Happy Wednesday

We had our BEST day yet of 4th grade. Yippee- We finally got to start reading. I changed my mind about the book we are starting. Yesterday, I said Harris & Me. Well, I changed my mind (as the teacher I can do that. ) I am doing a historical adventure called Pathki Nana. This is an awesome book that we can learn and do so many strategies with it. It is story about a girl that BELIEVES and finds the good in herself along with having a very special relationship with her grandmother. I can't wait to hear what your kids say about it.

Unfortunately, not everyone will get to hear it as it is during reading time and some students will be going to Read 180, but trust me they will get great things in that classroom too.

No nightly writing assignment tonight. Great facts were gathered and shared about the hurricane research done last night. Speaking of hurricanes, I told the kids there is another one brewing out in the Gulf of Mexico and to keep their ears and eyes tuned to the news. If they/you know the name of it, write it in the planner for free money.

Thank you for all of you that sent in picture for the friends and family board. I love seeing the kids look at them or go up to them if they feel the need. We all need that love from home.

PTA Memberships-if you have joined our wonderful PTA, please put a note in your child's planner that you did and I will give them a ($500) bonus of free money. You can see that I think this is really an important organization to be a part of and I really encourage it. I have joined and am proud of it. They are the ones that get us so many of the things we have here at school like a brand new computer lab that your child gets to use.

As promised here are those pics from recess fun and hanging out with friends.

Hurricanes-Hurricanes

Today, we started hurricanes in Science and talked about Hurricane Irene and watched some YouTube footage. We also took a few notes of what a hurricane is and the different parts and categories of them. Then we went on to the Bitterroot Website Learning Links and found a section on hurricanes. As part of their nightly writing tonight along with Science, students are to write at least 3 facts about hurricanes in a paragraph format. These are to be at least 1/2 page long with good capitalization, punctuation, and spelling. Like we say, 4th grade quality.

Then ask your child 2 things they learned and write it in their planner for free money at check in.

Wow-we had another great math lesson today. These students love math and work hard at it.

Tomorrow we are going to finally start reading class and we are going to begin with a chapter read-a-loud book called Harris & Me. The students will love it and learn more about me through the book. I am going to use the book to teach all the strategies that we are going to use in book club groups.

The social studies papers that came home today were not graded and hopefully finished esp. the maps. If students didn't you can have them finish for practice and check over them.

We had so much fun today learning about how everyone got their names. I had read them yesterday, but shared them all today with the class.

Just a reminder that the spelling words are practice this week and not for a grade.

One last thing, talk with your child about expectations during transition time. Some of them love to chat and then aren't ready for the next subject area. This will need to cease so we won't lose our recess time.

We are going to have a fun buy in this week with our fake money so losing it for silly things like talking and not being prepared is not making a good choice.

Enjoy the pics below of some recess fun and hanging out with friends. Oops these will be tomorrow. I just noticed I have the wrong adapter cord here, the one for my IPOD instead. Sorry.

Have a great night.

4th Day in Fourth Grade

Wow-what a great day we had today. We got so much done and it just flew by. We are still hoping for cooler weather soon. Let's hope the little thunderstorm this afternoon will help.

Thank you to all of you that returned the name homework in. They are very fun and creative and I love how some of your children got their names. We will share them tomorrow at Reading time along with finishing up the sharing of the 10 things. They will be hanging out in the hallway with our 10 Things About posters along with our pictures for you to see at Open House.

We start our Nightly Writing assignment tonight. Students are to write about what makes them happy. I am looking for at least 1/2 page and 4th grade quality. They are to do their best and yes you can help and give input that would be great. They are not going to be graded, but will be used to help us become better writers in all our subject areas. Plus I love them because I learn so much about each student.

Just to let you know we start our day out by journaling feelings, greeting one another, and gathering on the carpet for morning meeting to share feelings and thoughts. We are doing this to make this a safe place for each of us as this is our School Family and we want everyone to feel comfortable. As part of our greeting (which we do to music sometimes) students need to make eye contact and have a firm handshake. We have 4 kinds of greetings we do along with these words: "Good Morning, ______, I am glad you are here". If your child can tell you two of them, write them in the planner for free money tomorrow at check in. Also, we do Rusty from School Tools in the mornings and talk about manners, bully byte, and toolbox question.

