Newsletter - September 27th

Dear Parents,

I hope everyone had a wonderful week. We had another busy week here at Summit! The weather has been wonderful, hasn’t it?  How can you be anything but cheery when you get to play outside in sunny, cloudless days? 

We’ve spent the first several weeks of school building community in our classroom.  We have worked hard to create an environment where everyone feels safe to be themselves.  This feeling of well-being will enhance learning.  I’m so proud of our students for accepting each other, being patient, and showing kindness when we sometimes don’t feel like it!  Congratulations, Class!  We are becoming a family!

Parents, do you enjoying reading to your children?  Students, do you enjoy being read to?  I would like to invite any parents, older siblings, grandparents, relatives, or other special people to surprise your child by being a “Mystery Reader” this year in our classroom.  Students LOVE having their family, friends, and relatives visit our classroom to share in our learning by reading a favorite story aloud to our class.  Mystery Readers will visit us on Fridays around 12:40 p.m. each week.  Readers are asked to bring a book to read or read a teacher-chosen book from our classroom library.  There are many open dates to choose from throughout the year.  You can either sign up here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054EA8A92CA20-mystery  or send your top three choices in a “top secret” envelope to school with your child.  I will get back to you as soon as I can to confirm your official Mystery Reader date.  Remember, you are a mystery to the class, so try not to tell your child when you will be coming!  Please see me or drop me a “secret” note if you have any further questions. 

Have a hip-happenin’ weekend!

Working Together,

Ms. Tammy Myers

Fourth Grade Teacher

Summit Intermediate

Nixa Public Schools

Cheer Words

- two                     - larger

- was                    - smaller

- beautiful             - scarier

- unfinished          - happier

- impression         - funnier

Upcoming Events

Sept27—Mum pick up after school

Oct 11 – End of 1^st Quarter - ½ day of school

Oct 14-17 – Parent/Teacher conferences – I’ll email times to sign up for next week.  J

Oct 23—Picture retakes

Oct 25—No school

Oct 31—PTA Fall Parties—more info to come

The PTA volunteers who are completing Book Fair decorations for our “Reading Oasis” theme are in need of LOTS of 2 liter bottles.  We would really appreciate it if you have any to donate.  They can be brought in to the library.

Newsletter - September 20th

Dear Parents,

Where did the week go?  I’ve enjoyed working with your child and celebrating their success with them.  They are the reason why I love my job!

In fourth grade we work hard to help students become responsible, self-motivated learners.  Hopefully, your child is coming home excited about his/her learning, giving you a window into our classroom.  We work hard in our teams, as partners, and individually to learn in many different ways.  And, of course, we take time to celebrate with each other along the way.  As September (and our Character word: responsibility) come to an end, here is just a quick reminder of things students should be doing as responsible fourth graders.

      

~ correct any missed problems on Morning Work every night 

~ read out loud at least 15 minutes, 4 nights a week and fill out their own Reading Log

~ return your Friday Folder Signature Sheet on Monday

~ go over their Assignment Book with you (This is a chance for them to show off all they’re learning!  Trust me, you’ll be amazed!)

Together, we can make this one of the most successful years ever!

Working Together,

Ms. Tammy Myers

Fourth Grade Teacher

Summit Intermediate

Nixa Public Schools

Multiplication Contracts will be starting soon.  To avoid a contract, students need to score an 80% or better on the weekly timed test.

Spelling Words

- too                   - nighttime

- favorite            - doorbell

- into                  - classroom

- governor          - downstairs

- submarine       - classmate

Upcoming Events

Sept 24—Skate Night-80s theme 6:00-8:00

Sept27—Mum pick up after school

Oct 11 – End of 1^st Quarter - ½ day of school

Oct 14-17 – Parent/Teacher conferences – more info to come

Oct 23—Picture retakes

Oct 25—No school

Oct 31—PTA Fall Parties—more info to come

Newsletter - September 13th

Dear Parents,

This week marks mid-quarter, grade checks will go home TODAY. As you’re going over these grades with your child, I want to make you aware that first quarter is a lot of review from third grade.  Being successful in first quarter is essential to achievement in the following three quarters.  Keep in mind, first quarter we take time to go over procedures and complete beginning of the year testing.  Because of this, there are a minimal number of assignments at this time, but these will still give an indication as to if your child is struggling.  

