Happy Winter!
Fourth graders are wrapping up their nonfiction reading and opinion essay writing units; next, we will be launching into historical fiction reading and literary essay writing.
In Mathematics, we just completed topics on multiple digit multiplication; students learned the area model and the standard algorithm (ask your student about the trick "Many Zoos, Many Animals"). We continue to practice solving multiple step word problems using the CUBES strategy.
Next, we will be embarking upon long division, so it is more important than ever that students continue to practice basic facts, as these are the foundation for our more advanced work.
We completed our Energy unit in science and have begun our Geology unit. The Jacob's Pillow program the last two weeks of January will help us better understand and remember important geology concepts, such as erosion and weathering.
Social Studies work continues with a focus upon Geography, this time as we study the five regions of the United States, and then national historic sites. We will also be learning about Economics.
If your student is in the Battle of the Books program, please remind her/him to use evening reading and weekend reading times to read the books selected (and some soon to be assigned) from the list. Red and green teams have chosen their names ("Reading Ravens" and "Radioactive Reading Hamsters"!), and all teams are being encouraged to write questions about their books as they read, or immediately after they read, starting with "In which book..." The answer will be a book title and author's last name.
Please continue to check homebook books and folders for important assignments and information, and sign planners for each day. Fourth graders should be taking responsibility for sharing these items, especially as the year progresses. Please contact me through email or a written note, as needed.
Enjoy the wintry weather!
Upcoming Events include: 1/22 Winter Concert @ 1:30;
1/23-2/1 Jacob's Pillow Residency Program with "A Pause in the Process" Informal Sharing @ 2pm on 2/1; 1/25 Report Cards; 2/18 - 2/22 Winter Vacation.
