Hello Bobcat families! I apologize for the short break in blog updates, so here is a summary of what we have done so far in the month of November to catch everyone up!
In reading, we introduced the genre of realistic fiction. Teachers immersed students into the genre with many read alouds, and now students are reading The School Story by Andrew Clements in their book clubs in class.
In social studies, we have learned about the tribes indigenous to Texas, and how the region of Texas in which they lived shaped their lifestyle. The whole fourth grade got to enjoy a presentation by Wade Classen, the father of a student in our class, as he explained in detail about the clothing worn by different Native American tribes and their significance in different activities/rituals.
In writing, we are continuing our grammar practice with subject/verb agreement. We also introduced the expository writing style, and how to construct a quality informative essay. Students will then write an expository essay over a Native American tribe of their choosing in the upcoming weeks.
In science we conducted many investigations addressing energy and force. To begin, we investigated potential and kinetic energy by rolling a marble down ramps of different heights to see how position affects the energy gained. We investigated thermal energy by testing how different heat sources produce different amounts of hot air conduction, and used tuning forks to investigate vibrating sound waves. Then, we completed electric circuits to light up light bulbs, and created electromagnets to pick up paperclips. To investigate the force of friction, we changed the dependent variable in the potential/kinetic investigation- the surface the marble rolls on. How cool that we are building on what we already know!
In math we have worked for weeks on multiplication! We started our multiplication unit by identifying common patterns in multiplication, worked our way up to two digit by one digit problems, and finally two digit by two digit problems. Some multiplication strategies and methods we learned were finding partial products first, then adding them up for the whole product, as well as the standard algorithm, or “short cut” for multiplying. To practice fact fluency in school, we have been filling out a blank multiplication table every day to become faster and more accurate with our basic facts up to 12x12. It’s been amazing to see the students’ progress over the weeks!
Here’s a preview for what we will be doing next week, 11/18-11/22:
Math: introduction to function tables
Science: the water cycle
Reading: continuing realistic fiction and starting discussion on theme
Social Studies/Writing: continuing research on the tribes and writing the expository essay
***Make sure your student is working on their Book Bingo Boards! They are due on December 9th! The lunar chart is also due on December 9th!
In reading, we introduced the genre of realistic fiction. Teachers immersed students into the genre with many read alouds, and now students are reading The School Story by Andrew Clements in their book clubs in class.
In social studies, we have learned about the tribes indigenous to Texas, and how the region of Texas in which they lived shaped their lifestyle. The whole fourth grade got to enjoy a presentation by Wade Classen, the father of a student in our class, as he explained in detail about the clothing worn by different Native American tribes and their significance in different activities/rituals.
In writing, we are continuing our grammar practice with subject/verb agreement. We also introduced the expository writing style, and how to construct a quality informative essay. Students will then write an expository essay over a Native American tribe of their choosing in the upcoming weeks.
In science we conducted many investigations addressing energy and force. To begin, we investigated potential and kinetic energy by rolling a marble down ramps of different heights to see how position affects the energy gained. We investigated thermal energy by testing how different heat sources produce different amounts of hot air conduction, and used tuning forks to investigate vibrating sound waves. Then, we completed electric circuits to light up light bulbs, and created electromagnets to pick up paperclips. To investigate the force of friction, we changed the dependent variable in the potential/kinetic investigation- the surface the marble rolls on. How cool that we are building on what we already know!
In math we have worked for weeks on multiplication! We started our multiplication unit by identifying common patterns in multiplication, worked our way up to two digit by one digit problems, and finally two digit by two digit problems. Some multiplication strategies and methods we learned were finding partial products first, then adding them up for the whole product, as well as the standard algorithm, or “short cut” for multiplying. To practice fact fluency in school, we have been filling out a blank multiplication table every day to become faster and more accurate with our basic facts up to 12x12. It’s been amazing to see the students’ progress over the weeks!
Here’s a preview for what we will be doing next week, 11/18-11/22:
Math: introduction to function tables
Science: the water cycle
Reading: continuing realistic fiction and starting discussion on theme
Social Studies/Writing: continuing research on the tribes and writing the expository essay
***Make sure your student is working on their Book Bingo Boards! They are due on December 9th! The lunar chart is also due on December 9th!