Mrs. Gilormo's Fabulous Fourth Graders

MAY 2009

We are winding down the school year, although we have a lot of great things planned for the month of May.  As you know, the Boosterthon Fun Run has been postponed until Monday, May 11.  Please come cheer us on as we raise money for technology at Mountain View.  Thank you for your pledges!  The participation was phenomenal!  I am so proud of the Gladiators!  We also have been rehearsing for our annual fourth grade musical.  This year we will be performing "The American Revolution".  Please mark your calendars for the morning of  May 19.  Our end of the year celebration will be on Thursday, May 21 at 12:00.  The entire fourth grade will be having a Luau complete with refreshments, games, and music!  We certainly have a lot to celebrate.  This has been an exceptional year!  I have truly enjoyed teaching my students and I am so pleased with their progress!  Thank you for your support in this year long journey!  Have a wonderful summer!

MAY DATES TO REMEMBER

MAY 11- BOOSTERTHON FUN RUN- 12:15 P.M.

MAY 11- ACCELERATED READER PICNIC

MAY 15- 3-5 FIELD DAY
MAY 19- FOURTH GRADE MUSICAL "THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION"- 8:30 A.M.
MAY 21- LUAU
MAY 22- LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

MAY CURRICULUM

MATH- GEOMETRY & DATA REVIEW AND ENRICHMENT
SCIENCE- ECOLOGY
SOCIAL STUDIES- INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
HEALTH- SAFETY
LANGUAGE ARTS:
SPELLING- UNIT 34
VOCABULARY-WORDLY WISE- LESSON 15-16
ENGLISH-PROOFREADING &  EDITING
WRITING- PERSUASIVE ESSAYS
READING- AUTHOR STUDY- ROALD DAHL

BOOSTERTHON FUN RUN

Hello Parents! 

I hope your child brought home the Boosterthon Fun Run DVD and pledge book.  The students attended a high energy pep rally for the event and learned that the program will teach them how to DREAM BIG! The principles of the program are fitness (is fun), education (is exciting) and character (is cool).  Your child should have asked you to "press play" on the DVD and started thinking about getting 10 pledges. The school is very excited about this event and the possibility to raise significant funds for the Mountain View Foundation and technology, specifically.

The Boosterthon team will be visiting the classes everyday from now until the fun run on Wednesday, May 6th. Students will receive prizes for the levels of pledges they receive throughout the week and all students will receive a free t-shirt. There are classroom incentives also, so help support the class!  Please encourage your child to participate and get those pledges!  Please mark you calendars for the event - Wednesday, May 6th. We want every parent to attend and be "superfans" for our students. The schedule is as follows: 

Wednesday May 6^th: Boosterthon Fun Run!

9:45-11:00 (K-1st)

11:00-12:15 (2nd-3rd)

12:15-1:30 (4th-5th) 

Please visit the following website for more information!

www.boosterthonsuperfan.com

GO GILORMO'S GLADIATORS!!!!

APRIL 2009

April has arrived and we are counting the days until Spring Break!  We are keeping up with the rigorous pace of the fourth grade curriculum and we have been practicing for the CRCT in the computer lab.We have completed the Junior Achievement program and I would like to thank Mrs. Holley for facilitating our lessons.  She did an exceptional job and the students had fun and learned a great deal about economics. Students have been working hard to achieve their goals and they certainly have earned some "time off" to relax and enjoy their families and friends.  Get some extra sleep, but do plan on reading daily!  Please mark your calendar with the upcoming CRCT dates- April 21-April 27.  Testing will take place each morning and I will be asking volunteers to send in fruit so that all students may have a nutritious snack.  Please make sure that your child gets to bed early, eats a good breakfast, and arrives to school on time.  Also, the school will be closed to visitors during testing.  Thank you in advance for adhering to this policy.  HAVE A WONDERFUL SPRING BREAK!

APRIL DATES TO REMEMBER

April 3- Bank Day
April 6-10- SPRING BREAK
April 15- Volunteer Luncheon
April 17- HUNTSVILLE SPACE CENTER FIELD TRIP
April 21-27 CRCT
April 28- Boosterthon Pep Rally( grades 3-5)  1:15-2:00

APRIL CURRICULUM

MATH- Geometry( 3-D Shapes) & Algebra
SCIENCE- Ecology
SOCIAL STUDIES- America's Westward Expansion
LANGUAGE ARTS:
READING- Author Study- Roald Dahl
WRITING- Persuasive Essays
SPELLING- Sitton Units 32-33
ENGLISH- Grammar Review
VOCABULARY-Wordly Wise unit 14

MARCH UPDATE

HOORAY!  MATH, SCIENCE, AND SOCIAL STUDIES TEXTBOOKS CAN BE ACCESSED ON LINE!  I WILL BE SENDING HOME LOG-ON INFORMATION AND STUDENT PASSWORDS WITH REPORT CARDS ON THURSDAY, MARCH 19.  THE WEBSITES CONTAIN MULTIPLE RESOURCES, EBOOKS, AND PODCASTS THAT PROVIDE A RICH LEARNING EXPERIENCE TO ENHANCE CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION.  CHECK THEM OUT!

