Sloan's Super Sleuths

Collecting clues, probing problems, finding facts!

Spelling Bee and Geography Bee Winners

Student-news-colorCongratulations to our Bee winners!

Shiloh is our Spelling Bee winner and Sarah is her alternate.

Jami is our Geography Bee winner and Abbey is her alternate.

Shiloh will be go on to compete at the school level on January 14th. She'll compete against the other 4th and 5th grade classroom winners from our school. Should Shiloh be unable to compete, Sarah will take her place.

Jami will go on to compete at the school level on January 8th. She, too, will compete against the other 4th and 5th grade classroom winners from our school. Should Jami be unable to compete, Abbey will take her place.

 

Posted at 04:18 PM in 2009-2010 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

This Week's Highlights (12/14/09)

Monday - Benchmark Test in Math (there is no study guide for this)

Wednesday - Specials will be from 8:00-8:40 due to the PTA Holiday Luncheon; 9:00-10:30 is our Holiday Party in the classroom. Volunteers have been working hard to put together a fun holiday party for the students (Thank you, Natalie, for coordinating this!)

Reminder Remember to bring in a wrapped, paperbook book for our swap during the holiday party!

Thursday - Spelling Test on Sort 15; Colonies Test on Roanoke, Jamestown, and Plymouth

Download Roanoke, Jamestown and Plymouth Study Guide

On Thursday, we'll also have our class Spelling Bee and Geography Bee. Scroll down to a previous post for links to spelling and geography websites that can help you improve your spelling and geography skills.

Friday - Reading Logs are due; Gingerbread Economics! Remember to bring your gingerbread supplies in tomorrow!!

 Whatever you may be celebrating, whoever you may be visiting, ENJOY the break and have a Happy New Year!! See you in 2010!
Happy Holidays

Posted at 10:20 AM in 2009-2010 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

The Silk Road

Camel  We learned about the Silk Road during our study of early European explorers. The American Museum of Natural History in NYC has an exhibit about it now. Please click on the link below to travel the Silk Road. You'll be able to use an interactive map to follow Marco Polo's travels, listen to stories about travels during his time, listen to the music of the time, explore instruments, and more!!

Although we've already tested on early European explorers, this is TOO COOL to miss checking out! Go now to the Silk Road.....

http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/silkroad/

Posted at 01:51 PM in 2009-2010 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

This Week's Highlights (12/7/09)

We have another busy week ahead. As we get closer to the winter break, please make every effort to attend each day and not leave early or arrive late. Besides the tests you see on my blog, we are also taking end of quarter tests in class. Every day is important all day long. Thank you!

Monday - View Cultural Celebration at 12:30

Tuesday - Chorus Concert at 9:00

Thursday - Irregular Verb Test (to prepare you should memorize the spelling of the present, past, and has/have/had past tense of the irregular verbs in your grammar book ~ I'll remind you of the page numbers in class Monday)

Friday - Vocabulary Test on Unit 8; Simple Machines Test (study packet for simple machines was given out in class Friday). Also, on Friday, Colonial Centers at 9:00. Remember to wear something colonial! Scroll down for more important information on the colonies.

Author Study WormHere's the December reading log. Note that it's due December 18th.

    Download Reading Log.December 2009  

Gift  As an early holiday present, fourth grade is not requiring Math Blasters for the month of December!

IT'S TIME TO START LEARNING ABOUT THE 13 COLONIES!

We'll be learning about the original 13 in class this week. At home, you can also learn about them by looking at the map and checking out the links below.   Please download the song and start singing!! We'll be practicing this song in class ~ it's a fun way to memorize the original 13!

 

13colonies


http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/graphics/13mapnew.htm

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/13colonies1.htm

Download THE 13 COLONIES song

 

Posted at 11:29 AM in 2009-2010 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

Cobb Youth Museum Field Trip

We had a great time at the Cobb Youth Museum last month. The students reenacted the Boston Masacre, a Revolutionary War battle, and the Second Continental Congress. The link below shows pictures of the "redcoats" and "patriots" in action! Click on the first picture to enlarge it and then scroll through the rest. The first picture is a group picture taken outside the museum on an old-fashioned train.

http://mtbethel.blogs.com/photos/sloan_cobb_youth_museum09/

Posted at 10:32 PM in 2009-2010 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

Geography Bee and Spelling Bee

We'll be having a Geo Bee and Spelling Bee in our classroom on Thursday, 12/17. The winners from each 4th and 5th grade classroom will go on to compete at the school level in January, 2010. For each of our classroom bees, a winner and an alternate will be chosen.  

