Birthdays!
Upcoming Dates
Important Info.
September 1 - Trojan Code Assembly Kick-off
September 4 – Labor Day, No School
September 12 – CPS Picture Day
September 29 - Trojan Trot, WCHS Homecoming, Half Day
Thanks to everyone who donated candy to our classroom – at this time, I think we have enough candy for the next several weeks/months. When we start running low, I will ask for more donations to the class!
Education is definitely all about teamwork! I appreciate you joining the team and being willing to help out when and where you are able.
You are amazing! You are appreciated! Thanks!
No Birthday This School Year Yet!
-4A’s August Newsletter-
Ms. Davidshofer
Wonders
Wonders is our English Language Arts curriculum, so it focuses on reading, writing, grammar, but it also incorporates our science and social studies.
We started our first unit with Wonders this week. Students have been learning about:
-4A’s August Newsletter-
Ms. Davidshofer
Math
Our math curriculum this year is new at Central. We no longer have Everyday Math. Instead, our new curriculum is called Reveal.
Last week, students took the diagnostic math test, so we could see what they already knew.
Then, we started our first unit this week, which is focusing on getting students talking about mathematics. (You can see some photos of our math superheroes on another slide of this newsletter!) Please note this first unit will not have an assessment/test at the conclusion of it.
What have we been learning?
STAR Reading/Math
During the week of August 28-September 1, your student took the STAR Reading and Math tests. More information about their results and scores on these assessments will be coming home in the coming weeks.
Trojans Code
Throughout the year, we’ll continue to focus on the Trojans Code. There will be monthly assemblies to celebrate students who are seen embodying what it means to be a Central Trojan! We’ll also have Social Emotional lessons supported by our SEL curriculum, Second Step, on Tuesdays throughout the year.
Absences + Make Up Work
Please call the office if your child is going to be absent or late on a school day. The number is 309-444-3580. I would also appreciate an email or communication on Bloomz, so I can plan the day accordingly since we will do many small group activities during the day that your student will take part.
School policy does not require for work to be sent home prior to a vacation when your child will be missing school. Make-up work will be sent home after your child returns to school, however, you can always reach out to me ahead of time if you are interested in taking materials or work with you for your student to work on while they are gone.
A Little About Our Classroom
-4A’s August Newsletter-
Ms. Davidshofer
Birthdays
We will celebrate birthdays this year in many fun ways! At CPS edible or non-edible treats will be allowed, however they’re not expected or required. Please make sure to send enough treats for everyone. We have 27 people in total in our classroom. If you choose to send edible treats, please remember they must be store bought and NUT FREE. This means they cannot say “may contain nuts” or “processed on equipment with nuts”. We ask that NO party invitations be passed out at school unless the WHOLE class, or ALL �the boys or ALL the girls are invited.
Star of the Week
Your child will be assigned a week during which he or she will be the focus of a display in our classroom called STAR OF THE WEEK! This student spotlight will allow students to practice their oral language skills, to socialize with their friends, and to share important events in their life with their friends. Your child will be asked to complete an ‘All About Me’ page prior to their week and will be allowed to bring in pictures and items to display/share as well. The forms will be sent home prior to their Star week. The schedule for the year will be coming home in the coming weeks.
More About Our Classroom
-4A’s August Newsletter-
Ms. Davidshofer
Bloomz + Other Communication
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If you haven’t signed up for our classroom Bloomz account, please sign up for the to make sure you don’t miss out on any reminders and the photos – I will post lots of photos!
Bloomz class code: M9P4F4
Throughout the year, you can expect emails from me through Skyward as well. I will also send digital monthly newsletters to show you everything that we have been learning and will be learning about in our class.
Snacks + Water Bottles
Students will be given 5 minutes for a snack break in the afternoon each day. The snack they bring should be something they can eat in 5 minutes so as not to lose too much instructional time. Students are responsible for their own snacks. REMEMBER THIS IS A NUT-FREE CLASSROOM! To be considered “nut-free”, snacks cannot contain traces of nuts OR be made on equipment that processes nuts or peanuts.
