Working It Out - Weekly
Mrs. Rouse's Class Newsletter - September 8, 2014
Whew! What a Work-out!
Hi, Friends,
Last week was a whirlwind! As a promise to you to keep this abbreviated...take a peek at a few highlight from last week and what we have planned on the horizon.
Powerpoint from Parent Orientation
Math, Math and More Math
Below are the concepts we are currently learning:
4.2A - The Place of One Digit is 10 x Its Position To The Right and 1/10th It's Position To The Left Our students are struggling with this concept. This is a hard for our kiddos because it is a completely new TEK in fourth grade. Most students have some conceptual understanding but have never had to INTERPRET each position's value in relationship to other digits in a number or compare to the value of digits in two numbers. Though some of our advanced learners have caught on, for most of our kiddos - it is mind boggling. We are practicing every day in class and addressing this area during DRIVE time for the next 3 weeks. In addition, I will be posting the videos that I use in class on my website and sending home extra work to practice for those who need it.
4.2B - Place Value Forms with Chunk It, Block It, Pizza Strategies
Students learned three strategies last week to help them write numbers using word, standard (number) and expanded forms. Chunk it, block it and pizza strategies help students attend to the tedious task of writing each form correctly....if they remember to use the strategy. Common errors include - students forgetting zeros (example - 1,__24,375) and students forgetting period names (example - One million, three hundred ninety _______, two hundred forty-four.)
4.2C - Comparing and ordering Number to the Billions
Students will practice comparing and ordering numbers to the billions. The trick is lining up each place value and using the symbol correctly. Those who struggle will use graph paper...which they can also use on STAAR!
PLEASE SIGN YOUR STUDENT'S HOMEWORK. HOMEWORK IS MEANINGFUL ONLY IF STUDENTS PRACTICE THE RIGHT WAY ---YOUR SIGNATURE ENSURES THIS IS HAPPENING.
Multiplication Contracts
MAD ABOUT SCIENCE
The Scientific Method & The Physical Properties of Matter and Tools
Below are the concepts we are currently learning:
We finished George's Marvelous Medicine today and are using the steps of the scientific method during our Gettin' Fizzy With It - Lab Experiment on Tuesday! If you are willing to donate sodas to the project, click the red Sign-up Genius button in this newsletter. Thank you in advance for your help!
The Physical Properties of Matter
This week our students will learn to determine the properties of matter and how to measure each property using 4th grade science tools. Students MUST know the purpose for each tool and how to use it to measure accurately.