Welcome fourth graders! I hope you all had a wonderful summer break and are ready and eager to learn. I am planning lots of fun and exciting projects and activities this year. I'm looking forward to what I hope will be yet another fantastic year at Stone. Let's work together to leap toward success!

This is where I will post friendly reminders about what's going on in the classroom and school! Remember to read EVERY NIGHT for twenty minutes and to record your minutes on your reading log. Contacting me-You can click on the word EMAIL located below the subscribe for updates link.

Friendly Reminder(s):


Cool links:
Be A Writer
Be A Better Writer
Spelling City

Daily Homework:
6/3/11
Reading-
-Read for 20 minutes (record on reading log).

-Mini-Lesson-none. Due /-.

Pre-reading-

During Reading-

After reading-


-Vocabulary-none. Due /-.


-Book Report-none
Genre:
Type:
Due-



Writing
-Weekly Writing Assignment-none. Due /-.

Complete pg.none(). Due /-.


-Journal Entry-none
Due /-.

-Poem-none
Due /-.



Math-
pg. none(). Show your work. Due /-.



Social Studies-
Ch. Less.
Work on M/I activities.
Questions pg.none()
6 Tracks (L, BTL, TH, O, CH, & Huh)
Summary of pg. none (the section titled - ). Due /.

-State Report- Due /-.

-Geography Skills-none () Due 1/-.



Science
Ch. Less.
Questions pg. (). Summary pg. (of the section titled ). Due /.

Reading Workshop consists of:

�� Mini-Lesson-A short lesson focused on a single topic that students need help with.

�� Status of the Class-A quick way of finding out what each student is working on.

�� Reading Time-They read!

�� Sharing- Readers discuss what they have read and worked on and seek feedback from their classmates.



WORD ANALYSIS/VOCABULARY


READING COMPREHENSION


READING STRATEGIES


LITERARY ELEMENTS
Literary Elements
Glossary of Literary Terms
Name That Literary Element
Literary Genres
Character Motivation

LITERARY WORKS
Ancient Literary Works
Interpreting Literature
Text Connections
Major & Minor Details

MISCELLANEOUS
Copyright Kids
Sample Items for Reading and Math

Writing Workshop consists of:

�� Mini-Lesson-A short lesson focused on a single topic that students need help with.

�� Status of the Class-A quick way of finding out what each student is working on.

�� Writing Time-They write!

�� Sharing- Readers discuss what they have written and worked on and seek feedback from their classmates.

A good Extended Response should include:

Complete Answer (include part of the question)
Evidence from the text (written in your own words)
State your thoughts/opinions about the evidence
Make a connection (text or personal)
Show how the connection relates to the complete answer (1st sentence)
Final Thought (restate the 1st sentence) and/or make a prediction

A good Persuasive/Expository essay should include:

Introduction
-Hook sentence (grabs the reader's attention)
-Sentences that relate to the hook
-Sentences that lead to the thesis
-Thesis statement (must include at least 2 points)

Body
-Topic sentence (tells what the paragraph is about)
-Supporting detail (explains why or how)
-Example(s) (gives specific info about the supporting detail)
-Supporting detail (explains why or how)
-Example(s) (gives specific info about the supporting detail)
-Supporting detail (explains why or how)
-Example(s) (gives specific info about the supporting detail)
-Transition sentence (includes information about the present topic and the one you will write about in the next paragraph-you don't need a transition sentence in the body paragraph that comes right before the conclusion!)

Conclusion
-Restate 1st point (in different words)
-Restate 2nd point (in different words)
-Restate 3rd point (if you have one) (in different words)
-Give a final thought and end with a creative sentence.

Online Essay Writing Practice
Online Paragraph Writing Practice
What is Expository Writing
Persuasive Essay Prompts
How to Write a Persuasive Essay

NARRATIVE ESSAYS
How To Write a Narrative Essay
Sample Narrative Essay
Narrative Essay Rubric

PERSUASIVE ESSAYS
How To Write a Persuasive Essay
Sample Persuasive Essay
Persuasive Essay Rubric (see class downloads)
Persuasion Map (neat tool to help organize your thoughts)

EXPOSITORY ESSAYS
How To Write an Expository Essay
Sample Expository Essay
Expository Essay Rubric (see class downloads)

FRIENDLY/PERSONAL LETTERS
How to Write a Friendly-Personal Letter
Sample Friendly Letter
Friendly Letter Rubric

FORMAL-BUSINESS LETTERS
How to Write a Formal-Business Letter
Sample Business Letter
Formal Letter Rubric (see class downloads)

BOOK REVIEW
How to Write a Book Review
Sample Book Review
Share Your Book Review Online
Book Review Tips (see class downloads)
Book Review Rubric (see class downloads)

MOVIE REVIEW
How to Write a Movie Review (see class downloads)
Sample Movie Reviews
Movie Review Rubric (see class download)

AUTOBIOGRAPHY
How to Write an Autobiography
Sample Autobiography
Autobiography Rubric

BIOGRAPHY
How to Write a Biography
Sample Biography
Biography Rubric
The Biography Maker Website

Math Workshop consists of:

�� Mini-Lesson-A short lesson focused on a single topic that students need help with and a review of homework.

�� Status of the Class-A quick way of finding out what each student is working on.

�� Math Time-They work cooperatively on activities that allow them to problem solve, investigate, and communicate what they know!

�� Sharing- One group will discuss what they have they have learned with their classmates.

Helpful Websites:
MAP Math

The Science curriculum consists of:

Links:
Glaciers in Illinois

Eureka! Unit One: Force & Energy


Mass


Speed


Acceleration Pt. 1


Acceleration Pt. 2


Gravity


Weight vs. Mass


Work


Kinetic Energy


Potential Energy


The Invention Process


Ecosystems

Social Studies consists of:

Oral Reading and Discussions- Each lesson is read aloud and discussed in class.

Lesson Questions and Sentences- Give complete answers and write sentences that show they understand the meaning of the terms.

Research Projects-Utilize a variety of resources to research and present a given topic.

Assessment-Based on projects, discussions, research, assignments, and participation.

Culminating Project-Integrate the Arts with the social studies curriculum.

Helpful Websites:
http://www.mce.k12tn.net/indians/navigation/native_american_chart.htm

http://www.davemcgary.com/southeast-native-american-tribes.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_Americans_in_the_United_States

http://www.42explore2.com/native4.htm

http://www.native-languages.org/languages.htm

http://www.nativeculturelinks.com/nations.html

http://www.legendsofamerica.com/NA-Timeline.html



Videos:
Bridging World History
America's History in the Making

The American Form of Government


Location, Size, and Regions of the U.S.


Southeastern Region of the U.S.


Mountain Region of the U.S.


Pacific Region of the U.S.


The U.S. and Their Capitals


Useful links:
Ancient Civilizations Activities
BBC-Ancient History
World History Activities
Current Events

Stone Scholastic Academy
Ms. Johnson