If you'd like to brush up on your geography and spelling skills prior to the bees, click on the links below!

http://www.eduplace.com/geonet/

http://www.spellingcity.com/

Posted at 09:57 PM in 2009-2010 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

Winter Holiday Party

Snowman Our holiday party will be on Wednesday, December 16th. Natalie Collins is coordinating the party for us and will be in touch with those who have volunteered to help. (Thank you, Natalie!)

Please click on the link below for Book Swap instructions.

Download Winter Holiday Book Swap

Posted at 01:30 PM in 2009-2010 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

This Week's Highlights (11/30/09)

Thursday - Math Test on angles and rotation. Click on the study guide below for more information.

Download Geometry Study Guide

Friday - Explorers Test and Spelling Test on Sort 14. See previous post for the explorers study guide.

Looking Ahead -                 Pilgrims
Students will participate in Colonial Centers in class on Friday, 12/11. Students should plan to wear something like what the colonists would have worn in the 1600 or 1700's. Keep it simple (a hat, a long skirt, rolled up pants, etc.). The idea is to wear something festive/fun for the centers, not to buy a costume. The centers will be from 9:00-10:00. Students can change their clothes if they need to afterwards.

Posted at 01:21 PM in 2009-2010 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

European Explorers Study Guide

After Thanksgiving break, we'll have a test on European Explorers. It'll be Friday of that week. Click on the links below to study for this test. The first link is the graphic organizer you've been completing in class. The second link is a powerpoint to help you remember the details. The third link provides some background history that led to the Spanish conquistadors. It includes information on our new tribe, the Aztecs!!

Download Europeanexplorerschart filled in

Download Explorers-study-guide

Download Encounters in America (Aztecs & Incas) 

Posted at 04:03 PM in 2009-2010 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

Force and Motion Study Guide

Here's the link to the study guide for this week's science test.

Download Force and Motion Study Guide

Posted at 10:56 AM in 2009-2010 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

This Week's Highlights (11/16/09)

This past week first...

"Friday the 13th turned out to be a "lucky" day for the Sleuths. Shiloh participated in the Trashy Art contest and won second prize!! Everyone turned in their Bunker Hill posters on time, and what a FABULOUS job everyone did. It was extremely difficult for the fourth grade teachers to choose the top three winners from each class. Ultimately,  Sarah, Jami, and Abbey were chosen as the top three in our class! Abbey's was later chosen by the Sons of the American Revolution as one of the top three out of all of our fourth grade classes! Hers will go on to compete at the Chapter level. We can't wait to hear the results of that! If you're in the school, please check out the Sleuths' posters outside our classroom. They're amazing!

We have a busy week ahead, but Thanksgiving break is almost here. And the good news is...no homework over the break!

This week's highlights are:

Monday - I've got a team planning meeting. Parent volunteers will be here from 12:00-2:00 to help students work on a cultural celebrations project AND a water conservation activity. Be thinking about ways you can conserve water!

Wednesday - Verb test (study the definitions and examples on page 39-44 in your Grammar books. Also, practice singing the Helping Verb song to "help" you remember helping verbs easily.

Thursday - Force and Motion test. Look for a study guide for this test to be on my blog before this weekend is over.

Friday - Spelling test on Sort 13; Vocabulary test on Unit 7.

Also, on Friday the entire 4th grade will participate in Thanksgiving rotations. Each class will visit 4 other fourth grade classrooms to do something related to Thanksgiving. The rotations will occur from 9:15 to 11:15, which means our spelling and vocabulary tests will have to be in the afternoon.

Thanksgiving 
Happy Thanksgiving to you all! Be safe if you a travelling, and enjoy the extra time with your family!!

