Happy 2016! It wasn’t easy getting back into the swing of things this week, but everyone buckled down and we still managed to accomplish a lot. We are almost at the halfway point for the school year and it’s amazing to see the students’ independence and confidence grow.
I gave the students a midyear spelling assessment this week and will look at our groups to confirm that everyone is at the right spot. I also factor in spelling in the students’ everyday writing… are they able to carry over the patterns they have practiced?
We read a new story in the anthology this week and learned how to identify the theme and interpret idioms. We also used the story to practice discussion skills in preparation for our upcoming Literature Circles. Next week we will begin an author of Andrew Clements. Students browsed through the books he has written and selected one to read. They will be reading this book, completing related activities and meeting with other students to discuss the story. I emphasized the importance of these discussions to help them understand and enjoy what they have read.
We will complete Unit 4 next week and take the Unit 4 test on Friday. This will focus on multiplication, conversion of metric units of measurement and area. I bought some logic games with part of the Barnes and Noble gift card I received from the class (Thank you again!) and we set up a station to learn these games in math today. Thank you to Mrs. Steele for helping with math games, and photocopying. I have added dates to the sign up sheet for the new year.
We will visit the Museum of Fine Arts on Wednesday to see their collection of Chinese Art. The docents are incredibly knowledgeable and students always learn so much while actually seeing examples of Chinese culture. I have asked students to dress appropriately for the trip (no sports t-shirts, etc.) and bring a peanut-free bagged lunch so we can eat in the classroom when we return. Thank you to the PTO for sponsoring this trip.
Ask a Fourth Grader
* What is the “theme” of a story?
* What is a “call to action” in persuasive writing?
* Which logic game did you practice playing this week? Was it easy or hard?
* How did your book group discussion go? What did you do well?
I gave the students a midyear spelling assessment this week and will look at our groups to confirm that everyone is at the right spot. I also factor in spelling in the students’ everyday writing… are they able to carry over the patterns they have practiced?
We read a new story in the anthology this week and learned how to identify the theme and interpret idioms. We also used the story to practice discussion skills in preparation for our upcoming Literature Circles. Next week we will begin an author of Andrew Clements. Students browsed through the books he has written and selected one to read. They will be reading this book, completing related activities and meeting with other students to discuss the story. I emphasized the importance of these discussions to help them understand and enjoy what they have read.
We will complete Unit 4 next week and take the Unit 4 test on Friday. This will focus on multiplication, conversion of metric units of measurement and area. I bought some logic games with part of the Barnes and Noble gift card I received from the class (Thank you again!) and we set up a station to learn these games in math today. Thank you to Mrs. Steele for helping with math games, and photocopying. I have added dates to the sign up sheet for the new year.
We will visit the Museum of Fine Arts on Wednesday to see their collection of Chinese Art. The docents are incredibly knowledgeable and students always learn so much while actually seeing examples of Chinese culture. I have asked students to dress appropriately for the trip (no sports t-shirts, etc.) and bring a peanut-free bagged lunch so we can eat in the classroom when we return. Thank you to the PTO for sponsoring this trip.
Ask a Fourth Grader
* What is the “theme” of a story?
* What is a “call to action” in persuasive writing?
* Which logic game did you practice playing this week? Was it easy or hard?
* How did your book group discussion go? What did you do well?