Wow! So much has been going on with the 4M Smarties over the past few weeks! Although it seems like a long time ago, the field trip to the JFK Library and Museum was fantastic. The students were involved and brought a lot of knowledge to the activities and exhibits. Thanks to all the parents who volunteered as chaperones. We all had an inspirational visit!
Last week we read a non-fiction story about hurricanes and then analyzed how authors and publishers layout information in a non-fiction book. Students spent two days pouring over different books and taking notes about the colors, fonts, text boxes, captions and photographs that help a reader understand information better. This week, they took notes about a natural disaster and made their own electronic poster with text features. This was a new project that involved reading, note-taking, and using technology to create something that included important information and was easy to read.
We took the Unit 3 math test today and will preview Unit 4 next week. This unit will include multi-digit multiplication, so students must know their 2-10 facts quickly and accurately. The Everyday Math program first teaches students an algorithm called “Partial Products.” I will send home directions when we learn this in class so you can help at home. Eventually, students will learn the traditional method of multiplying large numbers, the idea being that students should have a few strategies in their back pocket and should master one of them.
We have been learning about the northeast region in social studies and next week will write a poem including many of the most important facts they have learned.
We will have a holiday party on Thursday next week and a D.E.A.R. Day on Friday. Students can bring in books, magazines for a day full of reading and reading activities!
Ask a Fourth Grader!
* What did you learn about the natural disaster you researched?
* What text features do authors use to organize information on a page?
Last week we read a non-fiction story about hurricanes and then analyzed how authors and publishers layout information in a non-fiction book. Students spent two days pouring over different books and taking notes about the colors, fonts, text boxes, captions and photographs that help a reader understand information better. This week, they took notes about a natural disaster and made their own electronic poster with text features. This was a new project that involved reading, note-taking, and using technology to create something that included important information and was easy to read.
We took the Unit 3 math test today and will preview Unit 4 next week. This unit will include multi-digit multiplication, so students must know their 2-10 facts quickly and accurately. The Everyday Math program first teaches students an algorithm called “Partial Products.” I will send home directions when we learn this in class so you can help at home. Eventually, students will learn the traditional method of multiplying large numbers, the idea being that students should have a few strategies in their back pocket and should master one of them.
We have been learning about the northeast region in social studies and next week will write a poem including many of the most important facts they have learned.
We will have a holiday party on Thursday next week and a D.E.A.R. Day on Friday. Students can bring in books, magazines for a day full of reading and reading activities!
Ask a Fourth Grader!
* What did you learn about the natural disaster you researched?
* What text features do authors use to organize information on a page?