Posted at 05:56 PM in 2009-2010 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

This Week's Highlights (11/9/09)

Monday - KickballStudents will be given a Force and Motion cartoon assignment that will be due 11/17/09. Look for your child to bring home the instructions on Monday.   

Wednesday - Math test on multiplication and division facts (1-12). This will be like the timed math blasters students practice each month, except that I will give them 10 minutes to comlete each one. I continue to stress the importance of knowing these facts to the students. We're working with facts now as we multiply and divide 2- and 3-digit numbers, and we'll visit them again later when we work with fractions. This test is an extra effort to get everyone improving and strengthening their fact knowledge.

 Fife and drumAlso on Wednesday, we're going on our field trip to the Cobb Youth Museum!! This will be a great trip where students will participate in skits about the Revolutionary War! We will eat lunch at 9:50 BEFORE we leave for the museum.

Reminder note The Cobb Youth Museum souvenir order forms and money are both due Monday, 11/9. Souvenirs are OPTIONAL.

Thursday - Math test on division. To study, students should refer to the following math lessons we have done in class: Lesson 11.1 (p.230), Lesson 11.2 (p.232-233 ~ for this lesson students should be comfortable reading and using the models, they will not have to create a model), Lesson 11. 3 (p. 234 ~ students should know the "one way" method described on this page), Lesson 11.5 (p. 240), and lastly Lesson 11.4 applies in general throughout all of these lessons. Students should also know the math vocabulary terms: quotient, dividend, divisor, and remainder. They should also know the steps of divisions: DMSBC. Students should refer to their homework books when studying. This will give them examples of these lessons we've corrected in class.

Reminder noteThe Battle of Bunker Hill posters and reports are due Thursday. The fourth grade teachers will be choosing the top three posters from each class that day. Those top three will later be judged by members of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) to determine a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner for the 4th grade. The 1st place winner from our school will be entered in the chapter competition. I can't wait to see what you've all been up to creating your posters!!

Friday - Spelling test on Sort 12. Also, on Friday, the SAR will be here to share their knowledge and personal experiences regarding the American Revolution. They are descendants from those who fought in this war.

Finally, THANK YOU to those of you who made a donation to the Mt. Bethel Foundation this year. Without the Foundation, our students would truly miss out on significant educational enrichment to their learning. As a parent and a teacher, I see the impact those enrichments make on our students every day. We're lucky to have the Foundation and your children are lucky to have you! Thank you again for all your support.

Posted at 05:19 PM in 2009-2010 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

A Few Things

Click on the link below for a fun way to practice what you've learned about parts of and types of sentences! We'll re-visit this topic later in the year so it's a good idea to practice.

http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/sensort/index.html

Friday, we're following an early release schedule for specials and lunch so that all students at Mt. Bethel may attend the new track dedication in the afternoon. Dismissal will be at the regular time.

Congratulations to Carter, Megan, Malathi, and James ~ our wonderful Shakespearean actors. They all did a terrific job during yesterday's performances of "A Comedy of Errors".

Posted at 03:14 PM in 2009-2010 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

This Week's Highlights (11/2/09)

Tuesday - No school. Teacher workday.

Wednesday - Shakespeare performance in the cafeteria. Students will see the performance in the morning. Parents (and anyone else who would like to attend) will see the performance in the evening. It should be a FABULOUS play with some of our own sleuths starring!

Friday - Spelling Test on Sort 11, Vocabulary Test on Unit 6

Posted at 11:49 AM in 2009-2010 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

November Reading Log

Here's November's Reading log. Reminder: October's log is due Monday, 11/2.

Download Reading Log.November 2009

Posted at 11:42 AM in 2009-2010 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

November Math Blaster

Math Chalkboard  In an effort to support our green school effort, the fourth grade would like to complete our monthly Math Blaster timed tests online to save paper.  This link is listed below with a link to the directions for setting up the test

http://www.thatquiz.org/tq/practice.html

Download Math_blaster_on_line2

November Problem solving

Download strategies_practiced.doc

Download Nov 2009 prob solving

Below are links to paper copies of timed tests that can be printed off if you are having trouble with the website.  THANKS!

Note the heading of tests may say a different month. These are the ones we're using for November.

