This has been QUITE a busy week in fourth grade! We have really gotten into our book, The One and Only Ivan. The students are truly enjoying this book, and making valuable connections with themselves, other books and the world. We have looked at pictures of the "real" Ivan, and some have even found his story online. Here is one video I found, from the Atlanta Zoo, of Ivan in his zoo habitat.
Many students have signed up to give a "Book Talk " to our class. We are excited to hear about the new books our friends are choosing to read! Some students have even picked up some books that they may not have chosen a few weeks ago. Mrs. Merten is proud of us for giving some different genres a try!
In math, we have been focusing on multiplication strategies, and we had our first quiz earlier this week. We are learning a new way to multiply using the "area model". This is a new way to solve multiplication problems.
Below is a picture of one of the problems we did this morning in math. Your child can give you the full explanation about how this model works.
In Science this week, we continue to discuss the scientific method. We will be completing a few more activities next week, and then we will have a quiz on this topic the following week. As you know, we have been practicing our observation skills with the "Gorilla Cam". We had the opportunity to practice these skills further this week with Mrs. Williams' class. We enjoyed using the microscope to observe tiny organisms from local ponds.
Today, students took home a study guide for our Latitude and Longitude test, which will be next Thursday. Though we haven't formally practiced using lines of Latitude and Longitude, we have covered all of the other material on the study guide, and the children have a complete vocabulary list.
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