While Social Studies and Science include a lot of participation points, Math/Reading/Writing/Spelling grades mainly come from quizzes, tests, assignments that require students to show their learning independently.  I do offer the second chance to correct and return tests that are below a C.  I have noticed not a lot of students are taking advantage of this.  Learning from mistakes is powerful!

In an effort to learn from our mistakes, we’ve started “coding” our check-ups.  For each question students missed, they will put “SM” (or a silly face) if they made a silly mistake.  Silly mistakes are things like not reading directions, adding or subtracting wrong, skipping the problem, not showing work, not including labels etc..  They will be responsible for correcting their silly mistakes on their own.  If there is a ? by a problem, this means they missed it because they were unclear of what to do or they simply didn’t understand how to work it.  I will be helping students correct these types of mistakes.  It’s a great opportunity for re-teaching! 

Finally, Math homework will begin next week for students earning below an 75%.  The homework will come home Monday through Thursday and will be only 5 questions per night.  J

       

Please take a moment to go over your child’s grades with him/her, sign, and return the grade slip to school on Monday. As always, if you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me. Hope your weekend is fun and relaxing!

Working Together,

Ms. Tammy Myers

Fourth Grade Teacher

Summit Intermediate

Nixa Public Schools

*The PTA membership drive ends Friday, September 20^th!  Have you had a chance to join?  There’s a competition among fourth grade.  So far we’re a bit behind.  We have 6 memberships, while the top class has 17!  Please consider helping boost our number by joining.  PTA provides tons of support and resources for our school.  Thanks!

Next week in…

Reading: Students will be accessing their SCHEMA while they make connections to Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, to help them relate to the story.  This is an important strategy that helps the students comprehend the text.

Writing: Students will be revising a personal narrative story that has been drafted.  They will be adding more descriptive language, figurative language and beginning the process of editing.

Math: Students will continue working subtraction problems using different solving strategies.

Science: Student will be finishing up their exploration of soil and will complete a unit quiz as well as a fun and tasty model of our soil.

Spelling Words

- could                   - running

- to                         - swimming

- excited                 - hopping

- expensive            - beginning

- independence      - winning

Upcoming Dates

Sept 24—Skate Night-80s theme 6:00-8:00

Newsletter - September 6th

Dear Parents,

Where did this week go?  I am so looking forward to a full five days next week with this amazing group of students.  I know that I’ve said this before, but I really do LOVE each and every moment with these kids.  Thank you for allowing me to spend each day with your child. 

In the classroom we’ve been talking about what we can do to show each other respect and how to be team players.  We’ve discussed the fact that this year we’ll see each other more than we see our family!  We’re committed to providing a safe, accepting learning environment for each and every student.  I’m proud of our class for being mature enough to openly and honestly communicate with each other to solve our problems together. J

Please make sure to look for your child’s Friday Folder signature sheet because I wrote down your child’s SRI score.  This is the reading test they take in the computer lab.  The normal range for fourth grade is 600-900.  Please check the score and compare it with where they are supposed to be.

 

Speaking of reading, check out this illustration, and you will see why reading is SO important.  This amazes me!  I know that it is hard to make sure that reading happens in the evening because life is so busy, but it is so important for your child’s success!

I am sure you noticed the oversized envelope that went home last Friday.  We are doing a donation drive so that money that comes back to the school will directly benefit our students.  Ask your child about some fun incentives the school is offering.

Yearbook early order discount has been extended for one week only.  The discount rate ($16) will still be available Sept. 9 – 13.  Order now by going to www.jostensyearbooks.com. Yearbook sales will resume in November at the normal rate of $18.50.  Reserve your yearbook today!

Have you joined PTA? We’re having a class membership contest and the class with the most memberships for each grade level will win an extra recess and a snow-cone party!

Have a wonderful weekend.  Enjoy the beautiful sunshine!

Working together,

Ms. Tammy Myers

Fourth Grade Teacher

Summit Intermediate

Nixa Public Schools

Spelling Words

- want                   - stood

- again                  - football

- really                  - took

- hopeless            - brook

- unfriendly          - wood

Important Dates:

Sept. 11^th – School Pictures (Be sure to be on time.  We’ll be taking our pictures at 7:45 a.m.)