MCAS Crushers!

MCAS

On Friday we will begin our English Language Arts MCAS testing.  A letter was sent home on Friday explaining the different portions of the test and what students are expected to do.  The dates are also included at the end of this blog.  We have been preparing for the test by learning what the different parts consist of and what we will be expected to do on the day of the test.  We have been building up our confidence and learning ways that we can "beat the test."  In addition, we have been emphasizing that we can do our best by using the strategies we have learned and taking our time. 

We have really treated this test as though it is a game that we can beat.  I have acted as their coach and have tried to dispel any concerns or fears that students may have.  Please encourage your child to try their best and to use their "magic" (the strategies we have learned).  Let me know if you have any questions.

Conferences

Parent teacher conferences will be on Thursday, April 7 and Friday, April 8.  Please don't forget to sign up for a conference on PTC Fast.  I look forward to meeting with everyone!

Regions

Next week students will begin a new Social Studies, Reading, Writing and Technology project.  We will be integrating many of the fourth grade subjects by reading, researching, and writing about a chosen region of the United States.  There will be many student choices in the project and will be largely interest driven.  Stay tuned for more updates!

Prezi

We have been learning about reading non-fiction and how to determine what is important out of all of the information in a non-fiction reading selection.  We have also been learning how to identify the main idea and supporting details.  To help us learn this we read and took notes on a chosen non-fiction topic such as National Parks, polar bears, animal survival skills etc.  We then utilized Prezi which is similar to Power Point (but much more updated and motivating!) to create presentations that highlighted the main ideas and supporting details of what we had read.  The pictures below show students presenting their Prezi's to the class.  You can ask your child to present their Prezi to you by going online to www.prezi.com.

Upcoming Dates

4/1, 4/4, 4/5 - ELA MCAS TESTING
4/5 - 4/8 - Book Fair
4/7 & 4/8 - Parent Teacher Conferences