Holston's Happenings

Science Newsletter - Moon & Earth

Parents,

Here is our next lesson on the Moon and Earth that we will be starting next week.  Look over it with your child and get ready for another fantastic science lesson.

4th grade team

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Some Important Dates to Remember in March

March 6th - Performathon

March 13th - Book Fair Week in the Media Center

March 19th - Third Quarter Report Cards distributed

March 23rd - Spring pictures

Supply requests for upcoming Science Labs....

Fourth Grade has several hands on labs coming up for Science.  One will require that each student has their own empty regular size Pringle can.  Each student will need the lid and the can to complete an assignment.  They are usually only $1.00 a can and you can enjoy the contents at home!  Rinsing out the can and lid before bringing to school would be appreciated.

Also, our class will need about three regular packages of Oreo cookies.  If you would like to donate one package, please send it in by next Monday.  Once again, thank you for all your support from home.

I am also looking to use egg shells in an ecology Going Green lesson.  If you would send empty egg shells in (rinse them) it would be greatly appreciated.  Your child has a picture of where the egg should be cracked open to be able to be used... Happy Scrambled Eggs!

Stars, Stars, Stars!

We became researchers today and answered two of our Science Essential Questions:  What color are stars? and Are all stars the same size?  Our class took a trip to www.kidsastromony.comand researched the different characteristics of stars.  We used the laptops and took bulleted notes on index cards of the important facts.  Next, we transferred our information to a flip book we created ourselves from construction paper.  We are now learning how to read our own notes and compose a paragraph describing each type of star and its characteristics.  We are adding an illustration for each star and using headings for each flap.  Can you tell we are learning about research and how text features help us understand what we are reading better?  It was so quiet in the room as our scientists were doing their research and taking notes, I had to make sure they were alive!!  LOVE IT!  You are all developing into such independent, capable students.  I'm proud of all of your hard efforts.  Way to go class!

Thank you for spoiling me!

To the most amazing students and their parents!

Thank you for one of the most enjoyable year of teaching!  I love each and every one of you.  Students, you always amaze me with your curiousity and love of learning.  I am so thankful that each of you are in my class this year.  Together we do some pretty amazing work!  Thank you to PTA for providing the wonderful luncheon on Monday.  It was a much needed break from Jury Duty.  How convenient that I had a two hour break at that time.  The flowers and roses I received on Wednesday are still beautiful and have made me smile all week long.  Then to top it all off, the surprise attack of gift cards was like the holidays all over again!   Oh,  will I have some fun!  There just happens to be a new "toy" I have discovered at Target for force and motion that I will be purchasing this weekend for our class!  Thanks again to everyone for being such wonderful students.  Keep your curiousity going and study hard.  I know you will be our student leaders in the future here in Cobb County.  And parents, thank you for all your support from home - be proud of your truly amazing children.  They are the BEST!

Love always,

Mrs. Holston

 

PS....I am back...back from presenting at the Georgia State Science Convention in Savannah, back from wrapping up a two year learning seminar/grant with the State of Georgia and Kennesaw State, and finished with my Jury Duty.  I have grown professionally in my participation with all these activities but am thrilled to be back with the students I enjoy learning with each day.  Thank you for your support during my time away.  I'm BACK!

Science Newsletter

Dear Parents,

We will be starting the Unit on stars, planets,and constellations next week.  We wanted to share this awesome newsletter with you that helps you and your students preview and review what we will be learning and doing in Science.  We will try and have one up from now on for the rest of our units this year in Science.  Have fun becoming scientists with us.

Sincerely,

4th grade team

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Conference Week

Just as a reminder, January 26 - 30 is conference week for all elementary school students.  You have received a time and date to come in and talk with me about your child's progress and see some of their work.  Please double check your time and write down any questions you know you would like to discuss with me ahead of time.  I am looking forward to meeting with you and sharing with you information about your child.  Our class has been working very hard and continue to build on our knowledge.  Fractions are a bit confusing but each day they make a little more sense...especially understanding equivalent fractions.  I just relate fractions to sharing their favorite candy bar.....

Early Release all week -  Bus bell rings at 12:15.  See you at our conference!

Spelling Bee Winner - Brooke Cohen

We are so proud of Brooke Cohen from our very own classroom who won this year's Due West Spelling Bee.  Each class in 4th and 5th grade held an in-class spelling bee.  Then the six winners from each class competed against each other in our cafeteria. Brooke was so nervous but had prepared ahead of time by practicing the book of words given to her to study.  She will compete in the County Spelling Bee on January 24th.  Good Luck and do your best...we are already so proud of you! 

What are we learning NOW?

Hello Parents and Students,

Can you believe it is already October 30th?  The time is definitely flying by and I am not happy about it.  This group of students continues to amaze me with their eagerness to learn and their ability to achieve.  We are moving from Narrative reading and writing to Traditional Literature.  As we pull apart folktales, fables, and tall tales, the students will be charting and comparing the retold stories to find their similarities and differences.  We have been working in our Readers Notebooks learning to write friendly letters which include summaries, connections, and recommendations about the books they are reading independently.  They are really good writers, now to organize and embellish!  In math, I think we are almost at the top of the mountain with double/triple multiplication problems.  We do have to move on to division and geometry, so if you see your child struggling with the multiplication process, please step in and continue to help at home.  In Science we are continuing with weather as we can now see frost and temperatures drop.  We were outside the other morning trying to explain why we were able to see our breath and where the frost came from...anybody see Jack?  We will be moving on to force and motion as well as light and sound.  Fun, fun units of learning!  In social studies, we will be applying our knowledge of landforms and regions to the Indian settlements and early explorers and colonies.  Understanding the landforms and natural resources helps us understand why certain cultures settled where they did years ago.  We continue to push our independent reading as a vital part of a fourth grade reading program. We have all set a goal to reach the 25 point this nine week period.  Daily homework includes 20 - 30 minutes of reading and the students are given time in class to read.  Taking and passing the AR tests allow me to see how much they are comprehending on their own.  Thank you for your continued support from home.  The class is shining! 

Book Fair Safari Style

Come one - Come all to our Fall Book Fair Safari Style!

Once again our media center has turned into a fabulous book fair center.  There are so many wonderful books available with colorful pictures and fantastic story lines.  Have you checked out the new novels and the informational texts?  I just love seeing the smiling faces of a child purchasing their favorite new book. 

Remember our special morning events -

Tuesday morning is Muffins for Mom from 7:15 - 7:50

Thursday morning is the famous Donuts for Dad also from 7:15 - 7:50

Thanks again for all the support you are giving your child on his/her educational journey.   It is a wonderful group of students to work with each day.