elective registration

Your child will be bringing home 2nd semester elective registration information on Monday which is due back on or before Friday, December 21st.  They will be registering for electives right after winter break.

A child that is AG identified can sign up for AG electives.  All other students must have a letter stating that  they have been selected to take an AG elective in order to register for an AG elective.

Research Projects

The fourth graders are beginning research projects this quarter. The first step is to send a letter of request to the county they have chosen to research. We are hoping to get the letters written and in the mail in the next week. We are in need of stamps.  We are hoping that you'd help the team out by sending a stamp, or two, or more to school to help us out.

30 Book Challenge

We are challenging your fourth grader to read 30 books by the end of the school year. We know they can do it!  To make this more manageable and to encourage everyone to participate, we are breaking this down into 10 books each for 2^nd, 3^rd & 4^th quarters.  Easy right?  Students will be required to read a certain number of different genres each quarter!

For more information see the links on the right under the 30 Book Challenge label.  If you have any questions, please contact your child's language arts teacher. Reading logs must contain the titles of the books read & have parent initials in all boxes.  Completed reading logs are due on Friday, January 18th.

We will have a celebration on Friday, January 25, 2013 for all that complete the challenge.  

We'd love to have you accept the challenge & participate with your child.  

Case 21 Benchmark Testing

We will be administering Case 21 Benchmark Assessments next week.  The reading assessment will be on Tuesday and math on Wednesday.  Please be sure that your child goes to bed early on Monday & Tuesday nights to ensure that they are well rested.  It is also important that they eat a healthy breakfast each morning.

These assessments are used to ensure that students are mastering objectives for the quarter.  The data we receive, helps guide our instruction.  These assessments are not used for grading purposes (not part of their report card grades).

Breast Cancer Awareness!

Friday 10/19 is Breast Cancer Awareness Day (National Mammogram Day)  Please join us in supporting breast cancer awareness by WEARING PINK!

In an effort to provide our support, we are asking that students wear PINK to school on Friday, October 19th

Study Island login

If you are trying to log onto Study Island via an ipad or iphone, you will come to a screen that says Study Island Mobile.  At the bottom of that page it said Access Regular Site.  You should then be able to login according to the previous login directions:

login:  lunchnumber@huntergt

password:  lunchnumber

Your child should know their lunch number.  It begins with a 9.

Update 10-11-12

Homework for this week is posted on the right.  There's a reading log, study island assignment, and a character analysis activity.  All homework is due on Thursday, October 18th.  The reading log includes homework directions for the week.  Students will need to log into Study Island in order to complete the theme/verb/adjective assignment.  The directions to login are below:

• www.studyisland.com
• Login:  lunch number@huntergt      Password:  lunch number
• Click on B1 or B2 (depending on class you are in)
• Click on Theme/verb/adjective homework
• When complete be sure to click on ”turn in test” in left hand column.  This assignment requires 70% mastery. 

***Assignment must be completed by 9:30 am on Thursday, October 18^th. 

In an attempt to save costs, I will no longer be handing out hard copies of homework (except for those who do not have computers).  If you did not receive homework through an email, please be sure to send me your email or emails so that I can include you in the Friday mailings with homework attached.  You can always print the homework from the blog too.

Students will be receiving a newly formatted Student Report (conduct/academic) on Monday.  I will be sending these home bi-monthly.  I will also be including graded assessments for your review.  Many of these assessments will have a sign and return stamp on them.  I will continue to send these assessments home as long as they are returned.  I need to include these in their portfolios.  

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.  

I'd like to thank each of you for sharing your child with me.  We are having a great year!

Homework/Remind 101

Thank you to everyone who responded and is willing to print the homework from the blog.  One concern that I have heard is "Will I remember to print the homework?"  In response to that concern, along with posting the homework on the blog on Friday mornings, I will also form an email group and email the homework to anyone who requests to be included homework email group.  Please send me an email pfoster1@wcpss.net if you'd like to receive your child's homework by email.

