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Hello! I'm Ms. Arnold, and I’m absolutely delighted to be starting my fourth year teaching 4th grade! My journey began with a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, but it didn’t take long for me to realize that my true calling is in the classroom, helping young minds grow.

Before I found my home in 4th grade, I spent four wonderful years as a Montessori Teacher's Assistant for grades 1-3. I then had the privilege of working in the Special Education Department of Lake County for another four years, where I dedicated myself to helping students navigate their day.

Teaching 4th grade has been an absolute joy, and I love every moment of it. There’s nothing quite like the excitement and curiosity that fills our classroom each day. I’m so excited to start this new school year and can’t wait to embark on another incredible journey of growth and learning with my students!

In addition to my passion for teaching, I’m also a proud mom of three amazing kids—a Junior and a Freshman at Carmel Catholic High School, and a 6th grader. Our family wouldn’t be complete without our white miniature schnauzer, Miko. We love spending time outdoors, whether we’re hiking, biking, swimming, or enjoying all kinds of watersports. Family adventures are a big part of our lives, and I bring that same sense of fun and exploration into my classroom!

I’m so lucky to have the support of two wonderful teacher's aides, Susan Broken and Andrea Graham. Their expertise and commitment are truly invaluable, and I couldn’t be more excited to have them as part of our classroom team. Together, we’re ready to make this year a fantastic one for our students!

If you would like to donate to my classroom please visit our Classroom Wishlist Link on my homepage. Cheers to an amazing year!!

Sincerely, Ms. Arnold

Posts

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Homework:

Math: Chapter 10 lesson 2 Tenths My Homework pages.

Reading/LA: Spelling Choice for the 6 spelling words.

All 12 words vocabulary words are due on Thursday.

Section 1 test on Thursday.

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Homework:

Math: Chapter 10 lesson 2 Tenths My Homework pages.

Reading/LA: Spelling Choice for the 6 spelling words.

All 12 words vocabulary words are due on Thursday.

Section 1 test on Thursday.

Week at a Glance, 3/30-4/3

Reminders:

FMSC field trip rescheduled to 4/2
No school 4/3 and 4/6

Math - Chapter 10: Fractions and Decimals

Monday: Chapter 10 Lesson 1- Place value through tenths and hundredths

Tuesday: Chapter 10 Lesson 2- tenths

Wednesday: Chapter 10 Lesson 3 - hundredths

Thursday: Review and Check my Progress quiz lessons 1-3

Objectives:

use decimal notation for fractions with denominators with 10 or 100

Reading/Language Arts -

We will begin our next novel study - Bicycle Spy by Yves Grevet.

A bit about the book: Set in 1943 Paris during World War II, Bicycle Spy follows a young boy named Marcel as he navigates life under Nazi occupation. Through courage, curiosity, and a secret mission involving a bicycle, Marcel learns about bravery, friendship, and standing up for what’s right.

There will be a vocab, reading and spelling quiz on Friday.

Objectives:

Introduce Historical Context
Explore Courage and Morality
Foster Empathy

Homework for Reading/LA:

Monday- 6 vocab squares

Tuesday - spelling choice

Wednesday- 6 vocab squares

Thursday- spelling choice

Friday- Test, No homework

Spelling

To help prepare students for the workload next year, we will have 6 spelling words in addition to our vocabulary list. Spelling will be included on the quiz at the end of the week.

This weeks rule: words ending in -able and -ible

Science - Introduction to Plants

Social Studies- We are returning to our SS textbooks this week: Unit 6 Lesson 12 - The West

Objectives:

Identify reasons why people are attracted to the west
Apply map skills to locate 9 important locations in the west
Describe physical features of the west

Religion -

Wrap up lenten activities, preparing for Easter

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Please wear a red polo tomorrow even though we have gym tomorrow. You can wear gym bottoms.

If you wish you can bring red flowers for St. Joseph's day tomorrow.

Homework:

Math: Chapter 13 Lesson 5 My homework pages. Everyone will have to complete this at home. We did not have time to start homework today. Please check folders tonight.

Reading: The Sound of Music word search.

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Reminders:

Thursday, 3/19 - 9:30 Mass for St. Joseph’s Day. Students should bring red flowers to school and wear their red polo. It is a gym day, but students should wear their red polo.

Math: Chapter 13 lesson 4 My Homework pages.

Reading: None, we are enjoying the Sound of Music.

Week at a Glance 3/16 to 3/20

Reminders:

FMSC field trip rescheduled to 4/2

Math - Chapter 13 Area and Perimeter

Monday: Chapter 13 Lesson 1 - Measure Perimeter

Tuesday: Chapter 13 Lesson 4 - Measure Area

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Lucky Charms math activities!

