Raading: In addition to our read aloud, Snow Treasure, we are focusing on Daily 5 and different reading strategies. Students are making a reading goal and ideally working toward that goal as they read at school and at home. Ask your child what his/her current reading goal is.

Writing: Today, Ms. Peavey is starting a new writing unit with the kids. Essays! As challenging as the topic is, we have some fresh ideas for making this an interesting unit that will push our kids to become better writers. This unit will definitely pay off when the students need to do the writing portion of the MSP later in May this year.

Math: Today the students took the Mid-Year Assessment math test. This test does not go home, it is just used at the district level to compare fourth graders across the district. The data is used to help teachers determine where are students are lacking and how we can help them. We will be finishing unit 6 this week, but there will be no Unit 6 test, because of the Mid-Year Assessment.

Social Studies: We have already learned so much about the natives who were here before anyone else, lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery. This week we will continute to learn about Lewis and Clark and start to talk about the fur traders who made their way to Washington next.

Upcoming Events:
Thursday, Feb. 10- 101 Day with our 1st grade buddies
Friday, Feb. 11- Snesational Sockeye Assembly, 9:30-9:45; PTA Sockhop, 6:30-8
Monday, Feb 14- Valentine's Day Party
Feb. 14-28- No Mrs. Ness
Friday, Feb 18- Inside-Out/Backwards Day
Feb. 21-25- Mid-winter Break, NO SCHOOL

Ask your kids about:
-Lewis and Clark's journey across the country
-what is happening in our read aloud, Snow Treasure
-some ideas they have for writing essays

Raading: We have started reading Snow Treasure for read aloud. It is about how during World War II, the Nazis held a small town captive in Norway. The only way they could save their village's money was to have the kids take it across the border on their sleds. Ask you child about what is happening in the book now.

Writing: We are currently working on the 6 traits of writing. We are working on developing our ideas and which ideas are irrelevant in our writing. Soon we will be moving on to organizing our writing.

Math: We are jumping around in Unit 6. So homework will not be in order. This week students are learning how to do the "forgiving method" of long division. We are taking a break from traditional so they can learn this new method. After they have had the chance to use both, they will be able to decide which method is best for them.

Social Studies: Today we started our Explorers, Tribes, and Settlers unit. We will be learning about why explorers came to Washington in the first place. Then once they did come, what happened. We will be studying Lewis and Clark, fur traders, pioneers, and settlers before second winter break.

Upcoming Events:
Tuesday, Feb. 1- Reading Stanford test 2
Thursday, Feb. 3- Math Stanford test 1
Friday, Feb. 4- Math Stanford test 2, Dad's Day at lunch recess, Global Reading Challenge at 2pm
Friday, Feb. 11- PTA Sockhop, 6:30-8
Monday, Feb 14- Valentine's Day Party


Ask your kids about:
-the traits of an explorer
-what their new job is
-how they feel they did on the Stanford test this morning

REMINDER: Please submit your child's Eager Reader minutes by 10pm tonight! Thanks! http://www.sunsetsockeyepta.org/eagerreader/recorder/

Reading: Students finished Owl in the Shower a couple of weeks ago. Their tests will be coming home on Friday. We are now getting back into our Daily 5 routine. During Daily 5, students may be silent reading, reading with a partner, listen to reading on the computer, or working with me or Ms. Peavey and forming reading goals.

Math: We have moved on to Unit 6. We are not doing the lessons in order for this unit. Last week students learned how to do traditional long division. We are taking a little break from division now and working on measuring angles with half and full circle protractors.

Science: This week we are finishing our land and water erosion unit. We have planted seeds in our land and water tubs. We will conduct some river erosion experiments to see if having plants on the cliff help prevent erosion. We will be having our final quiz on Friday (nothing too huge or scary).

Upcoming Events:
Wednesday, Jan. 26- NAEP test
Friday, Jan. 28- Class Store, Class Scavenger Hunt Reward, Quick Cookie Dough Assembly
Monday, Jan. 31- Reading Stanford test 1
Tuesday, Feb. 1- Reading Stanford test 2
Thursday, Feb. 3- Math Stanford test 1
Friday, Feb. 4- Math Stanford test 2

Ask your kids about:
-the "voice" they used to write with (special lesson with Mrs. Fung)
-the different types of erosion
-how a full circle protractor is similar to a clock

Please meet in the Multi-purpose room at 6:30, then you will be dismissed to the classroom around 6:55. It is important that at least one parent come to this. Please make every effort to make it to Curriculum Night. You will want to bring your calendar, and a check for planners. See you then!