Mr. Fox’s Class Friday, October 1 th , 2010

1. Fourth Grade Free Press Mr. Fox’s Class Friday, October 1th, 2010 Hi Families, We had a great week in the fourth grade. We spent time learning about Astronauts, dependant clauses, and independent clauses. We took our third and final NWEA test this week during computer lab and it seemed to go very well. We are now done with NWEA testing until January! I have been getting some questions about ability grouping in math this year, so I thought I would take some time to address these questions. Starting in Unit 3, we are going to be ability grouping for Math. We don’t really know what that is going to look like for sure, but I think we will end up having one class for kids who need more of a challenge, one “smaller” class for kids who need some additional instruction and then three classes that just keep doing what we have been doing. It will run very similar to how it ran in third grade! Our star of the week person for this coming week will be Dylan McCarville. Thank you very much for everything you do for your kids! If you have any questions for me please don’t hesitate to e-mail or call. -Mr. Fox Upcoming Dates: October: Wednesday 6th – Abstract Globes are Due Tuesday 12th- Pinecrest McDonald’s Night 4:30-6:30pm a percentage of profits will go to our school. Wednesday 20th-Friday 22nd – No School: MEA Break Tuesday 26th– Coffee Night with Mr. Fox 7-8pm Wednesday 27th- Field Trip to Orchestra Hall and the Art Institute Friday 29th –Early Release Day –Staff Development Language Arts: We are moving on to week 5 of Unit 1. Our theme this week is Wildlife Watchers. Spelling Words for Next Week: goal, mole, stone, stove, chose, own, fold, flow, mold, toll, groan, stole, foam, mows, roasting, lower, sole, blown, bolt, quote, kite, shy, climb, coaster, motor Vocabulary Words for Next Week: Disgusted, raft, scattered, cluttered, downstream, nuzzle Math: We will be starting our next Unit on Quadrilaterals next week! This is a short unit and then we will be moving on to our Unit on Place Value and Multi Digit Addition and Subtraction. Social Studies: Remember that the Abstract Globes are due Wednesday. We sent out our state letters on Wednesday, and we are hoping to get some responses back in a week or so. That was a great project and really seemed to peak their interest about the United States! We are learning about the Midwest now and will be moving through the rest of the regions throughout the year! Science: We will be starting a science unit when we are done learning about the Midwest in Social Studies. Park Ridge Partnership One thing that I like to do with my class during the school year is to build a partnership with Park Ridge Retirement Center. I have been talking to the people at Park Ridge and we are in the process of planning what we are going to do this year. We have an number of fun activities planned for the year, such as a cribbage tournaments, holiday caroling, and a biography project. We are looking forward to working with the people at Park Ridge and learning about community service. There will be more information to come!