3/4 Grade Multiage Class: Writing, Writing, and More Writing

This week we have been focusing on introducing the six traits of writing and getting the hang of our vocabulary routines.  The children have been working really hard to complete their first study guide. These study guides really help the children to understand the words inside and out.  For each word they write the definition, 3 synonyms, a sentence (that shows that they understand the meaning of the word), and a picture to represent the word.  I check these over and send them home as they complete them.

Each day we have been reading a picture book that represents a trait of writing.  The 6 traits of writing are: organization, voice, conventions, sentence fluency, word choice, and ideas.  We read The Blessing Cup and The Keeping Quilt for voice and organization.  Both are wonderful stories of items that were passed down from generation to generation.  It spurred a conversation about family traditions.  So that day many of the children wrote about a favorite family tradition that their family has.  Maggie's journal entry made me really think.

My Halloween Tradition

By: Maggie

Every Year at Halloween my family does the tradition with the Switch Witch.  Every year we leave out candy for the Switch Witch, then the Switch Witch comes at night and takes the candy but leaves toy for morning.

I don't know about you, but I love this tradition.  Sounds like a great idea to have the Switch Witch visit.  :)

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.  Please remember that our first vocabulary test will be on Friday, September 2.  Please utilize Quizlet, study guides, or the book list to help your child study.

4th Grade Reading- Vocabulary Tips

4th Grade Friends, 

We will begin our vocabulary study this week.  Some of you have done Caesar's English with me before, but some have not.  Let me give you a few helpful hints... (I will be sharing these with your children as well.)

1) Have your children use Quizlet to help them study.  This is a review tool that can be accessed at home.  I have created a quiz for this week's list here...

https://quizlet.com/88308762/caesars-english-i-lesson-1-flash-cards/

2) Ask your child to bring home their book.  This is where the list is located. 

3) Have your child study the analogies in the book as well.  These are often on the test.  

4) Study the words and the stems.  Your child should be able to define both. 

5) Each test will have a bonus section.  If you can name three more words that contain the same stem you could earn 5 bonus points (Odd Numbered Lists Only).  On the even numbered weeks your child may get 5 bonus points if they can list 3 synonyms for each word. 

6) Caesar's English's odd numbered lessons we will study for 2 weeks and the even numbered lessons we will just spend one week on.  The two week lists have 15 words and the one week lists have only 5 words.  Lesson one test will be on September 2nd.

7) When we begin lesson 2, make sure that you study the cumulative list at the end of the lesson!  For example in lesson two the cumulative list is on page 20.  Each week you will be expected to know all the stems and vocabulary from previous weeks.  

I have had parents with older children tell me that if you learn all the words this year in this manner it will make 5th grade much easier.  In fifth grade they do Caesar's English II.  Please let me know if you have any questions as we go along.  

Girls on the Run- Join us!

If you are interested in your daughter participating in the Girls on the Run Johnson County team at Webb, please contact Mrs. Clendening or myself. This is a wonderful organization, for third through fifth grade girls, and this is our first year having a team here at Webb. The cost is $125, but there are reduced-fee scholarships available if you are interested, but concerned about cost.

We will have practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:20-4:00 p.m.beginning August 30th and running until the GOTR Johnson County 5K race on Saturday, November 5th. During the practices, we will not only be exercising and preparing for the 5K but also focusing on the following skills, just to name a few: self-worth and value, decision making, making connections with peers, embracing differences, standing up for ourselves, leadership, etc.

Please let us know if you are interested! We have several spots left, but they will fill up quickly and we can only have 15 girls enrolled per team. Needham, Northwood, and CBIS will all have teams this year. Webb's coaches are Mrs. Clendening, Ms. Walters, Mrs. Taylor, and Miss Youree.

Go Webb!!