Still Testing

As the school year settles down, many routines become ingrained in the minds of students.  Some learn quicker than others but more importantly, we all learn.  It's helpful to have a daily academic routine.  Many people thrive on consistency and predictability while others yearn for new experiences and unexpected challenges.  Whatever the personality, our classroom tries to cater them all with a variety of learning experiences, expectations, opportunities, and challenges.  

When the sporadic series of first month evaluation testing subsides, regular curriculum schedules can fall into place.  In order to complement some of our curricular programs, the fourth grade teachers deem is necessary to offer different kinds of activities, lessons, and worksheets.  A pair publications we like to use, especially for Social Studies, is Time For Kids and Scholastic News.  Both periodicals have great websites full of current events, young pop culture news, and tons of online activities.  

Open-Court Reading is the curriculum guide we use for whole class Basal reading.  While we are now reading about one story a week, that will not always be the case.  As the year progresses, our class will engage in novel studies and extension lessons.  Weeks when we do have an Open-Court story students will be assessed on their story comprehension, vocabulary, and writing analysis skills through a traditional paper and pencil test.  These tests are necessary components of fourth grade language arts and will prove helpful in preparation for standardized testing. 

The last item for this week's post is a mention of the not-to-far-off field trip to The Grove in Glenview, Illinois.  As a National Historic Landmark, The Grove is a wonderful place for students to learn about and explore the biodiversity of Illinois.  The changing season is prime time for an educational excursion to a site full of history and wildlife.  Check the "Upcoming Events" section on the right hand side of the blog for this trip and other happenings. 

Labor Day Week

The past two days for students have been spent taking a Cognitive Ability Test, called CogAT for short.  The test is a measure of thinking ability by students and will be used to help curtail individualized instruction.  With a strict testing protocol in place, the exam offered a good opportunity to get familiar with paper and pencil testing procedures in fourth grade.  Computer based testing procedures will be taught and practiced next week when fourth graders take the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) for the first time.   

Today, students were given a break from classroom testing to visit the auditorium for a presentation from our Media Specialist and Reading teacher.  The two presented the Read to Feed program our school is participating in this year.  Each child will receive a packet that details the program and gives necessary information to get started with helping to build stronger communities around the world.   Starting the process  is simple.  All your child has to do is read! 

With so many different activities happening in the beginning of the school year, it may be difficult for students to get into a daily and nightly routine.  Please help your child by setting aside time after school or at night to read, complete homework assignments, and find enrichment activities.  Reading should be as routine for children as it is for adults.  Homework assignments should be written in student planners.  Enrichment activities can be things your child is working on at home or online activities and websites that focus on specific skills or brain development.  All fourth grade teachers at Mann have blogs set up with great links to get your child learning using online tools.  If there is a site you or your child has found that is especially engaging, please share it with me and I'll add it to one of my lists.