Important Information Regarding Spring Break, and The Georgia Milestone

Learning Targets

ELA:

In reading, we are starting to review for the milestone.  This week we looked at the 5 story elements (main character, setting, plot, problem and solution; theme is also sometimes included in these elements which ties in great to the past few weeks and our literary essays).

In writing, we are continuing to work on literary essays.  We have also started to look at writing prompts and analyzing them so that we know what we are supposed to write for them in order to earn full credit.

Math: 

It's Geometry time!  two weeks ago we began working on geometry.  We will have a test on all of the geometry we have learned on Thursday 3/31/2016. In fourth grade we focus on lines, angles, classifying triangles by angles and sides, lines of symmetry, and classifying other shapes by their properties.  Please view these videos to get more information.  Our next topic, is measurement  conversions.  It is important that students get familiar with measurement conversions for the milestone, so please review the charts below with your child in the next few weeks.

Measurement Conversions

Spring Break

Over Spring break, students will have homework.  Students will need to study for the Georgia Milestones that begin the Wednesday we get back from break.  Students will also have two take home tests.  For both of these tests, students may use all of their resources.  Students may use textbooks, or online resources from my blog.  

These Tests will be DUE ON MONDAY APRIL 11.  

(If students do not complete the test at home over the break using their resources, they will take the test on that Monday using no resource except for their brain)

• The first test is on Chapter 8 in Science.  This chapter is an extension of ecosystems which we have been learning about in class for the past few weeks.  
• The second test is on Chapter 10 in Social Studies.  This is an extension of our most recent Social Studies Unit on New Nation.  Chapter 10 discussed the new republic in the United States after the Declaration of Independence was formed and signed.  

What is the Georgia Milestones test?

I'm glad you asked! this test has now replaced the CRCT a "Criterion-References Competency Test"  Which is fancy language for a test the measures how competent you child is in certain standards (or criteria, hence "criterion-referenced")

Please see the link below for additional information from the Georgia Department of Education.

http://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Assessment/Documents/Introducing%20Georgia%20Milestones%206914.pdf

Georgia Milestones Tips:

1. Go to bed 30 minutes earlier than you normally do so that you will be rested for the test.
2. Eat breakfast before coming to school and if you do not have time, get breakfast at school.
3. Bring a healthy snack and water to have at our snack time between testing periods.
4. wear comfortable clothes and shoes while taking the test.
5. Relax and show your best work.  You are ready for the test
6. Use your time wisely during the test--you are allowed to go back and check your answers

To get your "PUMPED"

Please go ahead and clear your calendar for the following days.  Vacations, doctors appointments, and other appointment's should NOT be planned for Georgia Milestones Dates.

Wednesday April 13 -ELA
Thursday April 14 - ELA
Friday April 15 - Math
Monday April 18 - Science
Tuesday April 19 - Social Studies
Wednesday April 20 to Friday April 23 - Test Makeups (All Areas)

Take a look at this awesome free GA Milestones practice test.  The Georgia Milestones tests measure what students in grades 3 through high school have learned.  Students will take the GA Milestones tests online.  Here is a way to practice before the test:

http://www.gaexperienceonline.com/

1. Click on "Test Practice"
2. Under End-of-Grade (EOG) Click on "Online Tools Training"
3. Click on "EOG Test Practice"
4. Click on "Standard Online Tools"
5. Click on "Grade 3-5"
6. Sign In using the information provided

Practice Sites
***Please be practicing for test on the Online Assessment System
http://mrnussbaum.com/readingpassageindex/#4
http://www.rockdale.k12.ga.us/schools/les/Pages/CRCT-Practice.aspx
http://fcit.usf.edu/FCAT/tests/default.htm
http://www.henry.k12.ga.us/wle/home/crct/fourth%20grade/fourth_grade_practice_tests.htm
http://blog.tabtor.com/blog/prepare-your-students-for-fourth-grade-common-core-math-tests

Do your best and the will be great!  Show how smart you are and how much you have learned in 4th grade!

