Welcome to Room 9

 
 
Welcome to fourth and fifth grades in Room 9!
 
Week of November 10, 2025
  • No school Monday and Tuesday this week.
  • Next Monday, Nov. 17, there will be a 5th grade parent information night about Camp Pali at 6:00 in the cafeteria.
  • Fourth graders started a new language arts module titled "Extreme Settings."  We read a Ray Bradbury story called "All Summer in a Day" and looked at how descriptive language enhanced one moment in the story.  We're calling this an "exploded moment."  In math, fourth graders are continuing to look at ways to understand division with bigger numbers, and in science, understanding how geologists infer about the past based on clues found in the present.
  • Fifth graders are wrapping up language arts module 1 by reading an excerpt from a speech given by Chief Joseph to Congress in 1879.  Students are also working on their last writing task of the module.  In math, the kids are practicing applying their knowledge of multi-digit multiplication and division to word problems.  There will be a math test next Tuesday.  In science, students are writing a scientific explanation about what happens with molecules during a chromatography test.
 
Week of November 3, 2025
  • We have Town Hall meetings this week to learn about the Jog-a-thon and to honor veterans from our school community.
  • Fourth graders are finishing up language arts module 1 on what it means to have a figurative and literal great heart.  They are writing essays to demonstrate what they have learned.  In math, they are learning division with remainders.  In science, fourth graders are learning about sedimentary rock and the formation of fossils.
  • Fifth graders are finishing the book Thunder Rolling in the Mountains.  They are learning about essay structure to prepare for their last writing assignment of the module.  In math, they are practicing multi-digit long division.  In science, fifth graders are learning about how scientists can use the properties of molecules to separate mixtures.
 
Week of October 27th
  • Monday is our second Hands on Art lesson
  • Tuesday we have a school assembly
  • Thursday we will see our little buddies again
  • Friday is the Halloween parade
  • Fourth graders are finishing reading and analyzing Love That Dog.  We are continuing to look for elements of poetry in poems, as well as discuss what it means to have a great heart.  In math, we are continuing with standards algorithm multiplication and we will have our mid-module test on Thursday.  In science, we have started our second module on Earth's features through the lens of geology.
  • Fifth graders are continuing to read Thunder Rolling in the Mountains as finding text evidence to compare and contrast the main characters.  In math, we are working our way toward long division.  In science, we are continuing our study of matter, specifically properties of matter and properties of substances.
 
Week of October 20th
  • Thank you for your patience while the website was down last week.
  • We had our first gardening lesson last week.  
  • Fourth graders are learning about elements of poetry through reading Love That Dog.  We are also discussing theme and practicing writing a strong informational paragraph.  In math, students are learning the standard algorithm for multiplying three or more digits by a one digit number.  In science, we have been learning about what can cause a system failure in an electrical system, and problem solving a fictional situation of a blackout in Ergstown.
  • Fifth graders are continuing to read Thunder Rolling in the Mountains.  Students are collecting evidence to write well organized essays about the cultural beliefs and values of the main characters.  In, math, fifth graders are taking their module 2 mid-module test this Wednesday that covers numerical expressions and multiplying two or more digits by three or more digits.  In science, we have started our second module - Modeling Matter.  Last week we did a hands on experiment learning about properties of matter.  We will continue this as we complete a chromatography test soon.
 
Week of October 6th
  • We had our first Hands on Art lesson this Monday
  • Fourth graders are starting the book Love That Dog.  We are reading and writing poetry that goes along with the book, and continuing to investigate figurative language.  In math, we are wrapping a up a very short unit on measurement conversion.  In science, we are looking at the pros and cons of different energy sources, as well as recognizing how we as students are using science and engineering practices such as investigating problems, working within criteria, conducting tests, and sharing results with others.
  • Fifth graders are continuing to read our chapter book Thunder Rolling in the Mountains as we explore character development, conflict within a story, and how to compare and contrast.  In math, we are working on multi-digit multiplication with whole numbers. In science, we are finishing up our astronomy unit.
 