To clarify:  Students will be printing their homework at home beginning this week.  It will be posted on the blog on Friday by noon.  You will also have the opportunity to have homework emailed to you. Please email me any email addresses you'd like the homework sent to weekly.  pfoster1@wcpss.net   I will also send out a Remind101.com reminder weekly.

I apologize for the confusion in B2 regarding signing up for Remind101.com.  There was a type in the paragraph but the screen shot of the information was correct.

To sign up for Remind101.com
For B1:
By text:   text (818) 293-1456 with this message: @b1lang
By email:  b1lang@remind101.com


For B2:
By text:   text (818) 293-1456 with this message: @b2la
By email:  b2la@remind101.com

For 4th Grade Information:
By text:  text  (703) 794-3741with this message @xfb
By email:  xfb@remind101.com

You will get a reply message from Remind101.  Their reply may take a day or so.  If you sign up for a text, you'll get text reminders.  If you sign up for an email, you'll get email reminders.  Feel free to sign up for both if you'd like.  

Upon reading this blog message have your child write me a note stating how they will not receive their homework copies (by printing at home -- parents can check the blog and/or receive the homework via email).  Any child who brings me a note regarding the homework on or before Friday, October 12th will receive a surprise.

Homework Link

I am trying to download the homework to the blog but having trouble doing so at school.  I will have it loaded later this evening.

Open House

Wow, I can't believe we are starting our third week of school!  We're off to a great start.  I can't wait to share all kinds of interesting information with you Monday night (September 10th) at Open House.

5:30 - 6:30   K-2 Open House
6:30 - 7:00   Welcome from Dr. Wilkins & PTA Meeting
7:00 - 8:00    3 - 5 Open House

7:00 - 7:30 Fourth Grade parents will meet with their child's B1 teacher
7:30 - 8:00 Fourth Grade parents will meet with their child's B2 teacher

See you tomorrow night!
                   

Meet the Teacher

We are super excited to begin the school year!  Come meet your 4th grade teachers on Thursday, August 23rd 5:15 - 6:00 pm!!!!

2014-2015 4th Grade Supply List

Currently under revision -- will be posted soon

Spread the word! Donorschoose.org is once again offering a matching donation program.  Please go to:  http://www.donorschoose.org/pamfoster or http://www.donorschoose.org/we-teach/592292.79897910 to support our 4th grade classrooms.

Donors must enter SHOUT during check-out where it says "Match or gift code" - and voila! The donation is automatically doubled. See where donors must enter the code.

All donations are tax deductible.  

Wilmington Field Trip

4^th Grade Field Trip Itinerary

Hunter Elementary to Wilmington Area Sites

Thursday, March 29, 2012

6:40 a.m.         Teachers arrive

6:50 a.m.         Students/Parents/Chaperones check-in with your child’s homeroom teacher at the back bus loop for seating and small group assignments.

7:00 a.m.         Depart Hunter in buses and cars for Battleship North Carolina

SHARP

9:30 a.m.         Buses arrive at battleship.  Students depart bus and tour battleship for 2 hours in small group.

11:30 a.m.       Depart battleship for lunch

11:30 – 12:00 Lunch in park area off battleship

                        Remember to pick up all trash before boarding buses

12:00 -12:15    Load buses to leave for ferry

12:15 p.m.       Travel to Southport ferry terminal

12:45 a.m.       Buses should immediately check in at terminal for 1:00 ferry. Each car must check in separately and pay $5.00 fee per car (they only take cash).  30 minute ferry boat ride to Fort Fisher, along Cape Fear River.

NOTE:            Everyone may get off bus and walk around on ferry deck. Wait until Captain blows horn to signal when you may leave your vehicle and walk around. There will be an announcement on the loudspeaker when it is time to return to vehicles. Restrooms are available on the ferry.

1:30 p.m.         Travel to aquarium

1:45 p.m.         Self-guided tour of North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Tour Aquarium in small groups. Tour inside first; go outside only if time permits. We must be back at buses by 3:15 pm.

