Newsletter Feb. 17

4th Grade All-Stars
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
(Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Vargo)
Week At A Glance:

Math: How do various fractions compare in size (0, ½, and 1)? What are the numerator and denominator? How do we find fractional parts of sets? What are equivalent fractions? How do we find equivalent fractions? What are improper fractions? What are mixed numbers?

Science: What are the basic properties of light? What is light made up of? How does light travel? How can light be absorbed, reflected, or refracted by objects? How does light behave when it strikes materials?

Language Arts: We will read the story The Kid’s Invention Book by Jean Arlene Erlbach. Our focus will be recognizing the main idea as well as details to support the main idea. We will also focus on following written directions. We will identify subject and object pronouns. We will work in the classroom with spelling words that end with y and ey. However, due to our short week we will not have a typical spelling test. We will have an open book comprehension quiz on Friday.

Social Studies: We will begin our research projects this week. We will read and begin to outline our information.

Special Announcements:
· Due to some schedule changes this week, students were not able to begin their research projects. We will begin them this week. All research will be completed during class time. We will also write a three paragraph paper based upon the information the students collected on their individual from the American Revolution time period. If your child would like to dress up as the individual they have researched, they may do so. Presentations will be on Thursday, February 26th and Friday, February 27th. Please note dressing up is NOT a requirement for this project! Our focus will be on the process of doing a research project and writing a summary!

Special Dates:
· February 19 – Progress Reports go home
· February 23 – SDOC Long Range Building Plans Informational Meeting 7:00 pm West-Oak Auditorium
· February 26 – SDOC Long Range Building Plans Informational Meeting 7:00 pm Tamassee-Salem Auditorium
· February 27 – Family Movie Night (more information to follow)
· March 2 – SDOC Long Range Building Plans Informational Meeting 7:00 pm Seneca High Auditorium
· March 2-6 - Kindergarten Registration for 2009-2010 School Year (be sure to bring birth certificate, social security card, immunization record and proof of address)
· March 3 - SDOC Long Range Building Plans Informational Meeting 7:00 pm Walhalla High Auditorium
· March 3 – Pre-K Registration for 2009-2010 School Year (be sure to bring birth certificate, social security card, immunization record and proof of address)
· March 10-11 – Writing PASS Test!
· March 23 – Student Holiday
· March 24 – MAP Reading Test
· March 27 – MAP Math Test
· March 31 – MAP Language Test