Volume 1 Issue 16

“Love is a force more formidable than any other. It is invisible-it cannot be seen or measured, yet it is powerful enough to transform you in a moment, and offer you more joy than any material possession could."

Barbara de Angelis

As we come to the close of another year at LEARN Romano-Butler, we want to extend our warm wishes to you and your family during this holiday season.  We are honored and esteemed that you have entrusted us with your most precious commodity, your child.  Especially, in the wake of the recent Newtown, Connecticut massacre, we are standing united with our fellow educators and people all over the nation praying that good will overcome the evil in light of this tragic event.  

ATTENTION PARENTS/GUARDIANS- We need a new round of school supplies.  Firstly, make sure your scholar has paper, pencils (sharpened), pens and notebooks for their daily needs. Additionally, we need class supplies like Clorox wipes, tissue, dry erase markers and paper towels.  Thanks in advance for your support.

READING – Guided Reading Groups

Reading packets will be distributed covering main idea, author’s purpose and sequencing.  All packets are due BEFORE WINTER BREAK Friday, December 21^st.  

Please continue to have your scholars read 30 minutes daily.    

WEEKLY WRITING PROMPTS

NO WRITING PROMPTS THIS WEEK. 

SCIENCE UPDATE

SCIENCE REVIEW WORK PACKET (PHYSICAL SCIENCE) WILL BE DUE, MONDAY, JANUARY 7^TH 2013. LIFE SCIENCE WILL BEGIN JANUARY 7^TH, 2013

What’s next in MATH? Division assessment (test) will be given this week.            Our class business groups will complete reports and present their commercials to promote their respective businesses.    

MATH WINTER BREAK PACKET WILL BE DUE, MONDAY, JANUARY 7^TH 2013

4^th grade News snap shoT

9:00am -holiday assembly, December 18^th  

LEArn Pageant December 19^th 5pm

royal Ball        Dress up day December 20^th

class party december 21^st –Ice cream party (feel free to bring a treat to share with the class)

taffy apple sale- all sales due Monday, January  7^th  

Winter break begins 12/24-1/4. classes resume monday, January 7^th

Volume 1 Issue 15

“Success is falling nine times and getting up ten.” Jon Bon Jovi

                    

Join us this week for FAMILY FUN NIGHT!  You will have an opportunity to meet our staff and other parents in a fun filled night of games.  FAMILY FUN NIGHT is Wednesday, December 12^th.  We look forward to seeing you. 

We will conclude our Winter MAP testing this week.  Please encourage your scholar to utilize Compass Learning Odyssey computer program to support their learning.

PARTY TIME!  Our class will celebrate the historical date, 12-12-12 with a party.  We will take this opportunity to reward those scholars who have shown exemplary behavior and diligence in the classroom.  On Wednesday afternoon we will enjoy math games and lots of treats.

READING – Guided Reading Groups

We will begin our new unit on making inferences.

Please continue to have your scholars read 30 minutes daily.    

WEEKLY WRITING PROMPTS

NO WRITING PROMPTS THIS WEEK.  SCHOLARS WILL HAVE A READING PACKET WHICH WILL FOCUS ON MAIN IDEAS AND SUPPORTING DETAILS WHILE UTILIZING THEIR WRITING SKILLS.  

SCIENCE UPDATE

We will conclude our chapter on Energy and Matter.           

What’s next in MATH? (Homework packet due Monday, December 17^th)

We are focusing on long division.  Our class business groups will complete reports and develop commercials to promote their respective businesses. 

4^th grade News snap shot

class incentive party, 12-12-12

map testing ends this week

family fun night- wednesday, december 12^th

holiday assembly, December 18^th

taffy apple sale- all sales due w/Money    January  7^th  

please check  your scholar’s  behavior log 

Volume 1 Issue 14

“Never quit.  It is the easiest cop-out in the world.  Set a goal and don’t quit until you attain it.  When you do attain it, set another goal, and don’t quit until you reach it. Never quit.”                                     Bear Bryant

We want to send a special greeting to our parents and guardians as well as our wonderful 4^th grade scholars.  We have some very important upcoming dates to remember.  MAP testing will begin on Tuesday, December 4^th. Encourage your scholar to get a good night’s rest and use the Compass Learning online program.

