4th Grade News
Mrs. Steenblock's Class
What's new in math?
Multiplication Mastery, Rounding, and Multi-step Problem Solving
We have been spending a great deal of time trying to learn the basic multiplication facts. Students need to know these accurately and automatically in order to continue being successful in math. We will soon begin multiplying multi-digit numbers and then learning long division. Rounding and estimating are two skills we are using to help us improve mental math skills. We need to have a clear understanding of place value and the relationships between digits in numbers. We are also continuing to work on solving multi-step story problems. If your child is still working on learning the facts or answering them quickly, please continue to help them work on this at home.
Here are some examples of some of the problems the students have been working on that use those skills:
- Scheels sold 9,430 balls. They sold 3,102 baseballs. They sold 1,023 fewer basketballs than baseballs. The rest of the balls sold were footballs. Brett said that there were 5,305 footballs. Andy said that there were 4,249 footballs. Who is correct? Explain your thinking.
- What is the relationship between the 4s in the number 4,040?
- A sports analyst wanted to find out how many people fit in the three major football stadiums in Iowa. Use the information below to explain how he could use rounding to get as close as possible to the exact number of fans.
Kinnick Stadium 70, 585 seats
Jack Trice 54, 902 seats
UniDome 16, 324 seats
Upcoming Important Events
Picture Retakes
Picture retakes will be done on Wednesday, October 17th. This is also a time for students who were not here at the beginning of the year to have their pictures taken.
America Reads Day
America Reads Day at Prairie is Friday, October 26th. If you are interested in reading to the class on that day, please sign up here.
Fall Party
Our fall party will be on Wednesday, October 31st at 3:00. We still have many opportunities for people to help with this party. Please sign up here if you would like to help. Students can bring costumes to school to change into for the parade that is prior to the party at 2:30. Costumes and participation in the parade are optional.