To ensure that all children, regardless of race, gender, or culture, receive a world class education in a safe, cooperative, and creative environment. One that maximizes active learning and fosters educational excellence.

Welcome to Our Class and the Amico-Dodig/Kunkel Teaching Team

Dear Fourth Grade Student,

Welcome to fourth grade!  It is sure to be a memorable year.  One filled with excitement, a little bit of anxiety, and a myriad of challenges.  This year you will be exposed to team-eaching, meet new people, work hard, take responsibility for your own actions, and become a risk taker in the classroom.  It will be a year of tremendous growth.

This year you will have the opportunity to experience team-teaching.  That means you will have both fourth grade teachers all year.  Mrs. Kunkel will be teaching Math, Social Studies, and Reading.  Mrs. Amico-Dodig will teach English Language Arts, Science, and Reading.  Mrs. Renz will co-teach one of the Reading blocks.  Talk about keeping you on your toes!

Our classroom is a place where you will say goodbye to some of your old classmates and hello to new ones.  The people you meet during the first week of school will become your classmates, teammates, and friends.  You will learn to work together and come to depend on one another throughout the school year.

The fourth grade curriculum will peak your interest and challenge you at the same time.  You will need to work hard, put forth your best effort, and complete assignments with the quality of a fourth grade student.  Be prepared to take notes, complete long-term projects, reasearch papers, and participate in class discussions.

This year you will be expected to take responsibility for your own actions.  Therefore, you must complete assignments on time, be prepared for every class, attend school regularly, and fill out your assignment planner daily.  Rules have been established by Pine Island Elementary and the teachers to ensure an orderly and safe classroom environment.  Please be sure to follow all rules inside and outside of the classroom.

Fourth grade will be a time for you to take risks in the classroom.  You must challenge yourself to put your fears aside and ask questions, participate, and not be afraid to make mistakes.  This means that you must allow yourself to become vulnerable.  It may be uncomfortable at first, but you will be amazed at how much you will grow throughout the year.

I am really excited about the 2009-2010 school year.  I hope you are too.  I look forward to meeting you.  Until then, enjoy your summer vacation.

Warm regards,

Mrs. A-D

Class Expectations

1. Come to class on time with a positive attitude.
2. Come to class with appropriate materials and supplies.
3. Respect yourself and others, in addition to all school property.
4. Follow directions the first time they are given.
5. Adjust your voice level to suit the activity.

                         Parent/Teacher/Student Conference.

Our Class Schedule - Monday thru Thursday

8:45-9:15     Daily Warm-up

9:15-10:35    ELA with Mrs. A-D Block 1

10:35-12:00 Math with Mrs. Kunkel Block 2

12:03-12:28 LUNCH :)

12:28-12:35 BR Break

12:40-2:10 Reading Block (switch)

2:10-2:40 Reading Enrichment

2:40-2:50 Planner Check/Pack-up

2:50-3:25 Specials (M- ART; T-F - PE)

3:30       Dismissal

Our Schedule - Friday

9:15-10:45 Science with Mrs. A-D Week A rotation/ Social with Mrs. Kunkel

              Week B rotation

10:45-12:00 FRIDAY FREESTYLE

Weekly Homework

Homework is assigned nightly.  It is expected that students will read their AR book each night, including weekends.  Parents please review and sign the Student Planner nightly.

Parents: If you have internet access at home, have your child review the weekly reading stories at  www.mhln.com 

click on ClassCode and enter AmicoDodig4

NOTICE:  ELA Home Learning is assigned every THURSDAY.  Students will have a P.A.W. prompt to complete.  This prompt is very specific.  Students will have 1 WEEK to brainstorm, write a sloppy draft that is revised and edited, and create a final copy.  Students will generally write a Power Graph (10 sentences) for this assignment.  There will be times when students will have to write multiple paragraphs. 

Along with the P.A.W., ELA students will complete three Spelling Tic-Tac-Toe assignments due in class the following Tuesday. Students have their choice of which activities they would like to complete.

Science home learning is assigned each science class.  HL entails a science-related current event, a science reading, and completion of any lab we are working on in class.  Science HL is due the NEXT Friday. Please check the Home Folder and Weekly Study Guide for specifics.

 Powergraph A Week Assignments: 

Reading: U4W5 At Home in the Coral Reef

        Analyze Text, Compare and Contrast, and chronological order.

Grammar: Possessive Pronouns and Contractions (homophones)

U4W6 Spiral Review

Next Friday After FCAT Testing

Monthly Book Report

  Month                      Genre

October                      Mystery

November                    Non-fiction

December                    Choice  

February                      Biography

March                          Choice

April                             Historical Fiction

May                              Informational

Follow the attached book report form when completing these assignments.  All book reports will be due on the last Tuesday of each month.

Fourth Grade Writing

Writing in fourth grade focuses on two genres: expository and narrative essays. 

