Mrs. Spata’s Fourth Grade Blog

A window into our classroom!

New York State testing schedule

I believe that it is important that you don’t “count down” to these dates and build anxiety…however I also want you to be aware as they do get closer.

Here are the testing dates as of now.

Fourth Grade ELA

May 3rd, 4th, and 5th

Fourth Grade Math

May 11th and 12th

Fourth Grade Science Hands-on

Week of May 31st

Fourth Grade Science

June 6th

 

Here is a New York State website where you can view old assessments. We will be using many of these in class to practice. But you can use them at home as well to refresh and review the skills.

FYI- Some of the testing formats have been changed this year (ie math will only have 2 books), however the questions are still good practice. 🙂

http://www.nysedregents.org/elementary.html

 

 

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Announcement

It is with a mixture of feelings and emotions that I can now announce that my last day of work will be this Friday, April 1st.

 

It has been my absolute pleasure to be a part of your child’s educational career…for some of them for a second year! :O)

 

They have grown as learners and as young men and women this year! I have seen tremendous improvement in both behavior and effort levels! Please continue to work with your child to help them prepare for unit assessments as well as the end of the year assessments. Practice really does make a huge difference…and if they see you taking the work seriously at home, they will feel that way too!

 

I look forward to seeing you at some of the big grade-level events toward the end of the school year!!!

:O) Mrs. Spata

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Field Trip

Today we braved the rainy/sleeting weather and traveled back in time to Colonial America at the Epenetus Smith Tavern.

The children participated in several fun time-period activites such as candle dipping, sillouette tracing, quill writing, and sponge painting. They also explored some of the toys that children from that time period would have to play with.

The class was very well behaved and had a great time. Several of them were overheard saying “Best field trip ever!!!”.

Be sure to ask them all about it!!

:O) Mrs. Spata

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Thank you so much for the surprise baby shower today!!!

It was so wonderful and thoughtful!

I appreciate everyone who participated in setting it up and sending in goodies!

You made me feel very special!

I will keep you posted and let you know if the baby is a girl or a boy when it decides to join us!

:O)

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Busy, Busy, Busy

We have been involved…and will be involved…in many wonderful learning activities these next few weeks!! I wanted to be sure that you knew the dates so that you can talk to your child about them when they come home.

The best way to remember something learned is to teach it to someone else. If you can teach it…then you understand it very well and will never forget it. 🙂

 

Monday was a Circus kick-off assembly!! This week in physical education the kids are learning fun tricks and games from the circus!

Tuesday was our fourth grade Colonial Day! The students rotated around 3 learning stations to explore the colonial time period. They also became experts that the original 13 colonies! Test them and see how well they remember them. 🙂

Today we had a biologist come to the school and teach a review workshop on some very important science concepts such as photosynthesis. Then the students participated in a great hands-on project where they were able to view microscopic organisms found in salt water. They are the very beginning of many food chains.

Next Monday (3/14) the fourth graders will have a short music presentation where they will be introduced to all of their instrument choices for fifth grade band next year. There will be a packet with information sent home and a form that will be needed to fill out with your child’s next years preferences.

Wednesday (3/16) will be our next Science Day. Your children will explore light and sound through several stations and projects.

Don’t forget that Friday (3/17) is a half day for students due to Parent/Teacher conferences for the second report cards. Be sure to send in your letters and notes to me by the 14th.

Wednesday (3/23) is our field trip to Epenetus Smith Tavern to continue our learning about life in Colonial America. **Students will need to bring in a bag lunch- including a drink- for the trip. Weather permitting we will have a picnic lunch there. Otherwise, we will eat in the classroom when we return to the school.**

Thursday (3/24) is our fourth grade Native American Day! Students will participate in an entire day in-school field trip reviewing and learning new things about the Native Americans.

Wow!!! What a busy time of the year!!!

Of course we are also working very hard to learn all of our curriculum as we prepare for the upcoming New York State assessments.  I promise to teach all of the new content for ELA and Math before I leave on my maternity leave. The substitute will only need to review this material with the kids to be sure they remember it all.

It would be very helpful to your children if you begin to review with them at home as well.

Powerful paragraphs, essay organization, written responses with text details supporting the answer, editing and proofreading, reading comprehension strategies, as well as all of the math concepts learned this year. (We are currently learning Geometry which will be our last unit before the May assessment. We have already begun to review old math concepts in class.)

As always, thank you so much for your support! I believe that together you and I have made a big difference this year in helping your children to succeed!!

:O) Mrs. Spata

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Harlem Wizards Basketball Game

 The Harlem Wizards vs. Smithtown Teachers

March 3rd at  7pm

Smithtown High School West

$10 if you call ahead (631)382-3032

$12 at the gate

 

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Report Cards

Your child will bring home his or her Pupil Performance Evaluation on Thursday, March 10th. It will be enclosed in a brown envelope.

Please sign the envelope and return it to me by March 14th.

I will be scheduling conferences that are deemed necessary for the half day of March 18th. Along with the report card, will be a form in which you can communicate comments or concerns to me if I did not request a conference with you.

:O)

 

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Field Day is just around the corner!

This year we would greatly appreciate if your child would wear

the fourth grade color of YELLOW for field day.

It will take place on Thursday, June 2nd at Great Hollow Middle School.

(All spectators are asked to bring lawn chairs and sit in the designated viewing area. Guests must remain off the field during the events. Our focus is on participation and fun for the children!

 

:O)

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