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

October 22, 2018

Literacy
Interactive Reading –  Eating the Plates

Reading - Similes and metaphors

Writing Workshop – Letter Writing - We will write thank you letters to the Scholastic book sponsors who donated to our classroom.

Independent Reading – All students are expected to achieve the AR goal. Every student should have a minimum of 5 AR points by October 31. I send an AR report home every week (usually Thursday or Friday) for you to monitor your child’s reading progress. I look for 80% or above in comprehension, how many AR points have been earned, and the reading level of books.  I ask that students do not take more than 2 AR tests in 1 day.

AR goal for October
5 points to meet their goal

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

Spelling

Pretest on Monday and final test on Friday

Math
.
Unit 2: Multiplication and Geometry
I can explore symmetry in nature, objects, and shapes.
I can apply rules to complete What's My Rule tables
Review
Test Unit 2

Science

Seeds have been germinated and we will plant our Tower Garden this next week.  The Tower Garden is an aeroponic growing system.  We will keep you updated!

Ask your child what he or she has learned about bacteria and germs.  Also ask what places in the school have the most germs and bacteria.  

Bookmobile

The Bookmobile was unable to come to the elementary on Wednesday, October 17 because of mechanical trouble.  If your child's book was due, you can renew online with your library card.

October  31
November 14 and 28

Dates to Remember

Oct. 25 - Art with Grandma Cookie
Oct. 31 - Classroom Fall Parties
Nov. 1 - Art with Grandma Cookie
Nov. 2 - Last day of Quarter 1 (Wow!!)
Nov. 5 - No School - Teacher Workshop
Nov. 7 - Conferences from 3:30 - 7:30
Nov. 8 - Conferences from 12:30 - 7:30
Nov. 9 - No School

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

October 15, 2018

Great News!  All students will be performing in a Christmas program this year!

Literacy
Interactive Reading –  Shiloh

Reading - Theme

Writing Workshop – Personal Narrative - We will continue with the writing process with revising, editing, and final copies. Will move into letter writing.

Independent Reading – All students are expected to achieve the AR goal. Every student should have a minimum of 5 AR points by October 31. I send an AR report home every week (usually Thursday or Friday) for you to monitor your child’s reading progress. I look for 80% or above in comprehension, how many AR points have been earned, and the reading level of books.  I ask that students do not take more than 2 AR tests in 1 day.

AR goal for October
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

No spelling this week because of the 3 day week.

Math
.
Unit 2: Multiplication and Geometry
I can classify triangles by angle properties.
I can classify quadrangles by their properties.
I can explore symmetry in nature, objects, and shapes.

Personal Sharing

The first Friday of each month your child will have an opportunity to share something with the class that is of interest to him or her.  It can be a verbal sharing or your child may bring in an item with parent approval.  

Often students want to bring a pet.  Our family handbook says the following:

Animals - Due to health and safety concerns, students cannot bring pets/animals from home without advance permission from the principal. Any approved animal visits will likely take place outdoors.

If your child wants to share a pet, a picture is a great way to share without an extra trip to school.


October Bookmobile

October 17, and 31

Dates to Remember

Oct. 16 - Picture Retakes
Oct. 18 & 19 - No School
Oct. 25 - Art with Grandma Cookie
Oct. 31 - Classroom Fall Parties

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

October 1, 2018

Literacy
Interactive Reading –  Shiloh

Reading - Theme

Writing Workshop – Personal Narrative, brainstorming, organizing ideas, and writing an essay. We will continue with the writing process with revising, editing, and final copies. 

Independent Reading – All students are expected to achieve the AR goal. Every student should have a minimum of 5 AR points by October 31. I send an AR report home every week (usually Thursday or Friday) for you to monitor your child’s reading progress. I look for 80% or above in comprehension, how many AR points have been earned, and the reading level of books.  I ask that students do not take more than 2 AR tests in 1 day.

AR goal for October
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

FREE!!!

You are invited to download 3 eBooks, sponsored by Pizza Hut and the Book-

It Program. Did I say they are free?  See more information about downloading here:

Free Books Link

Spelling

Pretest – Monday
Final Test – Friday

Math
.
Unit 2: Multiplication and Geometry
I can review rectangular arrays and explore patterns in square numbers
I can develop and use a formula for figuring the area of a rectangle
I can work with factor pairs, arrays, and corresponding equations
I can learn that a whole number is a multiple of each of its factors
I can classify numbers as prime or composite

October Birthday

October 7 - Elora


October Bookmobile

October 3, 17, and 31

Dates to Remember

Oct. 16 - Picture Retakes
Oct. 18 & 19 - No School
Oct. 31 - Classroom Fall Parties

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

September 24, 2018

Snacks!  I encourage your child to bring a healthy snack to tide him or her over until lunch time.  I would like to ask that you send snacks in plastic bags that can easily be sealed, plastic containers that can easily be opened and closed, or individual packaging.  While it may be convenient to purchase a box of crackers and eat  them all week, an open package of food is an invitation to pests. Thanks!!

Literacy

Interactive Reading – Bullying Curriculum Books and discussion.

Reading Workshop - Genre study

Writing Workshop – Personal Narrative, brainstorming, organizing ideas, and writing an essay.  We will continue with the writing process with revising, editing, and final copies. 

Students brought their writing journal home to personalize.  Students may be creative and express themselves by decorating the cover of the journal.  If pictures are used, consider covering them with a clear contact paper or other protective material.  Journals are due back on Monday as we will be using them.

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

FREE!!!


You are invited to download 3 eBooks, sponsored by Pizza Hut and the Book-

It Program. Did I say they are free?  See more information about downloading here:

Free Books Link

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
.
Unit 1: Place Value, Multi-digit Addition, and Multi-digit Subtraction
I can explain properties of angles, triangles, and quadrilaterals.
I can develop and use a formula for finding the perimeter of a rectangle.
Review Unit 1
Test Unit 1

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.

Homecoming Week

Students are welcome to participate in Homecoming Dress Up Days this week.

Monday - Wear Pajamas
Tuesday - Hat Day
Wednesday - Wear Red, White, and Blue
Thursday - Wear Tropical Colors
Friday - Spirit Day - Wear Maroon and Gold

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