signal", and identify and name strong feelings as they occur.

Mrs. Spakausky's Math Class-Unit 4:Addition, Subtraction & Measurement

Here is an overview of Unit 4.  

I've attached some links that might be helpful to you during this unit.

I hope it helps.

Module 1

Unit 4 Pre-Assessment

Work Place Guide 4A Target One Thousand

4A Target One Thousand Record Sheet

Unit 4 Work Place Log

Tiny Squares Grid

Unit 4 Pre-Assessment Student Reflection Sheet

Work Place Guide 4B Add, Round & Compare

4B Add, Round & Compare Record Sheet

Addition Algorithm Practice

Think Before You Add

Addition Strategies Work Sample

Place Value & Addition Checkpoint

Module 2

Subtraction Algorithm Practice

Think Before You Subtract

Subtraction Strategies Work Sample

Work Place Guide 4C Roll & Subtract One Thousand

Roll & Subtract One Thousand Record Sheet

Module 3

Subtraction Checkpoint

Record Measures

Distance Challenge Flyer

Work Place Guide 4D Target Five

4D Target Five Record Sheet

Module 4

Fourth Grade Arm Spans

Arm Spans in Ms. Wu’s Class

Unit 4 Post-Assessment

Family Unit 4 Overview: 

https://www.mathlearningcenter.org/sites/default/files/documents/family/PAR-BR4-U4.pdf

Student Book Link:

https://4.files.edl.io/8fe1/08/17/18/130050-c98644a4-a251-4160-8d96-c4e16ee7bd8a.pdf

Home Connections Link:

https://www.sonomaschools.org/cms/lib/CA01802775/Centricity/Domain/484/4th%20Home%20Connections.pdf

Home Connections Answer Key:

https://www.ahschools.us/cms/lib/MN01909485/Centricity/Domain/4158/br4-hckey.pdf

IXL Skills Practice related to Bridges:

https://www.ixl.com/math/skill-plans/bridges-4th-grade#section-4

Jan. 6-10

I hope everyone had a nice winter break!

Welcome Back!

Spelling  - Unit 13 - Homographs

This week's list will consist of homographs. Homographs are two or more words that are spelled the same but have different meanings and sometimes different pronunciations. For example, the word pitcher is a homograph. A pitcher is a player who delivers the ball to a batter or a large container with a handle used for holding and pouring liquids.  The final TEST for the homograph lesson will be on Friday, 11/10.

Reading- Greek Mythology

We will begin our study of Greek Mythology with a look at the myth of Hercules.  We will also focus on the skill of summarizing. A summary is a shortened version of a story that retells all the important parts of the story in sequence. We will work as a team to summarize the Hercules myth. 

After this, I will introduce a mythology project that focuses on personalized learning. Students may choose to work individually or in a small group to complete a project from a given list. Each group will be assigned a different myth. The project will include a written piece and a presentation. Project details will eventually be posted on Google Classroom if you are interested in viewing the details.  

English - Explanatory Writing

We will begin our study of explanatory writing with a look at "hooks". Students will learn about different types of hooks and look for examples of hooks in literature. I will model how to write an original hook while writing a "whole class" essay on why 

Lou Gehrig is considered a hero. I will also introduce how to write key ideas. Students will then begin writing their own explanatory essay about who is a hero in his/her life.

Social Studies - The Southeast - "The Cherokee"
We will finish our study of the Native Americans of the Southeast, The Cherokee. We will take a look at how their culture and traditions began and how they continue to keep them alive in modern times.

An open book/note QUIZ on the Cherokee is scheduled for this week.

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

We do not have a specific Second Step lesson this week. We will read the book A Girl with a Cape which is the story of a child whose act of kindness spreads throughout a community. The book will be the springboard for activities that focus on kindness.  

We will also look at the SEL Wheel and see how this relates to our life as a child and student.



Mrs. Spakausky's Math Class
Unit 4:Addition, Subtraction & Measurement
Here is an overview of Unit 4.  

This week the students will take the pretest and start on Place Value & the Standard Algorithm and The Standard Subtraction Algorithm.  I've attached some links that might be helpful to you during this unit.

I hope it helps.