MARCH 2009

March certainly has come in like a lion!  The snowflakes are incredible!  I'm sure the children will enjoy playing outside today!  It sure brings back memories of my childhood in the mountains of Pennsylvania!  We have a busy month planned.  Please continue reading and filling out your reading logs. If you are looking for some new books to read, be sure to visit the Spring Book Fair in our Media Center the week of March 9-17. Also, if you have not taken the assigned CRCT practice tests on line, please do so before the end of the month.  We will take some time to practice at school, also.  Mark your calendars for "Family Fit Night" on March 6.  Report cards will be sent home on March 19.  Please review these with your child.  You may keep the report card, but please sign the signature card, address the yellow envelope, attach 2 stamps, and send back to me.  That way it will be ready to be mailed home at the end of the school year.

MARCH CURRICULUM

MATH- Weight (Metric and Customary) & Data (Graphing)
SCIENCE- Ecosystems
HEALTH-Disease Prevention
SOCIAL STUDIES- U.S.A.- The New Nation
LANGUAGE ARTS-
READING- Informational Text
WRITING- Informational Writing- Research Process
ENGLISH- Writing Process
SPELLING- Sitton Units 28-31
VOCABULARY- Wordly Wise Units 12-13

MARCH DATES TO REMEMBER

MARCH 3- EARLY RELEASE- Students dismissed at 12:20 P.M.
MARCH 4- FIELD TRIP- FERNBANK PLANETARIUM
MARCH 16- FAMILY FIT NIGHT
MARCH 9-13- SPRING BOOK FAIR
MARCH 19- REPORT CARDS
MARCH 20- BANK DAY

FEBRUARY 2009

February has arrived and we are moving right along!  I enjoyed meeting with you all during conference week.  Thank you very much for your kind words and support throughout the year!  I am so pleased to see so much progress in each and every student!  As always, please contact me at any time if you have additional questions or concerns during the school year.  I hope to see all of you at our annual "Spaghetti Dinner"  on February 20 as we continue raise money of Relay for Life and cancer research.  This year you will be entertained by our "Teacher Spelling Bee" and receive information for summer camp programs.

Please continue reading every day and filling out your reading log or Six Flags Reading Club form.  Once you have reached 6 hours, please sign and return the form before February 20 for a free ticket to Six Flags.

Also, I have assigned on line CRCT practice tests in the areas of Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies.  Please use your "quick start guide" and password to access the tests.

FEBRUARY CURRICULUM

MATH- FRACTIONS & DECIMALS

SCIENCE- SOLAR SYSTEM

SOCIAL STUDIES- AMERICAN REVOLUTION & DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

LANGUAGE ARTS-

SPELLING- SITTON UNITS 24-27

VOCABULARY- WORDLY  WISE UNIT 10-11

READING- GUIDED READING GROUPS- INFORMATIONAL TEXTS

WRITING- INFORMATIONAL WRITING

ENGLISH- RESEARCH PROCESS

FEBRUARY DATES TO REMEMBER

Feb. 4- Early Release 12:20

Feb. 5- Picture Day

Feb. 6- Bank Day

Feb. 13- VALENTINES EXCHANGE

Feb. 16- Presidents' Day-  NO SCHOOL

Feb. 20- Bank Day

Feb. 20- Spaghetti Dinner & Teacher Spelling Bee & Summer Camps Expo

    

JANUARY 2009

Happy New Year!  I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and enjoyed spending time with your friends and families.  I am looking forward to getting back into the swing of things and focusing on the fourth grade curriculum and meeting our goals.  Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for the week of January 26-30.  I will be reviewing report cards, sharing reading and writing assessments, discussing your child's strengths and weaknesses, and strategies we can implement together to ensure that your child is successful and reaches his or her maximum potential.  My goal is for each student to have a challenging and enriching year and together we can certainly accomplish that!

Please continue reading daily and filling out your reading logs.  Also, please continue taking the practice CRCT tests that are available on-line.  Research concludes that students who practice are more at ease and confident during testing.  Use the CRCT letter and password that was sent home earlier.  Keep it posted by your computer for easy access.

Please let me know of you have any questions or concerns.  I am looking forward to meeting with each of you during conference week.