Flipped Classroom - Lined Symmetry

Lines of Symmetry

Take notes on the following videos regarding lines of symmetry.  How could you find the lines of symmetries for letters, shapes, triangles, quadrilaterals?

https://learnzillion.com/lesson_plans/5842-identify-line-symmetry-in-a-geometric-figure

https://learnzillion.com/lesson_plans/7275-identify-line-symmetry-in-regular-polygons

Flipped Classroom Video

Tonight, you will be taking part in a flipped classroom.  So, you're probably wondering what is a flipped classroom?  Well let me be the first to tell you that it will help us save time in class, and will allow us to practice our skills more.

In a flipped classroom, you will watch short videos at home, and take notes.  Tomorrow, you will come to class already having gone through a portion of our mini lesson.  You will be responsible for the information in the videos, and we will simply review the information together as a class.  Here is a link that will give you and your parents more information on a  Flipped Classroom .

Tonight, you will learn about the properties of different quadrilaterals.  Watch at least 2 of the videos below, and write down notes, describing the different properties of quadrilaterals (Square, rectangle, trapezoid, parallelogram, rhombus, kite).

Quadrilateral Song

Properties of Quadrialteral

https://learnzillion.com/lesson_plans/8855-identify-quadrilaterals-based-on-attributes

https://learnzillion.com/lesson_plans/6752-classify-various-quadrilaterals-by-describing-their-properties

https://www.khanacademy.org/math/basic-geo/basic-geo-shapes/basic-geo-classifying-shapes/v/quadrilateral-properties

Homework 3/21/16

Writing: Complete your literary graphic organizer for your short story.  Here is an example to guide you!

(Click to Enlarge)

Literary Essay Example Graphic Organizer for The Other Side

Math: Measuring Angles.  Try out these awesome sites, and see if you can measure the angle on the protractor!

Class Measuring Angles Activitiy

Information and an Activity

ABCYa-Measuring Angles

Learning Targets and Ecosystems Resources

Learning Targets For Next Week

Milestones are only 12 instructional days away!  Please begin reviewing with your child at home, to help better prepare them for the test.  There is a GA Milestone 4th grade study guide located on the right hand side of my blog.  I also posted a "helpful testing strategies" blog post a few days ago, so please scroll down to learn some awesome strategies for your child!

Reading

Next week, we will continue to analyze our short stories using theme and the 5 story elements.  We will also begin reviewing for the upcoming milestone tests which includes building stamina.  Students will begin to do a lot of independent reading at their seat to help prepare them for the long tests.

Math

In math, we have started working on geometry.  More specifically, we are looking at lines, points, rays, line segments, types of lines (perpendicular, intersecting, parallel), and angles.  Next week, we will begin using protractors to measure angles.  This is a HARD task for students.  It is important that students get a lot of practice measuring angles with a protractor and reading the protractor.  If you can, please purchase a protractor for your child, and help them to better understand measuring angles at home as we also work on it here in school.

Here is a link to the Elementary Math Fest Registration Reservation Form.  

Writing

Similarly to reading, writing will not change this week.  We are working on a literary essay unit, and students are having a hard time with this.  The hardest part for most students is figuring our what the message is from the story.  We have talking about theme and symbolism in-order to help them with this area of their thesis.  By Tuesday, all students will have their graphic organizers finished, and they will begin a fun literary essay project using their short stories and graphic organizers.  More updates to come.

Science

We have finished up our unit on solar systems, and we are no moving into ecosystems.  Students have done some reading from the textbook this week, and we will continue to work on this topic over the next few weeks.  Test date is still to be determined.

Life Science
S4L1. Students will describe the roles of organisms and the flow of energy within an ecosystem.
a. Identify the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers in a community.
b. Demonstrate the flow of energy through a food web/food chain beginning with sunlight and including producers, consumers, and decomposers.
c. Predict how changes in the environment would affect a community (ecosystem) of organisms.
d. Predict effects on a population if some of the plants or animals in the community are scarce or if there are too many.

S4L2. Students will identify factors that affect the survival or extinction of organisms such as adaptation, variation of behaviors (hibernation), and external features (camouflage and protection).
a. Identify external features of organisms that allow them to survive or reproduce better than organisms that do not have these features (for example: camouflage, use of hibernation, protection, etc.).
b. Identify factors that may have led to the extinction of some organisms.

