Spelling for Ms. R's Reading Group- Week of March 2nd...

Last week was a pretty tough week for spelling words... No students got 100% which was very surprising. This week we will just repeat our words from last week to try and master them... =) Please make sure these are studied throughout the week! =)

Oh and have a fantastic weekend!!!

cinder
circle
cardinal
cereal
cycle
concert
dancer
celebrate
twice
dangerous
strange
ledge
damage
geography
gentle
signal
regular
sugar
vow
despicable

Thank You Again...

I have been getting quite a bit of feedback on my new blog. Thank you to all of you that have emailed me...This is something I will definitely stick with if I know I have an audience and so far so good. Also feel free to comment or email me about any posts. This has been a very positive addition to my classroom and I am happy to hear about any opinions you may have thus far! Anyway have a fantastic weekend!!!

email me @ raethkej@molallariv.k12.or.us
=)

Fun Friday Madness

So as most of you know, each week when students turn in their weekly homework packet they get "Fun Friday" time. Its an extra recess (or inside free time on rainy days) that rewards those kids who are responsible and bring in their work. Last Friday a group of kids from Ms. A and my class decided to put on a little musical. Luckily enough, I had my phone that records video to get some of the action. =)

March Conferences

I know its early to be talking about conferences (seems like we just had them) but they are approaching quickly. This year we have decided to carry over the times from last fall. I will be sending home an appointment slip with your child by the end of the week. Please make sure to respond and get back to me as soon as possible as conference times fill up rather quickly. Thank you!

*Note... Some conferences were changed slightly from last trimester... I tried to keep as many of them the same as I could, and notes will go home Wednesday or Thursday. Please return the slip to confirm or change the time as soon as possible. Spots are limited (especially evenings) so Ms. Raethke will do her best to accommodate any specific changes as needed. *

Ms. Raethke's Reading Group Spelling 2/23

These are the spelling words for my reading group this week...

cinder
circle
cardinal
cereal
cycle
concert
dancer
celebrate
twice
dangerous
strange
ledge
damage
geography
gentle
signal
regular
sugar
vow
despicable

OAKS/ TESA Testing Next week...

Just a reminder... The 4th graders will be starting their 2nd round of computerized state testing. My homeroom will start Monday and we will begin with the Math assessment. It should take us about 2 full school days to complete and then Ms. A and Mr. Bledsoe will follow.

Please make sure your child gets a good nights' sleep and eats breakfast in the morning! Thanks for your continued support. I will be sharing the results with you during March conferences.

Have a great weekend! Enjoy the sunshine! =)

Thank You! And a Few Other things...

Thank you for all of you that came out to show MES support at McTeacher night! I ended up running around selling cookies, raffle tickets and then lastly passing out food... It was a great time and nice to see so many familiar faces.

Also, we have survived day 2 of writing testing. Students are working very hard and I hope to have these finished up by Friday.

My homeroom is finishing up our unit on Life Science. Each student planted a pea plant and due to the requirements on the buses I have to send them home when a student is picked up. If your child is regularly picked up, I will begin sending these home this week or early next week. Otherwise, I will plan on getting the plants to you during our scheduled March conferences. Enjoy your Wednesday!

Reminders

Tomorrow the 4th graders will begin the State Writing test... Please make sure students get a great nights' sleep all this week!

Also, tomorrow evening is McTeacher night! I will be there from 5:30-6:30. 20% of all sales go directly to MES! Hope to see you all there! =)

What We've Been Up To...

This year is just seeming to fly by. I thought I would update you as to what we have been working on throughout the subject areas...

Math- Everyday we work on Math in Minutes... It's each students' warm up... It covers a variety of areas in math, from reading graphs to fractions. We correct it together and students SHOULD BE =) taking home their corrected versions. In Math Trailblazers we are currently working to review place value and double numbers. We just finished a unit going over and reading various types of graphs.

Reading Group- My reading group and I are currently reading Charlie and the Chocolate factory. We are really focusing on the vocabulary (its pretty difficult) and understanding the text (comprehension). Each week students get spelling words to take home and study as well as a class packet to work on that is due each Friday. Each reading group does something differently at MES. Be sure to ask your 4th grader what they are currently reading/working on in their groups!

Writing- We have just finished a unit on Organization. Students wrote "Life Stories" which turned out really well. We also have pen pals we write to in Hillsboro and end up writing to them about once a month. Next week we will begin working on the State Writing Test.

Science- In Science, I am finishing up our unit on Life Science. We covered plants, animals, lifecycles, food chains/webs. We also each planted a pea plant that will be coming home shortly. Next week we will rotate through and students from my class will receive Science instruction from our 2 other 4th grade teachers in Electricity/Magnets and Earth Science. Students have really enjoyed the fun, hands-on learning that coincides with Science.

Social Studies- In Social Studies we are starting a unit on The Northeast. We previewed the unit finding interesting facts. Did you know that in Hershey, Pennsylvania that all the street lamps are shaped like Hershey kisses???? =) We will continue working and learning about the Northeast.

If you ever have any questions or concerns, be sure to email Ms. Raethke. That is typically the best way to get ahold of her. Have a great 3-Day weekend! Hope to see you all this Tuesday at McTeacher night! =)

McTeacher Night

On Tuesday, February 17th MES is participating in McTeacher night at the Molalla McDonald's. Molalla Elementary teachers will be there from 4:30-6:30. I will be there and would love to see any students that can make it. Both Ms. Raethke and Ms. A and a few other teachers from the Sky Pod will be there at 5:30-6:30. 20% of sales will go straight to MES programs and classrooms, its a great fundraising opportunity. Hope to see you all there! :)

Valentine's Party

This Friday, February 13th we will be having our Valentine's Day party. I sent home a class list and some specific details about plans for the day. Our party should start at approximately 2:15, directly after P.E. If students decide to bring valentines and/or treats (only store-bought treats allowed) please be sure each classmate receives one. If you have any questions please contact Ms. R @ MES... raethkej@molallariv.k12.or.us

Welcome!

So this is my first attempt at creating a blog for my class. During conferences I had mentioned to many of you that I was planning on finding ways using technology to keep into contact. Well, this is my idea.. We shall see how it works! :) Please forward this to other parents. I plan to write a weekly update to things we are doing in the classroom and use this as an opportunity to discuss all our 4th grade happenings. I look forward to using this great tool to keep in contact! :) Thanks!

Ms. Raethke :)