 Expository writing asks a student to explain, clarify, inform, or give how-to directions.  This essay consists of five paragraphs: an introductory paragraph, three body paragraphs that explain using details and mini-stories each of the student's main ideas that were stated in the into., and a conclusion.  Students are expected to stay on topic (address the prompt) throughout the essay.  Expository essays should include a grabber, topic sentence, main ideas, transitional phrases, elaboration, mini-stories, and feeling sentences.  Creativity skills (similes, metaphors, idioms, mature language, vivid words, and strong verbs) add to the student's score.

Narrative essays are stories that the student either completely makes up (fictional narrative) or tells about a time when he/she did something (personal narrative).  Narratives are at least three paragraphs in length.  They include a beginning, middle, and an end.  A good narrative includes a setting, characters, logical events, problem, climax, and solution.  Creativity skills add to the student's overall score.

To see the State rubric, click on the link below.

http://fcat.fldoe.org/pdf/rubrcw04.pdf

 Author's Spotlight

Hooray! The spotlight is on you this week.

Check Out Our Podcasts Below!!! 
Erin's Poem and Blaise's Tribute to Dr. Seuss

 

Our Class Pen Pals

Have you ever wondered what kids your age are doing in other schools?  What about from other states? 

This year our class will write to students in Mrs. Beaumont's fourth grade class from Myers Corners Elementary in Wappingers Falls, NY.

Teacher's Wish List

Want to help our class, but can't think of a way to do it?  How about donating one of the following items?!

Expo Markers

Board Games (Scrabble, Life, Operation, Connect Four, etc.)

Treasure Box trinkets or Gift Cards to The Dollar Tree for purchase of treasure box items

Chapter Books for our class library

Reams of paper in various colors (white, goldenrod, pink, purple, blue, green)

Packages of looseleaf paper

Tag board (can be purchased at School Stuff)

Stickers or Stamps

Mrs. A-D's Egghead Club

So, you think you're ready for a real challenge?  Okay, here it is.  The Egghead Club was created for students who want to learn "above and beyond" typical fourth grade curriculum.  It is an adaption of the Mastery Club created by Oregon State teacher Mrs. Heather Renz.   http://www2.redmond.k12.or.us/mccall/renz/masteryclub.htm 

In this challenge, you work at their own pace, selecting a category, and then an individual subtopic. Categories and subtopics are based on your individual preference.  There is no right or wrong place to begin.

Once you have a category and subtopic that peaks your interest, learn away.  Learn all that you can about that topic.  Write your answers down in your journal.  You may share your results with Mrs. A-D before class, during Friday free time, at independent work time, or after school.  You may not interrupt instruction to share your answers.

For each challenge that you succeed in, you will earn a star.  There are 84 total challenges to be completed.  If you complete 12 or more challenges, you will be listed on our Egghead Club Wall of Fame.  Complete all 84 challenges and you will go on PIE's morning news program and be awarded a special certificate.

It is up to you, Egghead Club, to never stop learning.  Enjoy and learn lots. :)

SOCIAL STUDIES		Here's a Web Site to Assist You in Your Research.......
1.	Name the 7 continents.	More About the Continents
2.	Name 15 world countries.	Country Maps
3.	Name 15 major world cities.	World Cities
4.	Name 15 types of dwellings.	10 types of dwellings
5.	Name 10 South American and Central American countries.	South America Country Map Central America Map
6.	Name 10 countries bordering the Pacific Ocean.	Country Maps
7.	Name 10 countries in Europe.	European countries quiz game Click on the correct European country game
8.	Name 10 countries in Africa.	Click on the correct African country game
9.	Name 10 major bodies of water.	Oceans and Seas
10.	Name 10 major world rivers.	Fact Monster - Principal Rivers of the World River Systems of the World
11.	Name 10 large deserts of the world.	FactMonster deserts of the world Desert maps
12.	Name 10 large lakes in North America.	U.S. Lakes.com  Lakes of the world
13.	Name 10 major mountains or mountain ranges.	Highest Peaks
14.	Name the 50 states.	50 States Quiz
15.	Write the names of the 50 states on a map.	Explore the States
16.	Name the state capitals.	State Capitals - Homework Spot
17.	Name the 13 Colonies.	13 Colonies Homepage List of the 13 Colonies 13 Colonies Quiz & Map
18.	Name 10 Native American tribes.	Native American Nations
19	Name 10 Oregon Trail landmarks.	Historic Sites Along the Trail
20.	Label 10 of Oregon’s counties on the map.	Oregon Blue Book Counties Home Page
21.	Name the state symbols of Oregon.	State Symbols of Oregon
22.	Name 8 explorers.	Zoom Explorers
23.	Name 8 Civil War battlefields.	Civil War Battlefields & information Civil War battlefields A to Z
24.	Name the 1st - 10th presidents in order.	Info Please Almanac Presidents
25.	Name the 11th  - 20th presidents in order.	Info Please Almanac Presidents
26.	Name the 21st - 30th presidents in order.	Info Please Almanac Presidents
27.	Name the 31st - current presidents.	Info Please Almanac Presidents

 

 

