Tuesday, September 27, 2016 (Day 20)

Highlights of Day 20:

• Question of the Day
• Word Study: Long and Short E Vowel Sounds Quiz
• Writer's Workshop: Imagining Stories from Ordinary Moments
• Math: Problem Solving - Making an Organized List

Homework

Read independently and write it in log; Complete Homework Packet

Monday, September 26, 2016 (Day 19)

Highlights of Day 19:

• Question of the Day
• Word Study: Long and Short E Vowel Sounds
• Writer's Workshop: Imagining Stories from Ordinary Moments
• Math: Problem Solving - Making an Organized List

Homework

Read independently and write it in log.

Friday, September 23, 2016 (Day 18)

Highlights of Day 18:

• Question of the Day:
• What makes a person "popular?"
• Do you consider yourself "popular?" Explain.
• Word Study: Short E and Long E Vowel Sounds
• CNN Student News and Snack
• Reading: Theme of "Shiloh"
• Lunch
• Math: Rounding Numbers
• Specials

Homework

Complete Homework Packet and log independent reading.

Thursday, September 22, 2016 (Day 17)

Highlights of Day 17:

• Question of the Day
• Word Study: Short E and Long E Vowel Sounds
• CNN Student News and Snack
• Reading: Stamina for Independent Reading
• Lunch
• Math: Ordering Numbers
• Specials

Homework

Complete Homework Packet and log independent reading.

Wednesday, September 21, 2016 (Day 16)

Highlights of Day 16:

• Question of the Day:
• Would you rather be rich and famous or a someone who saves people lives but does not get paid a lot of money?
• Word Study:
• Short E and Long E Vowel Sounds
• Writing:
• Reader Response Letters
• Reading:
• Benchmark Assessments
• Lunch
• Math:
• Compare Numbers
• Specials

Homework

Complete packet and log independent reading.

Tuesday, September 20, 2016 (Day 15)

Highlights of Day 15:

• Question of the Day:
• What is your biggest fear? Explain how your life would be different if you did not fear that thing or idea?
• Word Study:
• Partner Test
• Long and Short E Vowel Sounds
• Writing:
• Thinking Stems
• Reading:
• Benchmark Reading Assessments
• Lunch:
• Math:
• Comparing Numbers
• Specials

Homework

Homework Packet and Independent Reading Log.

Monday, September 19, 2016 (Day 14)

Highlights of Day 14:

• Question of the Day: How could you best set up the classroom to learn?
• How to Write and Score a Reader Response Letter
• Students went to the Computer Lab to take their Reading MAP Assessments.
• Specials

Homework

Independently read: Log twenty minutes.

Friday, September 16, 2016 (Day 13)

Highlights of Day 13:

• Today I had to attend a Benchmark Meeting.
• Question of the Day:
• Would you rather have your mom/dad/guardian give you more presents of spend more time with you? Which would make you feel more loved? Explain.
• Non-Fiction Article: Teen boy makes soap and helps other kids
• Taking Action: Saying "No!" to Animal Mistreatment
• Animal Mistreatment in Shiloh supported by Article Information
• Comparing and Ordering Numbers

Homework

Independent reading: Log for twenty minutes.

Thursday, September 15, 2016 (Day 12)

Highlights of Day 12:

• Question of the Day:
• Would you want a teacher who is strict, fair, and you learn a lot from? Or would you want a teacher who is fun, relaxed, but does not teach you very much?
• Word Study:
• Partner Pairs reviewed Long A and Short A Vowels
• Writing:
• Story Structure
• Students observed the conflict in the story, "Chrysanthemum."
• They identified the beginning, middle, and end.
• They drew connections to the problem with their own name.
• Reading:
• Students worked on stamina for reading independently.
• Students learned how to set up their Reading Logs.
• Math:
• Students used problem solving skills to Compare Numbers.
• Specials

Homework

- Study Short A and Long A Vowel Sounds

- Find out how you got your name.

- Independently read for thirty minutes and log it.

