The 4M Smarties are writers! This week we launched the Writer’s Notebook by decorating the covers and completing two entries. In the first entry, “My History as a Writer, Part 1” students reflected on their experiences as writers and their feelings about writing. Overwhelmingly, the 4M Smarties commented on how writing is “relaxing,” “fun,” and “easy.” As we know, attitude is so important, so you can understand my complete joy as I read each student’s entry. Students brought home their notebooks this weekend to share. I’m sure you’ll see their pride in what will be an important part of our year together. The Writer’s Notebook is the best tool students have to live like professional writers. This is the place were they will record their thoughts and observations about the world around them. They will practice writing techniques and develop writing fluency.
We have been discussing our independent reading habits and what makes a “Just Right” book. We also shared how we select good books. Each day this week, students have improved their reading stamina. At home, everyone should have a book to read for at least 20 minutes/ day in a quiet and relaxing spot.
In math, we continued to read large numbers, into the millions, and round to different place values. The 4th grade is using a new version of Everyday Math that has been updated with the goals of the Common Core. As we become familiar with the new lessons, there might be some bumps in the road. We will be evaluating the pacing and trying to anticipate skills that will require more practice or additional review. We learned many new math games this week… 22 Kudu, Spin and Round, and Fishing for Digits. These math games reinforce adding, place value and rounding skills.
On Friday, we came together as a class to discuss our hopes and dreams for the year. My hope is that every student will come to school ready to learn and that we will work together to accomplish a lot this year. Students brainstormed a list of their own hopes for the year and selected two.
We had our first two science lessons this week! We started our first unit about plants and dissected a seed. Next week we will be planting seeds and should have some sprouts to show off on Curriculum Night.
Ask a Fourth Grader!
* How do you know a book is "Just Right" for you?
* What did you find when you dissected a seed?
* What are your hopes and dreams for 4th grade?
* What is 234, 567 rounded to the nearest thousand?
We have been discussing our independent reading habits and what makes a “Just Right” book. We also shared how we select good books. Each day this week, students have improved their reading stamina. At home, everyone should have a book to read for at least 20 minutes/ day in a quiet and relaxing spot.
In math, we continued to read large numbers, into the millions, and round to different place values. The 4th grade is using a new version of Everyday Math that has been updated with the goals of the Common Core. As we become familiar with the new lessons, there might be some bumps in the road. We will be evaluating the pacing and trying to anticipate skills that will require more practice or additional review. We learned many new math games this week… 22 Kudu, Spin and Round, and Fishing for Digits. These math games reinforce adding, place value and rounding skills.
On Friday, we came together as a class to discuss our hopes and dreams for the year. My hope is that every student will come to school ready to learn and that we will work together to accomplish a lot this year. Students brainstormed a list of their own hopes for the year and selected two.
We had our first two science lessons this week! We started our first unit about plants and dissected a seed. Next week we will be planting seeds and should have some sprouts to show off on Curriculum Night.
Ask a Fourth Grader!
* How do you know a book is "Just Right" for you?
* What did you find when you dissected a seed?
* What are your hopes and dreams for 4th grade?
* What is 234, 567 rounded to the nearest thousand?