A New Marking period is here!

This week starts the beginning of our second marking period.  I'm excited that we have made it through the first 9 weeks, and I look forward to all the incredible things to come in the next nine weeks.  Here is a rundown of what's going on this week:

Math
Last week we analyzed four different methods to multiply.  Although I give the students choice to solve problems in the method that makes the most sense to them, I want to make sure that they are aware of how problems can be solved in other ways.  The "powers-that-be" that create tests are always checking to make sure students can identify different ways to solve problems and calculate answers in a variety of ways.  I am pleased to see that most of the students in my class have latched on to a method that works for them as well as understand other ways to figure out these problems (quizzes from Friday will come home tomorrow).

This week, we dive into using mental math strategies to solve multiplication problems.  We will spend both Tuesday and Wednesday working on these four strategies.  Again, these strategies are taught so the students can understand different ways to reach the same answer as a strategy that they already find comfortable.  Click on the strategies and you can watch a tutorial of the lesson for Monday and Tuesday.

• Using friendly numbers
• Use halving and doubling
• Use addition
• Use subtraction

Keep in mind we only have 2 days of Math instruction this week due to Wednesday's early dismissal, my absence on Thursday, and Friday's Halloween festivities.

Science

We are deep into our Science Unit of Animal and Plant Classification.  This week we move from plant comparisons to animal classifications.  Tomorrow there will be a study sheet going home that covers all information for the test on Friday.  Here is a copy in case your child "misplaces" theirs.

Language Arts

Word Study

This week we focus on words with the /aw/ and /ou/ sound patterns.  Students are now required to use the words in sentences on the test, so I am going to add sentences to homework on Thursday.  Please check their sentences on Thursday to make sure they make sense.  The test will be next Monday so we can have a little fun with a review game on Friday.  Some students may have started/finished them in class.  In this case, please just look them over and sign the bottom.  Here is the list of words for the week.

Reading

Continuing the strategies from last week, we are continuing our study of character analysis this week.

This connects perfectly with the Character Project sent home last Friday that is due by October 30th (this Friday).  I am allowing students to bring the project to me early throughout the week for conferencing and pointers for improvement.  I look forward to seeing the final products this Friday.

Writing

Character trait writing will be a main focus this week and next as well.  During our writing time this week, we will be writing an extended response focusing on how a character changes throughout the story.  Here is the story we will be focusing on for the essay (pages 1, 2, 3, and 4)

As I stated earlier, I will not be at school on Thursday.  Friday will still have instruction happening for the first half of the day.  We will be finishing our essays, taking a Science Test, and reviewing Word Study.  I look forward to a fun-filled party and parade on Friday afternoon!  Have a great week! 

This Week in Room 25

The new set-up for the classroom is fully-functional and working fantastically!  Many of the students were a little curious how I would actually teach while they faced the white board...but I think I've convinced them it is possible!  Much of the whole group instruction is still done on the carpet with the aid of the SMART board, but turning the classroom sideways has opened up a lot more space for moving around and small group work areas.  Here's what's going on this week:

Language Arts
Word Study
This week's words are focusing on the /oo/ sounds and spelling patterns.  The students are learning that there are a variety of spelling combinations that make this sound, as well as different sounds that the /oo/ spelling pattern make.  This week the Word Study quiz will be on Friday.  The words can be found here for at-home studying.

Language Arts
The past few days we have been focusing on analyzing a character's traits by using evidence from fictional stories.  This practice will lead up to an upcoming book report that will focus on a book's character.  The students will be given this report on Friday and will be due by November 6th.

Writing
During Writing this week we will be preparing for the upcoming district-wide Writing Assessment on Thursday.  The prompt will be based on a persuasive article we read together.  Luckily, I knew this in advance and have prepared the class for this test.  The Fall assessment will be used as a benchmark to show growth throughout the year, and be compared to a similar assessment in the Spring.

The 40 Book Challenge!
Recently I challenged all the students in Room 25 to complete 40 books this year.  The Challenge consists of many different genres of literature, and charts the students' progress throughout the year.  Ask your child about their progress and how they can earn a chance to be invited to the 40 Book Challenge celebration at the end of the year.  In case you would like to follow along at home, here is a copy of the template.

Science
Last week we focused on classifying living things into kingdoms, genes, and species.  This week we will dig deeper into the plant kingdom and do some investigations of our own.  This includes an photographic scavenger hunt through the North School playground and field, as well as classifying the actual plants found on the premises.

