September 28 is National Good Neighbor Day. On this day, people should remember how important it is to be a good neighbor and that people should recognize and appreciate their neighbors. What can you do to be a good neighbor to the people that live around you? What can you do to be a good neighbor to your classmates?

Reading: This week, students are learning how to identify different genres and how understanding genres helps them find good fit books for them.

Writing: The last two weeks we focused on narrative writing and expository writing. This week, students are practicing persuasive writing. They are learning how to include strong points for their argument and how to address any potential objects someone might have. Be aware, your child might try some of these persuasive tips on you. ( ;

Math: We are on Unit 2 in math this week. Unit 2 is all about numbers: how they’re used, their place value, how to correctly say them, how to organize a set of data, and a review of multi-digit addition and subtraction.

Health: We don’t do much health in fourth grade. Students learn most of what the state requires fourth graders to learn in PE and from our counselor lessons. However, there are a few things I need to teach. So we are currently doing the only two health units for this year. Students are learning about the three parts of health, how to set health goals, and how to manage stress.


Upcoming Events:
Sat. Oct. 1- Eager Reader begins. Start counting your reading minutes!
Fri. Oct. 7- Dad’s Day at Lunch Recess
Fri. Oct. 14- PTA Bingo Night, 6:30-8pm

We had such a great time at Northwest Trek on our field trip last week. Students were able to see predators and prey in their natural habitats. The purpose of the field trip was to get students thinking about habitats and food chains since that will be our first science unit we start in a couple weeks.

World Peace Day is celebrated on September 21st, and is observed by many nations all around the world. This day is dedicated to peace! What does the word peace mean to you? Do you think world peace is ever possible? What needs to happen for there to be world peace?

Remember to use your best writing with complete sentences, capitals, and punctuation.

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Happy birthday to Roald Dahl, one of the most popular children's book authors of all time! Some of his books include Matilda, The BFG, Witches, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and James and the Giant Peach. Many of Dahl's books have been made into movies.

Homework question: Have you ever read a book, and then seen the movie the book was based on? How did it compare? Talk about the characters, story, and what was different or left out of the movie. (If you've read a Roald Dahl book and seen the movie, talk about that!)

For more fun with Roald Dahl, visit his official web site at http://www.roalddahl.com/

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Today our student council candidates spoke in front of the class why they would make a great student council rep for our class. All of our candidates did an incredible job, unfortunately only two could earn the title for our class this year. Courtney was voted as our main Student Council Rep and Duncan (just one vote behind her) has been voted as our Student Council Alternate.

Candidates, thank you for your time preparing your speeches and for taking a leadership role in our classroom!

~Mrs. Ness

On Tuesday, students were given their sample Entertainment books and their order envelopes. Please help your children sell these books to earn money towards 5th grade camp, Camp Orkila. When you or your child sells a book, please collect the $25 and write their name down on the envelope (Checks payable to Sunset ASB). DO NOT give away the sample book. All money and sample books will be collected next Tuesday, September 20th. Once Mrs. Montgomery gets everything back on Tuesday, she will place an order for all the 2012 books. These books will arrive within a couple of weeks for the students to distribute to those who made purchased.


All questions can be directed to Gina Montgomery, montgomeryg@issaquah.wednet.edu.

Dear Families,

We will begin our first science unit in a couple of weeks. We will be studying ecosystems and be building terrariums and aquariums. In order to do this we need 28 2-liter bottles!!! If you have any you can donate, please send them into the class with your child sometime in the next few weeks. If you normally drink soda out of cans, please consider drinking it our of 2 liter bottles for a little while.

Thank you so much for your help!!!

Wow, I’m always amazed how quickly Curriculum Night approaches after school starts. But I look forward to seeing all of you again whom I met at Meet-the-Teacher and I look forward to meeting those of you that weren’t able to make it last week.


Please make sure at least one adult is able to attend Curriculum Night on Monday. We will cover a lot of details about your child’s fourth grade year in a very short amount of time.

*Couple of important details to remember:
• This is an adult only event. Please arrange childcare for your children.
• I will be collecting money for the planners we purchased for students. The cost is $5. Please make checks payable to Sunset Elementary.

Yahoo, we have our first book fair coming up next week. Of my six years teaching, this class seems to be the most into reading. I’m pretty sure that at least 2/3 of the class shared a book in their Me-In-A-Bag presentations this week. So this should be a perfect fit for our class.


Monday our class will have an opportunity to preview the books at the book fair. Students will be given a sheet to make their Wish List on. This will give you the opportunity to talk about the items they want to purchase. 4th graders are allowed to shop during their lunch recess on Wednesday and Friday. If you pick up your child, you may also shop with them for 30 minutes after school Tuesday-Friday. You also have the chance to shop when you come to Curriculum Night if you show up early.

And as always, teachers will have a wish list as well if you would like to donate a book to your child's classroom. (=