Today the Northwoods Humane Society put on a presentation for our fourth graders. The students learned about the purpose of animal shelters and also got to meet a couple of very special dogs. They were also told the story of how Dolly and Baby came to the shelter and how they are doing today.
You will find notes on Math Expressions Unit 6 if you click on the tab across the top. I am working to create more videos, but unfortunately, I am out of space with my free screencast account. I am looking into some other options. For now, I am hoping that my notes will help to explain some things. Parents often wonder why our current math curriculum teaches math the way it does. Sometimes the math book's way seems longer and more confusing and at first, it is! However, the reason why the math is presented that way is for children to deepen their understanding of why things work mathematically. You will see in my notes that I included a couple of "Short-cut Alerts," so we are still teaching things the "old-fashioned" way most of the time. It is okay to show your son or daughter a different way of coming to the right answer, so never feel like you are equipped to help him or her! Teach them how you know the answer to be true. :)
Have a great weekend! HAPPY SPRING!!
Friday, March 21, 2014
Friday, March 14, 2014
Long Overdue Update...
Hello,
I would like to give you a brief update on many things going on in our room!
ELA: All students have been working hard on their Because of Winn-Dixie projects and they are looking great! All projects are due on Monday, so please be sure to ask your child about them. Chances are good that they have already told you about their plans!
Students have also been working on Power Point Presentations about an animal of their choice. Some of the students presented theirs to the class today and students will continue to share them throughout the week next week. I was impressed by the enthusiasm of the students. From what I can tell, they have all loved learning about their animals and sharing about what they have learned. It's been fun to watch!
We will start a new unit in ELA on Tuesday about the Revolutionary War period.
MATH: We wrapped up Unit 5: Units of Measure earlier this week. We just started Unit 6: Fraction Concepts and Operations. As always, the first 3 to 4 lessons will be the hardest, so it may take us a day or two to get through each of them. We will get through it one day at a time!
MARCH MADNESS: As I shared in a previous blog post, our class read the most words out of any class in the Intermediate School last week. The kids are pumped and excited about this contest. Thanks for all of the support at home. We are hoping to defeat Mr. V's class today. I am not sure who were are challenging next week, but I will keep you posted.
SBA: Mrs. Lee sent a letter home yesterday about the Smarter Balanced Assessments. The fourth grade is a part of a math pilot program this year. We will have three 1-hour time slots in the computer lab starting on Wednesday next week. The students are not graded on this assessment, but they should still do their best. If you have any questions, feel free to email me.
I will end with an inspirational quote. :)
"What lies before us and what lies behind us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Peace!
I would like to give you a brief update on many things going on in our room!
ELA: All students have been working hard on their Because of Winn-Dixie projects and they are looking great! All projects are due on Monday, so please be sure to ask your child about them. Chances are good that they have already told you about their plans!
Students have also been working on Power Point Presentations about an animal of their choice. Some of the students presented theirs to the class today and students will continue to share them throughout the week next week. I was impressed by the enthusiasm of the students. From what I can tell, they have all loved learning about their animals and sharing about what they have learned. It's been fun to watch!
We will start a new unit in ELA on Tuesday about the Revolutionary War period.
MATH: We wrapped up Unit 5: Units of Measure earlier this week. We just started Unit 6: Fraction Concepts and Operations. As always, the first 3 to 4 lessons will be the hardest, so it may take us a day or two to get through each of them. We will get through it one day at a time!
MARCH MADNESS: As I shared in a previous blog post, our class read the most words out of any class in the Intermediate School last week. The kids are pumped and excited about this contest. Thanks for all of the support at home. We are hoping to defeat Mr. V's class today. I am not sure who were are challenging next week, but I will keep you posted.
SBA: Mrs. Lee sent a letter home yesterday about the Smarter Balanced Assessments. The fourth grade is a part of a math pilot program this year. We will have three 1-hour time slots in the computer lab starting on Wednesday next week. The students are not graded on this assessment, but they should still do their best. If you have any questions, feel free to email me.
I will end with an inspirational quote. :)
"What lies before us and what lies behind us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Peace!
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
1,542,757 words!!
Our newest AR competition is in full swing and our class started with a bang! March Madness sets classes up against each other to see who can read the most words in one week. Last week, we beat Mr. Click's class and actually had the highest word count in the ENTIRE SCHOOL!! Our class read an astonishing 1,542,757 words!! That's amazing!! I am so proud of the kids. This week we are competing with Mr. V's class. I am hoping that we can keep the ball rolling. We start each week with zero words, so it is really anyone's game. Please continue to encourage your son/daughter to read their AR books at home and be sure to give them a high-five and a hug tonight to congratulate their hard work! AWESOME! :)
Friday, March 7, 2014
Because of Winn-Dixie Projects
Students in my ELA are working independently or in partners to create a final project for the book Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo. We have been having a blast getting creative! All projects are due Friday, March 15. 
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