News from 303!
The latest happenings in grade 4...
The Reading Corner: The One and Only Ivan, Mighty Silverback Gorilla
First, this text allows us to build empathy for others and care for what is happening around us. Just as quickly as we begin to emotionally connect with Ivan, we also begin to think about the effects of keeping animals in captivity. While reading this story, we have simultaneously built our background knowledge on the pros and cons of zoos, as well as the rationales behind poaching and hunting.
At the conclusion of this text we will use the story to make claims about the impact of fictionalizing a true story while also building our students skills in using text evidence as support and combining information from multiple texts. To culminate our reading of "The One and Only Ivan", we will be writing an opinion piece, a letter to the author.
The skills that we have been practicing throughout this text are foundational for the entirety of the year, as well as our students academic careers. Making claims, and using strong evidence to prove your claims is an integral skill in 4th grade and beyond. From here, we will move into students not only choosing the best evidence, but also being able to explain how that evidence supports their claim. Additionally, being able to to tie together information from multiple sources is a skill in expert-knowledge building.
Our students are working so hard to grow their brains daily. You all would be very impressed if you could experience the amazingness that they are in our classroom. Don't forget to ask your 4th grader about what why know about Ivan!
PS We have enjoyed reading this story and empathizing with Ivan VERY MUCH!
The Math Block: Building Number Sense
For example, when we round numbers, a great strategy is to look at the number to the right and decide if you are rounding up or down (4 or less- let it rest, 5 or more-raise the score). But what does it mean to round a number to the nearest ten? And what if that number has digits into the ten thousands place? This is important information to figure out now! Because if we don't figure it out now, then completing equations with estimation is going to be a challenge.
Here is a list of some of the things that we have worked on thus far, and how it builds to what we will be doing later in 4th grade and in 5th grade.
Fact Fluency (Sprints)- Knowing math facts to complete larger operations like multi-digit by multi-digit multiplication and division
Value of Digits in a Number- this will be useful when we begin to conceptualize fractions and when we begin to work on decimals
Rounding- Estimation
Comparing Numbers & Ordering Numbers- Comparing and ordering fractions, and decimals
Additionally, 4th grade is a deeper dive into some of the skills that they have mastered, so that we can build on those skills to conceptualize harder skills.
If you would like to know more about the work that we are doing in math, feel free to reach out or come sit in on a math rotation. We would be happy to have you!
Wordly Wise Vocabulary!
You can find the word lists here if you need to access a copy. (Our vocabulary book is Book 4 in the menu!)
You can also access games for practice here.
Some other great ideas for helping students practice vocabulary words:
- Flashcards (we have index cards in the classroom)
- Illustrating meanings
- Quizzing
- Word Webs
- Matching Games
Tech Time!
During our math and reading rotations, students will have the opportunity to practice some of their skills and strategies online. So far this year, we have used the following sites:
Typing Club- The PARCC tests are computer-based and typing is an important skill to develop. Plus, technology is increasingly becoming a part of our students everyday lives.
MangaHigh- This fun math site helps students reinforce what we are learning in class with some fun challenges and opportunities to earn medals! If you notice that your student needs additional practice on any particular math skill, please let me know so that I can assign them some additional challenges.
Khan Academy- Everyone loves Khan Academy! It is another site that we use to practice some of our math skills.
Each 4th grader has their own unique username and password for each of these sites. If they would like to access any of these sites during out of school hours, please let me know so that I can be sure that they bring that information home.
Dates to Remember:
October 7- School Closed
October 10- Columbus Day (School Closed)
October 12- Jamestown Info Night for Parents
October 13- EL Info Night @ 4th Street
- October 26- Fall Festival (changed from 10/19)