Robust Vocabulary

slick
impressed
cease
exist
fierce
nimble

Spelling Words--VCCV: Different Medial Consonants

history
number
hunger
company
window
welcome
blanket
perhaps
service
subject
thunder
furnish
jersey
mother
secret
harvest
winter
problem
chapter
nurses

Clues Letter

I totally forgot tomorrow was Friday, so the Cluesletter will be short today. I always look for information that will be helpful to you and your children. Today I want to talk about homework. Homework should not take too much time. Now, I know that is kind of vague, so if you are spending any more than 10 to 15 minutes a page that is too long. The homework I give is a review of that days activities. If a child seems to have no clue what to do then there is a problem. It could be that the child wrote the wrong page or misunderstood the page, or wrote the write page for the wrong book. Ask you child if I was doing this today in class. If they say no I was doing something else, then this is probably the case. If they say yes, then the student just didn’t understand. If you understand, please help them, and if you do not just send me a note. I will be glad to help them the next day. Homework should be a review. It should not leave the both of you frustrated.

Have a great week!!

Looking ahead: Math— Chapter 4 Analyze and Graph Data
Reading— Getting the Job Done—Lesson 8—Three Little Cyberpigs
Spelling—VCCV: Different Medial Consonants
Writing—Response to Literature and Narrative
Language—Prepositional Phrases
Science—Review
Social Studies— Chapter 3—Age of Exploration

Do not forget--

Open house tomorrow--September 22 @ 7:00pm
Book Fair all this week.

Math Vocabulary

double-bar graph
x-axis
y-axis
x-coordinate
y-coordinate
coordinate system
ordered pair
trends
line graph

Robust Vocabulary

relucant
rumpled
surge
inspecting
taut
untangled
resounded
lurked

Spelling Words--VCCV

Letter
Ladder
Appear
Lesson
Soccer
Classic
Hollow
Supper
Accent
Pizza
Officer
Lettuce
Better
Slipper
Bottom
Ribbon
Summer
College
Occur
Rabbit

Clues Letter

I am always overwhelmed by the amount of support we have in Harris County. I really think that this is the best school system in the state, and the best place to live, as well. Your children come to school knowing so much already, and they have so many experiences outside of school that it is often difficult to find new and exciting ways to motivate them. I try every day to let each child in the room know that I like them. I want, very much, for them to feel welcome and loved here. As the academics gets more and more difficult a student may think that I do not like them because of a grade they have received or a mark on a paper. If this ever happens please contact me as soon as possible. Please help them know that this is not the case. Go over their papers with them and discuss the grades and why some are better than others. Help them understand that this is a tool that I use to know where each child is successful and where they are struggling. I try to find examples of a students best work and work that they have hurried through and show them the difference. If you could help do this too, it would be greatly appreciated.

The Book Fair will be going on all next week. One day I will take the class and let them look around. On other days they will only be allowed to go to the book fair if they have brought money from home.

PTA open house is next Tuesday, September 22. This will be a good time to meet again. I can go over some of the classroom procedures and rules. The students will also have some of their work displayed. We will not, however, have time to meet on individual students, but we can make an appointment that night if you need to.

Looking ahead: Math— Math—Chapter 4 Analyze and Graph Data
Reading— Getting the Job Done—Lesson 7—Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World
Spelling—Words with VCCV
Writing—Response to Literature—Ideas and Organization
Language—Simple and Compound Sentences
Science— Chapter 2—Planet and Stars—Lesson 3
Social Studies—Chapter 3—Age of Exploration

 
All who have meditated on the art of governing mankind have been convinced that the fate of empires depends on the education of youth.
--Aristotle

Vocabulary Words

responsible
darted
jostling
swerved
attentive
pounced
contradicting

Spelling Words

Circle
Angle
Cradle
Ladle
Castle
ruffle
Juggle
Ankle
Battle
Candle
Fable
Riddle
Icicle
Sparkle
Jungle
Tangle
Marble
Sizzle
Paddle
Handle

Science Vocabulary

Rotate
Axis
Revolve
Orbit
Moon
Phase

Reading Vocabulary

Culinary
Downcast
Consternation
Vivid
Extensive
Serenely
Reminiscent
Pensive
Recruit
Commenced

Spelling Words--Review

Tread
Broad
Split
Chief
Season
Brain
Throw
Goal
Scrape
Choice
Allow
Auction
Flaw
Daughter
Destroy
Renew
Boyhood
Returned
Chopped
Counting

Picture Day Tomorrow

Do not forget to wear your best!

Friday Cluesletter

It’s Friday already and progress reports are going home today. The year has really gotten off to a fast start. I am very pleased with the students progress so far. I want to remind you again that I see grades drop at the beginning of the year almost every year. It is really just me getting to know the students, and them learning what I expect. Once we both figure all that out the grades usually come back up to normal. If you see any concerns please do not hesitate to contact me. I will do the same.

Just a couple of reminders: Labor Day is Sept. 7, and Early Release Day is Sept. 14. The time for early release is 11:30, and there will be no after school that day. Please make plans for this. Thanks!

As you might have heard the President of the United States is going to address the nations’ students next week. While he and I do not see eye to eye on many political topics, I think it is good for the students to see that the President is concerned about their education, and that he has some advice for them. I have seen no script of this program; the US Dept. of Education is communicating the emphasis as goal setting, hard work, and the value of education.   I am planning on showing the address in my classroom. If you do not want your child to see the address please write me and let me know. I will plan some activities for those who do not wish to watch. If the majority do not wish to watch, we will continue with our regular schedule.

Looking ahead: Math—Chapter 3 Collect and Organize Data
Reading— Facing Challenges—Lesson 5—Pedro Puts on a Play
Spelling—Review
Writing—Revise and Publish
Language—Review
Science—Chapter 2—Planet and Stars—Lesson 1
Social Studies— Chapter 2—First Americans

Again, I just want to thank you for all your support.

Thanks,

B. Toney
4th Grade
Pine Ridge Elementary School
 
The object of teaching a child is to enable him to get along without a teacher.
Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915) American author, editor and printer.

Don't Forget

Grandparent's breakfast and Progress Reports tomorrow!