This week our character word was self-control. We talked about what self-control is, and Sanni defined self-control as the word backwards; having control of ourselves. We discussed ways to show self-control in the classroom, the hallway, special classes, and when we have a substitute teacher. We ended the week by watching the Marshmallow Test and talking about how the little kids had to show a lot of self-control resisting eating the marshmallow.

• Please review, sign, & return your child's Weekly Reflection on Monday.
• Students should create a Valentine box for our party on Friday, February 12th.  

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• Monday, February 8th 
• Midterm Reports will come home today; please review with your child, sign, and return to school on Tuesday.   
• Tuesday, February 9th  
• Service Team after school
• Yoga after school
• Parents can screen the health & development video and ask questions at Lindbergh's Administration building in the P.D. South room.  4th grade's session begins @ 5:00 pm.  
• Wednesday, February 10th  
• Flyer Families; wear your t-shirt 
• Early release @ 1:40 pm  
• Thursday, February 11th   
• Choir @ 8:00 am
• Friday, February 12th 
• Jump Rope for Heart during P.E.
• Valentine parties @ 2:00-3:00 pm 

Reader's Workshop

  Students selected an article from NewsELA, a great current events website for kids. Students can choose an article based on interest and adjust the reading level as needed. They can even take a 4 question quiz to ensure they are comprehending. After picking a favorite article, kids wrote a news article review. Their review required them to summarize the article, share their opinion about it, and give two specific facts.

Writer's Workshop

We continued researching our Informational Text topics using books from the library as well as Google Junior. Students incorporated the compare & contrast structure into one chapter of their book. First, they created a Venn Diagram to plan their chapter, then used specific transition phrases to organize their ideas into a paragraph. They also added important terms to their glossaries along with appropriate definitions.

Math 

  We continued our fraction study this week and practiced comparing and ordering parts of wholes. We can do this in a variety of ways. We can draw a model or number line to represent the fraction. We can compare each to a the one-half benchmark and decide if one is greater, less, or equal. We can study the numerators and denominators. If the denominators are the same, the one with the greater numerator is the greater fraction. If the numerators are the same, the one with the smaller denominator is greater. Students also practiced naming mixed numbers and improper fractions.

Social Studies

This week in social studies we finished up Chapter Five: Missouri Becoming A State. We spent a lot of time working cooperatively in small groups to explore the Gold Rush, Oregon Trail, and Santa Fe Trail. We worked to learn about various famous pioneers and the different contributions they made. Friday, we began our Oregon Trail simulation! Be sure to ask your student what their role is in their wagon!