Here is the webquest we completed in class

Adventures in Ecosystems

Ecosystem Song

Ecosystem Links

Analyzing an Ecosystem

Nature Works

Study Jams Videos

Ecosystem Links
Virtual Field Trips

Biomes

Taiga

Taiga Forest-Ducksters

Taiga

Taiga Forest

Tundra

Tundra-Kids Do Ecology

Tundra-Ducksters

Tundra

Deciduous Forest

Deciduous Forest-Kids Do Ecology

Facts About Deciduous Forests

KidsGeo-Deciduous Forest

Deciduous Forest

Tropical Rain forest
Rainforest-Kids Do Ecology
Rainforest-ducksters
15 Facts About Rain forests

Desert
Desert-Kids Do Ecology
Facts About Deserts
Desert-KidsKonnect
Desert-Ducksters

Grassland
Grasslands-Kids Do Ecology
Grasslands-Ducksters
Grasslands

Marine/Coastal
Marine-Kids Do Ecology
Marine-Ducksters
Ocean and Marine Life

Food Chain

Food Chain Game
Parts of the Food Chain
Another Link in the Food Chain

Adaptations

The Truth About Adaptations
Fun Interactive Adaptation Site With Games

A Note From PTA

Parents,

The week of March 28th is Teacher Appreciation Week at Teasley Elementary. PTA is working to plan a special week of events for the teachers and staff at Teasley. In order to make this week a success, we need your help! 

- We are asking that you let your child's teachers, including specialists and staff, know how much you appreciate them by sending in special notes or cards on Tuesday, March 29th.*  In addition, this year we are assigning each class a specialist and ask that all students in the class make or bring a card for that specialist. Please see the list below for your specialist.

- We are also planning to hold a raffle with various prizes for the teachers and staff and we are asking for the help of families and local businesses. If you, your employer or a local business that you frequent is willing to donate a gift card ($25 suggested, but any amount is appreciated), please send it in an envelope addressed to PTA by next Friday, March 25th. All of the donated gift cards will be raffled to teachers and staff during Teacher Appreciation Week.

- Finally, we'll be looking for donations of tea, lemonade, cookies etc. for the Teacher's luncheon. Please use this link to sign-up- www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0D4EABA72EA0F58-teacher

Thanks for your support!

Teasley PTA Hospitality Committee

*Cards for Specialists on Tuesday, March 29th

Ms. Brooks (Art)- Bates, Cook, Fore, Gooden

Ms. Crosby (Media Specialist)- Alongi, Bunch, Davis (1st), Wager

Ms. Harris (Counselor)- Fincham, Forrest, Moore, Schuetze

Ms. Hogan (Media Clerk)-, Gresham, Hall, Nichols, Rabinovich

Ms. Knight (Math)- Davis (K), Hiles, Nash, Washington

Mr. Mainor (PE) - Geiger, Thomson, Hillsman, Bixler

Ms. Mungin (Music)- Couvillion, Killimett, Kraftschik, Qualls

Ms. Oliver (Counselor)- Beason, Boeck, Braswell, King

Ms. Smith (Nurse)- Burley, Stewart

Ms. Sumners (Science)- Kim, Lubniewski, Moloney, Padron

Ms. Tepp/Ms. Young (PE paraprofessionals)- Rice, Sellers

Story Elements Organizer

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/lit-elements/

Perfect Attendance and Art Show News!!!

Perfect Attendance

The student connection team would like to congratulate the following students who have had perfect attendance and NO tardies for the third 9 weeks of school.  These students will be allowed to dress down on Friday March 18^th, 2016.  Each student will receive a dress down sticker to wear for the day when they arrive in their classroom on Friday morning.  Children will be recognized every 9 weeks.  We so appreciate you parents, for getting your children to school on time, every day!! Way to go!!

Hines Harmon

Tristen Hill

Hannah Hoeh

Jacob Scheuerman

Aaron Tavares

Art Show
(please click to enlarge)

VIP and priority Talent Show Tickets are now on sale!

