Springstroh Times
October 14, 2016
This Week...
Everyday Math
The Everyday Math curriculum spirals, so you can feel comfortable knowing that your child will receive the instruction many more times throughout the school year. If you have any questions about the curriculum, math homework, or what is being assessed on Unit 3, please don't hesitate to contact me.
*Ask your child: What are the factors and product of 4 * 6 = 24? (4 and 6 are factors, 24 is the product).
*Ask your child: What are the first ten multiples of 6? (6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, 60)
*Ask your child: Is the number 11 a prime or composite number? (prime) What about 24? (Composite; 1 * 24, 3 * 8, and 4 *6)
Science/Social Studies
Science
In science, we started to meet the crayfish today. They were taught how to safely hold, take of, and observe these creatures. See the pictures below of your students hanging out with our new fourth grade creatures.*Ask your child: What is one of the body parts of a crayfish (tail flap, pincer, antennae, etc...)
Social Studies
In social studies this week, students were able to act as government and created bills that they hoped to become laws inside our classroom. Each "state" elected two senators and a supreme justice. The difficult part was the senators and justice needed to listen to their constituents and what they wanted for the bill. They didn't have much say in the matter because if they wanted to be reelected they needed to do what the citizens wanted! Wouldn't this be a nice change of pace for our adult government!?
See the pictures below of your students trying to get their bills passed in front of congress.
Crayfish Craze!
Looking for the Different Structures
We're so Brave!
Let's Make a Bill!
Read it to the citizens!
Senators, what did your citizens think about the bill?
Literacy
Students completed their second writing task this quarter already. Their biography posters look awesome and I would challenge you to go to my website and look at your son or daughters. The work they put in these past nine days has been remarkable and I couldn't be more proud. At the bottom of their poster is a survey that your whole family can take. Have each person read the poster and honestly fill out the form with your little author's strengths and things they need to improve on. They will be able to review your responses and focus on the improvement areas next writing class.
*Ask your student: Take me to your classroom website and show me your portfolio. I want to read your biography poster and leave some feedback for you.
Reader's Workshop
In reader's workshop, students have been continuing to work with the mentor text Seeds of Change, as well as, talk about my model piece Wilma Rudolph. They are really starting to dig deep into their comprehension and also work on their fluency. Below, you will see links to some of their fluency practices. Fourth grade teachers used a website called Blabberize to help students practice reading their paragraph on responsibility. They are quite funny, but they also show great fluency. Feel free to watch!
http://blabberize.com/view/id/1490757 - Josalyn Gosda
http://blabberize.com/view/id/1490748 - Jackson Brandl
http://blabberize.com/view/id/1490748 - Lily Zangerle
http://blabberize.com/view/id/1490745 - Emily Foerster
If you would like to see your child's, you can just email me and I'll send it to you. You can also have your student log in with my account. Just go to http://blabberize.com/ and enter may email and password. Click on My Stuff to see your student's work.
Email: springstrohl@fortschools.org
Password: fourthgrade
We are focused on the theme of responsibility for this quarter and invited Officer Enger to speak to students about being a police officer. He talked about the responsibility in his job. See the pictures below of this great speaker!
Be Connected to the Classroom
Aldo Leopold Nature Center Field Trip
Your child has an opportunity to go on a field trip to the Aldo Leopold Nature Center in Monona, Wisconsin on October 17th. We will leave at 9:15 am, traveling by bus, and return by 2:15 pm.
Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather on Monday. We will be outside for the majority of the day!
Geography Bee
Parent Teacher Conferences
Monster Mash
Important Dates to Remember
October 17th - ALNC Field Trip
October 19th - PTO Meeting 6:30PM
October 27th - Monster Mash Dance
October 28th - No School
October 31st - No School