http://www.stlblog.org/cminarik/ en Copyright 2012 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:57:02 -0600 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Its been a wonderful winter season with little snow and great weather- enjoy it! 4th Grade Math- We are doing a chapter on Multiplication with 1 x 2 digit numbers, and estimating products. Te test for Chapter 9 will be on Tuesday, Feb. 7. In Science, we are finishing up our chapter on Energy. We will have our test on Wednesday, Feb. 8. In Vocabulary, we are finishing up Unit 10. We will have our Spelling test on Tuesday, and the Vocab. Test on Wednesday. 5th Grade Math- we are working on a unit on Fractions. We are finding equivalent fractions, simplifying fractions, and comparing and ordering fractions. We will learn how to add and subtract fractions next week. 5th grade Science- we are nearing the end of Ch. 3 on Forms of Energy. We will have our test for this chapter on Wednesday, Feb. 8. The Spelling Bee was a great success to our room, esp. because Sydney Conn won!! The other participants were Alexis O'Brien, Eamonn Prunty, Billy Martin, Jake Ingram and Jacob Pawlecki. Congrats to all who participated- I am proud of them! http://www.stlblog.org/cminarik/2012/02/february_happy_st_valentines_d.html http://www.stlblog.org/cminarik/2012/02/february_happy_st_valentines_d.html Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:57:02 -0600 On Sunday, January 15, we will be celebrating our Blue Ribbon achievement with Cardinal George at the 10:30 Mass. The students will sit with their class and dress in their uniforms if they can make on Sunday. There will be a light reception in the Cardiff Center afterwards. Hope to see you there! http://www.stlblog.org/cminarik/2012/01/january_15_2012.html http://www.stlblog.org/cminarik/2012/01/january_15_2012.html Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:04:53 -0600 Welcome to 2012! We are at the end of the second quarter, and report cards will be going home next week. The fourth graders are doing quite well with switching to the other classes. I rarely have anyone come back for something they forgot!! That is a great accomplishment. In Math, we are working on Multiplication Rocket Math. Each day the students get a test which focuses on 3 new facts. They get 90 seconds to complete 40 problems. Most of the students are able to complete the 40 problems with 100% accuracy. This will really help them with the rest of their math this year. We are starting a new chapter on Division, and if they are weak on their multiplication facts, this chapter will be very difficult. Please remind them once in a while to practice their facts. In Science, we are wrapping up our chapter on Forces and Gravity. Our test will probably be next Wednesday or Thursday. 5th grade Math- we are learning about Prime Factorization using factor trees. The students have used a Sieve of Eratosthenes to find all the prime factors up to 120. This will help them to recognize prime numbers and composite number. We will also be learning about Greatest Common Factors and common factors. They seem to be able to grasp the factoring quite well. Science- We are also finishing up their chapter on Force. Our test will probably be next Thursday. They have a studypacke to help them study for their test. Any time your students have any problems, just have them stay after school and I will be happy to help them. http://www.stlblog.org/cminarik/2012/01/happy_new_year.html http://www.stlblog.org/cminarik/2012/01/happy_new_year.html Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:49:00 -0600 November- It was great meeting with you on conference day. It seems we are all on the same page when it comes to your children. We all want the best for them, and we will help them in any way we can. Math- we are finishing up Chapter 5 on Time, Range, median, mode, line plots, and stem and leaf plots. (4th grade) We will be having our test before Thanksgiving, so we can rest over the holiday. Math (5th grade) We are dividing with whole numbers and decimals. It is a lot of work, but it is an important process that the students need to know. Science- 5th grade- We will be having our test on Friday on Chapter 4- Ecosystems. Science- 4th grade- Our test will be on Monday on Chapter 4. The children have study guides and assessment to study which should be very helpful. Vocabulary-- On Tuesday, Nov. 22, we will have our Spelling Test and on Wed., Nov. 23, we will have our Vocabulary Test. We can rest over the holiday!! http://www.stlblog.org/cminarik/2011/11/november_news.html http://www.stlblog.org/cminarik/2011/11/november_news.html Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:15:33 -0600 October is rapidly coming to an end, which means report cards are around the corner. Please check engrade to stay on top of your child's progress. Grade 4 Math- we are finishing up Chapter 3 in Math, and the test will probably be next Wednesday, October 19. We are adding and subtracting, using mental math, and substituting a number for a letter. They seem to have no problem with this chapter. Science- we will be wrapping up Chapter 2 and have our test on Monday. They have a study guide and have done assessments for each lesson., They need to know the vocabulary which will be on the test. Vocabulary- We are on Unit 4, and are moving along. Grade 5 Math- we are finishing up Ch. 3, and will be having a test probably on Wednesday of next week. Science- we just had our test on Chapter 2, which was a difficult chapter. We started the new chapter today on adaptations. Have a great weekend. http://www.stlblog.org/cminarik/2011/10/october_news.html http://www.stlblog.org/cminarik/2011/10/october_news.html Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:14:33 -0600 Tonight is the Open House for all parents and students! Hope to see and meet some of you, and let you browse through the classrooms and see some of the work of your students. Can't believe that it is the end of Septmenber already. I think the fourth graders are getting used to moving to different classrooms, and are doing a great job. We are having a great year so far, and I am looking forward to the rest of the year with your young ones. http://www.stlblog.org/cminarik/2011/09/open_house.html http://www.stlblog.org/cminarik/2011/09/open_house.html Tue, 27 Sep 2011 10:16:47 -0600 Hello, and welcome back to a new and exciting school year. My name is Carol Minarik and I will be the 4th grade homeroom teacher. I will be teaching Science, Math, Vocabulary and Music to all of the 4th graders. this year we will departmentalize with the 2 fifth grade teachers to provide a richer program for the fourth and fifth grade students. Mrs. Schifferdecker will teach Reading and English to the 4th graders, and Mrs. McCann will teach Religion and Social Studies to the 4th graders. I am looking forward to year of growth and learning. Special Schedule for the 4th grade: Monday- Gym Tuesday- Computers Wednesday- Library Thursday- Gym Friday- Art If there are any upcoming projects I will let you know in my blog. I encourage you to check your child's assignment tablet and check their work for completeness. Open House is September 27, 2011. See you then! http://www.stlblog.org/cminarik/2011/09/welcome_back.html http://www.stlblog.org/cminarik/2011/09/welcome_back.html Mon, 12 Sep 2011 22:32:56 -0600