ELA:
Two weeks into second quarter and we are deep into nonfiction! We’ve spent the past two weeks focusing on using text features (headings, photos, captions, word boxes, charts, graphs, etc) to predict and help you comprehend what you read. Students have also learned to annotate, organize main idea and key details into a “boxes and bullets” organizer, and summarize. We will be moving on to text organization and structure over the next two weeks.
In writing, students have just about finished taking notes for their first animal reports. Through work in the Media Center, Computer Lab, and in the classroom, students have practiced paraphrasing what they’ve read onto their graphic organizers. They’ve compiled information from multiple sources including books, encyclopedias and websites (focusing mainly on NCWise Owl resources linked from the Media Center website.) Next week we will work on introductory paragraphs and then lay out additional paragraphs, learning about topic sentences and how to organize details effectively.
Math & Science:
In math we will be spending the next few weeks working on multiplication and division word problems. The goal is to determine what a word problem is specifically asking us to do. Please continue working on 2 digit multiplication using the rectangular method, or algebraic method and division using the expanded method. Because these are emerging skills, many students forget how to divide and multiply large numbers once we move to other units. Constant review is essential for mastery of these skills. I also have many students who still need to practice their multiplication facts. Please take a few minutes each night to work with your child on this!
In science we have introduced our first animal into the classroom! As zoologists, we are learning as much as we can about the Dwarf African Frog. We will be making observations, running experiments, and learning about their structural and behavioral adaptations. Our goal is to understand the effects of environmental changes, adaptations and behaviors that enable animals (including humans) to survive in changing habitats.
News & Important Information:
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:
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
Two weeks into second quarter and we are deep into nonfiction! We’ve spent the past two weeks focusing on using text features (headings, photos, captions, word boxes, charts, graphs, etc) to predict and help you comprehend what you read. Students have also learned to annotate, organize main idea and key details into a “boxes and bullets” organizer, and summarize. We will be moving on to text organization and structure over the next two weeks.
In writing, students have just about finished taking notes for their first animal reports. Through work in the Media Center, Computer Lab, and in the classroom, students have practiced paraphrasing what they’ve read onto their graphic organizers. They’ve compiled information from multiple sources including books, encyclopedias and websites (focusing mainly on NCWise Owl resources linked from the Media Center website.) Next week we will work on introductory paragraphs and then lay out additional paragraphs, learning about topic sentences and how to organize details effectively.
Math & Science:
In math we will be spending the next few weeks working on multiplication and division word problems. The goal is to determine what a word problem is specifically asking us to do. Please continue working on 2 digit multiplication using the rectangular method, or algebraic method and division using the expanded method. Because these are emerging skills, many students forget how to divide and multiply large numbers once we move to other units. Constant review is essential for mastery of these skills. I also have many students who still need to practice their multiplication facts. Please take a few minutes each night to work with your child on this!
In science we have introduced our first animal into the classroom! As zoologists, we are learning as much as we can about the Dwarf African Frog. We will be making observations, running experiments, and learning about their structural and behavioral adaptations. Our goal is to understand the effects of environmental changes, adaptations and behaviors that enable animals (including humans) to survive in changing habitats.
News & Important Information:
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:
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