Welcome to Mrs. Bednar’s 4th grade classroom!

(During the year, classroom newsletters, special events and project assignments will be posted here.)

Link to Collins Elementary School: http://www.collinselementary.com)


Please note: Photos are published with written consent from parents.  Any change of authorization may be emailed to me, and I will take appropriate action immediately.

 
 


Dear Parents,

    Last month we had a huge thank you to the chaperones for our Mission trip.  This month we have A HUGE “THANK YOU!” to the whole Bhide family (Akshay’s family.)  What a lucky teacher am I to have to write so many thank yous!  The Bhide family went WAAAAAAAAYYYYYYY above and beyond for our Room 22 booth - which had the longest lines!  This would not have been possible without Mr. and Mrs. Bhide working so hard for us!  If you haven’t sent in the $3 contribution for our booth/basket, please do so!


STAR testing begins Tuesday, May 5th.  For 4th graders, it runs only that week.  Please be sure your child has a good night’s sleep, a healthy breakfast, and arrives to school on time.



Now on to what your child is studying and learning in class...


CURRICULUM NOTES

New things to read, do, and see:  more Carnival photos,  the giant chocolate Easter egg pictures,  check out “just added” under Cool Websites - CA Flip-book webpages, “This Planet Really Rocks”, and eduplace/tales for some fun Mad Libs!


Students are to have roughly 45 - 60 minutes of homework a night.  Homework will consist   primarily of spelling, math, and some at-home projects.  If there is still time left, cozy up with a favorite book.  Remember as you read make connections, talk about it, discuss it - how does it make you feel?  Does it make you angry, confused, happy, curious?  Why?












Notes on choosing a book for silent reading:  Just as in school for Reading Zone, you have the right to abandon a book if it isn’t “just right”.  Understanding why a book isn’t just right is important - too hard, too easy, boring?  Remember your “Some Day” lists from your Reading Zone Journals.  Want a challenge?  Choose an expository (informational) book on a topic you know nothing about - that should be interesting!


Language Arts: Writing, Reading Comprehension, Spelling, Vocabulary, Grammar, Sentence Structure:



  2. BulletLITERATURE:   After STAR testing is over, students will begin analyzing structural differences between myths, legends, fairy tales and fables.  Students will then be reading and writing their own fairy tales and fables.


  4. BulletWRITING:  Students will be writing and acting out their own fables, fairy tales, and “fractured fairy” tales!  Essays will be incorporated into social studies and science.  The last  essay genre for 4th grade, persuasive, will be introduced.


MATH:


  1. BulletWe have completed the math textbook.  The new in-class work is their Lost Gold Mine Treasure Map math project.  The assignment sheet is also posted on-line (see above.)



SCIENCE:

  1. BulletWe’ve concluded a few of the investigations in science.  There are two more interesting, and messy experiments / investigations to go: erosion and physical and chemical weathering.



SOCIAL STUDIES:


  1. BulletStudents are working on understanding the developing and changing economy and industries in California.  They are also working on a “California Flip-Book”.  Most parents saw the beginnings of these during Open House.


  1. Bullet“Gold Dust or Bust” is a musical about the California Gold Rush.  Students will be memorizing songs, making their own props, and performing this for the whole school.  We will have an 8:45 AM performance and a 1:00 PM performance on Thursday, June 4th, and parents are warmly invited to attend!  Hopefully one of the times fits into your schedule!




COMPUTER LAB:

  1. BulletAs students approach middle school (it’s only two years away!), they will be expected to be typing their essays and reports.  For the remainder of the year, students are heading back into the computer lab to hone their keyboarding skills.  NO HUNTING AND PECKING! 


  1. When students have met expectations (words per minute and % of accuracy) they will also start doing the  “fun stuff”: formatting, fonts, alignment, multiple columns, inserting tables, colors, etc!



As always, if you have any concerns, comments or questions, please feel free to contact me:


phone: (408) 252-6002 ext. 222  or email bednar_maria@cupertino.k12.ca.us.

 

Spring Classroom Newsletter  for May 2009

“SOME-DAY” LIST


Since school started way back in August, I’ve asked students to keep a “Some-Day” list.  This is a great place to go if you’re bored during some of those long, hot summer days and need something do do.  Grab a book from your “Some Day” list and enjoy!