Social Studies Research packet

I wanted to clarify the Research Paper Scaffold packet. This packet was discussed in detail with each class. It is to be used to assist in writing their Social Studies research paper. This is not a homework assignment. The students were instructed to use this in order to help them with their planning and organizing for their final paper. The second page will prove especially helpful. The students can use this page to help with their note taking. They can keep track of all the books and websites that they are using. They are able to write important facts from what they have read, as well as a summary of the notes that were found. This summarizing will help them to avoid accidental plagiarism. I would like to see their thinking and their organization. If they use any of the packet, I would like for them to turn it in with their paper, or with their poster board after winter break. Again, this is not a required assignment. The packet is simply for them to use in order to help organize their thinking and research!
Mrs. Kirchner

Important Information

Field Trip
Just a friendly reminder the field trip permission slip for January 15th was sent home again in your child's Monday folder. Please check this so if you would like to attend, you can sign and return to your child's teacher.

Scholastic Book Orders
Scholastic Book Orders were sent home for the month of December. All orders will be submitted on December 22nd! Mrs. Nauman's class code is JKKPC  and Mrs. Kirchner's class code is P7J6L if you would like to place an order online. Scholars who ordered this month received a James Patterson incentive and Snoopy erasers. Thank you to all who ordered. It is very much appreciated.

Parent Volunteers
We are in need of parent volunteers for the month of December. We need volunteers for door decorating for our upcoming BOX TOPS SNOWBALL FIGHT, which will start when we return from winter break.
We could always use assistance with filing, copying, etc. Please email Mrs. Kirchner or me to let us know what day or time works best for you. Thank you for your continued support and assistance.

Donations
We are in need of donations for our winter party on December 22nd.
Plates
Napkins
*Any food donations need to be store bought.
Capri Suns
Water
Oreos/Cookies
Cupcakes
Chips (Sun chips, etc.)

STEM Fair
We will be starting our independent STEM Fair projects after winter break. Scholars will have to select a topic prior to winter break. Due dates will be distributed once they are established by 3-5th grade team. Thank you.

Clarification on Upcoming Field Trip

There has been some questions regarding the upcoming field trip at the Housing Center. The field trip is a cooking class demonstration and the purpose(objective) is to promote healthy eating. The cost is $13.00. The cost is for the food for each scholar to prepare and then eat. Scholars will also receive their own salsa to take home and/or eat during lunch. 
There is also a typo in the year. At the top right of the permission slip, it states 1/15/15. It is supposed to read 1/15/16. I hope this provides clarification.
If you give permission for your child to participate in this field trip, please return a signed permission slip and the money in an envelope with your child's name. It will make it easier for Mrs. Kirchner and me to keep track of everyone who paid. Thank you for your continued support in Fourth Grade. :0)

Social Studies Project Sign-Up

Today in class, all students signed up for the person they were interested in researching for their Revolutionary War research report. This is the person they will research and write a paper about. This paper is due on December 23!
The students will present a poster and short speech as their character the week they return from winter break, January 4-8.

All students have received a packet of information regarding this project.

Student	Person Being Researched
Kayla Ambris	Molly Pitcher
Lacey Banks	Mercy Otis Warren
Trinity Battle	Abigail Adams
Jesus Berlanga	George Washington
Cristian Bowman	Benjamin Franklin
Norlynn Broadax	Betsy Ross
Zackariah Brutus	General Thomas Gage
Jayden Bury	Paul Revere
Danny Castano	King George III
Matthew Collier	King George III
Arielle Deville	Nancy Hart
Jadon Evans	Marquis de Lafayette
LeBarron Gordon	Thomas Jefferson
Walter Higdon	Paul Revere
Annabelle Hupp	Captain Thomas Preston
Tayla Lawton	Phillis Wheatley
Jordan Madden	Benjamin Franklin
Rayna Martin	Thomas Paine
Alayna Pratt	Abigail Adams
Lorene "Sophia" Robles	Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Riley Ruiz	King George III
William "Chris" Sanders	George Washington
Maryah Wimbush	Deborah Sampson
Destiny Wright	Betsy Ross
Taraun Carey	Henry Knox
Cameron Blanding	Benedict Arnold
Daja Allen	Betsy Ross
Mason Samuels	Samuel Adams
Taliyah Battle	Betsy Ross
Krystal Bryant	Deborah Sampson
Nevaeh Chew	Betsy Ross
Jonathan Collins	Nathan Hale
Jordyn Deville	Marquis de Lafayette
Bryce Elizer	Deborah Sampson
Alyssa Field	Betsy Ross
Countess Gordon	Benjamin Franklin
Jasmine Griffin	Abigail Adams
Mitchell Hood	John Adams
Jerome Linear-Owens	James Madison
MaKalia Luellen	Deborah Sampson
Michael Martin	Paul Revere
Jaydan McEachin	(not chosen yet)
Hayden Miller	Paul Revere
Tylee Moore	Deborah Sampson
Evan Quiroz	Thomas Jefferson
Jaerel Reyes	Captain Thomas Preston
Robert Richardson	Benjamin Franklin
Anjae Scott	King George III
Erielle Smith	Sybil Ludington
Joella Smith	Abigail Adams
Christian Tibuni	General Cornwallis
Marty Walcott	George Washington
Joshua Whitaker	Alexander Hamilton
RJ Williams	George Washington
Wesley Wilson	Henry Knox

Friendly reminders and updates

Scholastic Book Orders
Just a friendly reminder, I will place the Scholastic Book Orders for November on Monday, November 23rd. Scholars will receive their books after Thanksgiving Break. Thank you to those who have already placed online orders and who submitted flyer orders. It is helping to build our class library. If you would like to place an order, it is not too late. Our class code is JKKPC.

