Helen Keller

The photograph above shows Helen Keller as a child with her teacher Annie Sullivan.  Helen was born with normal hearing and vision, but she lost both faculties due to a serious illness.  Despite her disabilities, Helen grew up to be an accomplished person.  She graduated from college and went on to become a famous author, activist and lecturer.  Fourth graders have been learning about Helen and her amazing accomplishments.

Today's homework:

1.  Math Miss W:  Fluency practice
              Mr. Spaulding:  p. 435-436.
2.  Practice Spelling Test.
3.  Read for half an hour.
4.  Get parent initials.



Fluency practice

Weathering

Fourth graders are learning how natural processes can weather rock.

A big thank you to all the parents who came out for our Fort Tejon meeting.  If you were unable to get to the meeting, we will send information home.

Today's homework:
     1.  Math Miss W:  p. 372
                   Mr. Spaulding:  p. 429-430.
     2.  Minerals
     3.  Read for half an hour.
     4.  Get parent initials.

Blindfolded!

As part of our study of Louis Braille and Helen Keller fourth graders today took turns being blindfolded and leading a blindfolded partner around school.  Students then wrote about the experience.

REMINDER:  Don't forget our parent meeting to discuss our Fort Tejon trip, this evening starting at 6:00.

Today's homework:
     1.  Math Miss W: p.364.
                   Mr. Spaulding:  p. 423-424.
     2.  Fluency "Sequoia."
     3.  Read for half an hour.
     4.  Get  parent initials.

Fort Tejon Meeting Tomorrow Evening

Don't forget we have an important meeting for parents tomorrow evening to discus our upcoming trip to Fort Tejon.

Fort Tejon Meeting Tuesday January 28

6:00-6:30 Information for all parents

6:30-7:00 Information for parents interested in going on the trip

Today's homework:

     1.  Math Miss W: p. 357-358..

                   Mr. Spaulding: p. 417-418.

     2.  Spelling p. 92-93.

     3.  Read for half an hour.

     4.  Get parent initials.

Yearbook Inside Cover Drawing Contest

We are having a contest to design the inside cover art for our yearbook.  The design must contain the words Rio Vista Elementary School and illustrate this year's theme of "new beginnings."  Our school colors are red and black and our mascot is the road runner.  All drawing must be original.

Today's homework:
     1.  Math Miss W: no homework.
                   Mr. Spaulding: no homework.
     2.  Practice spelling test.
     3.  Study science review sheet.
     4.  Read for half an hour.
     5.  Get parent initials.

Louis Braille

Fourth graders are learning about Louis Braille and the invention of the Braille alphabet.  Young Louis was blinded in an accident when he was three years old.  When he grew older and went to school for blind children, he discovered that there was no good method for blind people to read.  There were books with raised print, but they were expensive and difficult to read.  Louis invented a system of raised dots that could be used as an easily read code for blind people.   Today the Braille system is used all around the world and has brought literacy to millions.

Today's homework:
     1.  Math Miss W:  p.351-352.
                   Mr. Spaulding: p. 399-400.
     2.  Fluency "Guide Dogs."
     3.  Read for half an hour.
     4.  Get parent initials.

Spelling Bee

Congratulations to our Rio Vista Spelling Bee winners Brandynn and Genevieve.  Congratulations also to all the participants in the Spelling Bee, including Derrick, Johnathan and Brenda from our room.  You all did a great job and we are proud of you.

Today's homework:
     1.  Water worksheet.
     2.  Math Miss W: p. 337.
                   Mr. Spaulding: p. 383-384.
     3.  Read for half an hour.
     4.  Get parent initials.

The Rock Cycle

There are three main types of rocks: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.  Rocks can change from one type to another through a process we call the rock cycle.  Rocks are constantly being formed, worn down, and formed again.  This process can take a long time - thousands, or even millions of years.

NOTE:  Our Rio Vista Spelling Bee is tomorrow.  Remember to study your words!

Today's homework:
     1.  Math Miss W: p. 333-334.
                   Mr. Spaulding: p. 377-378
     2.  Fluency "Surviving the Storm."
     3.  Read for half an hour.
     4.  Get parent initials.

Sedimentary Rocks

Fourth graders are learning about sedimentary rocks.

• Sedimentary rocks are formed by sediment that is deposited over time, usually as layers at the bottom of lakes and oceans..
• This sediment can include minerals, small pieces of plants and other organic matter.
• The sediment is compressed over a long period of time before consolidating into solid layers of rock.

Homework for today:

     1.  Spelling p. 80-81.

     2.  Math Miss W:  No homework

                  Mr. Spaulding:  p. 371-372.

     3.  Read for half an hour.

     4.  Get parent initials.

Pearl S. Buck

Our story this week, The Big Wave, was written by Pearl. S. Buck.  She lived in Asia for many years and wrote stories set there.  She won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1938.

Homework for today:
      1.  Spelling practice test.
      2.  Math Miss W: chapter test
                     Mr. Spaulding: p. 363-364.
      3.  Read for half an hour.
      4.  Get parent initials.

Igneous Rocks

It is a fourth grade science standard to understand that their are three main categories of rocks: igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic.

Igneous rocks are formed when magma (molten rock underground) or lava (molten rock above ground) cool and harden.

Today's homework:
     1.  Fluency "Mount Pelee."
     2.  Math Miss W: p. 313-314.
                   Mr. Spaulding: p. 357-358.
     3.  Read for half an hour.
     4.  Get parent initials.

Tsunami!

Fourth graders are learning about tsunamis, also called tidal waves.  Tsunamis are huge waves of water that are usually caused by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions.  This week we are reading a story by Pearl S. Buck called The Big Wave.  It is the story of two little boys in Japan who are friends and what happens to them when a tsunami strikes their village.

Homework:
     1.  Spelling p. 76-77.
     2.  Math Miss W: p. 309-310
                  Mr. Spaulding: p. 351-352.
     3.  Read for half an hour.
     4.  Get parent initials.