Mrs. Clark's

I have received some feedback about setting up Bloxels accounts.  I had a thought.  Some of you don’t have electronic devices for your students to use at home.  OR, if you are like me, I don’t like my kids using my phone to play apps.  The only thing I need from you at home, is to set their accounts up.  I don’t need you to keep the app working on whichever device you start it on. 

Here is a solution…..I can set the accounts up at school, I just need a parent’s email address.  Then, when you see the email confirmation, click confirm and then we can do the rest.  If you would like to utilize this option, send me which email account you want the confirmation email to go to.  

I can set their accounts up inside my classroom on our IPADS.

Hi, we are getting close to FEB 14TH !  We are not having a big party.  We are having some fun activities that will last from 1-1:30.  I know I had ask for help and was planning a bigger event, BUT we are now having a smaller celebration and holding it with other 4th grade classes.  Sorry, for any inconvenience.  

We are ready for the students to get their own accounts to this app.  It is free.  You can download it in the Apple App store, or the Android App store.  It looks like this….
AGAIN, FREE.  Both the App and the account. 

The student needs to use their Quest email account.  They have to start a new account, they can’t use any previous accounts.  The App will ask for a parent’s/guardians email account.  Then, it will send the parent/guardian account a verification code.  THEIR USER NAME CAN BE ANYTHING, but I don’t like them to be something negative.  Our class likes positivity.  No mean user names. 

We can only use this program, after each student has their account setup.  Please get these accounts done as soon as you can.   Our class is really excited to use this program.  NEXT, MAKE SURE THE STUDENT KNOWS THEIR USER NAME AND PASSWORD TO BRING TO CLASS. 

Let me know if I can help you with this, THANKS

Also, Scholastic order forms were sent home today! Let me know if you are ordering anything 😉

Dear Parents:

  The fourth grade will be beginning another after school club soon. This next session will be a choir club taught by Miss Dixon.  They will learn music basics such as rhythm, pitch, harmonies, and melodies. After school clubs are not required, but are a chance for students to get extra time to participate in an activity.  

  The club will be held every Tuesday afternoons from 3:10 – 3:40 pm. It will be held February 6th, 13th, 27th, and March 6th, 13th, and 20th (No February 20th session because of Parent Teacher Conferences). All sessions need to be attended to not be behind.  Students will be required to be picked up promptly at 3:40.  This is a fourth grade club only,  no siblings allowed.  

After the six sessions, students will perform the learned songs for the rest of the 4th grade and any parents who would like to attend.

   Students will be selected by random drawing, and there are limited spots available.  If you are interested in attending the club please fill out the information below and return to the Q1 front office by January 26th.  A fourth grade teacher will then notify you by January 30th if your student was selected. There is a $5 cost to pay for music, which can be paid at the Q1 front office.

   Please note that this is not required, but an extracurricular activity that students can participate in.  Students who are not following school and classroom rules and who are choosing not to participate in the club will be asked to leave the club.  If you have any questions please contact your fourth grade student’s teacher.

4th Grade Team

If you would like to participate, Print this form out, fill it out and drop it off at the Q1 office.   HERE is the FORM

#1 Read any book you would like for 20 minutes.  We haven’t started our book report books yet.

#2 Spelling Quizlet practice.  

#3 FRONTROWED assignments (little pig assessments)  IF you already have them done, do recommended practices for 20 minutes each night. 

 Spelling Quizlet practice.  

The GRADES are all fixed.  The percentages are being calculated correctly.  I need you to look at all your grades and let me know if I have made any mistakes on your scores.  I am human and it happens.  

I had a parent(s) ask me about ASPIRE and I want to make sure you all understand how to see how your child is doing.  Here is my response to them: Aspire is the grading program that the school uses to input scores into.  Their score is input under the standard that is being tested.  For example, if you want to know how she/he did in “Adding Fraction” you would go into ASPIRE and see her/his specific scores.  Most parents just check to see her overall grade (average grades).  Anything over 90% is scored as an “A” or Mastery grade.  I wouldn’t have her/him retake scores higher then 85%-90% if I were her/him parent.  It gets overwhelming to them to retake the same skill again and again.  Only to miss it because of a small error.  If they can test above 90% anytime I assess them, then they are understanding the standard-which would mean Mastery.  I would celebrate any score over 85% in our class-they are being challenged daily and that score is a victory!  The office can help you receive your user name and password for access to this program.   


We are starting our Rock Unit in Science.  There is going to be a parent bringing in a rock collection to share with us.  She has a rock that has a sulfur/salt taste to it.  She lets the kids lick a small piece, then throw it away.  The kids can choose to lick this rock (which is clean before they lick it) or not lick it.  If you want them to not have the choice of licking it, let me know.  I did this last year and I survived.  

BLOXELS
Also, we are starting a STEM project that using a gaming board program called Bloxels.  You can see more about it at this website.  www.bloxelsbuilder.com

For your student to participate in the game building you (their parents/guardian) will need to sign a permission slip and verify an email confirmation.  Mostly, because they will be playing the game after they create it.  They will also be setting up their own accounts.  This will make it possible for them to save their games and be able to play it after they create it on their own time.  They will get to play the other student’s games as well in our class.  This is a STEM project that is a fun way to learn programing and building. 