Week of September 29th
  • No school Thursday and Friday this week.
  • On Wednesday, our class will meet their kindergarten buddies!
  • The fourth graders are had their first Socratic Seminar Monday, discussing our non-fiction text The Circulatory Story.  Wednesday, we will begin looking at how figurative language is a part of poetry.  In math, the fourth graders are starting a very short unit (5 lessons) on metric measurement.
  • The fifth graders got copies of our core novel Thunder Rolling in the Mountains today.  We read chapter 1, and will be applying the knowledge we developed about Nimiipuu culture to our understanding of the text.  In math, fifth graders are working on writing numerical expressions using parentheses, as well as practicing various strategies to solve multi-digit multiplication problems.
 
Week of September 22nd
  • No school on Tuesday
  • This week, the fourth graders are finishing up reading our non-fiction text The Circulatory Story and using this text to determine main idea and detail.  In math, we are finishing up module 1 on place value, adding large numbers to one million, and subtracting.  In science, we are continuing to learn about electrical circuits and power sources.
  • The fifth graders are reading a second legend from the Nez Perce Culture, and learning how to structure a compare and contrast essay using both legends we have studied.  In math, they are taking their end of module math test on Wednesday based on place value with decimals.  In science, we are continuing to study patterns of our solar system, as well as distinguish between rotate and orbit.
 
Week of September 15th
  • Picture Day is this Wednesday
  • Friday we will be having a mobile farmer's market
  • Fourth graders are reading a non-fiction text about the heart called The Circulatory Story and finding examples of figurative language such as similes and metaphors.  In math, they are working on multi-digit subtraction, and in science, we are continuing to look at ways energy is transferred in the world.
  • Fifth graders are writing well organized paragraphs about aspects of Nez Perce culture and how they are supported by that community's homeland.  In math, they are working on beginning concepts of multiplying and dividing with decimals.  In science, we are continuing our study of patterns in space, moving from daily patterns last week to annual patterns this week.
 
Week of September 8th
  • Both grades are doing MAP testing this week in language arts and math.
  • On Friday, we will attend a school Townhall meeting to learn about Running Club which will start next Monday, September 15th.
  • Picture Day is coming up next Wednesday, September 17th.
  • Fourth graders are taking a mid-module math test on place value on Wednesday.  In science, they are continuing to learn about electrical systems including how source converters take different kinds of energy and convert them to electrical energy.  They also had their first Second Step lesson on making a group plan that is specific, doable, and challenging.
  • Fifth graders are adding and subtracting with decimals in math.  In science, they are learning about daily and annual patterns in the night sky.  They will have their first Second Step lesson this Friday about setting individual goals.
 
Week of September 1
  • Back to School Night is this Thursday, September 4th. Thursday is a minimum day with dismissal at 1:30 p.m.  I'm looking forward to a chance to share more about Room 9 with our parents. I will present the same information at both sessions which begin at 5:30 and 6:15.  
  • Fourth graders are working on writing an informational paragraph about how the word heart can be used figuratively.  They are also working on rounding with larger place values this week.  In science, they are building their understanding of electrical systems.
  • Fifth graders are building knowledge about Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) culture to better understand the cultural conflicts with settlers during the 1870s.  Fifth graders are also practicing rounding with decimals in math, and preparing for their first mid-module test this Friday.  In science, they are learning about the distance of stars and the effect of light pollution on our ability to see them.
 
Week of August 25
  • Welcome to the second week of school!  I hope everyone had a good first week.  Parents, please fill out the links above.  
  • Fourth graders will continue to practice figurative and literal language through our English Language Arts unit "A Great Heart."  We have also started our math unit on place value through the millions place.  We will be starting our science unit on energy conversion this week as well.
  • Fourth graders will have their first vocal music class this coming Friday.
  • Fifth graders will continue to develop knowledge about culture, as well as westward expansion during the 1870s for our first English Language Arts unit, "Cultures in Conflict."  In math, we have started our unit on place value to the thousandths place.  We will be starting our science unit on astronomy this week.
  • Fifth graders will have an assembly to introduce them to our band program on Tuesday, and then their first band lesson on Friday.  Students should not bring any instruments this week.  
  • All of Room 9 will begin P.E. this Monday from 1:30-2:20.  Students should wear appropriate attire and shoes for running, wear sunscreen, and bring a water bottle.