We Went Fishing on September 19, 2018

Here's What's Happening in Mrs. McBrady's Classroom

September 17, 2018

Literacy

Interactive Reading – Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and Bullying Curriculum Books and discussion.

Reading Workshop - Genre study

Writing Workshop – Personal Narrative, gathering ideas, establishing routines, and launching Writing Workshop.

Independent Reading – All students are expected to achieve the AR goal. Every student should have a minimum of 5 AR points by Friday, September 28. I send an AR report home every week (usually Thursday or Friday) for you to monitor your child’s reading progress. Students have also been introduced to the 40 Book Requirement. Please see the Independent Reading tab on my blog for more information.

AR goal for September 
5 points to meet their goal

Please remind your child to read at home. 4th graders should read at least 20 minutes per evening.

If you want to check if a book you have at home has a test or see the reading level or point value, you can visit this web site: 

                                            http://www.renlearn.com/store/quiz_home.asp

Spelling

Pretest – Monday

Final Test – Friday

Students who score 100% on their pretest will not need to take the final test on Friday. Students should score 80% or higher on the final tests to master their spelling words. You can check your child’s progress on Spelling City. Your child has practiced going to “my records” to see a copy of their test and the record of their activity.

Math
Here are our I can statements for this week:
I can solve addition problems using the traditional method.
I can solve subtraction problems using the traditional method.
I can convert between yards, feet, and inches.
I can explain properties of points, line segments, lines, and rays.
I can explain properties of angles, triangles, and quadrilaterals.

Grading
My grading is as follows:
94 - 100% = G (Good)
88 - 93% - S+ (Above Satisfactory)
80 - 87% - S (Satisfactory)
70 - 79% - S- (Below Satisfactory)
69% and Below - N (Needs to Improve)

Social Studies

For your information, students watch a 10 minute news program designed for students called CNN10.  It is nonpartisan and often features heroes or other positive news.  In the event of a tragedy, such as a school shooting or similar event, I will preview the news program and determine if it is appropriate.  We do discuss events that are reported.Those discussions can provide valuable insight to our world.

Here's What's Happening in Mrs. McBrady's Classroom

September 10, 2018

We have had a great beginning this past week.  The students adjusted to being back in the classroom with routines and procedures very well.  Here is some information you might be looking for:

Snack

We will have a morning snack at 9:30 each day. Please encourage your child to bring a nutritious snack (apple, muffin, cheese, crackers and peanut butter, graham crackers, banana, etc.). It helps to have apples cut and cored and oranges peeled with the sections in a bag.

Milk is optional and must be paid for in advance through the office.  Only skim and 1% milk are available during morning break.

Birthdays

Birthdays are special days! Your child may wish to bring a birthday treat for the class on his/her birthday. We have 23 students in our class.  Treats need to be store-bought and individually wrapped or bakery made. Summer birthdays will be celebrated at the 6-month increment. For example, June birthdays will be acknowledged in December, July in January, and August in February.

Class Schedule

8:25-8:35	Pledge, Attendance,  Morning Meeting,
8:35-9:30	Reader's Workshop
9:30 - 9:40	Snack and CNN Student News
9:40 - 10:50	Math
10:50 - 10:55	Bathroom Break/Transition
10:55 - 11:20	Gym
11:20  - 11:45	Spelling/IXL
11:45 - 12:10	Recess
12:10 - 12:35	Come in / Wash hands / Lunch
12:40 - 1:00	Read Aloud
1:00 - 1:25	Music (Day 1), Library (Day 2)
1:25 - 2:10	Writer's Workshop
2:10 - 2:45	Science                                            Social Studies
2:45-2:56	Announcements, Agendas, and Mailboxes

Spelling

Students have taken a spelling leveling test and are given spelling words specifically selected for him/her. Your child has a list of  25 words. Spelling words will be handed out on Fridays. Pretests will be taken on Monday and final tests will be taken on Friday. Changes to this schedule will be announced.

Tests will be taken on the computer using Spelling City. Each student has his/her own user name and password. Students may practice at home using Spelling City. There are activities and practice tests. You can also view their test results on the site. Your student has practiced going to "My Records" to show you a copy of his/her test.

If you don’t have internet access at home, words can be studied with the list I send home.

Water Bottles

If you would like your child to have a water bottle at school there are a few guidelines that need to be followed.  Water bottles must be taken home each evening to be cleaned and refilled at home.  Water bottles must be on the counter in the back of the room and be accessed only during appropriate non-teaching times.  Be aware that we do take bathroom and drink breaks.  Only plain water is allowed in water bottles.  This is going to be a family decision if it is worth your time.  We do have a water fountain in school with filtered water.   