VIP and priority Talent Show tickets are now on sale!  You can find an order form on the talent show blog by clicking on the forms link. http://www.cobblearning.net/teasleytalentshow/   General admission tickets will also be available at the door.  This form can also be used to pre-order DVD’s of the performance.  We hope to see you Friday for this fun event!  

GA Milestone Testing Information

Can you believe that we are already half way through March?! Talked about time flying!  As we begin to approach April, it is time to start thinking about the GA Milestones (we only have 17 days left of instruction).  Below, you will find a friendly letter that was sent home today, as well as a blown up version of our testing days.  It is important that on these days, students arrive to school before announcements so that they have some down time to prepare before the test.  It is also important that in the upcoming weeks your child begins to review content with you that has been taught this year.  I have urged students to bring home their interactive journals to use as study guides.  You may also use the GA Milestones study guide link located on the right side of my blog.  This is a great tool and provides practice problems for you and your child.  

On a side note, testing can also start to cause some anxiety in children at this age level.  It is important to reassure your child that they have all of the tools they need to succeed on this test.  Encourage your child to have a positive attitude about the test, so that they go in willing to work hard.  With that, testing strategies can also help to calm students down.  Here are few great ideas and tricks that will help your child on the GA Milestones, if they come to a tricky question.

(Click to Enlarge Pictures)

Testing Links

Scholastic Articles on Testing

What You Can Do to Improve your ELA Test Score

4th Grade Test Taking Tips

Technology Used in Space - Student Prezi's

Last week and this week, we have been working on the Solar System.  Students completed 3 activities from a tic-tac-toe board.  Some students chose to create a Prezi to display their research on technology in space.  Here are the awesome Prezi's I've received!

The Types of Technology We Use t Study the Night Sky Are... By: Kameron Harvey

Telescopes By: Lara Dincer

Technology Used to Study the Night Sky By: Maddy Davis

what are the different tools used to study the sky? By: Ariyah White

What Types of Technology are Used to Study Space? By: Gabrielle Gardner

Night Sky By: Da'Khari Oyenuga

What Technology You Use to Study the Night Sky By: Tristen Hill

Solar System Technology By: Bradley Stone

Telescopes By: Aaron Tavares

Telescope By: Allen Williams

Dear Class Parents

Dear Class Parents,

·  You can now order your 2015-2016 "Drawing Up New Memories" Teasley yearbook online-Yearbooks can be ordered through 4/1/16 at www.yearbookmarket.com. Find the school in the drop down menu. It's that easy! Also, if you have any pictures of students or class activities to contribute to the yearbook please email them to teasleyyearbook2015@gmail.com.

·  Our next Prospective Parent Coffee is Thursday, March 17th at 8:15am. Even if your child may not be ready for elementary school for a year or two, it is a great chance to check out the school and hear about the curriculum and many other details so you feel more informed as your time gets closer! Be sure to invite your neighbors who are interested in Teasley!

·  Come see how talented our students (and maybe our staff too) are at the Teasley Talent Show on Friday, March 18th at 7pm at Campbell High School. This is a favorite event for many and you are sure to be impressed. We hope to see you there!

·  Teasley Parents – recently you responded to a school survey and we appreciate your input.  You now have an opportunity to provide feedback to our accreditation company, AdvancED.  Please take time to respond to the link below by the end of March.  Thank you for your input!! AdvancED Parent Survey: http://eprovesurveys.advanc-ed.org/surveys/#/action/922/p91

On a side note, the only HW this weekend is the students Solar System Tic-Tac-Toe boards.  They must choose, and complete, three activities in a row to "win" the tic-tac-toe game.  The post right before this one includes the board as well as a lot of kid friendly sites for the kids to use when they research.  They may also use our science textbook, or Macinvia to help them through each activity.

Have a great weekend!

Solar System Tic-Tac-Toe

Today, we will be exploring the Solar System.  Please complete the Tic-Tac-Toe board and get three in a row to "win"!  Tic-Tac-Toe Board  You may also use the science textbook or Macinvia to help you in completing each assignment. 

