Mrs. Smith- 4th grade Language Arts. Week of 11/28/11-12/2/11

Dear Parents,

I would like to again express again how excited I am to be your child's teacher! I know we are going to have a great year.

Today your child will be bringing home a new Reading Log. The students will be expected to read at least 20 minutes a night and write a brief reflection/summary on the book or the particular chapters he/she read. The book they choose to read should be on their reading level. I will be discussing with the students my expectations for the reflection. Please sign your child's reading log each Thursday to ensure completion. Thank you in advance for your ongoing help with the reading log.

Mrs.Okey's Homeroom Language Arts for this Week:

This week we will be focusing on a story entitled Grandfather's Journey:
Written and Illustrated by Allen Say (Houghton Mifflin, 1993)

Summary: It begins with the author's memories of his grandfather, who left Japan for California, and eventually returned to Japan with his family. Though the grandfather was happy to be home in Japan, he missed the mountains and rivers he left behind. When his grandfather dies, the author, who grew up in Japan, decides to see the mountains and rivers his grandfather missed so much. He stays in California, but like his grandfather, never forgets his homeland.

Weekly Vocabulary
bewildered: greatly puzzled, confused
homeland: country where one was born
longed: wished for, wanted very much
marveled: filled with surprise or wonder
reminded: made someone remember
surrounded: put all around

Please have your child review these vocabulary words daily: the class will have a test Friday on story comprehension and vocabulary.

Mrs.Smith's Homeroom Language Arts for this Week:

We will be reading and discussing a series of nonfiction texts about Native Americans. Our studies will begin with and focus around A Boy Called Slow by Joseph Bruchac.

Summary: The text is about a young Native American boy who is anxious to be given a name as strong and brave as that of his father. He acts with careful deliberation, determination, and bravery, which eventually earned him his proud new name--Sitting Bull.

Weekly Vocabulary
customs – usual way followed by people of a particular group
determination – the quality of being firm in carrying out one’s plans
extended – enlarged, made to include more
raid – an attack for the purpose of taking property
reputation – what others think about the character and behavior of someone
respect – feelings of admiration and approval
travois – a sledge used by the Plains Indians consisting of a platform supported by two long poles, whose forward ends were fastened to a dog or horse
inherited – received something from an ancestor
coup stick – a long stick used for striking the enemy in battle triumph – great victory
longed – wished or wanted very much
sage – shrub that grows in dry areas
overrun – covered in great numbers
poison oak – plant that causes an itchy rash bustling – busy, lively
ambush – lie in wait to attack
nestled – tucked away
transcontinental – across the continent ferocious – extremely savage
harried – worried, tormented


Please have your child review these vocabulary words daily: the class will have a test Friday on story comprehension and vocabulary.
Please note: the students will not be asked to write the definitions for a test but rather be familiar enough with the words to match the definition and/or use the words in sentences.