3:15 p.m.         Load buses

3:30 p.m.         Buses and cars depart for Hunter

5:45 p.m.         Buses arrive at Hunter in back bus loop

SHARP

CLASSROOM DONATIONS

Spread the word! Please go to:  http://www.donorschoose.org/pamfoster and support our 4th grade classrooms.



Donors must enter BLOOM during check-out where it says "Match or gift code" - and voila! The donation is automatically doubled. See where donors must enter the code.

Classroom Donations

We just received this exciting information.  If you don't know about www.donorschoose.org, it is an amazing website where teachers can post classroom needs and individuals can fund projects.  We've had many projects funded, primarily books for the classroom.  These books are what allow the students to participate in literature circles!

Next week, starting Monday, 3/12/12 at 9am EST, donations made by my friends and family can be matched dollar for dollar..
What you need to know:
Donors must enter a special code during payment to be matched. They'll email us the code at 9am EST on 3/12/12 (we'll then post the code on the blog) and it’s valid through 11:59pm EST on 3/19/12. Only donations made during this time using the code are eligible for the match.

Not all donations are created equal. Only credit card donations will activate the match code. (Check payments, gift card redemptions, and account credits won't be eligible for matching.)


We hope you'll consider donating to a project that will benefit our classroom and/or the 4th grade!

Homework this week includes using Study Island.  Students need to go to www.studyisland.com and login to their account.  They will click on my name and see an assignment that must be completed by the evening of March 12th.

id:  student lunch #@huntergt
password:  student lunch number

Week of February 22nd

Happy Wednesday!  I hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend.  The kids seemed well rested and ready to learn today!!

The 4th grade team is looking forward to seeing parents tomorrow night to share some information on EOG test taking strategies!  We will begin promptly at 6 pm in room 205.

As a result of the short week, I did not assign any homework this week.  We will begin literature circles tomorrow.  We are working on plot and writing great beginnings in class this week.

Hope to see you tomorrow night!

EOG Test Taking Strategy Information Session

You're Invited

The 4^th Grade Team

Invites you to an EOG test prep information session. 

 Where: Hunter Elementary School

Room 205

When: Thursday, February 23^rd

6:00 pm

What:  Strategies to help your child on EOGs

We look forward to seeing you!

A raffle will be held – you may win a free homework pass for your child just by attending this session.

Please RSVP by returning the bottom portion of attached invitation by Tuesday, February 21^st – babysitting will be provided

RUNNERS Test Taking Strategy for Reading

An important part of taking tests is learning how to take them.  The 4^th grade language arts team is teaching the RUNNERS strategy to all students this year.  Below is a copy of the strategy that we have shared with your child and are working on in class.  Students are to be using these strategies when working on homework, class assignments, and tests.  Please encourage your child to use this strategy at home too.  This flyer can also be found by clicking on the RUNNERS and/or test taking label on the right.

RUNNERS

Racing toward Reading Success

Read the title:  What is the selection going to be about?  Fiction or nonfiction?

Underline the important key words in the QUESTIONS as you read them.

Notice any numbered paragraphs in the selection … Number if you need to.

Now READ the selection and as you read underline key words and clues.

Eliminate wrong answers as you re-read questions & ALL answer choices.

Re-read the possible correct answers.

Select the best answer!                

                                                               

             

Valentine's Day

4th grade will be exchanging Valentine's on Tuesday, February 14th in homeroom.  If your child brings a valentine to share with a friend in homeroom, they must bring one for every classmate.  The Healthy Hunter Committee sent home a flyer on Monday, February 6th stating that "no foods of minimal nutritional value be served during the school day". In order to read their complete letter and suggestions click here.

Homework Due 2/14/12

I have posted the homework due 2/14/12.  I will not include a post every week.  You can find the homework listed under the homework tab on the right.  Students will have a "not" prefix test on Wednesday.