Stars
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/stars.htm
http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/cosmic_kids/AskKids/stars.shtml

Change in Seasons
http://www.kidsgeo.com/geography-for-kids/0017B-reasons-for-the-four-seasons.php

Solar System Technology
https://prezi.com/hne1tkko3uvp/types-of-technology-used-to-study-the-night-sky/
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/telescopes.htm

Phases of the Moon (Use our Webquest from last week)

Objects in the Solar System
http://www.planetsforkids.org/
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/solar_system.htm
https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/kids/
http://mrnussbaum.com/space/solarsystem/
http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/menu/solar-system/
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/space/solarsystem.html

Constellations
http://www.ducksters.com/science/physics/constellations.php

Asteroids and Meterors
http://easyscienceforkids.com/all-about-comets-meteors-and-asteroids/
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/asteroid.htm
https://www.esa.int/esaKIDSen/Cometsandmeteors.html

Student Survey

Students please take his survey =)

http://eprovesurveys.advanc-ed.org/surveys/#/action/920/p913

12 Power Words

As the Milestones approach, it is important that students are familiar with the 12 powerful words listed below.  The questions on the milestones use these words, and students must know what the questions are asking.  Please click on the pictures to enlarge.

Upcoming Events and Learning Targets for Next Week

Upcoming Events

March 8th-Publix Math Night 

4:30-6:30 to enjoy some great math activities around the grocery store.

March 24th-Art Show

The Teasley Art Show will be here March 24th.  You will be able to purchase art created by our students.

March 25th-All Pro Dads

March 25th-Talent Show

March 28-31-Teacher Appreciation

Yearbook Sale

Order online at https://www.yearbookmarket.com/landing through April 1, 2016.  Locate Teasley from the drop down menu for Online Ordering.  Don't Delay!

Learning Targets for Next Week

Writing

This coming week we will continue to work on literary essays.  Students are having a lot of trouble creating a deep, and thoughtful thesis about what they read.  Many students are confusing the theme from the story with plot or main idea.  Please model for your students the difference between these topics using common picture books or stories.

Example:The Three Little Pigs.  

Plot -The Wolf blew the first two pigs' houses down and ate them, but the third pig had a sturdy house and outsmarted the wolf.

Moral-"Always be resourceful" or "Make wise choices"

Theme - Resourcefulness or Courage

Thesis - In the story the three Little Pigs, I learned, that in life, one must always be resourceful and make wise choices.

Math

This past week we focused on changing decimals to fractions, and vise versa, as well as finding equivalent decimal fractions.  This week, we will be focusing on comparing and ordering decimals. 

 The students will have a test over NF.5, NF.6, and NF.7  on Friday, March 11.

NF.5 -  Express a fraction with denominator 10 as an equivalent fraction with denominator 100, and use this technique to add two fractions with respective denominators 10 and 100.  For example express 3/10 as 30/100, and add 3/10 + 4/10=34/100

NF.6 - Use decimal notation for fractions with denominators 10 or 100.  For example, rewrite 0.62 as 62/100; described a length as 0.62 meters; locate 0.62 on a number line diagram.

NF.7 - Compare decimals to hundredths by reasoning about their size.  Recognize that comparisons are valid only when the two decimals refer to the same whole.  Record the results of comparisons with the symbols >, =, or, <, and justify the conclusions, eg., by using a visual model.

Science

S4E1. Students will compare and contrast the physical attributes of stars, star patterns, and planets. 

a. Recognize the physical attributes of stars in the night sky such as number, size, color and patterns

b. Compare the similarities and differences of planets to the stars in appearance, position, and number in the night sky.

c. Explain why the pattern of stars in a constellation stays the same, but a planet can be seen in different locations at different times.

d. Identify how technology is used to observe distant objects in the sky. 

S4E2. Students will model the position and motion of the earth in the solar system and will explain the role of relative position and motion in determining sequence of the phases of the moon. 

a. Explain the day/night cycle of the earth using a model. 

b. Explain the sequence of the phases of the moon. 

c. Demonstrate the revolution of the earth around the sun and the earth’s tilt to explain the seasonal changes.

d. Demonstrate the relative size and order from the sun of the planets in the solar system. 