September Birthdays

Sept. 3 - Nick
Sept 11 - Tanner
Sept. 24 - Colby
Sept 30 - Autumn

Events Coming Up

Sept. 12 - Pictures Day
Sept 13 - NED Assembly

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me. I am available at the school between 8:00-8:20 a.m. and 3:00-3:30 p.m. I will answer email as soon as I can. You can email me at kmcbrady@pp.k12.mn.us

Final Thoughts from 4th Grade

Thank you!  It has been a pleasure to spend this year with your child.  I hope you have seen growth, both academic and personal.  If you ever have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

IXL

Once again, IXL is available to your student throughout the summer.  I highly recommend your student review and sharpen math skills this summer.  Each student has his or her own username and password in the agenda. 

Reading

I hope your child continues to read throughout the summer.  Reading skills must be practiced to maintain or grow.  

Decorah Eagles

We had been watching the bald eagle nest by the fish hatchery near Decorah, Iowa.  Here is the site:

https://www.raptorresource.org/birdcams/decorah-eagles/

I haven't spent a lot of time recently, but I understand the eagles are branching and will fledge very soon if they haven't already done so.

I hope you and your families have a wonderful summer.  I look forward to seeing you and your children again in the fall.

Here's What's Happening in Mrs. McBrady's Classroom

May 7, 2018

Our class attended the 25th Kids' Groundwater Fetival.  To kick off the event here was a  contest and students were invited to design the logo.  Each class sends in their best designs and a committee selects one winner. The theme was Take Back the Tap: Refill not Landfill. This year Cailin's design was selected! Over 500 students who attended all received a t-shirt, along with presenters, volunteers, and teachers.  This is only the second year Parkers Prairie has had a design selected.  

Literacy

Interactive reading - Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH 

4th Grade Portfolios

Independent Reading:
AR goal for April/May
Only one more reading goal to achieve!  Students have a minimum goal of 7 AR points with a due date of May 14.

Spelling

Final Maintenance Test
Lessons 22, 23, and 24 will be on Tuesday
Lessons 25, 26, and 27 will be on Friday

Science

Inventions and Technology - and its impact on society

Engineering

Junior Achievement

Hunter Haggenmiller, a senior at Parkers Prairie High School, is our Junior Achievement volunteer.  He will present 5 lessons on economics.

Dates to Remember:

May 7 - Junior Achievement
May 9 - Junior Achievement
May 16 - Bookmobile
May 16 - Canoe and Water Safety Field Trip, Carlos State Park
May 18 - Music Program
May 30 - Bookmobile
May 31 - Last Day of School

Here's What's Happening in Mrs. McBrady's Classroom

April 30, 2018

MCA Testing Dates:

Math Test Dates:  April 30, May 1 and 3

It is important that your child gets enough rest prior to testing.  A good breakfast also helps brain function. Attendance is important on test days.  Please visit with your child and let them know you expect them to try their hardest.  

Literacy

Interactive reading - Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH 

4th Grade Portfolios

Independent Reading:
AR goal for April/May
Only one more reading goal to achieve!  Students have a minimum goal of 7 AR points with a due date of May 13.

Spelling

Pretest - Monday
Final Test - Friday

Science

Kids' Water Festival, Wednesday, May 2 at the Water Treatment Plant and Runestone Community Center

Inventions and Technology - and its impact on society

Engineering

Junior Achievement

Hunter Haggenmiller, a senior at Parkers Prairie High School, is our Junior Achievement volunteer.  He will present 5 lessons on economics.

Dates to Remember:

April 30 - Junior Achievement
May 2 - Bookmobile
May 2 - Kids' Water Festival
May 3 - Last Book Orders are Due
May 3 - Junior Achievement
May 4 - Donuts With Dads
May 4 - Petting Zoo
May 7 - Junior Achievement
May 9 - Junior Achievement
May 16 - Bookmobile
May 16 - Canoe and Water Safety Field Trip, Carlos State Park
May 18 - Music Program
May 30 - Bookmobile
May 31 - Last Day of School

Here's What's Happening in Mrs. McBrady's Classroom

April 9, 2018

It was great to visit with all of you at conferences.  Thanks for coming and sharing your child with me this year.

MCA Testing Dates:
Reading Test Dates:  April 10, 11, and 12

Math Test Dates:  April 30, May 1 and 3

Literacy

Interactive reading - Island of the Blue Dolphins

We are updating our vocabulary notebooks and focusing on literacy vocabulary words in preparation for our MCA assessments.

Independent Reading:
AR goal for April/May
Only one more reading goal to achieve!  Students have a minimum goal of 7 AR points with a due date of May 18


Spelling
Pretest - Monday
Final Test - Friday

Math

I can use probability to evaluate fairness and expected results in an experiment
I can compare predicted and actual results from an experiment with equally likely outcomes
I can analyze data

Science

Water - surface tension, properties of water, water races

Birthdays

April 23 - Lily
April 30 - Trey

Dates to Remember:

April 18 - Electricity Presentation with Dave Burnea (Otter Tail Power Company)
April 18 - Bookmobile
May 2 - Bookmobile
May 2 - Kids' Water Festival
May 4 - Petting Zoo
May 16 - Bookmobile
May 18 - Music Program
May 30 - Bookmobile
May 31 - Last Day of School