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.