Wednesday, September 14, 2016 (Day 11)

Highlights of Day 11:

• Question of the Day:
• Why do people lie? Explain.
• Word Study:
• Long and Short A Sounds
• Writing and Reading:
• Students observed story structure.
• Beginning, Middle, and Ending
• Students observed the mentor text: "A Chair for My Mother."
• Students added to their "small moment" pieces.
• Students went to the gym for Picture Day!
• Math:
• Students compared numbers by rolling dice!

Homework

Written response: When Mr. C. looks at me, he probably thinks I am... Explain!

When Mr. C. look at me by the end of the year, I want him to see someone who is... Explain!

Tuesday, September 13, 2016 (Day 10)

Highlights of Day 10:

• Question of the Day:
• What is the messiest food to eat? Explain.
• Word Study:
• Long and Short A Vowel Sounds
• Partner Study
• Writing:
• Students evaluated their hook.
• Students observed details in the book "Shortcut."
• Students visualized these details in their own writing.
• Reading:
• Benchmark Assessments with Mrs. Mann.
• Math:
• Students completed Rainbow Stations with Place Value.
• High Frequency Word Test
• Specials

Homework

Students should independently read for thirty minutes.

Students should study Short and Long A Vowel List.

Monday, September 12, 2016 (Day 9)

Highlights of Day 9:

• Question of the Day:
• If you could have a genie grant you any one wish, what would it be?
• Word Study:
• Long and Shot /A/ Sounds
• Acorns at Apple Lake
• Fire Drill Routine
• Snack while watching CNN Student News
• Writing:
• Small Moment Stories
• Engaging Introductions
• Visualizing Key Details
• Reading:
• Benchmark Assessments with Mrs. Mann
• Lunch
• Mathematics:
• Place Value Relationships

Homework

Independently read for thirty minutes.

Friday, September 9, 2016 (Day 8)

Highlights of Day 8:

• Question of the Day
• If you could be one inch tall for a day, what specific area would you want to explore? Explain you answer!
• Spelling
• High Frequency Words #51-75
• R-Controlled Vowels with a Partner
• Writing
• Pre-writing Assessment of a Small Moment
• Beginning
• Details
• Transitions
• Visualization
• Ending
• Students observed "Fireflies!" by Julie Brinckloe.
• CNN Student News

• Reading
• Students continued Benchmark Assessments.
• Specials and Lunch
• School Assembly for Fundraiser
• Math
• Place Value Relationships

Be sure to check notices in Friday folder!

Thursday, September 8, 2016 (Day 7)

Highlights:

• Question of the Day:
• What is the most important thing friends can do for each other?
• Word Study: R-Controlled Vowels
• Partner Study
• Writing: Pre-Writing Assessment for a Small Moment
• Reading: Benchmark Assessment
• Over the next four weeks, students will be assessed to gauge their A-Z Reading Level. It is extremely important that students read a "Just Write Book" in order to be reading at an independent level.
• Social Studies: Southeast Video
• Math:
• Representing Numbers Word Problem Stations
• Representing Numbers Quiz
• Place Value Relationships

Homework

Place Value Relationships worksheet

Wednesday, September 7, 2016 (Day 6)

Highlights of the Day:

• Question of the Day:
• If you could put any meaningful message on a billboard, which message would you select? (It cannot be longer than ten words).
• Word Study: R-Controlled Vowels
• Students created words using -ar, -er, -ir, -or, and -ur patterns.
• Writing: Brainstorming Techniques
• Students learned about charts, webs, lists, and maps in order to Brainstorm.
• Reading: Summarizing and Metacognition (Thinking About Thinking)
• Students used the "Somebody...Wanted...But...So" graphic organizer in order to summarize Jumanji.
• Students used "Thinking Stems" to comment on the story.

• Specials and Lunch
• Math: Representing Numbers
• Digits, Place Value, and Number Sense

Homework

Independently read for thirty minutes.

