Happy Thanksgiving!
Hi all,
If you would like to join us on Monday, November 24 for Multi-cultural Fest Day, please do! I have attached the day's schedule so you can pop in whenever you would like. The kids will be rotating through countries of North America with all of the 4th grade teachers. We are also requesting that student celebrate their heritage by dressing up! Wear traditional clothing, a souvenir shirt from your travels, whatever you have! There will be time for the kids to share their own heritage as they learn about others. Now for the updates... Math: This week we started 2-digit X 2-digit multiplication. We used both the area model and the partial products strategy to explain how this type of multiplication relates to the distributive property. Next week, we will move on to the standard algorithm (the method most of you know). (These strategies are part of module 8 in the math book if you are curious, I will also post something on my math page on my website soon.) After Thanksgiving break, we will hit the ground running with division and problem solving using all 4 operations. Science: This week was all about investigating forces. We introduced a spring scale, and students observed the transfer of energy through collision. The investigations were super hands-on and if their conclusions are anywhere as interesting as their discussions in class, I can't wait to grade their write-ups. Next week I will introduce our next unit, weather. Have a lovely weekend! Week 12
What a bonkers week! Three days of benchmarks left us just a little time to do some math and science! Math: The benchmarks tested only the math objectives taught these last 12 weeks of school. We spent most of Monday reviewing key concepts to prepare. When we had timer testing, we practiced multiplying 2-digit times 1-digit numbers. The Math test was Thursday. Students will grade their own benchmark test Monday afternoon and chart their success. Any areas of need will be addressed in small group during math instruction between now and Winter Break. Next week, we move on to 2 digit times 2 digit multiplication and 3 digit times 1 digit multiplication. Science: Before Friday’s benchmark, students had a crash course in forces. We had been talking about it in relationship to Mechanical Energy, but I wanted to make sure they knew what they needed since it was a tested objective. Next week we will slow it down and do some hands on investigations about friction and gravity. Next week, we will be taking the writing benchmark which is 2 days, Tuesday and Wednesday. Then back to normal! Kind of…. The holidays are among us, after all. As most of you know, Miss Murphy has taken a leave of absence to take care of a neck injury. We are lucky to have Mrs. Sisk taking over her class in the meantime. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me or Miss Murphy. She is 100% via email. |
AuthorI am just your regular ol' 4th grade teacher. Archives
January 2016
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