Merry Multiplication!

Students used their multiplication skills 

and holiday excitement to create math word problems.  

It's almost time to say goodbye!

Miss McConville's last day is Friday!

I am in the process of creating a gift basket filled with things she'll need once she has her own classroom.  Any donations would be greatly appreciated!  We plan to present the basket to her on Thursday afternoon.  

Also, check those bookshelves!  I am also trying to collect gently used books which she can use to help build her own classroom library.  

Thanks for your help!  

Lighting the World up with Kindess

Yesterday the class spent time brainstorming ways to show kindness.  

The lightbulbs on the bulletin board show how our class will "light up the world" with kindness!

It's Pajama Day!

Wearing pajamas for a great cause!

http://www.pajamaprogram.org/

Thank you to everyone who donated to the PJ Program!

It's already December!?!

It's official!  Your kids have completed their first trimester in 4th grade!  Grades closed this week and report cards go home next Wednesday.  I look forward to meeting with you on December 13th for parent/teacher conferences.  

Here are some curriculum updates: 

Math -we wrapped up our multiplication unit this week.  

Next up...long division!

ELA -students are currently writing creative narratives based on the Chris Van Allsburg book "The Mysteries of Harris Burdick".  We have also started a mini unit on biographies.  Students all chose a biography book during library this week, which they will use for a class project.

Social Studies - We are traveling through the Southeast region of the USA -12 states are included in this region!  

Science -the students are learning about rocks and minerals with Mrs. Demartini.  

A few reminders:

1. Please sign your child's agenda Monday -Thursday nights.

2. Please remind your child to check their bag BEFORE they leave for school to make sure they have all the necessary assignments due that day.

3. Stay tuned for details about our beloved student teacher, Miss McConville's good-bye party!  Details about "holiday happenings in Room 49" will also be sent home soon.

Happy December!  It is a busy and fun month!  :) 

A Great Day!

It was a beautiful Fall day in Boston!  Everyone had a blast exploring the Aquarium.  Thank you to Mrs. Hogan, Mrs. Bosland, and Mrs. Dorazio for chaperoning.  

Field Trip!

We have our FIRST field trip coming up on Monday, November 14th .  The students will need to bring a bag lunch and they may bring money for the gift shop (no more than $20).  Thank you to ALL the parents who volunteered to chaperone this trip!  Mrs. Bosland, Mrs. Hogan, and Mrs. Dorazio will be attending this trip.  We have TWO more trips coming up in 2017, so if you aren't chaperoning this trip, there will definitely be another opportunity.  

Thank you for your support!  

Happy Halloween from Room 49

Halloween Happenings in Room 49!!!

We have A LOT planned for the end of October.  Take a look:

Friday: Haunted House STEM challenge

Thank you for sending in all the supplies.  

We still need DUCT TAPE to hold our creations together.

Monday: Halloween STEM challenges 9:30-10:30 

It is also CRAZY HAT day.

Your child may bring in a special Halloween snack to enjoy after the activities.

Tuesday: Brownie Points have been earned!  Camp Fontaine will be on Tuesday (the perfect way to unwind after trick or treating the night before!)

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Area Model with Multiplication!

Today in class the students learned how to use the AREA MODEL (box method) to multiply 2 x 1 digits together.  This method shows the students the VALUE of each number in the problem using place value.  This method is very helpful to learn, especially as we prepare for 2 x 2 digit multiplication.  Click HERE to see a video reviewing the AREA MODEL -this video can be helpful for both students and parents.

RIP....Said is Dead!

RIP Boring Words!

Students worked together (using a thesaurus) to find "new and improved" words to replace boring adjectives.  This display is right outside the school office.  Check it out if you stop by!  Thank you to Miss McConville for putting the display case together.   

Magazines Needed!

We are collecting magazines for a variety of classroom projects.  If you have any that could be donated to the classroom it would be greatly appreciated!  

Click HERE to see pictures of the students enjoying a good book on Friday afternoon.

Open House

is tomorrow starting at 6:15 in the cafeteria.  

The students have been working hard and putting the finishing touches on many classroom projects.  They are excited for you to see what they've already accomplished in 4th grade.  

I look forward to seeing you tomorrow!

*Remember, this event is for parents and guardians only.  

Word Study!

Today the students' brought home their first Word Study assignment.  On Monday, I will introduce the class to a new Greek/Latin root, and 10 words using that root.  During the week the students will make flashcards (due Tuesday) and complete a homework assignment (due Friday).  On Friday the students will be tested on the SPELLING and MEANING of all 10 words.  Please let me know if you have any questions regarding Word Study.

We did it!  Today marked the end of our first week (almost!) of school.  The students worked hard to learn our classroom routines and expectations.  During the next few weeks I will continue to develop our classroom community.  Please remember to sign your child's agenda Monday-Thursday nights.  Also, check their black homework folder every day.  We will officially start our homework routine next week.  I look forward to meeting many of you at our Back to School Night on September 21st.  In the meantime, please feel free to email me with any questions.  Enjoy the long weekend!