Please look at the website if you have any other questions.  The permission slip link and account setting up information will be coming as soon as a finish some logistics.  I just wanted you to look over the program and become familiar with what we plan to work on soon.  

All of the grades for 2nd Quarter are posted in Aspire.  Let me know if you have any questions.  Thanks

******THE SYSTEM ISN’T MARKING THE “3” AND “4” GRADING CORRECTLY.******I WILL GET THIS FIXED ON TUESDAY!!! I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING TO GET THE SYSTEM TO RECOGNIZED THE CORRECT GRADING SCALE BUT IT ISN’T WORKING.  I DON’T WANT TO CLICK SOMETHING WRONG AND WIPE THEM ALL OUT TOTALLY…..SO PLEASE BE PATIENT.  THANKS AND SORRY FOR THE STRESS!

NOTE THAT ANYTHING AT 90% OR ABOVE IS AN “4”.  ANYTHING AT 80% AND ABOUT IS A “3”.  Also, remember Remember that we have a “NEW” grading policy.  It is only grading State Standards.  So, because I can’t input lots and lots of score to help the students average increase, everything input into my grade book is heavily weighted.  Your child can retake any scores they would like to increase their grade.  ANY SCORE 😉 That is what is so GREAT about mastery.  Our goal is to reach Mastery!  I have input their latest score taken on the subjects.  Let me know A.S.A.P. if you would like them to be reassessed on a standard.  Thanks


A note from ADMIN. for TUESDAY…

We are hoping to get some help with an issue we are having at the school regarding missing name badges. As stated in our Handbook, “Everyone is required to wear their name badge to attend class (the name badge must be that of the current school year). Please reinforce having name badges as they create a safer environment at the school. To replace a lost name badge, your child will need to pay $5.00 for a new one. A student without a name badge will be referred to the office to call home. Parents/Guardians will be expected to bring their child’s name badge or pay $5.00 for a replacement. Only then will students be allowed to return to class.” Elementary students are to leave their name badges in their classrooms at the end of the day. Jr. High students are encouraged to leave their name badges in their lockers before leaving. To ensure your child receives a full day’s worth of learning in the classroom, please make sure their name badge is left at school and returned the following day if accidentally taken home. Please note, that you have this week as a grace period to either find your child’s lost name badge or replace it for $5.00. Starting Tuesday, January 16 (one week from today), students who do not have name badges will not be attending class until a new one is purchased or their old one is returned. If parents are working when their children call, they are more than welcome to either pay for a badge using a credit card over the phone or to pay online.

It is the end of the quarter on Friday. 

HOMEWORK WILL BE DIFFERENT THIS WEEK!!!!!  

Read for 20 each night.  Any book you like!  Don’t read your next book for 3rd quarter book report yet.  It will be different from the last two, and we need to talk about it first.  So pick something new (maybe from other student’s book report recommendations) and enjoy. 

Finish up your book reports.  Then, work on IXL for 10 minutes each night.  Here is a list of the IXL sections to follow.  REMEMBER you have to earn a 90% before you move on to the next category.  All of the “A” column.  Then, all “R”.  Then, all “Q”.    I just want you working on these for 10 minutes each night.

I DON’T EXPECT YOU TO FINISH ALL OF THESE IN ONE WEEK! 

If you go crazy fast through these, start on “X” section.  Then, most of you have assignments in FrontRowED.  These are all assessments to see how well you have retained the past information.  You all know how to do these, but there are videos you can watch right on FrontRowEd to review to the methods.  AGAIN, I don’t want you spending ALL night doing these.  Just do two a night (spend about 15 minutes).  We will complete some of them in the classroom too.  

STILL PRACTICE THIS WEEKS VOCABULARY WORDS ON QUIZLET.  UNIT #3, WEEK #4.
The words are: address, divided, haste, opposed, perish, proclamation, shattered and tension.

Don’t forget your book reports for tomorrow-if you are giving it tomorrow.

There is NO READWORKS ASSIGNMENTS THIS WEEK.

Welcome back to SCHOOL!   We are finishing up some review in ELA/Math/Science for 2nd quarter grades this week.  All of their assessments will be given next week.  Remember, with our “New Mastery Grading”, they are given several attempts to prove mastery.  

Homework: READ for 20 minutes each night.  Finish up your book reports.  No other homework this week.  

TOMORROW we are starting a project in IMOVIE.  Student’s need to email me some pictures of things they got for Christmas, or activities they did over the break, etc.  They need 5-6 pictures, and some short video clips.  Or just 10-12 pics to use instead of video clips.  If the students can’t do this, I will provide some class pictures they can use in the movie making.  Don’t stress about these pics, they are for practice purposes.  They will be making the graded IMOVIE project using information and pictures they have learned in Science.  

Friday, Jan 6, is NOT a Dollar Dress Down Day.  

BOOK REPORT INFORMATION:
January 8, 9, and 10th.  I have printed out extra book report forms, if you need one.  Let me know and I can get them one.  If you would like to come and watch your child’s report, let me know which day works best for you.  We will be having the book reports starting after 1:30 each day.  They usually take about an hour.  I know it would be easier to have them at the end of the day, and then take your kiddo home, so we can have them go last if that makes it easier for you to come.  I just need to plan for that.  Also, I can let them go at the beginning of the day too.  So, you can swing in for a few minutes in the morning.  Either works, I just want you to be able to come if you can.  Thanks