Download  div

Download oct_mix.jpg

Download oct_multiplication.jpg

Download october_subtraction.jpg

Download oct_addition.jpg

In order to print a full size copy of these test, you will have to follow these steps--
1) Go to file Print
2) Look at the box that says PAGE SCALING
3) Pull down to FIT TO PRINTER MARGINS
4) Hit ok

Posted at 11:24 AM in 2009-2010 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

This Week's Highlights (10/26/09)

Thursday - Noun test.  Download Noun Study Guide.09

Friday - Spelling test on Sort 10 and Native Americans test.  Download Native Americans Graphic Organizer.students. Students will be given a hard copy map on Monday to study along with this graphic organizer. (Note: We'll be covering the Seminole Indians Monday)

Book The Book Fair will be going on this week in the Media Center! Students visited the fair to preview books this past week. Ask them to share their Wish List with you if you haven't already seen it. There were so many terrific books for them to choose from!

Red ribbon This week is also Red Ribbon Week. Students will be given their red ribbon bracelets Monday. Please wear them each day this week to support the fight against drugs.

This week is also the last week of October. Remember that October reading logs and math blasters will soon be due!  And...

it's almost HALLOWEEN. Happy trick or treating!!

Halloween_graphics_56

 
 

Posted at 03:15 PM in 2009-2010 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

Please Support our Foundation!


Elmo Do you know about our ELMOs?  Thanks to the Foundation, we started the school year with an ELMO in every teacher's classroom! Click here to learn more!

The Mt. Bethel Foundation is funded 100% by parent donations and the Patron Program, which ends next week, is their only fundraiser. If you plan to make a donation or pledge, please send in your patron card ASAP. The superb programs and teacher grants provided by the Foundation are in jeopardy! Thank you to the families that have contributed!

Our class currently has 52% Participation!

Highest participating classes per grade level: 

  • Thinking capKindergarten - Schreck
  • First - Cillian
  • Second - Birdsong
  • Third - Bredickas
  • Fourth - Sloan
  • Fifth - Jones

Please view the MBESF website for more information about the Foundation and what it provides for our school. 

Keep Mt. Bethel students' thinking caps fully charged, send in your patron card before 10/30/09!

Posted at 12:20 AM in 2009-2010 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

This Week's Highlights (10/19/09)

School busWednesday - Early Release Day. We will not have Specials. Instead, we'll see a performance at 9:00. Our lunch will be at 10:03.

Thursday - Math test on multiplying 3-digits by 2-digits, including multiplying numbers that involve dollars and cents. Students should study the examples of these problems they've done in class and for homework. Lessons 9.2 and 9.4 in the math textbook (or online) should also be reviewed to prepare for this test.

Friday - Vocabulary test on Unit 5 and Spelling test on Sort 9.

Although it was a little chilly, we were happy to travel to Marietta Square without rain this morning! Our field trip was funny and entertaining! The Library Dragon was written by Carmen Deedy who grew up in Decatur, GA. She has visited Mt. Bethel many times to share her stories and writing experiences with our students. Click on the link below to learn more about this author and the many children's books she has written.

http://www.carmendeedy.com/



 

Posted at 09:42 PM in 2009-2010 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

Change to Week's Highlights (10/12/09)

Our spelling test this Friday will be on Sort 8, not Sort 7. Sorry for any confusion!

Posted at 08:35 AM in 2009-2010 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

This Week's Highlights (10/12/09)

This week's highlights include:

Monday - Parent volunteers will be in from 12-2. Their time will include an art lesson related to the Hopi Indians (one of the tribes we're studying in social studies).

Thursday - Target Open House for grades 4 and 5. Please refer to the main Mt. Bethel blog for times.

Friday - Spelling Test on Sort 7, and report cards go home! We also have our field trip to see The Library Dragon on Friday. We'll eat lunch in the cafeteria when we return. Remember to wear your field trip T-shirt!

Posted at 10:17 PM in 2009-2010 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

Latest News

Please click on the link below to download the latest Sloan's Sleuths' Scoop! The link below it provides more details about our next science unit, and the two links below that will bring you to a couple fun science learning websites.