On Tuesday, December 4^th you are welcome to join our class in the                    “All About Learning: Legos Lesson, in our classroom from 2:10-3:35.  Scholars must wear gym shoes on this day.  On Wednesday, December, 5^th we have planned a Field trip to the Peggy Notebart Museum, the fee is $8.00

READING – Guided Reading Groups

We will continue to work on our unit on characters. We will think deeply about character’s motivations and their reasons for acting the way they do.  Please continue to have your scholars read 30 minutes daily.    

WEEKLY WRITING PROMPTS

Monday: What would happen if animals could talk?  What are some of the questions you would like to ask animals?

Tuesday: What is something that really makes you angry?     

Wednesday: Imagine you were a raindrop.  What would it be like?

Thursday: Imagine you found a dark cave.  Write a story about what adventure you had when you went inside.    

Friday: Imagine you invented a time machine. Which time in the past will you visit first?

SCIENCE UPDATE

We have a test on Motion and we will begin our next chapter on Energy.          

What’s next in MATH?

We will conclude our data projects.  We are moving on to division and fractions.

volume 1 issue 14

4^th grade News snap shot

Tuesday, 12/4       map testing begins

Lego lesson in classroom

 wednesday, 12/5 field trip, peggy notebart museum  $8.00

taffy apple sale- all sales due w/Money    January  7^th  

please check  your scholar’s  behavior log 

Volume 1 Issue 13

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” 

           Melody Beattie

On behalf of LEARN Charter Romano-Butler’s staff and our awesome 4^th graders, we want to wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.    

Our Thanksgiving Assembly will take place on Tuesday, November 20^th             9:00 -11:30. Tuesday will also be a dress down day, $2.00 fee, In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, there is will no school 11/21-11/23.  Our scholars are set to return on Monday, November 26^th.

School Wide Fundraiser- Taffy Apple Sale, $1.50 each, collect the money at the time of the sale, all money will be due on December 7^th. 

Upcoming Field Trips- 12/4 LEGO- All About Learning and 12/5 Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum ($8.00) field slips have been issued.

READING –Guided Reading Groups

Please continue to have your scholars read 30 minutes daily.  However, there will be no written response required over Thanksgiving Break.   

WEEKLY WRITING PROMPTS

Monday: Write about your Thanksgiving traditions. What does your family do to celebrate the holiday?

Tuesday: What are some things you are thankful for?     

Wednesday: No School- Enjoy your break

Thursday: Happy Thanksgiving!  

Friday: No School- Enjoy your break

SCIENCE UPDATE

We will conclude our Chapter on Motion.         

What’s next in MATH?

We are collecting data and analyzing it!  We are working on Data Analysis which covers Chapters 5 and 6.  

4^th grade News snap shot

Thanksgiving Assembly, Tuesday, November 20^th  

Affy Taffy Sale- all sales due w/Money on December 7^th  

field trip, December 5^th ,   $8.00

winter map testing begins, December 6^th

please check  your scholar’s  behavior log 

Volume 1 Issue 12

“Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.” 

John D. Rockefeller

FIELD TRIP:  Our scholars are set to visit the Mexican Museum of Art on Friday, November 16^th.  The price of the field trip is $8.00, The money is due by Wednesday, November 14^th.   Lunch will be provided.

Compass Learning is up and running. This is the computer based learning program individually aligned with your scholar’s NWEA (MAP) scores.  Please remind your scholars to spend time on the program daily.   

READING –Guided Reading Groups

Scholars are doing analyzing characters during their reading.  They will also continue to make connections by matching their experiences with the reading.  Please continue to have your scholars read 30 minutes daily and provide a written response to their reading.  

WEEKLY WRITING PROMPTS

Monday: What is your favorite part of fall?

Tuesday: What four things are most important in your life?     

Wednesday: How do you feel when your play a trick on someone?

Thursday: If you had to describe yourself as a color, which would it be?   

Friday: What would you do if you found a magic wand?

SCIENCE UPDATE

Correction from last week, we have begun our chapter on Motion, including Newton’s laws on motion.         

What’s next in MATH?

Our scholars will conclude our Chapter on Multiplying Decimals.  Please encourage yours scholars to use mental math while shopping in the store. This is one practical way to help reinforce our chapter 8 objectives. Math groups will also have an opportunity to practice a variety of math concepts during our instructional time.  We will begin Data Analysis by the end of the week. 

4^th grade News snap shot

mexican art Museum Field trip  is friday,  november 16^th

compass Learning is back!

please check your scholar’s  daily homework assignments

please check  your scholar’s  behavior log 

Volume 1 Issue 11

“Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely.  The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education. 

