Specials Schedule

Ms. Brown's Specials Schedule

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Day 1:      Music                9:20-9:50
Day 2:      Library              9:00-9:40 
Day 3:      PE                      9:20-9:50 
Day 4:      Music                 9:20-9:50 
Day 5:      Computers        8:50-9:50
                 Art                     12:35-1:15

Day 6:      PE                      9:20-9:50
Counseling lesson            1:30-2:00
every other Tuesday

*On late start Wednesdays we will not go to that day's special
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Multiplication Facts, better known as Quick Facts (QF)

We will start multiplication fact practice this week. Each week we will have a Fact of the Week! We start off easy and get progressively more difficult. Students will pre-test Mondays, practice throughout the week on that given number, then take a post test on Friday. I tell students that I don't care if they pass, I simply want to see improvement! Even if students start the week passing, I still want to see improvement on their time come Friday.

Today I sent home flash cards. Yes, they're flash cards for 10s. Even though students may already know their tens, please use them to improve proficiency. Also, KEEP flash cards in a designated spot at home and each week add that week's cards to the stack. As time goes on, practice number groups both in isolation and mixed with other number sets.

I will discuss this further at back to school night (Sept 22nd at 7pm).

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Opportunities

I will talk more about volunteer opportunities more at Back to School Night but currently I have a few needs. Take a look at the online sign-up and if you're able, sign up for a task then email me to set up a time to come in.
Volunteer Sign-Up

Thanks!
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4th Grade Homework

Dear Families,

We want to explain and clarify our homework expectations for the year.

There isn’t a set policy at Alameda regarding homework, but homework has been a topic of discussion for teachers for a long time.  Do we give too much? Too little? Is it busy work?  Is is worthwhile?

Below is a link to an article that administration shared with us prior to the start of school.  This article spurred a team discussion, so we sat down to discuss what we envision for homework this year.

http://www.lifehack.org/385878/research-finds-the-effects-of-homework-on-elementary-school-students-and-the-results-are-surprising

Our team agrees with the research and made a decision to focus on increased attention to differentiation and instructional strategies within the school day.  Our team also feels that our students have very busy schedules outside of the school day, with activities (organized sports, music lessons, after school enrichment) that are in fact, more beneficial to a child's overall health.

Regular homework will focus on reading for pleasure each night, practicing multiplication facts and improving keyboarding skills. If students are unable to finish in-class assignments, those assignments may be sent home as homework. Additionally, there may be one or two project-based assignments that will support our in-class units of study that students will be asked to finish at home.

We appreciate your support and partnership in making this a successful year.

The 4th grade team
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Parent and Student Survey

Welcome to a new school year! Please follow the link below to fill out the survey. Thank you for taking time to do this, it is very helpful.
2016-17 Parent & Student Survey
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2016 Hip Hop Dance

For all of you that would like to practice the dance at home, here it is!

Click on the link below to access the video

DANCE 2016

Valentines Day

Valentines Day is coming! We'll have a simply party during which we'll make heart pockets and eat some goodies. If you'd like to contribute or help please click the link to sign-up.

Thank you!
Snack and Volunteer Sign-up