Happy New Year!

Mitten Sewing 2009

Our mitten sewing was a great success! The students did an excellent job securing their snowman on with 2 buttons and doing the loop stitch around the edge of their mitten.

Thanks for all the donations of the materials needed for our project! We also want to thank Mrs. Hahn, Mrs. Hale, Mrs. Frasca, and Mrs. Brennan for assisting in the sewing process. Our mittens will be displayed in our classroom until Wednesday. The students will bring them home stuffed with the mitten stuffers they brought in to share with their classmates.

Progress Reports and Mitten Sewing

Progress reports were sent out Friday - please sign and return by Monday.


Mitten Sewing Project - our fourth graders will be sewing a big mitten in class on Thursday, December 17th from 1-2. We are looking for parent helpers to come in and assist in this fun holiday craft. If you are unable to come in, we will need helpers at home to cut out the snowmen and thread needles. We are also looking for donations of 9"x12" felt (in any color) and large buttons.

The students will bring in a little mitten stuffer for all 15 students so they can receive a "little something" from each student. Ideas for mitten stuffers are: pencils, erasers, etc. I will be stuffing the mittens for the students to bring home on Wednesday, December 23rd.

We are thankful for...

Joel – I’m thankful for my possessions.

Darrell – I’m thankful for my friends because they help me in school.

Nia – I’m thankful for my family because I have someone to love and care about me.

Kristina – I’m thankful for my family because they provide me with food, shelter, and water.

Samantha – I’m thankful for my family because they are always there for me.

Megan – I’m thankful for my friends because they are so sweet and they will never let me down.

Brianna – I’m thankful for my family because they get me things I need.

Sarah – I’m thankful for my family because they care for me.

Veterans' Day

Thoughts about Veterans' Day from our 4th graders:

Joel
I have a veteran in my family. His name is Carl Lundgren, and he is my grandpa. I thank him by going to where we spread his ashes and say prayers. 1921-2005

Darrell
Brave means Veterans had to fight even if they don’t want to.

Brianna
I have a veteran in my family; My grandfather was in the army. I would tell him, “Thank you for serving our country, and for saving it.” My grandfather is still alive. He is 65 years old. His job is paving drive ways. “Thank you, Granddad . I love you.”

Chloe
Thank you for fighting for our freedom and for our country.

Cassidy
Thank you for serving our country. Also thank you for fighting for our freedom.

Amanda R.
My great grandpa was in the military, he was trying to save 2 people in a poisons army tank, but he failed and died with them. If he was here I would say, “You were brave.” You died before Grandma, Mommy, Zach and I.

Samantha
I have a veteran in my family. My grandpa is a Veteran. He fought in the Korean war. He is 85 years old. He was also in the Navy.
To thank a veteran or current soldier for serving our country I would say, “Thank you for serving our country. You were a big part of the Navy, Army, Air force, Marines or National Guard.”

Megan
I think my Uncle Ray was in World War Two. I pray for him sometimes and thank him for serving our country. I am thankful to have a brave person in my family. Even though I never got to meet him, he was pretty cool.

Nicholas
My grandpa was in the Air Force when he was younger. He fought in the Korean War. He tells my brothers and I stories about the Korean War.

Nia
The soldiers could be nervous or a little scared, but they can do it no matter what.

Amanda L
A soldier fights for our country to save it. They probably are scared and afraid to die, but they care and want to help our country. If they are going die, they know they died for our country.

Kristina
My grandfather was in the military. He is still alive and well right now! I’ll thank him and all the veterans!

Hailey
Being brave doesn’t mean you aren’t scared, it means you do it anyway. This describes a soldier because no matter what the consequences between life or death, the soldiers fight for our country. They might be scared to never see or hear from their family again. Who knows, they might not even get to say good by to a loved one, but they still fight for our country. That is why I am very grateful for our freedom fighters.

Earthworms

Halloween

Happy Halloween!


The teachers were all dressed up as "Witchy Women" today!

Staying Healthy

I wanted to express our thanks for the donations of the hand sanitizer and the hand wipes that have been coming in to our room. We are using the hand sanitizer before snack and lunch, and after sneezing! The wipes are being used to wipe down our desks.
Thanks again! Any donations are appreciated!

Progress Reports Oct.8th

Progress Reports were sent home today. Please sign and return by tomorrow!

Scholastic Order for October

The Scholastic Lucky and Arrow Book Orders and Click Order for October is being sent home on Friday, with the order due on Wednesday, Oct. 7. There are many interesting books in this order. You can send cash or a check made out to Scholastic, in an envelope with your child's name and "Scholastic Order". You can also online this year at:
www.scholastic.com/parentordering
Class User Name: mrsdowd
Password: 4ocs

Here are some of my recommendations for each order:

Money Madness - a book about the history of money

Goosebumps Haunted Pack - 13 books, just in time for Halloween!

