Dear 4A Parents:
This is a busy quarter. I hope you are able to get out and enjoy the weather!

Important Dates:

• Tuesday, October 31st - Read-A-Thon ends - Literacy Day - Dress as a Literary Character (We will have Literature Groups from 12;30-1:00 and we will be doing Reader's Theater, please sign up on the Literature group link to join us for the fun.)
• Friday, November 3rd - Early Release - School ends at 12:30 for Teacher In-Service
• Wednesday, November 8th - Parent Positive Series - 6:30-8 - Minds of Boys and Girls
• Friday, November 10th - No school - Veteran's Day
• Thursday, November 16th - Mandatory Winter Concert - 3-5 grades preform at 7:00
• Wednesday-Friday, November 22-24 - No school, Thanksgiving Break

Believe it or not, the third annual Archway Lincoln Winter Concert is fast approaching. This year, the concerts will be held on Thursday, November 16th at the Higley Center for the Performing Arts located at 4132 E. Pecos Road Gilbert, AZ 85295. The 3-5 concert will begin at 7:00 p.m. with students arriving at 6:30 p.m.

The attire for concerts will be as follows:

Boys: Black pants, white dress shirt, black dress shoes, and black socks. Hair should be combed neatly.
Girls: Black skirt, white top, black tights, and black dress shoes. Hair should be pulled away from the face with no distracting adornment. Please follow the Archway Lincoln dress code for guidelines on jewelry.

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Academics this week:

The students will finish up their opinion paragraph with the typewritten final draft. We will learn how to classify and diagram prepositional phrases. We will also summarize a chapter of Prince Caspian in class. For our end of the book activity for Prince Caspian, the students will make 6 Character Trading Cards. They will be given a sheet with instructions for what each card should have on it. 

We will finish Prince Caspian on Friday. Our next book will be Robin Hood. I have placed a picture of the cover of the book in the margin. Please make sure your child has the book with this cover by Tuesday, November 7th.

We will begin our week in math with a unit test on Monday. After that, we dig deeper into the operations of fractions, reviewing how to add and subtract fractions with different denominators and learning how to add mixed numbers.

The final geology test is on Monday, 10/30. The next unit is Meteorology. We will discuss Aristotle and his thoughts on meteorology. The students will learn about the water cycle, the distribution of water on the Earth, and clouds.

In History we will continue our study of the Middle Ages and focus on life in a castle, and the role of knights in the a feudal society. Students will virtually tour a medieval castle and learn the important components of their structure. We will then turn our attention to the steps it took to become a knight and why knights were instrumental components of the Middle Ages. 
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Recess:
We still have two recess breaks for the hard working scholars. The only change that has occurred is that now two days a week, each class (in their 2 class groups) have access to the playground equipment after lunch. 4A and 4B goes on the playground on Monday and Thursday from 12:25-12:45, directly after lunch. All other times are the same.

Thank you for all the boxtops! We still could use tissue : )

Warmly,

Mrs. Gore

Dear 4A Parents:

It was so good to see all of you for conferences. I appreciate your taking time out to discuss your child's progress. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with any concerns or questions that may come up during the next quarter.

We are in the middle of the Who's Reading Program and I hope your child has been enjoying being a part of the conversations. This program will culminate with Literary Day on October 31st. A permission slip went out last week that you need to fill out if your child is planning on dressing up for this day. Please have them turn that in this week.

I have put up a link for Literature Groups (under Archway Lincoln in the right hand margin of this blog). Each Tuesday, we hope to have 4 parent volunteers to come and listen to the students read and then lead them in a discussion about the chapter. Prepared vocabulary words and questions will be given to you.

This week's academics:

We will be writing an opinion paragraph in class throughout the week. We will have a quick check for vocabulary and characters on Chapters 1-8 of Prince Caspian on Monday. In grammar, we will begin learning about prepositions.

This week in math, we will finish our first fraction unit by studying how to convert from an improper fraction to a mixed number. We will review for our unit test on Thursday and Friday, and the test will be on Mon., Oct. 30.

This week students will learn about some rare geological features including geysers, hot springs, fumaroles, and mud pots. The students will learn about the four types of mountains and three types of rocks. The science test is moved to Monday, October 30th.

