Stamina was the word of the week! Everyone was hunkered down and writing for long stretches this week! Our 4M researchers learned how to write a conclusion that includes details and definitive words and repeats the main ideas. These conclusions were added to their other four paragraphs. They edited for proper punctuation, capitalization and spelling. The final drafts are impressive. So many students were shocked at the length of their writing, even after typing! I am super proud of each student’s efforts and growth. We can’t wait to share them with you on November 19th!
The last two parts of this project are a poster and costume. Directions for the poster will go home on Monday and it will be due on Tuesday, November 17th. The costume will be due on Wednesday, November 18th.
In math this week, we wrapped up Unit 2. Students reviewed symmetry, properties of triangles and quadrilaterals and “What’s my Rule?” tables. I sent home a paper review sheet on Thursday along with a list of the skills that will be assessed and the pages to review on the electronic Student Reference Book (SRB). I put a link to the SRB on the “Links” page of this website. Student’s passwords are in the front page of their student planner.
We are also finishing our plant unit in science. We have been asking many questions about our plants because they stopped growing a few weeks ago and didn't die, but never grew flowers. We discussed the variables that could have affected the growth… lack of natural light, over-watering, old fertilizer pellets. Hmmmm.. In any case, we will have a plant test on Thursday. Students should use their plant journal to study vocabulary words, parts of the flower and bee and the life cycle of the Wisconsin Fast Plant.
In reading, we read two articles about how humans have changed the landscape of Earth. Students practiced the “Read, Stop, Think and Write” strategy. They wrote their thoughts in margins as they were reading and then talked to classmates about the most important details they had read. We also practiced fluency by reading a play about immigrants arriving to Ellis Island.
Thank you to Mr. Leone (Thomas’ dad) and Mrs. Devgan (Sanaa’s mom) for help with math games. Thank you also to all the parents who volunteered to chaperone the Chinatown field trip on November 23rd.
Ask a Fourth Grader!
* What are two properties of a parallelogram?
* How do you play "Bizz Buzz?"
* What are examples of "definitive words" and how do you use them to write a conclusion?
* Can you explain the "Read, Stop, Think, Write" strategy for reading?
* What is happening in the class read-aloud, Wonder?