Weekly Update - May 4

Good morning!  Today is Fishing Day!  The kids have been looking forward to this day all year.  Be on the lookout for pictures to come later this weekend.

Math
This week we reviewed Patterns and Measurement concepts and assessed our learning.  We reviewed concepts such as area and perimeter and conversions.  Next week we will be taking our last math benchmark, review fourth grade concepts, and begin to learn some fifth grade concepts!

Social Studies
In our Slavery, Civil War, and Reconstruction unit, we learned out some of the events that led up to the Civil War, such as differences between the North and the South.  Students were also assigned an Underground Railroad assignment through their Google Classroom.  They are welcome to work on these at home in order to complete them!

Reading
This week was all about mythology!  We immersed ourselves into Greek mythology by reading a variety of myths, learning what myths teach us, and learning different character archetypes.

Did you hear about the Amazon Prime Book Box? It's a subscription box for hardcover children's book!  Check it out!

Writing
We began our historical fiction writing unit!  This week we used a variety of brainstorming strategies to think of possible story ideas.  Many of us began making a plan for how our story will go.

Upcoming Dates

• 5/15: Mrs. Nagy out
• 5/16: Mrs. Waters' Retirement Celebration 4-5
• 5/24: Last Day; 1:05 dismissal
• 5/30: Progress Reports go live

Connect with Nature!

Are you and your family looking for opportunities to connect with nature this month?  Our Missouri Department of Conservation has a wealth of opportunities!  Check out what's happening at Powder Valley this May...

Checkout more opportunities in our area HERE!

Missouri Spring Wildflower Walk 
May 5 • Saturday • 9:30–11:30 a.m.
(All Ages) Reservations begin April 21.
Join us on a hike on Hickory Ridge Trail as we enjoy a beautiful spring hike looking not only for these spring ephemerals but also birds and other wildlife. Hickory Ridge Trail is 1.2 miles in length and consists of steep hills. If there are mobility considerations, please let us know (shelly.colatskie@mdc.mo.gov) so accommodations can be made.

Babes in the Woods: Flowers 
May 10 • Thursday • 9:30–10:30 a.m.
(Ages 0–3) Reservations begin May 26.
It’s always a perfect time to enjoy nature. Join us for a stroller walk outdoors. Discover how nature appeals to our senses no matter what our age. Dress for the weather.

Scout Discovery Table: Bird ID/ Flyways 
May 12 • Saturday • 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
(All ages) No reservations are required.
Discover the wonders of Missouri birds and the location of their migratory flyways in a self-led program. Discovery tables are also open to the general public.

Beginning Archery at Emmenegger 
May 25 • Friday • 9:30–11:30 a.m. (Adults)
May 26 • Saturday • 9:30–11:30 a.m. (Ages 10 and up) Reservations begin May 11.
Learn the basics of safe archery and practice your skills. All equipment will be provided. To get to Emmenegger Nature Park, go west on Cragwold Rd. (past the Powder Valley entrance), cross over the highway and go south (left) on Stoneywood.

Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center Bio-Blitz
May 11 • Friday • 6:30 p.m.–11 p.m. and May 12 • Saturday • 7 a.m.–2 p.m.
(All Ages) No Registration Required
Citizen science is a way for the public to assist in population and distribution monitoring for all species of plants and wildlife. Come join us as species experts from all over the state survey for the plant and wildlife species at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center. Friday night activities include bat mist netting, spider sniffing surveys, moth surveys, and a live owl from World Bird Sanctuary. Activities on Saturday include songbird mist netting and banding, hummingbird trapping and banding, small mammal trapping, camera traps and scent stations, tree identification walks, Missouri native plant surveys, insect surveys, pond study survey, reptile and amphibian surveys, and MORE! Contact Shelly Colatskie at shelly.colatskie@mdc. mo.gov for more information and be on the lookout for flyers with specific times.

Weekly Update - April 26

Good afternoon!  Checkout what we've been up to this week...

Math
In math we had our MAP state assessment.  There was no new curriculum taught.  When we return next week, we will be reviewing Patterns and Measurement and assessing on Thursday May 3.

If your child turned in their review packet signed, they have no more math homework for the school year!

Social Studies
Next week we will really be digging into our Slavery, Civil War, and Reconstruction unit!

Reading
In reading we had our MAP state assessment.  There was no new curriculum taught.  When we return next week, we will be beginning our Mythology unit!  Students are extremely excited, and this tends to be a very high interest unit.  Your child will come home with mini-books to share with you!

Please remember to continue to read 30 minutes nightly!

Writing
When we return next week, we will begin our final unit of study: Historical Fiction!  Students will love writing narrative stories based in a different time period.  We will focus on activating our knowledge of times we've already researched, and we will brainstorm possible stories!

Upcoming Dates

• 4/27: No School
• 5/1: Library Checkout
• 5/2: Chipotle Fundraiser
• 5/2: Patterns and Measurement Assessment
• 5/4: Fishing Day!!
• 5/15: Mrs. Nagy out
• 5/16: Mrs. Waters Retirement Celebration
• 5/24: Last Day; 1:05 dismissal

Weekly Update - April 19

Our classroom was very busy this week!

Math

In math this week we continued with our Patterns and Measurement unit.  Concepts we focused on included...

• converting from larger units to smaller units using the metric and customary systems
• finding the area and perimeter of  rectangle
• extending number and shape patterns

If your child completed 30 minutes of review practice with their packet, please make sure that it is signed and returned by Monday for no more math homework the rest of the year!

Social Studies

This week we began our Slavery, Civil War, and Reconstruction unit.  We introduced this unit with a read aloud book, January's Sparrow.