Franklin D. Roosevelt 

News You Can Use! 

DON’T FORGET, PICTURE DAY IS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6^TH!

Compass Learning is up and running. This is the computer based learning program individually aligned with your scholar’s NWEA (MAP) scores.  Please remind your scholars to spend time on the program daily.

 READING –Guided Reading Groups

Scholars will conclude their work on exploration of United States’ elections. Scholars are learning about the very important electoral voting process. Please continue to have your scholars read 30 minutes daily and provide a written response to their reading.  

WEEKLY WRITING PROMPTS

Monday: Describe the random acts of kindness you did over the weekend.  How did you feel when you were doing it?  How did the person respond?

Tuesday: What kind of pet would you most like to have- monkey, snake, or goat?  Why?   

Wednesday: If you were principal of this school, what would you do?    

Thursday: Imagine you woke up to find the world was made of candy. Write a story about what would happen next.

Friday: If you were lost in the woods and it got dark, what would you do?

SCIENCE UPDATE

We will begin our unit on Energy.  We will inquire about kinetic and potential energy, electricity, light and heat over the next two weeks.       

What’s next in MATH?

Our scholars will continue working on Chapter 8, Multiplying Decimals.  Please encourage yours scholars to use mental math while shopping in the store. This is one practical way to help reinforce our chapter 8 objectives. Math groups will also have an opportunity to practice a variety of math concepts during our instructional time.    

4^th grade News snap shot                    

picture day is tuesday, november 6^th

compass Learning is back! 

please check your scholar’s  daily homework assignments

please check  your scholar’s  behavior log 

News You Can Use!

Greetings to all!

Mark your calendars! There will be NO SCHOOL on Friday, November 2^nd for Teachers’ Professional Development.  Picture Day is coming… November 6^th       more details are forthcoming. Congratulations to our 4^th grade scholars for earning 20 Shout Outs (rewards from administrators and other staff for doing well).  As a result of this incredible feat, they will be rewarded with a pizza party on Wednesday, October 31^st.  Additionally, each scholar will be allowed to bring in candy to share with their classmates.  We have a total of 28 scholars in our classroom.   

READING

The Guided Reading Small Groups will focus on the election this week. 

Scholars will dissect nonfiction text in order to learn more about the electoral process in the USA. Novel Study- We will conclude the study of, Matilda, as well as view the movie version of the novel on Wednesday, October 31^st.  The final Matilda project is due Monday, November 5^th.   

WEEKLY WRITING PROMPTS

Monday: If you could be anyone or anything this Halloween, who or what would you be?

Tuesday: If you could make a magic brew, what would you make? Why?

Wednesday: No Homework! Enjoy your Halloween.

Thursday:  Write a journal entry about the best trick you have every pulled (or the best one that has ever been pulled on you).  

Friday: Write your own ghost story.

SCIENCE UPDATE

We will conclude our study of forces this week.  Scholars will be tested this week.  Our next area of study will be electricity.        

What’s next in MATH?

Our scholars will conclude Chapter 7, Multiplying Whole Numbers and test.  We will begin Chapter 8 this week on Multiplying Decimals.

Math packet due date is Friday, November 9th.   

4^th grade News snap shot

falloween party & celebration, Wednesday, October 31^st       (bring  30  pieces of candy  to  share)

No school, friday november 2^nd (teacher professional development)

picture day, tuesday, november 6^th

compass Learning is back!

please check your scholar’s  homework & sign their behavior log 

News You Can Use! 

We have come to the end of a wonderful first quarter.  We want to send a special thanks to all of our amazing  parents/guardians who have been the backbone of our efforts to prepare our scholars for the future.  If you were not able to pick up your scholar’s report card, please contact us to set up an alternate appointment time. 

Compass Learning is back!  This is the computer based learning program that’s aligned with NWEA (MAP) data.  Each scholar has a personal login.  

READING –Guiding Reading Small Groups will continue this week.

In our new unit, we are focusing on non –fiction texts and how different features serve a purpose in helping to increase our knowledge. This week, we will learn how to activate our prior knowledge (schema) in order to enhance our comprehension of non-fiction text.

Please continue to have your scholars read 30 minutes daily and provide a written response to their reading.  

WEEKLY WRITING PROMPTS-We are going to dive even deeper into personal narrative stories this week.   

