Nerd House Coffee Talk
Home of Ms. Smalling's Brewed Strong Crew, Issue 4
Wow - Week 4!
What a crazy busy week!! It seems that time is flying by, and pretty soon, my newly minted 4th graders will be ready for 5th grade.
Dear Time...please slow down, have a cup of coffee and chill out already.
Cheers,
Anne
Changes to Matter from Heat Energy in the Science Lab
Flexible Seating in Math and Science
Speaking Subject-ively
Addition and Subtraction
We have continued our journey through Additional and Subtraction word problems this week. In order to slow the kids down, I've introduced them to the four square method. It is designed to have them identify the key question, create a strip diagram to represent the problem, solve the problem with an algorithm to match the problem, and write the answer in a complete sentence. I've found through the years that requiring students to do this eliminates the small mistakes that cause them to get problems wrong.
Students are also continuing to work on their math menus. Please feel free to take a look at those here:
Place Value: https://goo.gl/m9DWsk
Addition and Subtraction: https://goo.gl/hRq6SK
Matter
With our exploration of changes to matter with heat energy, we will be moving on to our next concept; mixtures and solutions. We want the students to take away properties and characteristics of matter and matter changes state with the addition and subtraction of heat energy. If your child says that a liquid changes to a solid from adding cold, please help correct this continued misconception. "Cold" has no energy. It is through the addition or removal of heat energy that matter changes state.
Words Their Way
This week we saw pattern in -VC and -VCC words when -ing was added. If the word ends in -vcc there is no need to double the last consonant...just add -ing. If the word ends in -vc...double the consonant and add -ing. We know there are exceptions to every rule, but the students understand that, for the most part, if they follow this rule in spelling they will be spelling the word correctly. New patterns in spelling emerge this week.
Celebrating Freedom Week
In Social Studies this week, we took a break from studying the regions of Texas to celebrate Freedom Week. This is an official holiday celebrated by five states that is designed to emphasize teaching our country's origins with a focus on the founding documents. What better way to celebrate than with a special viewing of A Schoolhouse Rock Favorite: The Preamble! This was following by visiting http://kids.laws.com/preamble-of-the-constitution to help us understand exactly what our forefathers were talking about when they wrote the Constitution. We finished up our celebration with a memorization and recitation of the Preamble. For a walk down memory lane, I've included the video for your viewing pleasure.
The Book Fair Is Coming to MDE September 19 - September 23
I'm so excited!! The book fair begins this week, and I just can't wait. I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek on Friday to fill my bucket, and I went a bit crazy. Please know I have no expectations that my entire bucket will be purchased. Not only does the bucket act a wish list from teachers to parents...it acts as a reminder of my own classroom shopping list. I'm so thankful for all of the support I receive from each family in the coffee house, and I wanted to make sure all of you knew that I appreciate you.
Shameless Plug for The PTA!!! Join Today!!!
Need Information About MDE and Don't Know Where To Find It?
Our PTA is wonderful! They provide us money for our classroom, teachers, specialists, and administrators for our school, enrichment activities for our children, and countless hours of volunteer help. Please join PTA. They are amazing people, and we couldn't have all of the wonderful things we do without them. If you're already a member, thank you for supporting MDE. If you aren't please consider joining today. Further, their website has the most up to date information on the happenings of MDE. Take a look: http://www.mdepta.org/
Contact Information
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Website: https://cms.springbranchisd.com/mde1/
Location: 11202 Smithdale Road, Houston, TX, United States
Phone: 7132516363
Twitter: @SmallingAnne