So you think you already know where the “dirtiest” places in a classroom might be? We thought we did! Some of us were proven wrong, some of us had a great hunch, and some were just, … disgusted. 
By Kathy Grubb
Are you feeling trapped in the house this winter? Looking for a solution for the mid winter blahs? Break up the boredom by opening up a few reference books and playing a few games.
Reference books can be as dry as toast made in the Sahara and as boring as watching paint dry on a rock, but with gentle competition, your family can practice using reference materials and still have fun!
Here are several games to play as individuals, teams, or a family using a dictionary, a set of encyclopedias (the old-fashioned kind, not the computer kind), an atlas, and a phone book (like the Yellow Pages). These games will not only break up the long winter day but also reinforce skills that might have been overlooked during the course of the year. Most of these games are suited for fourth graders and older, but younger readers can still benefit with assistance from a parent or older sibling.
Room 36 has earned its next classroom party on April 1st! Instead of a movie, we will instead host an (educational) game afternoon. 
There are two reasons I chose to post this news: 1) to inform you in case you want to send in healthy treats, and 2) to share with you the current fourth grade party criteria. In order to attend a classroom party, field trip, assembly, or any other extra activity, students must be caught up in both their Accelerated Reading and Accelerated Math goals. For next Friday’s party, a passing (70%) grade will consist of 5.5 AR points and 12 AM objectives. Students’ current grades are shared with them daily; they know where they are and what they (may) still need to accomplish.
Language Arts: Comparing/Contrasting Characters, Figurative Language, Essay Writing + Review of Making Predictions, Main Ideas
Mathematics: Order of Operations (PEMDAS), Coordinate Graphing, Length of Line Segments, Number Lines + Review of Degrees/Turns
Social Studies: Chapter Four — Mexican Rule in California
Science: Chapter One — Living Things Need Energy
Parents, if you’re able, we could really use a helping hand! We’re nearly (and in some cases, completely) out of the following items: glue sticks, facial tissue, and disinfectant wipes. We’d really appreciate your helping us STICK TOGETHER to stay GERM FREE!
VocabularyandSpellingCity.com has just introduced a special section for math vocabulary. Each grade level has its own list and the words chosen are very accurate to our academic studies. They are divided into separate lists based on various math genres, however, all the words are seen below. Please take some time to use their practice tests and games (especially those like MatchIt) to review math vocabulary needed to succeed.
4th Grade Algebra Terms: equation, expression, inequality, order of operations, pattern, relationship, rule, solution, symbol, variable, inverse operation, equivalent, calculate
4th Grade Data & Stats Terms: chance, survey, function table, tendency, circle graph, predict, line graph, probability, median, mean, mode, array, data collection, pie chart, tree diagram, x-axis, y-axis, arrangement, Venn diagram, break, certainty, range, coordinate system, coordinates, data, diagram, event, likelihood, combinations
4th Grade Geometry Terms: area, capacity, diameter, point, radii, degrees, distance, grid, height, length, acute angle, angle, base, circumference, closed figure, transformation, congruent, rotation, similarity, translation, face, reflection, horizontal, parallel lines, intersection, line, line segment, obtuse angle, octagon, open figure, parallelogram, pentagon, perpendicular, plane figure, polygon, quadrilateral, rectangular, prism, vertices, axis, point, hexagon, cube, trapezoid, right angle, vertex, cylinder, vertical, ordered pairs, cone, axes, perimeter, closed figure, open figure, dotted line, plane figure, similar figure
4th Grade Math Labels Terms: addend, divisor, dividend, quotient, minuend, subtrahend, multiplicand, product, multiplier, remainder, numerator, difference, denominator, labels
4th grade Math Operations Terms: fraction, factor, operation, ordinal number, percent, multiples, common fraction, proper fraction, mixed number, improper fraction, consecutive, cardinal number
4th Grade Number Sense Terms: place value, divisible, estimation, digit, regroup, rounding, clockwise, counterclockwise, natural numbers, value, whole numbers, calculate, inverse operation, million, relative, size, gram, compare, simplify, composite number, decimal number, expanded notation, extraneous information, perfect number, prime number
Our current Friday Accelerated Reading goal is 27.5 points. Our Accelerated Math goal is 44 objectives. 19.3 AR points and 31 AM objectives are required for a passing grade. If your child is behind, time will be given during recess to attain this week's goal. 