Monday: What effect does watching violence have on people (television, games, internet)?

Tuesday: Why would you want to start conversations with classmates? Name at least 2 second step skills you can use when making conversation.

Wednesday: Write a compliment to someone in our class.   

Thursday: What does “The early bird catches the worm.” mean to you?

Friday: Free choice!

SCIENCE UPDATE

Our scholars will begin a study of magnets.  Ask you scholars about some of their science activities and experiments.  A weekly science work packet will be due on Friday, October 26^th.      

What’s next in MATH?

Our scholars will begin Chapter 7 in math focusing on Multiplying Whole Numbers.  A weekly math packet will be sent home on Monday.  The due date is Friday, October 26^th.   

4^th grade News snap shot                    

compass Learning is back! 

please check your scholar’s  homework assignments

Weekly math and science packets will go home

please check  your scholar’s  behavior log 

Learning Odyssey

Learning Odyssey 

We are excited to announce we are beginning The Learning Odyssey again this year!  We will incorporate lessons and time in class for our scholars to interact with the program.  This program is a terrific way to individualize instruction.  We can track their activity and success through the program.  You will have access, too, to check on how your child is doing in completing lessons and taking the quizzes.

Website:

https://www.thelearningodyssey.com/

Student Log In Information:

Username: FirstLast (JohnAlexander)

Password: Learnrb

Make sure the school is LEARN

Parent Log In Information:

Username: FirstLastParent (JohnAlexanderParent)

Password: Student’s Last Name (Alexander)

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us!

News You Can Use!

Fall Break is October 8^th-12^th and there will be no school for scholars and instructors.  FALL BREAK HOMEWORK PACKETS IN READING AND MATH WILL BE DISTRIBUTED THIS WEEK WITH A DUE DATE OF MONDAY, OCTOBER 15^TH.

READING –Guided Reading Groups-BAS testing will start this week.

Scholars will work on retrieving evidence from the text to support their writing and thinking.  They will stop to think and react this week through writing and conversation. Please continue to have your scholars read 30 minutes daily and provide a written response to their reading.  

WRITING- Personal Narratives:  First seed story will be published this week.

WEEKLY WRITING PROMPTS

Monday: How can having empathy for others help you at school?

Tuesday: Write about the best present you have ever received.

Wednesday: Write a creative greeting for an answering machine. 

Thursday: Write about the things you love and hate the most.

Friday: Write about your favorite dinner. Use details!

SCIENCE UPDATE

Our scholars will complete their science experiments and share them with the class focusing on our study of the Scientific Method.  Scholars will also be tested on the Simple Machines unit.     

What’s next in MATH?

Our scholars will begin Chapter 4 in math focusing on Algebra.  We will also prepare for our first Unit test which will cover chapters 1- 4.  Additionally,    scholars will conclude the Spend a Million Project in class. 

4^th grade News snap shot                    

FALL BREAK IS OCTOBER 8^TH – 12^TH

FALL BREAK HOMEWORK PACKETS ARE DUE ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 15^TH

please check your scholar’s agenda book for daily homework assignments

please check  your scholar’s daily behavior log   

News You Can Use

Important upcoming dates:  There will be no classes/ No School for scholars, Friday, September 28^{th (teacher professional development)} and Fall Break is October 8^th-12^th.  

 GRAMMAR

This week we will finish working with verbs (action and state of being).  Our next grammar adventure will include working with adjectives (words that describe a noun or pronoun).   

READING –Guided Reading Groups

Guided reading groups will continue this week. Some groups will embark on extension activities/projects.  These activities will help our scholars to move beyond the text and make a variety of connections.

Please continue to have your scholars read 30 minutes daily and provide a written response to their reading.  

WEEKLY WRITING PROMPTS- We will continue to work on personal narratives.

Monday: Describe a time in class when it is important to listen with attention.  How does listening with attention affect your learning?

Tuesday: What do you think of someone who has bad manners?

Wednesday: If your friend told you a secret plan to run away from home, what would you do and why? 

Thursday: What does “There are two sides to every coin” mean to you?

Friday: Finish this sentence. I wish didn’t have to …

SCIENCE UPDATE

We will conclude our study of simple machines.  Our scholars will also work with their lab partners and perform a simple experiment that will solidify their understanding of the scientific method.    

What’s next in MATH?

