The Bissinger Beacon
January 20, 2017
Science
Using an enclosed box that has hidden circuits wired inside, students located the circuits by using their circuit testers. We learned that circuits in common electric appliances, such as TVs, and refrigerators, are identified by circuit diagrams, which are plans showing electrical components together. Students practiced drawing the symbols used in circuit diagrams.
Reader's Workshop
Reader's distinguished facts from opinions and used facts and opinions to make inferences about text as well as pictures. 4B went on a Fact and Opinion Scavenger hunt utilizing a Times for Kids newspaper to skim article headlines in different sections and predict whether articles will contain facts or opinions. Reader's also identified the author's implied purpose for writing a text and used the analyze/evaluate strategy to determine author's purpose. We discussed rhythm, rhyme form and sensory language within poetry.
Writer's Workshop
Essayists understand ways that writers commonly open and close essays. We realize strong writers try out multiple leads and conclusions before deciding which work best for their essays. We created cohesion with logically sequenced information within our essays. Students ordered mini-stories and facts within our essays chronologically, or from least to most important. We began typing our essays using Google Docs.
Math
Mathematicians have been hard at work defining the relationship between fractions and decimals. Using our base ten blocks as a guide, we identified the tenths, hundredths and even the thousandths decimal place value spots. We can now read and write decimal numbers through the hundredths place. In addition, 4B also converted from centimeters to millimeters as we explored decimals in the context of measurements.
Social Studies
Immigration projects have been introduced to the class! Students will be completing these projects predominantly in school to present at our immigration museum on 2/24. Please review the project menu below with your child. All materials needed to complete the project are due in class on Tuesday, 1/24. We are so excited to get working!
Exciting News
Mr. Bissinger and I are happy to announce that baby boy Bissinger is on the way and due in early July. We are very, very, very excited! I shared the news with the class today :)
Up & Coming
2/14: Valentines Day Parties in classroom from 2:00-3:00
2/20: Presidents Day, school closed
2/24: Immigration Museum in APR from 2:15-3:00