Today we started place value in Math with large numbers and will continue.

Social Studies got us doing some map skills and talking about Hurricane Irene which we will be starting tomorrow in Science (hurricanes.)

Spelling list went home tonight. Practice a little bit each night and we will have a practice test this Friday just for a run through on how they work in 4th grade, but no grade will be taken this week only.

Thank you for getting me your email addresses. I am getting them into my computer so please just reply to mine when you get it so I know I have the correct address.

Thank you and have a great night.

So Proud of Our Montana Boys

Wow-what can we say about the Little League All Stars!! They did an awesome job and we are so proud of them. Can't wait for the parade next Saturday when Billings will show them how proud we are. Way to go boys!!!!

Parent Homework: By the time you read this, you probably already finished your homework or at least hopefully your child has given it to you. On Friday, we read the book "Chrysanthemum" in which a girl found out how she got her name. As a connection, students took home a colored card for you to write how they got their name-whom they are named after, etc. These are due on Monday. They will be part of the project we are completing titled: The Top 10 Things You Never Knew About.... If your child can tell you what Chrysanthemum is named after, write it in the planner for free money at check in on Monday.

Looking forward to this next week as we are going to dive into the 4th grade curriculum. I am ready as well as the kids. This means that they will start to have assignments and possibly homework of work that doesn't get finished in school.

Have a great rest of the weekend and get out and enjoy the weather.

Top 10 Things About Ourselves

We had another GREAT day today. In Math, we had lots of fun playing with numbers after reading the book "Missing Math-A Number Mystery". All the numbers disappeared and everyone was lost without them as we found out the many places numbers are used in our lives. If your child can tell you one way, write it in their planner for free money at check in.

Next, we read another great book about self-esteem/character called "Agate". This is a lead in book to our project called: The Top 10 Things About _______. We are starting the writing for that tomorrow along with the Art work. If your child can tell you who Agate was, write it in the planner for more free money at check in.

Great job to all of you who read through and signed all the office papers last night. I know there were a lot-those of you that didn't, please do so tonight. Thank you.

In your child's take home folder is my newsletter. Please read it carefully and also fill out the email part please and return it tomorrow with your child for free money. Thank you.

A few of the students lost some of their money today as they were being disruptive and talking out of turn. Please discuss with your child the appropriate school behaviors as we are trying to create a learning environment for everyone. Thank you.

Have a great night.

Mrs. Hankins

What a Fabulous First Day

We had a great day today and everyone left here smiling even though we were HOT-HOT-HOT!!

I am so excited for all the great things to come this year.

Today we read the book called "The Kissing Hand". Your child made you something special that I hope you will hang on your fridge for their wonderful work this year. Also, be looking for those pictures for our friends & family board.

Please take the time to read all the office papers that came home today. I know there are lots, but they are important and please read & sign the ones in the stapled packet for free money tomorrow at check in. ($300) for all of them.

I didn't send my letter home today as there was so much other stuff so you will get mine tomorrow. :))) It will explain some of our classroom happenings.

Please send a water bottle with your child full of lots of ice and cold water. We will not be taking the extra time to stand at the faucet for drinks.

Also, healthy snacks may be brought to have in the morning at recess break. These need to be healthy-no chips or junk food.

We have PE tomorrow so bring those tennis shoes.

If your child can tell you their favorite thing about today, write it in their planner for free money. ($50).

Have a great night and looking forward to tomorrow.

The 1st Day is Quickly Approaching

As summer vacation is coming to an end, I am working hard to get ready for the fun, exciting year ahead. I am looking forward to meeting and working with all my new, eager 4th graders.

Have a great rest of the summer and see you on August 22nd at the Ice Cream Social/Meet-n-Greet evening from 5:30-6:30. Remember to purchase and bring in all those school supplies.