Our scholars will wrap up Chapter 3 on Adding and Subtracting Whole Numbers and Decimals.  Additionally, we start school projects and practice working in stations with appropriate voice levels.  Our school project is called “Spend a Million.”  Scholars will have to spend one million dollars and practice adding/subtracting decimals and making real life budgeting choices.

4^th grade News snap shot                    

no School Friday, September 28^th (Teacher Professional Development)

please check your scholar’s agenda book for daily homework assignments

Scholars now have weekly homework packets in math

Please check  your scholar’s daily behavior log

4^th Grade Business Groups

APPLE INC.

DISNEY

EXXON MOBIL

GEICO INSURANCE

JUSTICE/ TWEEN BRAND INC

NIKE INC. 

News You Can Use! 

On our blog, you will find weekly updates including this newsletter, contact information and photos from our two amazing field trips from this past week.                                                

GRAMMAR

We will turn our focus to grammar.  Our first leap into the subject will include learning the parts of speech (nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs and adjectives).  Our scholars will be expected to define, use and identify words and their parts of speech.   

READING –Small groups

Reading small groups will begin this week.  Scholars are grouped by reading levels and will receive small group instruction according to their needs. 

Please continue to have your scholars read 30 minutes daily and provide a written response to their reading.  

WEEKLY WRITING PROMPTS

Monday: What is your favorite song and why?
Tuesday: What happens right when you wake up in the morning? Describe the first 30 minutes of a typical morning.
Wednesday: What would you do if you found a million dollars?  Think about what you would spend it on and if you would save any of it for later use.
Thursday: What is one thing you absolutely could not live without? Describe what the thing is and why it is so important in your life.
Friday: If you could live in any time in history, when would you choose to live and why?

SCIENCE UPDATE

We will continue to study physics and simple machines.  There are six (6) different simple machines.  Ask your scholar what they are.   

What’s next in MATH?

We will conclude Chapter 2 and working with decimals.  Scholars will have their Chapter 2 test and begin on Chapter 3 Adding and Subtracting Whole Numbers and Decimals.  

4^th grade News snap shot                    

please check your scholar’s agenda book for daily homework assignments

Scholars now have weekly homework packets in math

Please check  your scholar’s daily behavior log

friday-Gym class (dress accordingly)

4^th Grade Business Groups:

APPLE INC.      DISNEY      EXXON MOBIL    

GEICO INSURANCE      JUSTICE/TWEEN BRAND INC     NIKE INC.

News You Can Use!        

 WORD STUDY

Whole group instruction will continue this week.  The word list will appear on the internet blog.  Additionally, your scholar will have a copy of the word list as well. 

NOVEL STUDY- We will continue to learn new words from our current novel, The Orphan at Ellis Island.  Check with your scholar to find out what’s going on in the novel.   

READING IS RICH

Reading is undoubtedly one of the best skills any child or adult can possess.  Therefore, scholars are REQUIRED to read 30 minutes daily as well as provide a written response to their reading.  

WRITING

Scholars are writing in all subject areas including math and science.  Please encourage your scholar to write daily.  This week’s writing prompts will be posted on the blog. Additionally, your scholar will have a hard copy to use for the week.

Monday: There are many times when we have the choice to be bystanders or upstanders.  Describe a time when you had this choice, why you chose this role, and how it affected you.

Tuesday: Define the term “global community.” Consider what our responsibilities are as members of a global community. Determine what obstacles might prevent you from following through with some of these responsibilities. How can you overcome those obstacles?

Wednesday: Define the word “family” and the word “home.” Consider what makes a family a “family” and what makes a home a “home.”

Thursday: Write 3 ways you can show respect for others?

Friday: Free Choice!

SCIENCE UPDATE

Scholars will prepare for an upcoming trip to the museum of science and industry.  They will have a unique opportunity to participate in science labs at the museum. 

MATH IS OUR BUSINESS

We will continue to work on decimals.  We will also fine tune our table groups and company research.  This week we will add another business making it a total of 6 companies.  Currently, the five businesses represented are: Apple, The Walt Disney Co., GEICO, Exxon Mobil and Tween Brand.

4^th grade News snap shot                    

 Two Field trips this week:

Monday 10^th  Holocaust Museum

Friday, 14^th  museum of science and industry

friday-Gym class (dress accordingly)

*PROGRESS REPORTS WILL BE ISSUED THIS WEEK 

dates to remember:

September 10^th Illinois holocaust museum

september 14^th museum of science and industry

Please check  your scholar’s daily behavior logs