This week in in History we will continue our study of Feudalism. Students will play the role of lords and serfs and create their own medieval manor layout. We will have a review day on Thursday providing an overview of Middle Ages thus far. On Friday students will have a quiz on the Middle Ages. The review on Thursday and their Thursday night homework sheet will help to prepare them for Friday's quiz. 
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This quarter, we've begun a system for participation. It's called STAR which stands for Sit up, Tract the speaker, Ask/Answer questions, Respect our space. Each Monday, will will send out a report on how well your child did the previous week in these areas. 

Needed for the classroom: Tissues and Boxtops

Blessed by your partnership,
Mrs. Gore

Dear 4A Parents:

I hope you've had a restful break. I visited my mom in VA and was able to see many family members while there, what a blessing it was! I'm excited for the new quarter to begin and to see your children again :) 

We are in the middle of the Who's Reading Program and I hope your child has been enjoying being a part of the conversations. This program will culminate with Literary Day on October 31st, where your child can dress as their favorite character in Literature.

I have put up a link for Literature Groups (under Archway Lincoln in the right hand margin of this blog). Each Tuesday, we hope to have 4 parent volunteers to come and listen to the students read and then lead them in a discussion about the chapter. Prepared vocabulary words and questions will be given to you. 
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Academics this week:

We will pick up ELA with sentence revisions and continued understanding of setting. The students will receive their copy of Paul Revere's Ride which includes the dates to memorize the stanzas by. This poem is the fourth grade project and will be recited January 8-10. It is a daunting task but if they keep up with the plan, it will be completed well and worth the effort. 

In math this week, we will continue studying fractions. We will learn about mixed numbers and improper fractions and how to convert from one to another. Please continue practicing multiplication and division facts with your student, because these facts keep recurring as we explore concepts relating to fractions.

In science, we will continue our study of volcanoes. We will discuss the types and parts of volcanoes, and types of lava. The students will learn about famous volcanoes such as Mount St. Helens and Mount Vesuvius.

This week in history we will continue learning about the Middle Ages. We will focus on feudalism and the hierarchy of kings, lords, knights and serfs. We will focus more specifically the role of serfs as we progress through the week. 
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One of the main things most of the students in my class need to practice is math facts. I have included a link (under Resources in the right hand margin of this blog) for the Rocket Math App. This is a fun way to have your child learn their facts. I encourage you to utilize this or something similar.

We could use some facial tissue and as always we are still collecting box-tops.

I'm looking forward to meeting with each of you during our scheduled conference time this week.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Gore

Dear 4A Parents,


Friday marks the end of the quarter. It's been such a joy to get to know each of your children. I hope you have an enjoyable break!

Here are some important dates that are coming up:

• 10-3 - 4th Grade Coffee Talk from 8:15 - 9:30 a.m.
• 10-6 - Early dismissal - 12:30
• 10/9-10/13 - Fall Break
• 10/16-10/18 - Mandatory Parent/Teacher conferences (10-18 conferences in the afternoon)
• 10-18 - School resumes, second quarter begins

Our Scholastic Book Fair Is in full swing. Here is the link for our book fair, if you'd like to order online http://www.scholastic.com/bf/archwayclassicalacadlincoln 

We will not have a regular library time this Thursday. Instead, the students will have the option to purchase items from the book fair during our scheduled library time. If you would like to browse the items with your child, please feel free to come by the book fair when it is open.

Book Fair Hours:

• Monday, Tuesday, Friday: 7:25-8:30am, 12:00-1:00pm and 3:00-4:30pm
• Wednesday: 7:25-8:30am and 12:15 - 4:30pm
• Thursday: 7:25-8:30am, 12:00-1:00pm and 3:00-7:00pm

Parents will be able to enter through the parent walk up gate and go to the library during the morning and afternoon hours. They will need to sign into the office during the lunch hour times.

Parent/Teacher Conferences: 
4A Homeroom Parents please sign up here

http://signup.com/go/xSjXPhs

Conferences are for parents only.

Thank you so much for your continued partnership!

Literature Groups will take place each Tuesday from 11:05 - 11:35. This is a chance for volunteers (who have been fingerprinted) to come in and listen to a group of students read and then ask some prepared questions. The students always enjoy this time to spend with parents.