Math
So, Math this week is all about multiplication.  Each day I am going to introduce a strategy to multiply multi-digit numbers.  I have already told the students that if they find one strategy they like the best, they can use that one, but I am going to introduce them to FOUR different ways.  The students will also need to understand how these strategies work on assessments.  The four strategies are:

• Using the Distributive Property - 
• Using Expanded Form
• Partial Products
• and "old school" Regrouping

As always, examples of these can be found using your child's Think Central account, as well as using Kahn Academy video links.  Happy multiplying!

Have a great week!  I will be contacting some of you this week to set up conference times for the upcoming parent/teacher conferences at the end of November (those that did not sign up at Curriculum Night).  As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  Thanks!

A new week, and a new look!

Over the weekend, I rearranged the ENTIRE classroom to make the small-group work spaces more accessible, as well as more space for all of us to move around.  I will post pictures of the redesigned Room 25 this week, so stop back sometime soon!  Here is what is happening this week:

Language Arts
Word Study
Coming home on Tuesday will be the graded Word Study quiz we took last week along with a packet of Word Study work completed during workshop time the past three weeks.  These were graded strictly on a participation-basis; where a "check-plus", "check", or "check-minus" were given based on the completion status and organization of the work.  From now on, this will be how I grade the Word Study work done in class.  Keep in mind we review and discuss these words on a daily basis before we start every Reading lesson.

This week's words will not change from last week.  The spelling pattern for all the words are /u/, /oo/, and /yoo/.  The students will have until Thursday to finish any Word Study work during workshop time in preparation for Friday's quiz.  Here are the words again to help support them at home.

Reading
This week we will be continuing our lessons revolving around theme, as well as comparing themes in similar stories.  I will be sending home a reflection sheet tomorrow for the kids to practice identifying the theme in a book they are reading at home or a television show they watch (I promise it's for practicing THEME!).  Along with theme, we will be focusing on characteristics of Traditional Literature (Myths, Legends, Folktales, Tall Tales), as well as beginning discussions about analyzing characters.  A book report will be sent home on Friday that will focus on this specific skill (due by the end of October).  I will post a link to the actual report in next week's blog.

Writing
Finishing up our persuasive essays by Wednesday/Thursday.  Next week we begin narrative writing!

Science
Science began last week with a observing onion cells through a microscope.  A graded quiz and a few work samples will be coming home on Tuesday.  This week we will be classifying living things (organisms) into Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species.  We will be focusing on this for the next few weeks.  Here's a diagram to jog your memory.

Math
Last week was the introduction of multiplication and using models to solve word problems.  Hopefully the link to Think Central is helping support you at home.  Again, this site includes interactive games and access to the homework and student GO MATH! books.  Let me know if this is/isn't helping and I'll make adjustments on the blog.  This week we are focusing on:

• Lesson 2.3 - Multiplying by 10's, 100's, and 1000's
• Lesson 2.4 - Estimating Products (Wednesday and Thursday)
• Lesson 2.5 - The Distributive Property

Have a great week and please let me know if you have any questions of concerns about anything.

A short week...but some new things happening!

We have a short week ahead of us, but we have some new additions to Room 25...here we go:

Science

Yes...Science is here!  We finished up our Social Studies unit (the graded tests will go home Tuesday) and we are starting our first Science unit focusing on cells.  Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday will be jam-packed with research, discussions, observing, and modeling real cells!  We will spend a majority of the time discussing what we see under the microscopes.

Language Arts

Word Study

Due to the shortened week, both this week and next, we will be focusing on only one word study list, beginning on Wednesday. Here are the words for the next two weeks.

Reading

This week we will be focusing on Theme.  Look for some additional practice activities this week at home to help support our discussions in class.

Writing

We will be publishing our persuasive essays this week.  Look for graded essays to come home early next week.

Math

The Test

Hopefully you all received your student's graded Chapter 1 Math test Friday.  After grading them, and discussing with the other 4th grade teachers, I ended up turning two of the problems into extra credit.  I apologize for the initial grade being crossed-out, but the grade in black ink is the "official" one.   

What's new?

Chapter 2 focuses on multiplying one-digit numbers.  The first few lessons focus on using models to help support the reasoning behind how and why we multiply.  Click here for access to Think Central.  It's as online program that is linked to our GO MATH curriculum.  It has interactive games and digital versions of the homework and the student book that explains how I taught the individual skills.  This week we covered lesson 2.1 and 2.2.  There will be homework every night this week, including Thursday!

Remember to monitor your child's reading at home, sign the assignment notebook, and look over their homework throughout the week (so we can get that third scoop!).  Have a great week, and let me know if you have any questions or concerns.