Welcome Back!!!!

I hope everyone had a WONDERFUL summer.  Back to School is an exciting time for everyone.  I look forward to getting to know my new class.  We will spend this week learning about 4th grade routines, expectations, and more!  Feel free to contact me at any time with questions.  

It's going to be an AMAZING year1

Fun in the Summer Sun!!!

I hope everyone is having a great summer!  

I've been "hanging around" with my family.  

Here's a picture from our trip to Florida.  

...for a wonderful year!  

It was a pleasure to learn and grow with your children.  Each one of them made tremendous progress this year and should be proud of their hard work.  Have a fantastic summer!  Thank you for my end-of-the year class gift too.

xoxo

Mrs. Fontaine

End-of-the-Year Picnic!

A reminder that our end-of-the-year picnic will be on 

WEDNESDAY, June 15th 

starting at 11:00 on the field.  

Students should bring a picnic lunch with them.  

We also encourage students to bring beach blankets, towels, outdoor toys, sunscreen, water bottles, etc. to help them enjoy their time outside.  PARENTS ARE INVITED to join students for the picnic and games.  This is a great opportunity for everyone to celebrate a wonderful year together.  Hope to see you there!  

Thank you to everyone who attended the State Fair.

 Here is another look at the students' amazing projects!  

Click HERE to watch the video.

Schedule Change!

The State Fair will be from 9:15-10:15 tomorrow in the cafeteria.  Thank you!

State Fair is Thursday!

Thursday 9:00-10:00 in the cafeteria. 

 Please use the parent drop-off/pick-up entrance.  

See you at the Fair!

Float Construction!

Students will being constructing their state floats on Friday at 1:00.

Parents are invited to join us!

Please bring a hot glue gun and glue sticks, if you can.

Day 1 of construction involves covering the shoe boxes so the more hands we have to help, the better!

Thanks :)

Math MCAS Testing starts Tuesday

4th grade students will take the Math MCAS test on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.  Please make sure your child eats a healthy breakfast, arrives to school on time, brings a snack and books to read.  The students are prepared and I know will put forth their best effort on the test.  Thank you for your support!  

Aquarium!

Our first field trip is next Wednesday!  We will leave for Boston by 8:45.  Students should bring a bag lunch and money for the gift shop (optional!).  Thank you to all the parents who volunteered to chaperone.  Mrs. Oskin, Mrs. Butler, and Mrs. Ober will be attending this trip.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

Reading Homework: April 25th-29th

Everyone is always looking for a great new book to read! This week for homework your reading assignment is to post on the blog the TITLE and AUTHOR of a favorite chapter book.  

Your post should also include:

3 sentences summarizing the book

1 sentence telling your classmates why you liked it.

Be prepared to share your book review with the class!

I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful week with family and friends!  Spring is a BUSY time in fourth grade.  Please continue to check my blog for updates on MCAS, field trips, special projects, etc.  As always, email with an questions or concerns.  

Name Symmetry!

Click "Name Monsters" to check out the students' amazing creations!  

Can you find the names hidden in the designs.  

Each creation represents vertical line symmetry.

ELA MCAS Testing is this week:

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

Students should remember to get a good night's sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, bring a snack and book(s) to school.  

Immigration Rap!!!

"Immigration: Two Sides of the Story!"

Keep practicing the chorus and verse #2.  Immigration Day is on Thursday, April 14th

Images of the Southwest

This week the students put the finishing touches on their Southwest watercolor and chalk art!  Their pictures represent deserts, canyons, river scenes, and more!

A Busy March!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

We have had a busy month so far.  Here are a few highlights:

Math -We wrapped up our fraction and decimal unit last week.  This week we began learning about Geometry.  

ELA -We are reading The Van Gogh Cafe by Cynthia Rylant and the students are learning how to write summaries.  

Social Studies -We have traveled to the Southwest (only 4 states!).  This week the students began working on "Images of the Southwest", which is an art project focused on the landforms and landscape of the region.  

Science -The students are wrapping up the energy unit and will begin learning about rocks and minerals next week.

Brownie Points!  Today the students are enjoying a St. Patrick's Day party (games, crafts, etc.) to celebrate earning 20 brownie points as a class.  Great job everyone!  

Nonfiction Reports

Check out the AMAZING projects the students created.  The reports were interesting and full of details!  

Click here to see photos of all the projects!

Boston Museum of Science visits 4th grade at MSS!

Students spent Monday morning becoming Rock Detectives.  

Click HERE to see more pictures from the morning!

Student Assignment:

In the comment section please post the answers to the following questions:

1. What ROCK did your group study?

2. What TYPE of ROCK is it?

3. Include your name!