This week we will continue our understanding of figurative language in writing which includes our idiom of the week. We learn a new idiom every Thursday. Whenever idioms come up in conversation around your household, be sure to discuss the literal and figurative meanings. Sometimes it's fun to look up the origin of idioms. Some may come as a surprise. We are also continuing to practice applying the long A spelling patterns in multi-syllabic words. Students should be more secure in knowing which patterns are used to spell the sound depending on its location in the word. For example, the letters ai won't spell the long /a/ at the end of a word. Grammar, punctuation, and spelling are a focus every day in our writing process.
For the writing process, we are beginning our expository rough drafts. All the brainstorming and planning has been completed. Students completed graphic organizers Thursday. The rough drafts should be completed and ready for revising and editing by Wednesday. Final copies of the expository piece should be completed by Thursday, November 12th to hand in. Final copies may be hand-copied or typed, matching the student's rough draft, so that I am able to grade revising and editing. Parents are allowed to type for students as long as no additional changes are made to the students' drafts.
Mrs. Klein's class only:
In social studies, we have finished up our study of the Native Americans in Texas. Students used their notes, study guides, and maps to complete an assessment on this unit. All maps, notes, Texas Studies newspapers, and study guides were sent home Friday. Maps and study guides were graded. You might consider storing 4th grade Social Studies items (especially newspapers) in a box for later. The kids have Texas History again in 7th grade, and the information will definitely come in handy.
Please check the links at the top of this page. I've updated Moments in Fourth Grade, the calendar, and added a new link for writing assistance.
Have a great week!