Honor Roll Assembly
We would like to thank all parents who came to support Fourth Grade in our First Quarter Honor Roll Assembly. We look forward to second quarter.

Parent Volunteers
Please email me if you would like to volunteer in my classroom. I am in need of changing bulletin boards after Thanksgiving, filing, copying as always and door decorating for the upcoming Box Tops Snowball Fight. If you would like to help, please email the day and time that is convenient for you. ~Mrs. Nauman

Assignments over Thanksgiving Break
From Mrs. Nauman- There will be 1 assignment over break. It is to color the geometric pattern we are working on in class now. Scholars are using class time to measure all the angles in the geometric pattern. We will continue to work on it Monday and Tuesday of this upcoming week. Scholars will have time to color in class, if they are finished measuring the angles. If you child is absent Monday and Tuesday, they will have to finish measuring and color this pattern over break.
   I want everyone to enjoy time with their families as this is important to all children and adults. If you have any questions or concerns, please email me. Thank you and I hope you enjoy your holiday and family time.

Chemistry Projects
Thank you for all the support from parents to assist your child on the Chemistry project. They look fabulous. My goal is to have them all graded by the time we return from break.

STEM Fair
     We will be starting our class STEM Fair project after break. Please look in your child's Science folder for their class model of the "trifold board". Scholars will start to think about what they would like to do for their individual STEM project and select their topic BEFORE leaving on Winter Break. If you would like to get a head start, please visit the following website and have your child fill out the survey. http://www.sciencebuddies.org/
    It will assist in determining some possibilities in projects, he/she might enjoy. If you would like to wait for the STEM Fair book provided by the school, this is fine as well. There is a list of topics in the book to choose from.
    It is my goal to make the STEM Fair process as seamless as possible for both scholars and parents.As always if you have any questions or concerns, please email me or call. Thank you.

Chemistry Project

Just a friendly reminder the Chemistry project is due this Wednesday, November 18th. Your child should have the slip of paper they chose 4 weeks ago. I have been receiving many emails asking about what element scholars have chosen. This was a project given 4 weeks ago. The following is the handout given to scholars. I have also given many scholars multiple copies (2 or 3) since they have lost the originals. The learning advice is what I will be looking at when grading scholars' books.

Atomic Structure

Web quest Project

Due: Wednesday, November 18, 2015

You are an author trying to increase the popularity of your children’s reference book series. To do this your publisher has indicated that there are not enough science books written specifically written for children on the topic of the periodic table.

Write a children book appropriate for a first or second grade child on the topic of the element you are assigned. The format of your book should include:

Cover: the book’s cover should have the name of your atom, your name, and class.

Table of Contents: One page long listing the interesting stuff you’ve put in your book and the page it can be found on.

Basic Information: On a separate page, discuss each of the 5 pieces of information listed below. 

1.  The atomic number, the atomic mass, symbol, a simplified drawing of the atomic nucleus (color code the particles).

2.  A short history of the element

3.  What it looks like in its pure form (computer picture or drawn) and its physical state at room temperature (solid, liquid, gas)

4.  Discuss how common the element is in nature and where it is commonly found.

5.  Discuss two common uses for the element.

Compounds that the atom can make:

Include 2 compounds that can be made using the element; giving their names, formulas, picture (chemical/molecular and common appearance) and what they are used for (1 page for each compound)

When your book is complete, it should be 9 pages long including the cover page.

Below is a list of teacher-approved websites to help you find the information you need to complete your children's book.

Remember: classroom handouts, worksheets, and your textbook are also great resources to help you with this assignment.

Web Elements
Links to Periodic Tables
LennTech Periodic Table
History of the Elements from Los Alamos National Laboratory 
History of Chemistry
Natural Science Page - Atomic Structure
Photographic Periodic Table
Environmental Chemistry.com's Periodic Table
Elementymology
Chem4Kids
ChemicalElements.com
Online College Libraries: Chemistry for Kids

Make a list of everything you need to know about the element. Use this checklist as you construct your book. Points will be deducted for missed information. Take a look at the grading rubric that is included at the end of the web quest so you have an idea of what you should include in your checklist

Learning Advice

Be sure that your project is:

Chemically accurate: now is not the time to make stuff up. While creativity is appreciated, don't lose points supplying incorrect information in trying to get the project done faster.

Neatly done: it doesn't need to be done on the computer, however, hand written books need to be written neatly with clear printing. White out is a bad thing. If you make a mistake on a page, start over!

Correctly spelled: one point will be deducted per misspelled word. If you are not sure about the spelling, look it up, or use spell check.

Done to specifications: the finished size should be 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches. That is the size of standard printer paper, folded in half.

Colorful: but not distractingly so.

On time: there will be a full letter grade deduction per day late.

Report Cards

First quarter report cards were sent home today. Please look for your child's report card and sign and return the envelope. Thank you.