Reading 

This week we prepared for the MAP by reviewing concepts, test taking strategies, and the online MAP tools.

Please make sure that your child reads 30 minutes nightly!

Writing

In writing we wrapped up our Literary Essay unit!  We celebrated by sharing our favorite lines from our essays.  These were sent home, so be sure to have your child share them with you!  We also had two of our authors debate their claims over the Giving Tree.  The class had to decide between these two claims: (1) The Tree was weak, or (2) The Tree was strong.

Upcoming Dates

• 4/23-4/26: MAP Testing
• Please make sure your child gets plenty of sleep and a good breakfast!
• 4/27: No School
• 4/28: Barretts Blast!
• 5/4: Fishing Day
• Volunteers are still needed!  Please sign-up here!

Principal for the Day

Dean was principal for the day on Thursday, April 19!

Weekly Update - April 13

Happy Friday!  Last night was so much fun to watch our students perform their music and dancing!  I can tell they worked hard to put on a great performance for us.  We had a very busy week in the classrom.  Take a look at what we've been up to...

Math
We started our next unit of study, Patterns and Measurement!  Skills we focused on included converting from a larger unit to a smaller unit (i.e. miles to yards).  We did this with customary units of length, capacity, and weight!  Today we started working on converting units within the metric system. 

Please remember to spend 30 minutes weekly on the review packet for MAP.  All students who bring this packet back signed by a parent at the end of next week will have NO MORE math homework for the rest of the school year!

Science
In our Electricity unit we assessed our learning today!  Other skills we focused on included...

• understanding parallel and series circuits
• how to work with magnets 

Reading
This week in reading we are taking the time to practice test taking skills before the MAP test in a couple weeks.  This week we learned generic test taking strategies and also reviewed fiction and nonfiction concepts of reading.

Please remember to read 30 minutes nightly!

Writing
We are continuing to work on our literary essays in class!  This week we focused on...

• revising our conclusions
• revising to elaborate and add detail
• revising for transitions
• editing for grammar

Important Note About Fishing Day

Watch for permission slips to come home today!  These will need to be returned ASAP.  This year we will have a fish fry station for students to sample fish purchased at the grocery store.  If you would prefer your student NOT sample fish this day, please contact me.

Upcoming Dates

• 4/20: Pretzel Sale! 
• 4/20: Volunteer Appreciation Day
• 4/23-4/26: MAP testing
• 4/27: No School
• 4/28: Barretts Blast!
• 5/4: Fishing Day
• There's still a few spots left!  Sign up here!

Weekly Update - April 6

Hello and welcome back!  I hope our students enjoyed their spring breaks.  We had a full week of learning.

Math
This week we spent time reviewing geometry concepts such as...

• parallel and perpendicular lines
• classifying triangles and quadrilaterals
• angle measurement

Please remember to spend 30 minutes weekly on the review packet for MAP.  All students who bring this back signed after 3 weeks will have no more math homework for the remainder of the school year!

Science
In our Electricity unit this week scientists focused on...

• parts of a circuit
• troubleshooting a circuit
• diagramming circuits

We will plan to assess our unit on Friday, April 13.

Reading
We wrapped up our Historical Fiction unit this week by...

• identifying the theme of a text
• using minor characters to strengthen our idea about theme

Please continue to read 30 minutes nightly!  Students who have not yet finished their book club books may bring them home to complete their 30 minutes!

Writing
In writing we continued to draft and revise our literary essays.  This week we focused on plans and drafting.  We began to revise our introductions.

Upcoming Dates

• 4/10: Mrs. Nagy out
• 4/12: 4th Grade Fine Arts Night
• 4/13: Electricity Assessment
• 4/20: Pretzel Sale
• 4/20: Volunteer Appreciation Day
• 4/23-4/26: MAP Testing
• 4/27: No School
• 4/28: Barretts Blast
• 5/4: Fishing Day
• sign-up here

Weekly Update - March 23

Happy Friday!  I hope everyone is ready and excited for Spring Break.  If you would like to send pictures of your adventures, I would love to put them on the blog!  Please send them to cnagy@parkwayschools.net.

Math
This week we wrapped up our Ration Numbers unit.  We spent time reviewing major concepts, and students looked at their data in order to make responsible choices for their math workshop time.  We assessed our learning, and we will be beginning our Patterns and Measurement unit coming back from break.

Please remember to practice math facts nightly!

Geometry
This week ends our flipped geometry lessons.  Thank you so much for your support and helping your child.  We will be reviewing geometry concepts after break and leading up to the MAP test.

Science
The Ninjas are loving the Electricity unit!  This week we investigated how to make a light bulb light with just one wire, one battery, and one light bulb.  Not only are they practicing and learning electricity concepts, but they are also learning how to cooperate and problem solve with others.

Reading
It was all about theme this week in our Historical Fiction unit.  We focused on how we can find big ideas within small details (ex. the Star of David impression in Annemarie's hand in Number the Stars).  We also talked about how to deepen our ideas about theme and characters.

Please remember to continue to read 30 minutes nightly, even over break!

Writing
The Ninjas worked to test their claims for their literary essays this week.  Many students have claims about their books, and they began to find, cite, and collect evidence from their books in order to develop reasons to support their claims.  When we come back from break, we will be reviewing the essay structure and begin to draft essays.

Upcoming Dates

• 3/26-3/30: Spring Break
• 4/3: Spring Pictures
• 4/4: Late start; 11:05 start
• 4/10: Mrs. Nagy out
• 4/27: No School
• 5/4: Fishing Day
• Volunteers are needed!  Please consider signing up here!