EOG Practice Information

End of Grade Tests:

Parents frequently ask what they can do to help improve their child's achievement scores without increasing test anxiety. You might find the following helpful:

1. Reduce stress before the test. Students need to know the importance of these tests. Reassure students. Have a relaxed environment at home the night before the test. 2. Rest before the test. Have your child go to bed early enough to get plenty of rest. 3. Prepare with care. Set the alarm earlier on the mornings of the test. Students must be on time to school. Tardy students are not admitted late to the classroom during testing and will have to take a make-up test. Don't schedule appointments on test days. Make sure your child eats a healthy breakfast. 4. Dress for success. Students need to dress comfortably in clothing they like. 5. You will do well I can tell. Help your child to feel confident about taking the tests. Express your confidence in his/her ability to do well.

See EOG Practice Information on bar at top of home page for more resources including practice tests.  

Critical Thinking Question Stems

Many parents have asked me for question stems to help their child with higher level thinking skills. There are six levels of questions/higher level thinking skills which you can access on the right.

Homework Link

How exciting!!!! --- Ok maybe you won't agree but I am excited.  I have learned how to post homework to the blog.  Now students will have the ability to have access to homework on the blog.  In the right hand column is a Homework Assignment label.  The homework is listed by DUE DATE.  Click on the due date and a copy of the homework will appear.  I hope that this is a useful resource to you and your child.  If you have any questions or problems, please let me know.

Literature Circles

I am in the process of beginning literature circles in class.  We will begin working with legends and folktale picture books next week.  Students will learn the different jobs and have an activity to complete that requires higher level critical thinking skills.  We will then move to working in small groups reading a novel.  They will have required jobs (related to the reading), small group discussions, and a culminating project.  Novel choices will be announced soon.

Beginning of 3rd Quarter

Wow, it's hard to believe that 3rd quarter began today!  Students are taking County Benchmark Assessments today and tomorrow.  All 3rd - 5th graders took the reading assessment today and will take the math tomorrow.  This assessment will not affect grades, but it will give us important information about how much each student has learned so far this year. 

As a result of the assessment today, I did not hand out homework for the week.  Students will receive a homework packet tomorrow.  Please remind your child that all answers must be in complete sentences. 

During the 3rd quarter we will be covering:  types of fiction, plot, theme, point of view, character motivation, retelling and summarizing, and mood.  Many of these skills will require students to make inferences:
"Inferring is the process of creating meaning from text.  It combines our prior knowledge (schema) with what is read.  When readers infer, they create meaning that is not stated explicitly in the text.  The reader "reads between the lines" to pick up on clues provided by the author in order to extract meaning.  When readers infer, they draw conclusions, make predictions, create interpretations, make connections, and think critically about the text.  Inferring allows the reader to extend their comprehension beyond literal understanding."

Questions to Reveal Thinking:
* After reading the title, what do you predict the story will be about?
* How did making a prediction help you as a reader?
*Can you share with the class how sometimes our predictions come out different from what we originally thought?
*What message do you think the author wanted you to understand?
*How does inferring help you see and understand what you read?

Language for Drawing Inferences:
* I predict ...
* I think that ...
* My guess is ...
* That's just what I thought ...
* My conclusion here is ...

You can help your child by asking them these questions about the books they are reading.  You can also have these conversations about magazine and newspaper articles and TV shows and movies.  These questions will also  help build critical thinking skills.

Thanks for all that you do to help your child be successful at school.

It's been too long since I last posted (I apologize).  It's hard to believe that we are coming to the end of 2nd quarter.  We are elective down this week.  Third quarter electives begin next Tuesday, January 17th.

B1 & B2 have a homework assignment due tomorrow the 10th (summarizing reading, capitalization, and comprehension).  They received another packet today that includes summarizing reading, commas, and reading comprehension.

The school is sponsoring a cyber bullying presentation on Thursday, January 12th before the chorus concert.  Please plan to attend.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me pfoster1@hotmail.com