Today students received their Unit 5 math test back.  Scores on this assessment were all over the place.  We spent a very large portion of our day today going over each question and practicing how to solve those problems.  They were to bring home both their test and today’s review questions to help them study over the weekend.  They will take their make-up test questions first thing Monday morning.  Please encourage them to spend some time this weekend reviewing the material so that they are prepared to do their best.

4th grade begins M-STEP on Tuesday.  They will begin with the ELA test, and then will take the Math test next week.  There are sample questions that the students can use for practice on the M-STEP link on Clever.  All students have already accessed this site on Wednesday in class and should have no trouble navigating the site if they would like some additional practice over the weekend to calm the nerves.  Please help ensure that your child gets a good night’s rest, a good breakfast, and arrives to school on time both Tuesday and Wednesday next week for testing.

I also wanted to keep all of you in the loop on what is going on with baby Hawks.  At Thursday’s appointment, I was measuring 43 weeks, even though I am only 39 weeks.  Because of this, my doctor has decided to have me come in Monday night for induction.  This means that Mr. Kigar will officially take over class starting Tuesday morning, which also happens to be day 1 of M-STEP.  We have talked thoroughly about what I would like to have happen in class over the next few weeks, and I am confident that he will help your children end 4th grade on a positive note.  Your children are being left in great hands.  As of right now, this also means that I will return only for the last week of the school year.

If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know, but please also be aware that I will probably be out of touch starting Monday evening as I prepare to welcome the newest little love to our family.  Thank you all for your continued support throughout the school year.

Just a reminder that the 4th grade will be attending their 2nd field trip of the year tomorrow.

We will be leaving for Frauenthal Theater in Muskegon tomorrow morning around 9:30am.  Please ensure that your child comes to school with a sack lunch (unless they have already ordered one), a water bottle for the park afterwards, and wearing their Alward Champions t-shirt.  The plan is to return to school around 2pm.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.  Tomorrow should be a great day! 🙂

Important Reminders:

• Our next field trip is scheduled for Wednesday, April 24th to the Frauenthal Theater in Muskegon for our Link Up recorder concert with Ms. Baker.  If your child needs a school provided sack lunch, please email my today as I must submit those orders by tomorrow, otherwise students need to bring a sack lunch with them that day.  Hot lunch will not be an option as we will not be in the building during lunch.
• 4th Grade M-STEP starts in 2 weeks.  We will be testing Tuesday, 4/30 and Wednesday, 5/1.  We will also be testing the following week Tuesday, 5/7 and Wednesday, 5/8.  The plan is to assess from 9-12 those days, so please try your best to avoid appointments scheduled during those times, and ensure your child arrives to school on time and well-rested.

 

In math, we are wrapping up Unit 7 (Fractions and Decimals).  Students are taking their review test today, the will have those graded and returned tomorrow as a study tool after reviewing skills in class, and they will take their final test on Thursday.  We will begin the final math unit (Measurement) this afternoon.  It will take approximately 2 weeks to complete and therefore students will have been taught all 4th grade math skills before they begin their M-STEP testing.  As always, please check students’ purple folders for homework assignments and quick quizzes that are great study tools for at home.

In reading, we are reviewing vocabulary and ELA skills for M-STEP.  We will also be taking some practice test questions and completing essays prompts over the next two weeks to ensure students are comfortable with everything that might pop up on the assessment.

For writing, we are working on our literary essay unit.  Students are reading short stories, determining the lesson or theme that story teaches, and then finding evidence in the text that supports that lesson or theme.

 

As of right now, baby is still due in about 2 weeks, so I am looking forward to finishing M-STEP prep with your children, and I wish them best of luck with testing. I will keep you up to date with any changes that may occur.  If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.