Mrs. Jackson's
4th Grade Class
Curriculum Updates
Reading
Our Greek mythology unit is off to a great start! We have been having a lot of fun and learning a lot, too. This week we will introduce the term allusions in class and create a book of the Greek allusions we have studied so far. As we continue our unit we will add to this book. We will also shift our focus into comparing and contrasting, both with people and texts. Students will be given certain criteria to compare and contrast, and then will use the text to determine if the items being compared are more similar or more different. Ask your child to share about Achilles and the Trojan horse, as they are both stories we will study over the next couple of weeks!
Writing and Word Work
Our authors have been hard at work! We will be continuing our study of how to incorporate dialogue with proper punctuation in our writings. Writers will also wrap up their revisions and will be working to edit and publish their personal narratives over the next couple of weeks. Students will be helping create a rubric that I will use to grade their writings based on the areas where we have focused our learning. This unit has helped build our writing stamina, and I cannot wait to enjoy the published pieces in a few weeks!
There will not be new spelling lists and choice boards coming home this week. We are taking a one-week break, and will pick up again next week. Next week, with Halloween, we will be focusing on holiday-themed words. Students will be bringing home new spelling lists on Monday, October 27th. They will have a special choice board with spook-tacular ways to practice, and choice boards will be due on the day of the test: Friday, October 31st.
Math
Mathematicians have been hard at work estimating and multiplying 2-digit by 2-digit numbers. We have learned to multiply using models and partial products, and this week we will study the regrouping (or traditional) method. These calculations require a lot of diligent work as students must solve each tiny step accurately. We will be also working on multi-step words problems that require students to add, subtract, and multiply! Our Chapter 3 test is scheduled for Wednesday, October 29th. This chapter moved quickly, but was building on the skills students studied in Chapter 2.
Students should also be continuing to practice their multiplication (or division!) facts using XtraMath. Students are expected to practice at least 12 times during the month of October. They will receive a homework grade of 100% if they complete 12 sessions. Some students will need to practice every day for the rest of the month to meet this requirement. On October 31st students will take a 1-minute timed test that will be used as the final assessment for their fact fluency.
Social Studies
What's round on the ends and high in the middle? Give up? o-HI-o! Our scientists have hung up their lab coats in preparation for a new Social Studies unit, which will focus on our great state of Ohio and its importance in US history. During the next few weeks, students will learn about the unique symbols of Ohio (did you know that the state beverage is tomato juice??), and learn how to plot key events in chronological order on a timeline. Our Social Studies curriculum is built around four strands: Government, History, Geography, and Economy. We are looking forward to learning more about our great state!
Dates to Remember
-Thursday, October 23rd: Picture Retakes
-Friday, October 24th: Final day of Kids Who Care Costume Drive
-Friday October 24th: Scholastic Book Orders Due
October 27th-31st: Red Ribbon Week
-Friday, October 31st: Classroom Halloween Party (2:15-3:15pm)
*Students will be bringing in their costumes and will have time to change in the afternoon. No masks please
Scholastic Book Order
Last month, so many families placed an order that every student received a FREE book coupon :) Orders are due by Friday, October 24th. Thank you in advance for helping us grow our classroom library, and supporting our love for reading!