Module 1
Unit 4 Pre-Assessment
Work Place Guide 4A Target One Thousand
4A Target One Thousand Record Sheet
Unit 4 Work Place Log
Tiny Squares Grid
Unit 4 Pre-Assessment Student Reflection Sheet
Work Place Guide 4B Add, Round & Compare
4B Add, Round & Compare Record Sheet
Addition Algorithm Practice
Think Before You Add
Addition Strategies Work Sample
Place Value & Addition Checkpoint

Module 2
Subtraction Algorithm Practice
Think Before You Subtract
Subtraction Strategies Work Sample
Work Place Guide 4C Roll & Subtract One Thousand
Roll & Subtract One Thousand Record Sheet

Module 3
Subtraction Checkpoint
Record Measures
Distance Challenge Flyer
Work Place Guide 4D Target Five
4D Target Five Record Sheet

Module 4
Fourth Grade Arm Spans
Arm Spans in Ms. Wu’s Class

Unit 4 Post-Assessment

Family Unit 4 Overview: 
https://www.mathlearningcenter.org/sites/default/files/documents/family/PAR-BR4-U4.pdf

Student Book Link:
https://4.files.edl.io/8fe1/08/17/18/130050-c98644a4-a251-4160-8d96-c4e16ee7bd8a.pdf

Home Connections Link:
https://www.sonomaschools.org/cms/lib/CA01802775/Centricity/Domain/484/4th%20Home%20Connections.pdf

Home Connections Answer Key:
https://www.ahschools.us/cms/lib/MN01909485/Centricity/Domain/4158/br4-hckey.pdf

IXL Skills Practice related to Bridges:
https://www.ixl.com/math/skill-plans/bridges-4th-grade#section-4

Dec.16-20

Great times on Thursday at the Tivoli Theater!

All Aboard the Polar Express!!!

Fun with ELA Stations!

Congratulations to our Straight A's for first trimester!

Spelling -  Mythology Words
We will continue our study of mythological words with an emphasis on allusion in myths. The spelling test for mythology words is scheduled for Friday, 12/20.


Reading - Unit 1 - "Courage" 
We will begin our study of Greek Mythology with a look at the myth of Hercules.  We will also focus on the skill of summarizing. A summary is a shortened version of a story that retells all the important parts of the story in sequence. We will work as a team to summarize the Hercules myth. After winter break,  I will be introducing a mythology project that focuses on personalized learning.


Social Studies - "The Cherokee"
We will continue our study of the Native Americans of the Southeast, The Cherokee. We will take a look at how their culture and traditions began and how they continue to keep them alive in modern times.
An open book/note QUIZ on the Cherokee is scheduled for Wednesday, 12/18. Students should review their textbooks and note-taking sheets to prepare for the quiz.

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
No new lesson is scheduled for this week. We will finish our discussions and lesson on strong feelings. Remember the objective is for students to be able to describe what triggers their own strong emotions and what happens in their brains and bodies when they experience strong emotions.  Be looking for the purple "Home Link" sheet to come home this week. This will be due on Friday.




Mrs. Spakausky's Math Class -Unit 3-Fractions & Decimals

The unit 3 TEST is scheduled for Thursday, 12/19!

A study guide will come home this week.  Study all Home Connection and Student Book pages that are in Unit 3!

Module 1 Equivalent Fractions
Session 1 Unit 3 Pre-Assessment
Session 2 Fair Shares
Session 3 Fractions & Mixed Numbers
Session 4 If This Is One-Third
Session 5 Egg Carton Fractions
Session 6 Name That Fraction

Module 2-Comparing, Composing & Decomposing Fractions & Mixed Numbers 
Session 1 Exploring Fractions on the Geoboard
Session 2 Last Equation Wins
Session 3 Comparing, Adding & Subtracting Fractions
Session 4 Dozens of Eggs
Session 5 How Many Candy Bars?
Session 6 Racing Fractions

Module 3-Introducing Decimals
Session 1 Introducing Decimal Numbers
Session 2 Comparing Decimal Numbers
Session 3 Thinking About Tenths & Hundredths
Session 4 Decimal More or Less

Module 4-Fractions & Decimals
Session 1 Decimal & Fraction Relationships
Session 2 Fractions & Decimals
Session 3 Ordering Fractions & Decimals on a Number Line
Session 4 Unit 3 Post

Dec. 9-13

Ernie, the Elf, has joined us for the month of December!

Congrats, Sofia for winning the PRIDE! Award 

for the month of November!!!