JANUARY CURRICULUM

MATH- DECIMALS & FRACTIONS
SCIENCE- SPACE- STARS & STAR PATTERNS
SOCIAL STUDIES- AMERICAN REVOLUTION
LANGUAGE ARTS:
READING- GUIDED READING GROUPS- INFORMATIONAL TEXTS- SPACE
WRITING- INFORMATIONAL WRITING
ENGLISH- REVIEW PARTS OF SPEECH AND SENTENCE STRUCTURE
SPELLING- SITTON UNITS 19-21
VOCABULARY- WORDLY WISE UNIT 8

JANUARY DATES TO REMEMBER

JANUARY 6- SPELLING BEE - 8:15 A.M.  GOOD LUCK CONTESTANTS!

JANUARY 19- MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. HOLIDAY- NO SCHOOL

JANUARY 26-30 CONFERENCE WEEK- STUDENTS DISMISSED 12:30 P.M.

DECEMBER 2008

December has arrived and a chill is in the air.  We have a very busy month planned.  December book projects are due on December 16.  I am looking forward to compiling our "recipes for good books".  We will be doing an in school math project- "City Planners" where students will become architects and create geometric cities.  These will be displayed in the hallway.  We are also looking forward to our annual "Winter Celebration" on Thursday, December 18 from 1:00-2:00.  I hope you all have a wonderful winter break and take some time to enjoy your friends and families!

DECEMBER CURRICULUM

MATH- GEOMETRY

SCIENCE- SOUND & LIGHT

SOCIAL STUDIES- 13 COLONIES

HEALTH- NUTRITION

LANGUAGE ARTS:

READING- GUIDED READING GROUPS- COLONIAL LITERATURE

WRITING- RESPONSE TO LITERATURE

ENGLISH- VERBS

SPELLING- SITTON UNITS 16-19

VOCABULARY- WORDLY WISE UNIT 7

DECEMBER DATES TO REMEMBER:

DEC. 8- ACCELERATED READER CELEBRATION

DEC. 15- HIGH TOUCH-HIGH TECH IN SCHOOL FIELD TRIP- "LIGHT"

DEC. 18- WINTER CELEBRATION 1:00-2:00

DEC. 21-JAN. 5  WINTER BREAK- NO SCHOOL

NOVEMBER UPDATE

Parent Survey for Standards Based Report Cards

The Cobb County School District encourages parents to participate in the online fall survey for the new standards-based report cards.  As part of the ongoing development process, a survey link has been posted to the Cobb District website to gather input on the recently distributed K, 1, and 2 report cards.  Please visit www.cobbk12.org to respond.  The survey will be open until Dec. 1, 2008

NOVEMBER 2008

November has arrived and we have a very busy month planned!  First of all, I would like to thank Mrs. Bain and Mrs. Holley for making our "Fall Harvest Day" such a huge success!  The decorations, cupcakes, goodie bags, and spider lollipops made our day extra special!  The students enjoyed participating in the "spider"  lessons and activities.  The fourth grade teachers have decided to make this annual event at Mountain View.  Also, thanks for your support during "Red Ribbon Week"  Our class had 100% participation and we had our picture taken every day.  Be sure to check out the yearbook and you may find us wearing the red ribbons, hats, sports jerseys, red shirts, or pajamas!

Thank you Mrs. Holley, Mrs. Anderson, and Mrs. Scherr  for sending in soccer balls, basketballs, and a kickball to use on the playground.  The students really benefit from fresh air, exercise, and recreation time.

The students did an exceptional job preparing and presenting their Explorer Projects.  I am so impressed!  The projects will be displayed in the hallway outside our classroom for students and visitors to enjoy.

 I hope you all can come and join us for our Thanksgiving lunch on Tuesday, November 11 at 11:33 in the cafeteria.

Please enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with your families.  Take time to reflect and count your many blessings!

                                             

NOVEMBER CURRICULUM

MATH- DIVISION & GEOMETRY

SCIENCE- SIMPLE MACHINES & LIGHT

SOCIAL STUDIES- EXPLORATION & COLONIZATION

HEALTH- NUTRITION

LANGUAGE ARTS:
READING- Traditional Literature- Folktales
WRITING- Response to Literature
ENGLISH- Pronouns
VOCABULARY- Wordly Wise Unit 6
SPELLING- Sitton Units 13-15

NOVEMBER DATES TO REMEMBER

NOVEMBER 4- ELECTION DAY & TEACHER WORKDAY- NO SCHOOL
NOVEMBER 6- HIGH TOUCH-HIGH TECH IN SCHOOL FIELD TRIP
NOVEMBER 11- FOURTH GRADE THANKSGIVING LUNCH- 11:33-12:03
NOVEMBER 14- FAMILY BINGO NIGHT
NOVEMBER 20- COBB YOUTH MUSEUM
NOVEMBER 24-28 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY- NO SCHOOL