Water bottles are allowed in the classroom throughout the entire year. I strongly encourage filling them up before coming to school in the morning to avoid long lines at arrival.
Homework
Please check your student’s GREEN Take-Home folder everyday. The homework will be copied from the board daily on their planner. These planners must be returned daily. Please check your child’s planner and folder each night to help reinforce your student’s development of positive work habits including - recording, planning, prioritizing, and goal setting.
Classroom Management Systems
-4A’s August Newsletter-
Ms. Davidshofer
Trojan Tickets
Trojan Tickets will be a grade-level classroom management system for holding students accountable for their homework and behavior. Failure to turn in homework or have good behavior will result in losing Trojan Tickets. The consequences when losing Trojan Tickets are as follows:
Students will receive a new Trojan Tickets sheet each quarter, so they will start over on their counts every 9 weeks.
There will be a reward/party at the end of each quarter for students who have enough tickets to participate. If a student received a detention in either the category of homework or behavior will be unable to attend the party at the end of the quarter. You can see your child’s Trojan Tickets in the back of their green take-home folder. This quarter, they are on a bright purple piece of paper, but the color will change each quarter.
Other
Throughout the year, I will use other methods for classroom management in my room. However, the names and methods of these might change throughout the year depending on student needs, holidays, seasons, etc. (Sometimes some methods just don’t work, and things need to be mixed up!)
We will start the school year with some positive reinforcement methods such as table points and classroom fist bumps/face palms. Both methods allow the tables/whole class to work towards a reward. Some rewards might be:
Feel free to ask your child or me about our current classroom systems that are in place or what reward they are currently working towards!
AR Reading Goals for 4th Grade
-4A’s August Newsletter-
Ms. Davidshofer
Independent Reading
Each quarter, your fourth grade student will receive an AR Bingo Board. (Every student will receive the same bingo card.)
Their goal will be to complete one four-box bingo throughout the quarter with their independent AR reading. (Requirements for the AR goal can be seen in the image to the right.)
Students, who meet their AR goal and have enough coupons on their Trojan Tickets, will be able to attend the quarterly reward party. Trust me – they won’t want to miss it!
You can see your child’s progress on their AR Goal as well as their Trojan Tickets in their green take home folder. This quarter, their AR BINGO is on a bright teal piece of paper and the Trojan Tickets is on a purple piece of paper.
Scholastic Book Orders
Scholastic Book Order forms will sent home monthly or every 3-4 weeks depending on the frequency of the flyers. (The first flyers went out this week with a due date of September 8th.) With the flyers will be a letter reminding you of the due date. The easiest way for you to order online is to order online using the login information and class code on the letter (and linked from our classroom website). The dollars spent earn us bonus points for materials and books for our classroom! This is one way I am able to get new books for our classroom library throughout the year! Thanks for your continued support!
-4A’s August Newsletter-
Ms. Davidshofer
4A Rock, Paper, Scissors Champion
Photos from August
A is for Attitude: After reading “The Dot” and talking about our attitudes, the students created their own version of “dots” which are on display in the 3/4 collab space!
-4A’s August Newsletter-
Ms. Davidshofer
Cup Towers: can you build a tower without touching the cups?
-4A’s August Newsletter-
Ms. Davidshofer
More fun photos!
How long of a paper chain can you make in 10 minutes with ONLY one piece of paper and one glue stick? (No scissors allowed!)
-4A’s August Newsletter-
Ms. Davidshofer
More fun photos!
Math superheroes with their math superpowers!
Combining art, creativity, and math together in one assignment.
-4A’s August Newsletter-
Ms. Davidshofer
J is for Joyful: after having a dance party in 4A, we decided to spread joy to others in the building by making cards for Ms. Venegonia and Mrs. Rogers as they are making lots of changes with bus dismissal and lunches to ensure students and staff remain joyful throughout the day!