SCIENCE		Here's a Web Site to Assist You in Your Research.......
28.	Name 15 kinds of fish.	Fish Facts KidsKonnect.com - Fish
29.	Name 15 marine creatures.	KidsKonnect.com - Aquariums
30.	Name 15 mammals.	All About Mammals
31.	Name 15 vertebrate animals.	List of vertebrate animals Vertebrate animals & photos
32.	Name 15 desert animals or wildlife.	Loads of desert animal information
33.	Name 10 amphibians.	Amphibians
34.	Name 10 reptiles.	Reptile Database
35.	Name 10 dinosaurs.	Dinosaur Pictures All About Dinosaurs
36.	Name 10 types of birds.	State Birds of the U.S.A. A-Z of Birds
37.	Name 10 rainforest birds or mammals.	Rainforest Wildlife Zoobooks - Rainforest Mammals Crossword Puzzle KidsKonnect.com - Rainforest
38.	Name 10 deciduous trees.	What Tree Is It?
39.	Name 10 rocks or minerals.	Mineral Gallery - see photos Rock Hounds - How Rocks are Formed Rocks & Minerals
40.	Name 10 chemicals and their chemical symbols.	The Periodic Table of Elements  Another Periodic Table Website
41.	Name 10 constellations.	Choose a constellation then "constellation lines" More constellation pictures Another constellation site
42.	Name 10 organs in the human body.	Interesting Information About the Human Body
43.	Name 8 types of clouds.	More about clouds
44.	Name 5 inventors and their inventions.	National Inventors Hall of Fame Timeline
45.	Name 5 human body systems	Virtual Body  Body Systems
46.	Name the stages of the water cycle.	Water Cycle Animation
47.	Name the order of the colors in the rainbow.	About Rainbows
48.	Label the major bones of the skeleton.	Human Skeleton - Enchanted Learning Mr. Bones Assembly Activity
49.	Name the order of the planets in the solar system.	Introduction to the Nine Planets

 

 

 

 

LANGUAGE ARTS & LINGUISTICS		Here's a Web Site to Assist You in Your Research.......
50.	Name 20 verbs.	What is a Verb? Play the "Nouns or Verbs? game
51	Name 15 adjectives.	More adjective info.
52.	Name 15 adverbs.	Adverbs More about Adverbs
53.	Name 15 prepositions.	Guide to Grammar & Writing
54.	Name 10 common nouns & 10 proper nouns.	Nouns Noun activities to quiz yourself with
55.	Name 10 famous authors.	Children's Authors KidsKonnect.com - Authors
56.	Give 2 examples each of alliteration, personification, simile, metaphor, and onomatopoeia.	Simile, metaphor, personification Onomatopoeia
57.	Count to 20 in Spanish.	Count to 20 & listen
58.	Count to 20 in French.	Click "Ecoutons" to listen to the numbers & then click "Repetons" and finally, "Praticons" to play a game - neat site!
59.	Use sign language and "sign" the alphabet.	Sign Language Game
60.	Score 100% on the grade-level 100-word spelling test.	4th Grade 100-word list

 

 

MATH		Here's a Web Site to Assist You in Your Research.......
61.	Draw the lines of symmetry for the capital alphabet.	Symmetry of Capital Letters
62.	Compute area of squares, rectangles, circles, and triangles.	Math.com - Area Formulas
63.	Name the perfect square numbers up to 225.	Learn Your Square Numbers
64.	Write in Roman numerals up to 100.	Roman numerals Know your Roman numerals Take a Roman Numerals Interactive Quiz
65.	Name 5 famous mathematicians.	Four famous mathematicians A long list of mathematicians
66.	Earn 100% on the area & perimeter of rectangles quiz.	Area of rectangles Play "Shape Surveyor" to practice both Area & perimeter - under "Free Activities", click "Area" to watch a cool slide show
67.	Earn 100% on the square roots test.	Learn about square roots Square roots flashcard game
68.	Earn 100% in 4 minutes on the addition basic facts test.	Arithmattack
69.	Earn 100% in 4 minutes on the subtraction basic facts test.	Arithmattack
70.	Earn 100% in 4 minutes on the multiplication basic facts test.	Arithmattack
71.	Earn 100% in 4 minutes on the division basic facts test.	Arithmattack

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS		Here's a Web Site to Assist You in Your Research.......
72.	Name one career for each letter of the alphabet.	A HUGE list of careers Jobs Kids Like
73.	Name the birthstones for each month.	Birthstones
74.	Name 20 different modes of transportation.
75.	Name 15 breeds of horses.	Horse Breeds of the World
76.	Name 15 breeds of dogs.	Dog breeds from A.K.C.
77.	Name 12 winter or summer Olympic events.	KidsKonnect.com - Olympics
78	Name 10 large U.S. corporations.	Career Lab - Corporate Clients
79.	Name 10 instruments in a marching band.	Instrument Encyclopedia
80.	Name 10 instruments in a symphony orchestra.	Sounds from the Orchestra - neat site!
81.	Name 10 football teams and their cities.	National Football League.com
82.	Name 10 basketball teams and their cities.	National Basketball Association.com
83.	Name 10 baseball teams and their cities.	Major League Baseball.com
84.	Name 10 hockey teams and their cities.	National Hockey League.com