Tuesday, September 6, 2016 (Day 5)

Highlights of the Day:

• Question of the Day:
• If you could have 1,000 of anything red, what would you select? Why?
• High Frequency Words
• Students were tested on twenty-five words that are essential to comprehension.
• We will continue studying these words for the next two weeks.
• Team Building Game: Stop the Thief!
• "Heart Maps"
• Students illustrated "heart maps" to give themselves inspiration when writing.

• CNN Student News
• "Somebody...Wanted...Bust...So...Then..." Strategy
• This strategy is great to help students summarize.
• Somebody: Who is the main character?
• Wanted: What does the character want? What is her/his goal?
• But: What is the problem? What keeps the character from the goal?
• So: What is the solution? How is the goal reached?
• Then: How does the story end?
• Students used this strategy to summarize the story.
• Team Building Game: Goalie!
• Social Studies: Southeast Region
• Math: Representing Numbers

Homework

Study "Somebody...Wanted...But...So...Then..." Strategy for Jumanji

Representing Numbers Worksheet

Friday, September 2, 2016 (Day 4)

ORANGE YOU GLAD IT'S FRIDAY!!!

Highlights of Day 4:

• Morning Work
• Question of the Day: What special treat would you put at the bottom of an ice cream cone in order to surprise a customer at an ice cream shop? Explain!
• Reading Comprehension and Language
• Reading
• Mini-Lesson: Round vs. Flat Characters
• We know what round characters think, feel, want, and do.
• "Shiloh" - Chapter Two
• CNN Student News
• Math: Graph Results of Math Pre-Test
• Clean Classroom for the Weekend

Notices: September Calendar & Boy Scout Form!

URGENT! Morning Arrival BEGINS at 8:30!

Enjoy the long weekend!

Mr. C.

Thursday, September 1, 2016 (Day 3)

Highlights of Day 3:

• Morning Work
• Question of the Day: If you could as a 100-year-old any one question, what question would you ask and why? Please explain!
• Reading Comprehension and Language
• Distribution of White Boards
• Mini-Lesson: What is Realistic Fiction?
• Read Aloud: "Shiloh"
• Snack and CNN Student News
• Assembly with Mrs. Connelly focusing on expectations for the year!
• Thirty Minutes of Independent Reading
• Specials and Lunch
• Math: Pre-Test on Place Value!

Please sign and return important forms!

Best,

Mr. C.

Wednesday, August 31, 2016 (Day 2)

Highlights of Day 2:
- Review Classroom Jobs and Responsibilities
- Review Behavior and Expectations
- Morning Work Routine
- Create a Goal for the Year
- Mr. Peabody's Apples: Know the Power of Your Words (Part 2)
- CNN Student News
- Word Makers: Names Edition
- Inspirational Video
- Specials: We Have a Rotating Schedule!

- Stop Think Observer Proceed to Solve Collaboration Squares

- A Maze of New Friends

Some Visual Highlights:

Please sign all papers in black folder!

Consider your just right reading book!

Best,

Mr. C.

Tuesday, September 30, 2016 (Day 1)

Highlights of Day 1:
- Tour of the Fourth Grade Classroom
- Classroom Jobs and Responsibilities
- Behavior and Expectations
- Brainstorming Ways to Keep Classroom Rules
- Morning Work Routine
- CNN Student News
- Create Your Superhero Identity
- Specials: We Have a Rotating Schedule!
- Problem Solving Strategy: S.T.O.P.

- Stop Think Observer Proceed to Save Fred

- Mr. Peabody's Apples: Know the Power of Your Words

Some Visual Highlights:

Please sign all notices in black folder!

Best,
Mr. C.

Welcome to Mr. Castano's Fourth Grade Classroom!

If you are in Mr. Castano's Fourth Grade Classroom at Pentucket Lake Elementary School, you have probably found your way to this blog. I hope you are having an awesome summer!

Here are some of my summer highlights:

This giant squid taught me how to tie a bowtie.

Feeding the cows in Virginia.

*No zoom needed!

Meeting my favorite comic writer,

Mark Waid, at Boston Comic Con!

Seeing one of my favorite musical acts,

Shakey Graves, and his super cool suitcase drum!