Wednesday: Chapter 13 Lesson 5 - Relate Area and Perimeter

Thursday: Chapter 13 Test Review and Chapter 13 Test.

Friday: Fun Math Games

**Math is getting to the point where students need extra practice outside of daily lessons and homework. Please allow for 10-15 minutes of IXL teacher recommendations for Chapter 13 daily.

Objectives:

Students will be able to define area as the number of square units that cover a shape.

Students will be able to calculate the area of rectangles using length × width.

Students will be able to define perimeter as the distance around a shape.

Students will be able to find the perimeter of polygons by adding the lengths of all sides.

Reading/Language Arts -

Number the Stars - Wrap up

To wrap up our novel study of Number the Stars, our 4th graders will be watching the classic movie The Sound of Music. This beloved film gives students a chance to see a story of courage, family, and history come to life on screen, just like we explored in our book, Number the Stars. It’s a fun way to connect the themes of bravery and standing up for what’s right while enjoying music, singing, and the timeless story of the Von Trapp family.

Objectives:

Students will be able to identify the main characters and describe what they do.

Students will be able to retell the main events of the story in order.

Spelling

NO SPELLING

Science - Animal and Plant Adaptations - Lesson 3

Why don't the same trees grow everywhere?

In this lesson, students make observations of external and internal parts of trees in order to collect evidence that these structures work together as a system to help plants survive in a particular environment. In the activity, Tree Detective, students use models of roots and branches to explore their functions and then construct an argument about how these structures must work together in order to support the survival of trees in the unique environment of the frozen taiga.

Social Studies-

Please see Mrs. Baysore's page.

Religion -

Lenten activities.

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

As noted in my previous week at a glance - we are covering heavy topics in Number the Stars. While reading today we learned that in 1943 Danish doctors and scientists came up with an idea. They made small packets of cloth that used dried rabbit blood and a substance called cocaine on them. When the dogs sniffed the packets, the strong smell overpowered the dogs’ noses and made them temporarily numb. (We covered this topic at a 4th grade level of understanding.)

Math: Chapter Review pages 619-621

Chapter 9 Study guide

Fractions packet

Reading: 2 Vocabulary words

Study for final Number the Stars test on Friday.

Monday, March 9, 2026

Today we took advantage of the 70 degree weather and met our buddies outside. A great time was had by all!

Reminders: If anyone is willing, I'm still looking for 4 boxes of Lucky Charms Cereal for St. Patrick's Day. Thank you to those who have already donated!

Math: Chapter 9 Lesson 8 My Homework pages 611-612. (Most students were able to finish in class today.

Reading: 4 Vocabulary words - your choice.

Friday: Cumulative test for Number the Stars

Cumulative Vocab quiz.

Week at a Glance 3-9 to 3-13

Reminders:

Food pantry 3/11 - bring grape jelly if possible
FMSC field trip rescheduled to 4/2

Math - Chapter 9 (Continued.)

Monday: 9-8 - Model Fractions and Multiplication

Tuesday: 9-9 - Multiply Fractions by whole numbers

Wednesday: Review for Chapter 9 Test

Thursday: Chapter 9 Test

Friday: Fun Math Activities!

**Math is getting to the point where students need extra practice outside of daily lessons and homework. Please allow for 10-15 minutes of IXL teacher recommendations for Chapter 9 daily.

Reading/Language Arts -

Number the Stars - Section 3 - (Chapters 13-End)

Monday: 4 vocabulary boxes

Tuesday: 4 vocabulary boxes

Wednesday: 2 vocabulary boxes

Thursday: Vocabulary matching practice sheet

Friday: Vocabulary Test and Final Reading Test - this test will be a cumulative test of all 3 sections!

*Vocabulary will be handed out on Monday and is also posted in google classroom under "Reading" class.

Objectives:

-Students will describe characters (traits, motivations, and changes) using text evidence.

-Students will summarize chapters using key details from the text.

-Students will explain the historical context of World War II and the Holocaust at a basic level.

-Students will determine the meaning of unfamiliar words using context clues.

-Students will analyze themes, including bravery, friendship, and sacrifice.

Spelling -

NO SPELLING

Science - Animal and Plant Adaptations: Lesson 2 - Why would a sea turtle eat a plastic bag?

In this lesson, students explore how animals receive information through their senses and process that information in their brain, using instincts and memories to guide their behaviors. In the activity, Raccoon Reactions, students use models to understand how an animal’s senses, brain, and memories all work together as a system to influence their behavior and support their survival.

Social Studies-

Finishing "Who was Davy Crockett?" book study.

Students will begin their final in-class project for this book study -A timeline of David Crockett's life.

Religion -

Lenten activities.