What is "Mind Candy"?

Students who have worked hard in their AR reading during the week and have made their weekly AR goals will be allowed to read books of their own choosing on Friday during AR reading time. This means that when I fill out their weekly chart on Thursday after school, that the AR data shows that they have made their goals for the week.  They should have a comprehension average of 85% or higher, their total points earned should be at the percentage listed on their chart, they should have read and passed at least 1 non-fiction book that week. Students should put a few extra books or magazines in their backpack on Thursday night/Friday morning so that they have something they would like to read if they have earned mind candy. Do they have to read their Mind Candy books? No, they can also choose to read their AR books for all or part of the time during AR reading time.

Reading Grades For the 3rd Quarter Report Card:

Average Book Level is 25% of the reading grade.

•  5.2 and up receives an A in Pinnacle
•  4.7-5.1 receives a B in Pinnacle
•  4.6 receives a C in Pinnacle
•  4.5 receives a D in Pinnacle
•  4.0-4.4 receives a U+ in Pinnacle
•  0-3.9 receives a U- in Pinnacle

Average Percent Correct (comprehension) is 5%.

Percent of Point Goal is 5%.

Weekly District Reading Tests are 65% of the Pinnacle reading grade.

AR Levels

Independent: Earn 10 points from books that have earned you an 80% or higher score.

Rising Reader: Earn 10 points (after achieving Independent Reader level) on books that you scored 80% or higher.  We will not be working towards this level. We will proceed to a goal of Super Reader.

Super Reader: The points for this level are on books you have read independently (by yourself) after achieving Rising Reader level. Read 3 books at level 2.0 or higher, worth at least 1 point each, and score 80% or higher on them.  Earn a total of 5 points.

Super Reader 2: Same requirements as Super Reader but also read one book from each of the following genres: Animals-fiction, Humor-f, Mystery-f, Non-Fiction-your choice, Real People-non fiction, Sports-f, Sports-nf, Realistic Fiction, Social Studies-nf, Science-nf, and Poetry-f.

Super Reader 3: Same requirements as Super Reader but also read one book from each of the following genres: Biography-nf, Fantasy-f, Historical Fiction-f, Non-Fiction-your choice, Science-nf, Science Fiction-f, Mystery-f, Realistic Fiction-f, Social Studies-nf, Animals-nf, and Poetry-f.

Advanced Reader: The points for this level are on books you have read independently after achieving Super Reader 3. Read 3 books at level 3.0 or higher, worth at least 2 points each, and score 80% or higher on them. Earn a total of 6 points.

Advanced Reader 2: Same requirements of Advanced Reader but also read one book from each of the following genres: Animals-f, Animals-nf, Real People-nf, Realistic Fiction-f, Humor-f, Mystery-f, Non-Fiction-your choice, Sports-f, Sports-nf, Social Studies-nf, Science-nf, and Poetry-f.

Advanced Reader 3: Same requirements as Advanced Reader but also read one book from each of the following genres: Biography-nf, Fantasy-f, Historical Fiction-f Mystery-f, Realistic Fiction-f,  Non-Fiction-your choice, Science-nf, Science Fiction-f, Social Studies-nf, Sports-nf, Animals-f, and Poetry.

Did you know that if a fifth grade child spends 20 minutes reading independently outside of school each day, that the child will most likely score in the 70th percentile on a standardized reading test? That same child will be exposed to about 1.2 million words each year.

If that fifth grader reads for 40 minutes outside of school, instead of 20 minutes, then the child will most likely score in the 90th percentile. That child will be exposed to 2.4 million words each year.

 Specials

Daily: PE

Day 1: Art (semester 1)

Music (semester 2)

Day 4: Technology

Daily Schedule:

9:15-9:30      Morning Announcements / Attendance

9:30-10:20    Language Arts (spelling, vocabulary, comprehension, grammar)

9:40-10:20 Days 1 and 4: Either Art or Technology

10:30-11:10  PE

               Restroom Break      

11:20-11:45  Teacher Read Aloud

11:45-12:45   Math 

12:49-1:14  Lunch

1:15-2:15    AR ( skill application / silent reading / discuss book with teacher / test on books / media center)

2:10-3:00      Writing / Social Studies / Science   

                            (rotational basis)

3:00              Pack up for dismissal

(This schedule is subject to change based upon student needs and skill topics.)

