Dear Parents and Students,
Well it's been a while!! But I have not forgotten to write to all my wonderful parents and help them to keep informed as to what is happening in our classroom. We have been incredibly busy and very involved this past quarter.
We completed our 9 week unit on Expository writing. I must admit our students really came a long way and have all improved significantly. However, we are not completely there just yet! We will return to Expository writing in a few weeks and perfect our skills before the FCAT Writing Test. We have begun our unit on Narrrative writing. Students worked on developing Narrative "Grabbers" and focusing on story elements as they write. We created a Narrative GPS (prewriting storyboard) and participated in a fabulous lesson where students were encouraged to locate "Million Dollar Words" (vivid vocabulary), "Money in the Bank"(skills that will guarantee high marks), and "Snag It" (ideas from other writers they'd like to use) from each other's writing. In addition, we also worked on using our senses to write descriptively. We read a beautiful storybook called, "I Love You the Purplest" by Barbara Jossee. Oh my goodness! You have to read the beautiful poems our kids wrote. They are full of emotion, description and imagery. I posted them up on our website please do not forget to visit the "I Love You" Poems pages and check them out. The Write Night homework assignments are really developing well and I can see the effort and time put into this assignment. All students are taking this assignment seriously now and its evident in their weekly tests.
We began reading our next novel in 4th grade gifted, "Running Out of Time". The students are enjoying this realistic fiction novel set back during the 1800's (or so they thought). The nvovel is full of action and adventure and plenty of twists and turns to keep all readers interested. We are using a gifted strategy called "learning contracts". These contracts are great for gifted kids because it allows them to keep track of their learning and work at their own pace. The mini projects involve researching and much creativity.
In Math, we have been working with Algebraic Thinking. Students learned how to use addition and multiplication properties, order of operations, working with expressions and equations and how to work with patterns. We are currently 2nd in the entire school in our First in Math competition. The 5th grade gifted class is in the lead, but not by much. I know if our students pull together and each put forth some effort we can bump them out of 1st place! Brainbusters has been put on hold for a few weeks, we will get back to it soon enough!
During Science we have been exploring the Solar System. We started out by creating KWL charts based on our prior knowledge and what the students were interested in learning. We developed "curiosity" cards and posted them up in our room so we can make sure we find the answer to the many questions our students had. After that our students participated in a "jigsaw" activity where they parted into groups and were responsible for researching the assigned planets. After using the laptops and books to locate the information, students came together and created a giant size chart on the whiteboard of all the information they found. Next week we will be working on class murals of the solar system using glow in the dark paint in order to make them come alive!
As you can see we have had very busy weeks full of lots of learning and plenty of activities that students enjoy and benefit from.
***Homework is due on Monday!! Please make sure it is complete, we will be having "Homework Champs" again this year and students must have 100% of their homework turned in on time in order to qualify. I have the names of the parents that have signed up to purchase our pizza for us on the Homework Champs Pizza page. We have had several "Chance Board" students so far. Students get a sticker on the "Chance Board" every time they earn a 100% on any class test. Once that happens they can chose between a "Brainbuck" or a chance card. Everyone seems very excited about this incentive and I hope students focus and try their very best to earn their high marks. Graded work was sent home on Friday, please make sure you have signed and returned these tests to me.
Our "Roving Reporter" this week was 
Luis C.
Please visit the Roving Reporter's page so you can see what is happening daily in our class from a child's point of view (which can be interesting and fun at times).
I'd like to announce our first gold star winner on the "Are You Smarter Than a Fourth Grader" academic club program. 
Manny R. has won 12 gold stars!! Check out the webpage and see how your child can also participate.
We are in need of a few things.... first "Treasure Box" prizes. Please feel free to send in small dollar store prizes for the students to have in their "Treasure Box." I am also looking for a class "cookie jar" with a lid. If anyone has a spare and would like to donate it, please send it in!
Our Star Student for the month of September was John A. He received this award for working hard, behaving, striving above and beyond what's expected and trying their very best. I will be selecting October's star student tomorrow!
Congrats to Santa W. he is our Patriot of the Month for October... the character trait of responsibilty. Good job!
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Thank you so much for donating to our class through the "Adopt a Classroom" program. I'd like to thank Nikki's, Manny's, Ishaan's, John's, Aditya's, Alannah's, Seth's, Jacobs parents and Nikki's aunt and uncle for helping me purchase much needed items for our class! I'd also like to thank Luis' parents for donating a color printer for our classroom.
I am now saving for other materials, supplies and learning games as well for our classroom!! If you haven't donated and would like to please visit the "Adopt a Classroom" page on our website! I can not express how grateful I am and fortunate to have such wonderful parents that are so involved in our classroom and work as partners with me to provide our kids with the best education possible.************Thank you....Thank you....Thank you.....!
****BOOK ORDERS FROM SCHOLASTIC SHOULD COME IN THIS WEEK OR THE NEXT. I have posted 5 new magazines up on our site. Visit our "book order" page and purchase your books online!
As always if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to email me or send a note with your child.
Warm hugs!
*Have your child vote for their favorite subject!!
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*************PARENTS + TEACHERS + STUDENTS WORKING TOGETHER= SUCCESS**********
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