Our Week in Review

This was a very busy week in Room 24!  We continued to work on learning about place value and we practiced addition and subtraction.  We are really focusing on using the "traditional algorithm" to add and subtract.  Your child will be able to show you this method, and you probably will remember this from your own childhood!  We have our second math test on Tuesday.  A study guide went home, and you can also find one in our important documents gadget to the right.

In writing, we have been working on writing some seed ideas. The children are familiar with this, and it has been a good way for me to see their writing skills and to hear their voice!  We have finished writing goals for this school year, and some of the children were proud to say they have already accomplished one or more!

In reading, we continue to focus on reading strategies and thinking while we read. I have continued to remind the children that the same book should be read at school during reading zone and at home for the nightly reading.  Regular reading of the same material allows the children to focus on plot, characters and their traits, and other higher level reading skills.  I'm looking forward to starting our first interactive read aloud in a week or so.

This week we worked diligently to prepare for our puff mobile races.  We worked in groups to:

• work cooperatively
• practice the engineering steps 
• create a puff mobile

This ended with a rousing race in the gym.  Your child can tell you the specifics, but our class did REALLY WELL!  

The beginning of the design process

Testing designs

Testing our designs and choosing a puffer!

choosing jobs and beginning our design

ready to race!

Classroom winners

ready to race!

ready to race!

Classroom winners ~ boys

Classroom winners ~ girls

ready to race!

Our winning group

BEFORE THE RACE!

Here are a few videos from the race!

 










From the Teacher's Desk:
The students have adjusted very well to the expectations of fourth grade.  As you know, we are focusing largely on independence and responsibility.  To that end, I have stopped checking assignment notebooks, with the exception of a few students. Students have been responsible for bringing home their materials and writing in their assignment books.  I have checked the books on Friday when I check for a parent signature as well.

I wanted to mention our homework policy.  You can also find it in our student handbook.  Each term, students are all given a "freebie". This is one missed homework assignment, no consequence, the student just has to bring it in the next day. After the freebie, a student who misses an assignment a second, third or fourth time, must make it up (in some cases redo it) at recess. After that he/she can play. After that fourth miss, the student must miss the recess, do the homework, and write a letter to you to be signed.  This is so that you are aware of the missed homework assignments and is a clear way for me to communicate that to you.  Homework includes:  the nightly written assignment, his/her library book, his/her nightly reading book (to be brought to and from school), the reading log (due Friday) and the parent signature in the assignment book (due Friday). The written assignments must be complete.

I know that as the year goes on, this will become second nature to your children.  At this point, several students have used their "freebie" plus at least one more assignment.  I'd appreciate it if you take a minute and talk with your child about his/her homework progress.  If your child has missed assignments, sometimes it is helpful to set up a regular location for homework, and to have some type of checklist to be sure items are packed correctly.  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about this.


Enjoy the long weekend!
~Mrs. Merten