Coming Up:
12/10 - Early Dismissal - Students dismissed at 11:00
12/12- Polar Express Movie at the Tivoli'
12/18-The bowling field trip for 4th grade
12/23 - 1/3/20 - No School - Winter Break


Spelling -  Mythology Words
This week's list contains words pertaining to Greek Mythology. We will study the definitions of the words as they are used in myths and also look at several myths and their messages. Because this unit has many valuable activities, we will study it for 2 weeks. The spelling test for mythology words is scheduled for Friday, 12/20.

English-
The use of quotation marks will be the focus of English this week.


Reading- Unit 1 Courage - Greek Mythology
The vocabulary QUIZ for the Lou Gehrig story is scheduled for Tuesday, 12/10.  In addition to the vocabulary quiz we will have a comprehension quiz and an extended response related to the Lou Gehrig story.

Next, we will begin our study of Greek Mythology with a look at the myth of Hercules.  We will also focus on the skill of summarizing. A summary is a shortened version of a story that retells all the important parts of the story in sequence. We will work as a team to summarize the Hercules myth. After winter break,  I will be introducing a mythology project that focuses on personalized learning.


Social Studies - "The Cherokee"
We will begin our study of the Native Americans of the Southeast, The Cherokee. We will take a look at how their culture and traditions began and how they continue to keep them alive in modern times.


Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) - Emotion Management
This week I will be introducing the topic of emotion management. We will discuss that when you have strong feelings, it's hard to think clearly and how unmanaged, strong emotions can lead to negative behavior and consequences. The objective is for students to be able to describe what triggers their own strong emotions and what happens in their brains and bodies when they experience strong emotions.

Mrs. Spakausky's Math Class -Unit 3-Fractions & Decimals

Module 1 Equivalent Fractions Students review fraction skills and concepts and extend their understandings to mixed numbers, improper fractions, and more sophisticated strategies for generating equivalent fractions. They begin by exploring a fair-sharing situation in which the idea of fractions as quotients is developed. Then they fold and cut paper strips to model and investigate the relationship between mixed numbers and improper fractions. During the last two sessions in the module, students model and investigate equivalent fractions in a very different context—eggs in a carton.
Session 1 Unit 3 Pre-Assessment
Session 2 Fair Shares
Session 3 Fractions & Mixed Numbers
Session 4 If This Is One-Third
Session 5 Egg Carton Fractions 
Session 6 Name That Fraction

Module 2-Comparing, Composing & Decomposing Fractions & Mixed Numbers 
Session 1 Exploring Fractions on the Geoboard Module 2 Comparing, Composing & Decomposing Fractions & Mixed Numbers 
In this module, the geoboard is assigned a value of 1. Students name fractional parts of the geoboard and describe the parts’ relationships to one another. Their observations are then extended into comparing fractions with unlike numerators and denominators, and adding fractions with like denominators. The last three sessions feature an extended problem-solving opportunity followed by a math forum, as well as two new Work Places that provide practice with composing and decomposing fractions.
Session 2 Last Equation Wins 
Session 3 Comparing, Adding & Subtracting Fractions
Session 4 Dozens of Eggs
Session 5 How Many Candy Bars?
Session 6 Racing Fractions

Module 3-Introducing Decimals
In this module, the base ten mat is assigned a value of 1. Students determine that the strip and the unit are worth 1/10 and 1/100 respectively, and are introduced to the decimal notation for these fractions. The base ten pieces serve as a visual anchor as students compare decimal numbers and investigate the relationship between tenths and hundredths. During the last two sessions, the teacher introduces two new Work Places to provide practice with adding tenths and hundredths, as well as building and comparing fractions. There is a checkpoint on fractions and decimals at the end of the module.
Session 1 Introducing Decimal Numbers
Session 2 Comparing Decimal Numbers
Session 3 Thinking About Tenths & Hundredths
Session 4 Decimal More or Less

Module 4-Fractions & Decimals
The activities in this module, including another new Work Place, reinforce the relationship between decimals and fractions with denominators 10 and 100. Students are also invited to investigate the connection between decimals and other common fractions, including halves, fourths, fifths, and twentieths. The module concludes with a unit post-assessment.
Session 1 Decimal & Fraction Relationships
Session 2 Fractions & Decimals
Session 3 Ordering Fractions & Decimals on a Number Line
Session 4 Unit 3 Post

Working on Dividing "Candy Bars" into 3/4!