 

Download Newsletter.October.09

Download ForceMotionParentNews.09

http://edheads.org/activities/simplemachines/index.htm

http://www.coe.uh.edu/archive/science/science_lessons/scienceles1/finalhome.htm

Posted at 09:50 PM in 2009-2010 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

October Math Blaster


J0395714 In an effort to support our green school effort, the fourth grade would like to complete our monthly Math Blaster timed tests online to save paper.  This link is listed below with a link to the directions for setting up the test

http://www.thatquiz.org/tq/practice.html

Download Math_blaster_on_line2

October Problem solving
Download strategies_practiced.doc

Download Oct. prob solv

Answers will be emailed to parents to help give direction to their child.

Below are links to paper copies of timed tests that can be printed off if you are having trouble with the website.  THANKS!

Note the heading of tests say Sept. - we will use the SAME ONES for Oct.

Download Math blaster multiplication time test

Download  div

Download  sub

Download  add

Download  mix

In order to print a full size copy of these tests, you will have to follow these steps--
1) Go to file Print
2) Look at the box that says PAGE SCALING
3) Pull down to FIT TO PRINTER MARGINS
4) Hit ok
 

Posted at 05:56 PM in 2009-2010 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

October Reading Log

Here is the October reading log.

Download Reading-log.october.2009

Posted at 04:31 PM in 2009-2010 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

This Week's Highlights (10/5/09)

Monday - Fourth grade students will be given vision and hearing tests. Our class will be tested during the period of 10:45 - 11:30.

Wednesday - Map Skills test (refer to the study guide in a previous post AND the physical features map handed out in class to study). Make sure you can locate the physical features shown on the map.

Thursday - Properties of Multiplication test (refer to the study guide in a previous post AND use your textbook and practice worksheets to study). And remember - practice those multiplication facts!

Friday - Vocabulary test on Unit 4.

Reminder - Anyone entering the Reflections contest: Entries are due 10/7/09. 

Posted at 02:00 PM in 2009-2010 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

Properties of Multiplication

Next week, we will have a Math test on the properties of multiplication. Click on the link below for the study guide. As a reminder, there's a link on the right side of this site for math facts practice. This is a great way for students to improve their knowledge of multiplication facts which is extremely important in fourth grade. Additionally, don't forget the on line math text book which has practice activities and games that coincide with each chapter in the book. They're a terrific way to practice and study.

Download Properties of Multiplication

Posted at 08:53 PM in 2009-2010 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

Blog Under Construction

Please excuse my blog while it's under construction!! The huge magnifying glass is not meant to scare you!

Posted at 04:07 PM in 2009-2010 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

Map Skills

We will have a map test next week on Thursday. Please click on the link below to download the study guide. An additional part of the study guide is a hard copy map that I will be giving students tomorrow.

Download Maps Skills Study Guide

Reminder noteThe Mt. Bethel Science Fair is tomorrw - October 1st, 5:30-7:00. We are expecting 250 participants!! We hope you can come out and see the students excitedly describe their experiments! Grades K-3 will be in the gym and grades 4-5 will be in the cafeteria. Science Olympiad hopefuls will have a designated area in the cafeteria, these will be the only "judged" projects. Also, be sure to look for faculty projects to be presented by the following teams: 1st grade, 2nd grade, 4th grade, and 5th grade. See you there!

Posted at 04:00 PM in 2009-2010 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

This Week's Highlights (9/28/09)

Wednesday, 9/30: Sentence Types test (see previous post for the study guide). Also on Wednesday, we'll switch specials times with 5th grade - specials will be at 9:00.

Thursday, 10/1: September Reading Log and Math Blasters are due

Friday, 10/2: Spelling test on Sort 7 and Weather test (see previous post for the weather study guide)

Homework Note: In order to catch up from the two days we missed due to the floods, math homework will be given on 10/2 to be completed over the weekend.

Posted at 05:39 PM in 2009-2010 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

Study Guides

Next week, we'll be having a test on types of sentences and a test on weather forecasting. Please click on the links below to view and download the study guides. We will review these in class Friday, 9/25.

Download Types of Sentences Study Guide

Download Weather Forecasting Study Guide.09

Posted at 03:34 PM in 2009-2010 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

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