Sports Illustrated for Kids Magazine - 6 issues for $10

Mad Libs pack - 5 books for a fun way to practice grammar

Greeting from the 50 States - learn about every state

The Witches - a Roald Dahl book just in time for Halloween

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Dog Days - be one of the first kids to own Book #4

Indiana Jones Trio - 3 books and a poster in a hard case

Star Wars Last of the Jedi Pack - 10 books

Bill Wallace Animal Pack - 4 favorites about dogs and cats

Computer games: Math Blaster, Sponge Bob Monopoly, Soccer Math

Wii and Nintendo DS games: Monster Mayhem Build and Battle, King of the Clubs-Mini Golf, Wordmaster, Dreamer Series Babysitter, Yamaha Supercross

Looking for numbers...

We began our new chapter in Math today by looking for various numbers in the newspaper. The students flipped through to find a number in the millions place, a percent, a number written in word form, etc. Here are some pictures of the work in progress:

Our Fish!

We are excited that Kristina brought in guppies for our fish tank!
Here they are!

Back to School Night

It was really nice to finally meet the parents of my wonderful students! Thank you for taking the time out of your busy evening to come in for a visit. For those that were unable to attend, feel free to stop by after school one afternoon to check out our classroom.

Kids: your parents were impressed with how well your desks were organized! Your bio-poems were a hit!

Heroes

Scholastic Suggestions for September

The Scholastic Lucky and Arrow Book Orders and Click Order for September is being sent home on Friday. There are many interesting books in this order. You can send cash or a check made out to Scholastic, in an envelope with your child's name and "Scholastic Order". You can also online this year at
www.scholastic.com/parentordering
Class User Name: mrsdowd
Password: 4ocs

Here are some of my recommendations for each order:

Presidental Pets - book that tells about the different pets that have been in the Whitehouse, including a hippo
Diary of a Wimpy Kid, the Last Straw - paperback, not sold in stores
50 Amazing States Book and CD-ROM to become an expert on all 50 states
Family Huddle - a football book written by Archie, Eli, and Peyton Manning!

Ripley's Believe it or Not - 2010 edition hardcover
Everything You Need to Know Pack - 6 homework helper books for all subjets
Island of the Blue Dolphins - Can a 12 year old girl survive on a deserted island alone?
Books about current movies - G-Force, Transformers 2, GI Joe

Computer games: Type to Learn, Adventure Workshop 4th-6th Grade, I Spy Fun House
Wii and Nintendo DS games: Backyard Baseball 2010, Learn Math, Escape the Museum

See you tomorrow!

I'm looking forward to see all of the smiling faces on my 4th graders tomorrow!

School Supplies for Mrs. Dowd's Class

Hello to my 4th grade class of 2009-2010! I'm sure you will want to start shopping for your school supplies with September 2nd just around the corner! Oxford is providing most of the supplies you will need for the school year. The following is a list of the items that you will need to bring to school with you on the first day.

• 1 pocket folder – pick a “fun” design – this will be used for your homework folder
• 4 jumbo sized stretchy book covers – (I saw these at Target and Walmart for 50 cents)
• 1 zippered pencil case – to hold your pencils, scissors, and other supplies you will get in school
• 1 pair of scissors – preferably Fiskars brand
• 4-5 pencils –either mechanical pencils or pre-sharpened pencils

A homework agenda book will be provided. I will sign the agenda book daily to show that your child has written in his/her homework correctly. Parents will sign nightly when all homework is completed.

I have markers, crayons, colored pencils, and glue sticks, but you may bring small packs if you would like to have your own in your desk. If you want to bring a small sharpener, be sure it is the type that holds the pencil shavings.

Please DO NOT bring in Trapper Keepers or any other type of binder. They are too large to be stored in your desk.

I will be updating our site as it gets closer to September. Feel free to send me an email if you have any questions: hdowd@oxfordcentral.org

Sincerely,
Mrs. Dowd

FUN summer activities

Click on the link below the picture to create your own story starter!

Story Starter Spinner

Last Day of School & Bill Sloan Visit

I just want to thank all of the fourth grade students for a wonderful year! We have so many special memories from our year that we will never forget. Here are some pictures from our last day of 4th grade and Bill's visit. I hope you all enjoy your summer! Keep in touch hdowd@oxfordcentral.org
Love,
Mrs. Dowd











Post cards from Bill in the background

Field Day 2009!