Since coming back from winter break, 4th grade has been very busy!
Today we celebrated Kansas Day by working on and presenting our Famous Kansan powerpoints. Students had been working on them over the past week to practice the writing process and further develop their research skills. Prior to that, students worked on text structures such as problem/solution, cause/effect, description, sequencing, and compare/comtrast, by studying various modes of transportation. In February, we will begin doing activities to distinguish fact and opinion.
We also completed our nutrition unit today for health. During our unit, students learned about the food guide pyramid, types of nutrients, food labels, and how to keep food safe. As a culminating activity, we visited the Douglas County Fairgrounds for their Slice of Agriculture event. While there, students learned about all of the various ingredients that may be be found or put on their pizzas. This included seeing fruits/vegetable demonstrations, a giant tractor which assists in harvesting grain, and live pigs and cows. Students also visited the "House of Germs" which enabled them to see how important washing hands can be! When we come back on Tuesday, we will be introducing our electricity unit.
In math, students have been focusing on multi-digit multiplication. We've gone from multiplying 2 digit by 1 digit problems to 2 digit by 2 digit and 3 digit by 2 digit problems. Students are quickly realizing just how important addition and multiplication facts are to this process. Keep practicing those facts!!!
Students also had the opportunity to meet a famous Lawrence illustrator - Stephen Johnson. He showed us how he creates his books and even shared some new information about upcoming books to look for. Students had a great time learning about his different strategies and techniques!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, October 8, 2009
We're back!
Social Studies: We are studying early Kansas. Students have looked at early explorers in the region. They studied why the explorers were sent, what their experiences and observations were during their journey, and the results of their experience. Some of the explorers we studied were: Lewis and Clark, Coronado, Long, and Peak. This week we have been focusing on two important trails that went through Kansas: The Sante Fe and Oregon-California. Students looked at the similarities and differences of the two trails, and studied how they influenced Westward Expansion.
Math: We are finishing our unit Products and Factors. Students learned a lot of new math vocabulary. They now know factors, products, prime numbers, square numbers, multiples. Many began studying divisibility rules. As you can see, learning those math facts is really important! Thanks for all of your help at home. Look for new triangle flashcards to be coming home for the next unit.
Reading: 4th grade is excited about introducing the Daily 5 as part of our reading block. While the teacher works with a small guided reading group, students will improve their reading skills by: reading to self, reading to a friend, writing, and word work. The kids are doing a great job learning our new class procedures. Be sure to ask them what they love about the Daily 5!
Spelling: We are really excited about our new individualized spelling system for this year!
Special Events: 3rd-5th graders will be going to the Lied Center on Monday for a special performance. Kevin Locke is a Native American performer who shares his teaching traditions of the Lakota heritage including dance, flute, songs, story telling, and Indian sign language to explore the culture. Chat and Chew is the 16th and 20th for students that read How to Steal a Dog. Picture retakes are scheduled for October 21st.
Math: We are finishing our unit Products and Factors. Students learned a lot of new math vocabulary. They now know factors, products, prime numbers, square numbers, multiples. Many began studying divisibility rules. As you can see, learning those math facts is really important! Thanks for all of your help at home. Look for new triangle flashcards to be coming home for the next unit.
Reading: 4th grade is excited about introducing the Daily 5 as part of our reading block. While the teacher works with a small guided reading group, students will improve their reading skills by: reading to self, reading to a friend, writing, and word work. The kids are doing a great job learning our new class procedures. Be sure to ask them what they love about the Daily 5!
Spelling: We are really excited about our new individualized spelling system for this year!
Special Events: 3rd-5th graders will be going to the Lied Center on Monday for a special performance. Kevin Locke is a Native American performer who shares his teaching traditions of the Lakota heritage including dance, flute, songs, story telling, and Indian sign language to explore the culture. Chat and Chew is the 16th and 20th for students that read How to Steal a Dog. Picture retakes are scheduled for October 21st.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Parents,
Thank you for joining us at Curriculum Night. We hope you found all of the information useful. If you were unable to attend, we will be sending the information home with your child on Friday as part of their Friday folder.
We are currently wrapping up our first math unit on graphing; up next is perimeter and area. This week we also completed our health unit and began our first science unit - ecosystems. During this unit, we will study grasslands, the tundra, wetlands, and animal classification. Students will begin practicing their stations which will take place during our guided reading time. In writing, we are working on the 6-traits of content and ideas. Today we began our first spelling groups. This year for spelling, students have been split into different groups. Which ever teacher your child is currently with, will continue to be their spelling teacher throughout the school year. Every week that students have a new list or words, they are required to fulfill their spelling contract.
Next Monday the 31st, we will be participating in the MAP reading assessment during the afternoon. Please try to avoid taking students out of class at this time. Additionally, the math version will be held Friday, September 11th.
Thank you for joining us at Curriculum Night. We hope you found all of the information useful. If you were unable to attend, we will be sending the information home with your child on Friday as part of their Friday folder.
We are currently wrapping up our first math unit on graphing; up next is perimeter and area. This week we also completed our health unit and began our first science unit - ecosystems. During this unit, we will study grasslands, the tundra, wetlands, and animal classification. Students will begin practicing their stations which will take place during our guided reading time. In writing, we are working on the 6-traits of content and ideas. Today we began our first spelling groups. This year for spelling, students have been split into different groups. Which ever teacher your child is currently with, will continue to be their spelling teacher throughout the school year. Every week that students have a new list or words, they are required to fulfill their spelling contract.
Next Monday the 31st, we will be participating in the MAP reading assessment during the afternoon. Please try to avoid taking students out of class at this time. Additionally, the math version will be held Friday, September 11th.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Welcome 4th Graders!
So far our year has been off to a great start! 4th graders have been learning about rules and procedures. We are all excited to implement and experience the "classroom economy," our classroom management system.
In math, we are off to a great start. Unit 1 of Math Trailblazers focuses on collecting, graphing, and interpreting data. The kids have been having a lot of fun with this, and we have even had our first quiz.
In science, students have been learning about personal health and safety. We spent time looking at a PBS website learning about being smart consumers. Check it out: www.pbskids.org/dontbuyit. Be looking for a study guide packet this weekend. Our first test is on Monday.
What can you be doing at home? Your child should be sharing his or her planner with you every night. Talk to them about their day. Another way you can help is to watch out for their weekly math checks. If they seem to be having trouble in one area, spend some time working on flash cards. We will spend more time going over this on Curriculum Night. As always, one of the most important things that you can do at home is make sure your child is reading everyday. We will be excited to share even more information at our (parent only) Curriculum Night on Wednesday, August 26th!
Thanks for checking out the 4th grade blog! We are thrilled to have all of your kids in class and look forward to a fantastic year!
In math, we are off to a great start. Unit 1 of Math Trailblazers focuses on collecting, graphing, and interpreting data. The kids have been having a lot of fun with this, and we have even had our first quiz.
In science, students have been learning about personal health and safety. We spent time looking at a PBS website learning about being smart consumers. Check it out: www.pbskids.org/dontbuyit. Be looking for a study guide packet this weekend. Our first test is on Monday.
What can you be doing at home? Your child should be sharing his or her planner with you every night. Talk to them about their day. Another way you can help is to watch out for their weekly math checks. If they seem to be having trouble in one area, spend some time working on flash cards. We will spend more time going over this on Curriculum Night. As always, one of the most important things that you can do at home is make sure your child is reading everyday. We will be excited to share even more information at our (parent only) Curriculum Night on Wednesday, August 26th!
Thanks for checking out the 4th grade blog! We are thrilled to have all of your kids in class and look forward to a fantastic year!
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