There will be a Sign-up Genius link for this on the blog in the future, but for this week, we can have 4 parents come in. Please email me to let me know if you would like to come in this Tuesday (October 3rd).
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Academics this week:

We will introduce the literary concept of theme during literature and continue describing the characters that are introduced in the chapters of Prince Caspian we will read this week. On Friday, we will have the spelling/phonogram test and the students will individually recite the poem "The Violet".

In math this week, we'll continue our study of fractions. We will discuss comparing and ordering fractions with different denominators and adding and subtracting fractions with the same denominator. We will also continue practicing putting fractions in simplest form. **This is a key skill in fractions, one that requires fluency in multiplication and division facts. If possible, please review these math facts with your child at home! 

We will go over the study guide for the second geology test on Monday and take the test on Tuesday. Then we began the last unit of geology with volcanoes. 

This week in history we will continue our study of the Middle Ages. We will focus on the rise of feudalism and examine the relationship between kings, lords, knights and serfs.  Students will study heraldry and why it the importance to knights in the Middle Ages. Students will also make their own coat of arms using symbols and designs of the Middle Ages.
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Thank you for helping to make this quarter a success, I really appreciate your partnership.
I'll see you at you scheduled conference. Let me know if you have any questions about it.
Mrs. Gore

Dear 4A parents,

I hope you are enjoying getting outside this weekend!

Important Dates:

• 9-29 - Early dismissal - 12:30 (In-Service day for teachers)
• 9-29 - Second Annual Literacy Night and Read-a-Thon Kick-Off - gates open at 5:00 p.m.
• 10-3 - 4th Grade Coffee Talk from 8:15 - 9:30 a.m.
• 10-6 - Early dismissal - 12:30
• 10/9-10/13 - Fall Break
• 10/16-10/18 - Mandatory Parent/Teacher conferences (10-18 conferences in the afternoon)
• 10-18 - School resumes, second quarter begins

We will begin literacy groups this week. Our time for this will be Tuesdays from 11:05-11:35. This is a chance for volunteers (who have been fingerprinted) to come in and listen to a group of students read and then ask some prepared questions. The students always enjoy this time to spend with parents.

There will be a Sign-up Genius link for this on the blog in the future, but for this week, we can have 4 parents come in. Please email me to let me know if you would like to come in this Tuesday (Sept. 26th).

 

Academics this week:

We will start Prince Caspian on Monday. Please make sure your child brings in the book that has the same cover as the one shown in the Current Literature section of this blog. We will continue studying adjectives and classifying and diagramming sentences with them. The poem "The Violet" will be presented Friday, October 6th.

In math this week, we are wrapping up our study of the operations of whole numbers. We spent Friday reviewing these concepts and will continue to review in class on Monday. We will have a test on Tuesday (9/26). Our next topic of study, coming at the end of the week, is fractions!

In geology, we will continue studying earthquakes and begin tsunamis. There will be an assessment on these 2 subjects early next week (Oct. 2nd). The study guide will be handed out this week. 

In history this week we will have a history test on Friday 9/29. The test will cover the Fall of Rome and the rise of Christianity. Study guides will be handed out on Monday and will be filled in throughout the week.  Our focus this week is the study of the rise of the Christian Church after the Fall of Rome. We will explore the life of monks, the importance of monasteries and the missionaries who spread the religion throughout Europe. 

>>Here is some information from Mrs. Rockmaker, the music teacher, about the mandatory Fall Concert.
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Fall Concert

Thursday, November 16th at 7pm at the Higley Center For the Performing Arts

Dress Code for Concerts:

Girls must wear a white shirt, with a black skirt (knee length or longer) or dress slacks, and black dress shoes (black tights if desired).

Boys must wear a white collared, button-down shirt, black slacks, black socks and black dress shoes.

The students will be wearing the same attire for the Spring Concert in April.

Some stores that carry appropriate concert attire:
o Macy’s
o JCPenney
o Sears
o Kohl’s
o Target
o Walmart
o Lands’ End (landsend.com)
· Shopstyle.com

Feel free to email me if you have questions.
Sharon Rockmaker
Email: srockmaker@archwaylincoln.org Blog: archwaylincolnmusic.wordpress.com
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**Please make sure your child is correcting returned work for understanding and for extra points. This needs to be completed ASAP so the quarter grade will reflect the revised grade. 

