CLASSROOM NEWS

For Your Information:

Reminder to Check Student Progress
Tuesday, April 22 marked the midpoint of the 3rd Trimester. If you have not done so already, please check your student's progress on Parent Connect. Your child's current grades are an indication of how he/she is listening, following directions, completing work, and preparing for tests. Please contact me if you have questions or concerns regarding your child's progress.

Boxtops for Education
The last turn-in day for boxtops is April 30!! At the last count, our class was in the lead for another pizza party for having the most boxtops collected. Let's get all those boxtops in to keep the lead and win that pizza party!


Subject Update:

• Spelling - Lesson 31: Plural possessive nouns
• English/Writing - The students will do some descriptive writing to put our knowledge of adjectives to work. Then we will move on to pronouns.
• Reading - We will send off our Flat Stanleys to have some fun adventures with family and friends. We look forward to reading our reply letters in May. Until then, we will continue to read fantasy stories to identify parts that are realistic and parts that make it fantasy.
• Science - The students will learn about the filament inside a light bulb, identify materials that are conductors and insulators, and learn symbols used to make circuit diagrams.
• Social Studies - We are working on finishing the Midwest section of our scrapbooks so that we can move on to the Southwest region of the United States.
• Accelerated Math - We will finish up the chapter learning about circles and solid figures. The Chapter 7 Test is scheduled for Friday, May 2! Students can prepare by reviewing the information in their Geometry packets and working through the "Extra Practice" sections in the textbook at the end of Chapter 7.

Mark Your Calendar:

4/30: Boxtops for Education Final Turn-in Day!

5/5 - 5/9: Teacher Appreciation Week

5/12: Robert Crown Parent Information Meeting (7 - 8:00 p.m. at PV)

5/15: Beginning Band Concert (7:00 p.m. at LV)

5/16: Character Counts Assembly

CLASSROOM NEWS

For Your Information:

Open House/Book Fair - Thanks For Visiting!
Thank you to all of the families who were able to visit the classrooms and book fair Thursday evening. It was wonderful to see so many of you and share some of the things we have been working on in the classroom. Also, thank you for your generosity towards new books for the classroom. I had fun selecting many new titles for our library!

Mrs. Strong's Big News
As you have probably heard from your students, I will be joining the 5th grade team next year. I am very excited (and a little nervous) about this change and the opportunities and challenges it will bring. I look forward to being able to see my current students in the hallways everyday, and perhaps in my classroom again!


Subject Update:

• Spelling - Lesson 30: Singular possessive nouns
• English/Writing - The students have been busy learning about adjectives. The Unit 4 Adjectives Test is scheduled for Tuesday, April 22!
• Reading - We will be reading fantasy stories next week. In a fantasy story, there are characters, settings, and/or events that could not happen in real life.
• Science - The students are learning ways to make a bulb light using a battery, bulb, and wire. Ask your child what has to happen in order to make the bulb light.
• Social Studies - The "Just Look" books about famous Illinoisans turned out great! Next week, we will be working on finishing the Midwest section of our scrapbooks.
• Accelerated Math - The students will be completing a Chapter 7 Homework Review in class on Tuesday, April 22. This will be open book/notes, but students may want to prepare by looking over the notes we have taken so far about geometry.

Mark Your Calendar:

4/22: 3rd Trimester Midpoint - Check Student Progress on ParentConnect

4/24: Early Dismissal (11:00 a.m.)

4/25: Decade Spirit Wear Day - Dress For Your Favorite Decade!

CLASSROOM NEWS

For Your Information:

Poetry Coffee House a Huge Success!
Thanks to Mrs. Foernssler and Mrs. Kozlowski who helped to provide treats and drinks for our Coffee House enjoyment. Also, thanks to all who shared a bit of rhythm and rhyme with us. It was neat to hear so many different kinds of poems with such expression and enthusiasm!

Lunch Ticket Orders
Students should be ordering lunch tickets on Mondays if they want to eat school lunches. They should not be visiting the office each morning for tickets. If for some reason a student runs out of tickets and does need to purchase a ticket in the morning, the student must have exactly $2.25. Tickets will not be given if a student does not have this exact amount! If you have questions or concerns about this school policy, please contact the Prairieview office.

Prairieview Open House and Book Fair
Please make time Thursday, April 17th between 6:45 - 8:30 p.m. to visit the Spring Open House and Book Fair at Prairieview School. The students will have their inventions on display as well as several other items to view that evening. See you there!


Subject Update:

• Spelling - Lesson 29: Words with prefixes -mis and -dis
• English/Writing - The students are learning about adjectives. Next week we will learn how to compare things using these desciptive words.
• Reading - We will finish up our study of inventors and inventions. Don't forget that the students' inventions will be on display at the "Invention Convention" at the Open House/Book Fair on Thursday evening!
• Science - The students will be starting our next hands-on science kit about electricity. We will enjoy "Mr. Lee's Science Magic," a fantastic program about all aspects of electricity on Thursday, April 17th!
• Social Studies - We will finish our "Just Look" books about famous Illinoisans and continue to learn about the history of Illinois. We will learn more about pioneers and how they had to be self-sufficient when traveling and living in the Midwest.
• Accelerated Math - The students will be learning about different types of polygons, triangles, and quadrilaterals.

Mark Your Calendar:

4/17: Mr. Lee's Science Magic Electricity Program

4/17: Prairieview Open House/Book Fair (6:45 - 8:30 p.m.)

4/18: Rock Band Spirit Day!

CLASSROOM NEWS

For Your Information:

Poetry Corner Cafe Invitation
All families of Mrs. Strong's students received an invitation to the Poetry Corner Cafe earlier this week. I hope that many of you are able to join us for an afternoon of rhythm and rhyme on Friday, April 11th from 1:00-2:15 p.m. Remember that everyone should RSVP by Wednesday, April 9th to "reserve a table" at the cafe. Dress in black, grab your shades, and be ready for some particularly poetic fun!


Subject Update:

• Spelling - Lesson 28: Words with prefixes un- and in-
• English/Writing - The students will review their poetry folders to make sure they are ready to turn in after the Poetry Corner Cafe on Friday, April 11th! Students should also have at least one of their own poems selected to share at the cafe. Next week in class, we will start learning about adjectives.
• Reading - We have been reading about all sorts of inventions created to solve problems or fulfill people's needs. Students will be thinking about and creating their own inventions next week.
• Science- The students will complete the Earth Science unit by learning about the rock cycle. The Earth Science Test is scheduled for Thursday, April 10th!!
• Social Studies - We will continue to focus on Illinois history in the classroom. Remember that famous Illinoisan research should be completed at home. Page 1 (paragraphs about the famous person's childhood and education) should be written, edited by a parent, and ready to type at school on Monday, April 7th! Looking ahead, students should have Page 2 ready for Wednesday, April 9th and Page 3 ready for Friday, April 11th. Please note that the typing, picture of famous Illinoisan, and booklet assembly will be completed at school.
• Accelerated Math - The students will take the Chapter 8 Test covering multiplication and division of decimals on Tuesday, April 8th! Then we will move on to the exciting world of geometry.

Mark Your Calendar:

4/11: Baseball Spirit Wear!

4/11: Poetry Corner Cafe (1:00 - 2:15 p.m.)

4/17: Mr. Lee's Science Magic (Electricity Program)

4/17: Prairieview Spring Open House/Book Fair (6:45 - 8:30 p.m.)

4/18: Rock Band Spirit Wear!