Spelling:   

This week's spelling words are from  Nifty Thrifty Fifty...List Three. The test will be on Thursday.

Attachments of each type of list are at the bottom of the SchoolNotes site.  

Types of Spelling Words:

Word Wall: These are 90 words that all fourth graders need to know how to spell. They look simple, but tend to be misspelled my many students.

Wordly Wise: These are words that show up in many library and content area books.  The instant recognition of the words and knowledge of their meanings will allow students to maintain fluency and increase comprehension. A spelling grade and a definition grade will be given.

Nifty Thrifty Fifty: These are words which contain common roots, prefixes and suffixes. To help students learn a system for decoding and spelling big words, they will learn to read, spell and understand common spelling patterns of these 50 words. Once students know the spelling patterns of these words, they can apply that knowledge to help them spell and build meaning for many other words.

*******Reminder: Any spelling word from a previous week may show up on the weekly test. A list of previous weeks' words are in the student agenda. 

Math

To help you remember your multiplication facts, you should be able to skip count.

2:   2   4   6   8   10   12   14   16   18   20

3:   3   6   9   12   15   18   21   24   27   30

4:   4   8   12   16   20   24   28   32   36   40

5:   5   10   15   20   25   30   35   40   45   50

6:   6   12   18   24   30   36   42   48   54   60

7:   7   14   21   28   35   42   49   56   63   70

8:   8   16   24   32   40   48   56   64   72   80

9:   9   18   27   36   45   54   63   72   81   90

10:   10   20   30   40   50   60   70   80   90   100

Writing

FCAT Writes 4th Grade Expectations:

Students need to know if the writing prompt is expository or narrative by identifying the prompt cue word (tell, explain, story, inform, etc.). Expository prompts have response words (how, why, what) that alert the writer which direction their writing needs to be written. Students need to identify the topic, brainstorm ideas, and group their ideas into meaningful chunks. Each type of writing has a catchy beginning phrase in the introductory paragraph. Students need to know when to create new paragraphs. Sentence structure is varied. Precise language is used. 

Expository writing will need to have paragraphs that are indented and begin with transition words. Each main idea paragraph should have supporting details that elaborate the thoughts presented. Personal experiences should be included in those paragraphs to further illustrate the main idea of the paragraph. The reader should feel that the paper's topic is fully developed.

Narrative writing has events that flow from beginning to middle to end. The main character of this writing is the author. The first paragraph usually introduces the main character, setting, and problem. Events attempting to solve the problem build to a climax then a solution. Dialogue is kept to a minimum, yet should help convey the character's feelings and personality. Dialogue is used to support main events/thoughts. The most engaging narrative writing covers a short period of time. Repetition of phrases is common. Elaborating details is extremely important as this helps engage the reader.

Papers will be scored on a 1-6 scale with 6 being the highest. Below is the description of a "6" paper.

Writing assignments are weighted 60% in the language arts portion of the report card grade.

 ^{*6 Points}

 ^{The writing is focused, purposeful, and reflects insight into the writing situation.  The paper conveys a sense of completeness and wholeness with adherence to the main idea, and its organizational pattern provides for a logical progression of ideas.  The support is substantial, specific, relevant, concrete, and/or illustrative.  The paper demonstrates a commitment to and an involvement with the subject, clarity in presentation of ideas, and may use creative writing strategies appropriate to the purpose of the paper.  The writing demonstrates a mature command of language (word choice) with freshness of expression.  Sentence structure is varied, and sentences are complete except when fragments are used purposefully.  Few, if any, convention errors occur in mechanics, usage, and punctuation.}

Notices  

Click here: Allen Park Elementary Website for access to the school website. From there you can access the school calendar, Parent Link, bus routes, and school rules and procedures.

Birthday treat reminder: You are welcome to send in a birthday treat to share with the class. Your child will distribute the treats during lunch in the café. Please do not send anything that needs to be cut as there is no one available to cut it. If you would like to come in and help distribute the birthday treat, please sign in at the office prior to our lunch time and meet us at the cafe door. Our lunch time is 12:49.

Book Orders: If you are writing a check to pay for your child's book order, please make the check payable to Allen Park Elementary as I give all of the checks to the bookkeeper and she writes one check to send to the book club.

Parents: please sign in the colored box on the bottom of the agenda each night.

AR reading is assigned every school night.

Students may bring a water bottle with a flip top or pull up top to use during the day.