Thank you for your partnership!
Mrs. Gore

Dear 4A Parents:

I hope you are enjoying your weekend!

Important Dates:

• 9-29 - Second Annual Literacy Night and Read-a-Thon Kick-Off - gates open at 5:00 p.m.
• 10-3 - 4th Grade Coffee Talk from 8:15 - 9:30 a.m.
• 10-6 - Early dismissal - 12:30
• 10/9-10/13 - Fall Break
• 10/16-10/18 - Mandatory Parent/Teacher conferences (10-18 conferences in the afternoon)
• 10-18 - School resumes, second quarter begins

This week in Academics:

We finished Pollyanna and will have a quick check on vocabulary and comprehension of chapters 16-30 on Monday. Before we actually start reading Prince Caspian, we will go over some background information from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe which most of the students read last year. In Grammar, we will introduce adjectives. There will be a Shakespeare assembly on Friday with a performance of Twelfth Night. We will discuss the play beforehand so your child will know what is it about.

This week in math, we’ll conclude our study of the operations of whole numbers by learning how to multiply 2- and 3- digit numbers by 2-digit numbers. We will take notes in preparation for a test coming up early the week of the 25th. 

This week, students will be assessed on all the concepts covered thus far in geology. We will go over the study guide on Monday and the assessment will be on Tuesday. We will then begin to study earthquakes. Students will be able to explain how stress in the crust changes the earth’s surface, recognize different faults, how they move, and what they are called. Students will be able to understand that there are varying seismic waves and the differences between them.

This week in History we will study The "Dark" Ages and discover why this term is misused. Students will uncover causes and effects that led to the Fall of Rome, and that happened in the period known as the Dark Ages, or more appropriately the Middle Ages. We will begin to explore the major differences between the Eastern and Western Roman Empire that led to a major split in the Christian Church and shaped Western culture. 
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Please continue reviewing Math Facts with your child.

We are getting low in tissues, if you are able to contribute a box it would be greatly appreciated : )

We are still collecting boxtops!

Thank you for your continued partnership and support!
Mrs. Gore

Dear 4A Parents:

I hope you enjoyed your weekend. It won't be too much longer until our wonderful Arizona weather kicks in!

For those of you who made it to the Singapore Math/ Spalding Night, I hope it was a benefit to you and helped answer any questions you may have had.

Important Date this week:

• Love and Logic by Larry Kerby - Tuesday, September 12th from 6:30-8 (This event will benefit all families.)

Academics this week:

In ELA - Your child will recite "Afternoon on a Hill" on Wednesday. Adverbs will be introduced and we will work on classifying and diagramming sentences with these in them. As we finish up Pollyanna this week, we will use these final chapters to practice a summary, dictation, and character development. Our next literature book is Prince Caspian by C. S. Lewis. I've placed the picture of the cover of the book we use in the margin. Please make sure your child brings this book in on Tuesday, September 19th. We continue to have our Spalding and phonogram tests on Fridays. The students are doing a good job on these. 20 people got 100% on the last test!

In math this week, we will continue to explore multiplication and division as well as working on word problems that involve all four operations. We will be starting a math facts program called Rocket Math this week. Rocket Math uses timed tests to help students improve their math fact fluency. We will practice facts in class, and it would be beneficial for your student to spend a few minutes a day reviewing multiplication facts as well. Please let me know if you have any questions about this program as we begin to implement it this week!

We continue in geology with discussions of convection currents and different types of plate boundaries. The study guide for the first assessment will go out this week. The assessment will be the following week.

In History this week we will finish us our study of world mountain ranges before turning our attention to the Geography of Europe. We will examine the major rivers, mountains, and countries of Europe.  Finally, we will study fall of Rome and the beginning of the Middle Ages. 
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Your child will bring home some graded work this week, please make sure you are looking for it in their take home folder. Also make sure you are checking their agenda each night. If there is missing work, I try and write it in there.

**Math Facts, Math Facts, Math Facts**
Please take just 5-10 minutes a day to drill your child on math facts (addition and subtraction, as well as, multiplication and division). Let's make it a goal together, that they will have these down by the time they move on to 5th grade. 

Thank you!

Mrs. Gore