This week, and next week, our focus has been on the solar system and all of the objects inside of it.  Students had the opportunity to talk about starts with Ms. Sumners on Tuesday during STEM.  We also read a Magic School Bus book on stars that gave a lot of wonderful information.

Today in class we looked closely at rotation, revolution, day and night, seasons, and the phases of the moon.  Students even completed a webquest (which is available for you to see on a previous post!).  We watched this following video to help us better memorize the phases of the moon.  The kids loved it!

Next week, we will be putting a large focus on the objects in the solar system.  We will look at each planet individually, and compare and contrast them with one another.  I will be reading another Magic School Bus book to the students on Monday to help introduce the topic!  They love Ms. Frizzle after I dressed up for character day.

The students will take a solar system test on Tuesday, March 15.  This test will cover, stars, objects in the solar system, day and night, and planet Earth.  Students have a study guide, and must fill out a study guide this weekend for a grade.  We will correct this study guide on Monday so that they can study from it all week long!

For more information on the solar system, look through my older posts, there are some really awesome websites that your child can visit and study from.  

Enjoy your weekend!

Phases of the Moon Webquest

Introduction

The moon changes shape every day.  Sometimes you can see only part of the Moon.  Other Times, you can see the entire moon.  Why does this happen?  The purpose of this webquest is to help you learn why we see phases of the Moon.

Task

Your task is to explain why the Moon changes appearance throughout the month.  You will complete six tasks.  Use your worksheet to record what you learn.  It will help you understand the Moon's Appearance changes.

Webquest Link

http://mrscienceut.net/WebQuest.html

Once you are on the above website, click the webquest that is titled Phases of the Moon WebQuest.  It is located in the second column and is the 3rd one down.  Happy Questing!

Announcements

Smyrna Area Art Show Contestants

I just wanted to let you know that some of our wonderful students have been selected to be in a Smyrna Area Art Show!  The Smyrna Area Art Teachers, Smyrna Education Foundation, Wave of Excellence-Smyrna City Schools, and Smyrna Arts and Cultural Council are celebrating the artistic talent of the following students in our class:

Amari Ned
Jayasurya Parupalli

The opening night will be Thursday March 10 between 7pm and 9pm at the Smyrna Community Center (lower level). There will be a silent auction to benefit all City of Smyrna Schools, and refreshments will be served.  I am so incredibly proud to have these two wonderful students represent our class!

Lost and Found

On another note, our Lost and Found is overflowing!! All items not claimed by Friday, March 4 will be donated to a local charity.  Please have your child check it for any lost items before that date.  Thank you.

Happy Birthday, Dr. Suess!

Today is Read Across America Day in honor of Dr. Suess' birthday.  Today was even more special, with it also being character day at school! I, dressed as Ms. Frizzle from the magic school bus, and included the kids since they became my magic the school bus class! We even had two students dress up in very creative and well put together costumes.

Ms.Frizzle from The Magic School Bus

Hermione Granger from Harry Potter

Once-ler from The Lorax

All three characters together!

We were also graced with the presence of two guest readers! Izzy and Johny were two line backers from the Kennesaw State Football Team. Johnny read Oh the Places You'll Go and Izzy read The Stray Dog. These are two wonderful stories, and the kids loved them! They even let the students ask them questions about football and college. The students learned a little more about what it means to be a computer science major and an accounting major; how cool!

Fire Safety Village

Good Afternoon!

On Thursday, March 3rd, we will be attending a free field trip to the fire safety village.  What an amazing opportunity!  In order to attend all students must bring back a signed copy of the blue waiver from the fire safety village, as well as the purple permission slip from Cobb County.  Please have these to me by tomorrow, March 2nd.

There are a few different things that we must remember for the field trip:

1. All lunches must be in sacks, NOT lunch boxes.  Please send your child's lunch in a brown paper bag (Students may still buy lunch from Teasley, if needed).
2. All students need to wear pants since they will be very active on the field trip.

We are so excited for the Fire Safety Village!