Welcome to Quarter 2!
It is hard to believe that the 2nd quarter is upon us. We hope that your child has had a restful and enjoyable track out and is ready to head back to school. We will be working on a lot of interesting information this quarter. If you did not have a conference and you wish to do so please contact us and we will set up a date/time.
ELA:
This quarter in reading, our focus will be nonfiction. Please have your child read nonfiction texts at least 2 nights a week for reading homework. During the first week back, we will focus on using text features to preview and comprehend text. We will also learn new ways to check for understanding and record information while reading nonfiction, including a concept square and a 3-2-1 chart.
In writing this quarter, students will be writing 2 animal reports. We will do a guided report together for the first half of the quarter and then an independent report for the second half of the quarter. We will be working with our Media Specialists and Technology Teacher to make these projects come together. The students will be writing 5-6 paragraphs including information on: habitats, food, structural adaptations and behavioral adaptations.
Math & Science:
In math we will begin our exploration of division. Again, we will be teaching a method that many of you may not be familiar with. I have posted a link that will show you the method we will be using. The standard algorithm for long division is often too difficult for fourth graders to fully grasp and is no longer a fourth grade objective. Therefore we will be focusing on the rectangular area method and the expanded notation method for dividing large numbers. In the coming weeks we will also be working on more problem solving strategies. Remember the goal of Common Core is to dive deeper into the curriculum so that there is a better understanding of the material. This is a national curriculum that most states follow.
Here is the rectangular area method link and here is the expanded notation method link .
In science we will be studying the many structural and behavioral adaptations of animals. We will also focus on their basic needs. In the coming weeks, students will be observing some different types of animals in class.
News & Important Information:
Boosterthon is here! Please register your student on https://funrun.com/auth/login, using the class access codes:
Burdette: 2780-2421
Schmedding: 3129-1596
Students receive a FREE GIFT when they are registered. This is our largest fundraiser of the year and money raised is used to enhance our technology. Please consider donating as well.
Abigail Garr, a student in Mrs. Schmedding’s class, moved over track out. Her mother asked that we pass along her contact info so that her friends can stay in contact: Abigail’s Mom’s email: [email protected] Abby’s email: [email protected]
We are so thrilled that the PTA has sponsored Donna Campbell Smith, author of Pale as the Moon, to come speak with the fourth graders on November 21. Donna will be available to sign copies of her books if the students wish to bring them in. Here is a link to order Pale as the Moon if you would like to: http://www.amazon.com/Pale-Moon-Donna-Campbell-Smith/dp/1491287691/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1411745080&sr=1-1&keywords=pale+as+the+moon
Important Dates:
Boosterthon: Friday, October 3
Early Release: Fridays, October 17 & November 7
Author Visit (Tommy Greenwald): Tuesday, October 21
Spelling Bee: November 7
Book Fair: November 3-14
Author Visit (Donna Campbell Smith): Friday, November 21
No School: November 11, 27, 28
Talent Show Auditions: November 19
Track out/report cards quarter 2: December 5
Symphony Field Trip (no chaperones needed): February 26, 2015
Old Salem Field Trip (tentative): April 16, 2015
It is hard to believe that the 2nd quarter is upon us. We hope that your child has had a restful and enjoyable track out and is ready to head back to school. We will be working on a lot of interesting information this quarter. If you did not have a conference and you wish to do so please contact us and we will set up a date/time.
ELA:
This quarter in reading, our focus will be nonfiction. Please have your child read nonfiction texts at least 2 nights a week for reading homework. During the first week back, we will focus on using text features to preview and comprehend text. We will also learn new ways to check for understanding and record information while reading nonfiction, including a concept square and a 3-2-1 chart.
In writing this quarter, students will be writing 2 animal reports. We will do a guided report together for the first half of the quarter and then an independent report for the second half of the quarter. We will be working with our Media Specialists and Technology Teacher to make these projects come together. The students will be writing 5-6 paragraphs including information on: habitats, food, structural adaptations and behavioral adaptations.
Math & Science:
In math we will begin our exploration of division. Again, we will be teaching a method that many of you may not be familiar with. I have posted a link that will show you the method we will be using. The standard algorithm for long division is often too difficult for fourth graders to fully grasp and is no longer a fourth grade objective. Therefore we will be focusing on the rectangular area method and the expanded notation method for dividing large numbers. In the coming weeks we will also be working on more problem solving strategies. Remember the goal of Common Core is to dive deeper into the curriculum so that there is a better understanding of the material. This is a national curriculum that most states follow.
Here is the rectangular area method link and here is the expanded notation method link .
In science we will be studying the many structural and behavioral adaptations of animals. We will also focus on their basic needs. In the coming weeks, students will be observing some different types of animals in class.
News & Important Information:
Boosterthon is here! Please register your student on https://funrun.com/auth/login, using the class access codes:
Burdette: 2780-2421
Schmedding: 3129-1596
Students receive a FREE GIFT when they are registered. This is our largest fundraiser of the year and money raised is used to enhance our technology. Please consider donating as well.
Abigail Garr, a student in Mrs. Schmedding’s class, moved over track out. Her mother asked that we pass along her contact info so that her friends can stay in contact: Abigail’s Mom’s email: [email protected] Abby’s email: [email protected]
We are so thrilled that the PTA has sponsored Donna Campbell Smith, author of Pale as the Moon, to come speak with the fourth graders on November 21. Donna will be available to sign copies of her books if the students wish to bring them in. Here is a link to order Pale as the Moon if you would like to: http://www.amazon.com/Pale-Moon-Donna-Campbell-Smith/dp/1491287691/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1411745080&sr=1-1&keywords=pale+as+the+moon
Important Dates:
Boosterthon: Friday, October 3
Early Release: Fridays, October 17 & November 7
Author Visit (Tommy Greenwald): Tuesday, October 21
Spelling Bee: November 7
Book Fair: November 3-14
Author Visit (Donna Campbell Smith): Friday, November 21
No School: November 11, 27, 28
Talent Show Auditions: November 19
Track out/report cards quarter 2: December 5
Symphony Field Trip (no chaperones needed): February 26, 2015
Old Salem Field Trip (tentative): April 16, 2015