Another fun week is upon us! Here is what's going down in Room 25 this week:
Social Studies/Science
This week we complete our Northeast Region Social Studies unit with our news broadcasts. Due to time constraints, some groups will present on Tuesday, and others will present on Friday. Check out our Twitter feed for videos of the broadcasts.
Starting on Wednesday, we will begin our first Science Unit - Calssifying Animals and Plants. This unit begins with the students observing a plant cell (an onion) under a microscope to see what the "building block" of all life looks like. On Thursday we will look at some pond water to see the small organisms only visible with a microscope. Beginning Friday, we will begin building our cell models (this project will come home and be due the following Thursday).
Math
Last week we finished up covering all the strategies for solving 2-, 3-, and 4-digit multiplication problems. This week we will tackle solving these problems in real-world situations (word/story problems). Along with these word problems, we will practice multi-step problems using the order of operations. Most of us learned this through the memorization strategy of "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally". I will use this same strategy, but 4th graders will not be exposed to exponents at all this year. Here's a video we watched in class.
Language Arts
Word Study
Our words this week can all be sorted by the sounds /u/, /oo/, and /yoo/. The words were passed out on Monday and will part of the Reading Workshop throughout the week. A "take-home" list was also given for spelling and synonym practice at home. The quiz will be next Monday, October 3rd. Here are the words for the week.
Reading
Our focus for the week is theme! Theme is the message or lesson the author wants the reader to walk away with. Identifying themes, comparing themes, and finding evidence to support inferred themes will be our purpose for reading this week. Taking in-class notes, connecting through guided reading, and practicing their strategies with partners will lead us to an awesome understanding of this important standard. We'll also be exploring different types of traditional literature while identifying theme.
Writing
Last week was a little hectic, so we are continuing our discussions over presidential elections and if 4th graders should have a say in the process. After Monday's debate, many of the students have very interesting views of the process and are forming some involved opinions. These persuasive essays should be fun to share!
Have a great week! If you have any questions, please feel free to email or call. Thanks for your continued support!
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Monday, September 19, 2016
Three and a half days of fun!
This week is a short one, but we are still working! Here's what's going on in Room 25 this week:
Language Arts
Word Study
Due to the shortened week, we will not have any new words this week. Our quiz will be on Wednesday over the words that were given last week. The word study work for the week will be due on Wednesday as well. As a reminder, here are the words for the week.
Reading
This week we will focus on the different genres of fiction, as well as sequencing events, and reviewing common themes in literature. Our Reading Workshop is now in full swing with Guided Reading groups meeting every day. This includes ALL students meeting with me at least twice a week to discuss strategies and reading from texts that are at each student's instructional level.
Writing
Last week we completed our first persuasive essay. These will be displayed in the hall way since we did such an amazing job! I'll post pictures as soon as I get them up.
This week we are jumping right back in to another topic that is much applicable to current events: Should 4th graders have the right to vote for the President of the United States? I look forward to hearing the debates and ideas from the class!
Math
Last week we took a quiz over different strategies used to multiply. This week I add the final strategy of "Regrouping"; which is the way most of us learned how to multiply. With this new set of strategies, I look forward to continued growth in our problem-solving skills. Here is a video to remind your kids!
Remember:
I DO NOT CARE what strategy the students use the solve the problems. As long as the answer is correct and they can show their work! Let your kids use the strategy THEY are comfortable with!
Social Studies
We will be finishing our Northeast unit this week. The assessment will include news broadcasts created by the students reporting on the Geography, History, and Industry of the region. Look for some cool videos on Twitter by the end of the week!
Have a great week! If you have any questions, let me know. I will be in an all-day meeting on Tuesday, so there will not be any Math homework that day. There is an early dismissal on Thursday and no school on Friday.
Three and a half days of fun!
This week is a short one, but we are still working! Here's what's going on in Room 25 this week:
Language Arts
Word Study
Due to the shortened week, we will not have any new words this week. Our quiz will be on Wednesday over the words that were given last week. The word study work for the week will be due on Wednesday as well. As a reminder, here are the words for the week.
Reading
This week we will focus on the different genres of fiction, as well as sequencing events, and reviewing common themes in literature. Our Reading Workshop is now in full swing with Guided Reading groups meeting every day. This includes ALL students meeting with me at least twice a week to discuss strategies and reading from texts that are at each student's instructional level.
Writing
Last week we completed our first persuasive essay. These will be displayed in the hall way since we did such an amazing job! I'll post pictures as soon as I get them up.
This week we are jumping right back in to another topic that is much applicable to current events: Should 4th graders have the right to vote for the President of the United States? I look forward to hearing the debates and ideas from the class!
Math
Last week we took a quiz over different strategies used to multiply. This week I add the final strategy of "Regrouping"; which is the way most of us learned how to multiply. With this new set of strategies, I look forward to continued growth in our problem-solving skills. Here is a video to remind your kids!
Remember:
I DO NOT CARE what strategy the students use the solve the problems. As long as the answer is correct and they can show their work! Let your kids use the strategy THEY are comfortable with!
Social Studies
We will be finishing our Northeast unit this week. The assessment will include news broadcasts created by the students reporting on the Geography, History, and Industry of the region. Look for some cool videos on Twitter by the end of the week!
Have a great week! If you have any questions, let me know. I will be in an all-day meeting on Tuesday, so there will not be any Math homework that day. There is an early dismissal on Thursday and no school on Friday.
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Persuasion, products, and pictures!
Another week is upon us and it is a busy one! Don't forget that picture day is on Wednesday, September 13th! Here's what's going on in Room 25 this week:
Languange Arts
Word Study
Remember that Word Study work is done primarily at school during our Language Arts center time.
The class has brainstormed this past week to make sure the work can be completed in-class, but it may need to be brought home occasionally to finish-up over the weekends. As stated at Curriculum Night, quizzes do not always happen on Fridays. We actually took our quiz today and the new words will be reviewed tomorrow. Make sure to review the words with your students throughout the week and weekend in preparation for the quizzes. The words for this week can be found here.
Writing
We are continuing our persuasive essays this week revolving around the argument of whether wild cats should be aloud to be kept as animals. We read this article, and the students are choosing a side. If your student tries to convince you to get a tiger as a new pet...encourage the persuasion and let them explain!
Reading
Word Study
Remember that Word Study work is done primarily at school during our Language Arts center time.
The class has brainstormed this past week to make sure the work can be completed in-class, but it may need to be brought home occasionally to finish-up over the weekends. As stated at Curriculum Night, quizzes do not always happen on Fridays. We actually took our quiz today and the new words will be reviewed tomorrow. Make sure to review the words with your students throughout the week and weekend in preparation for the quizzes. The words for this week can be found here.
Writing
We are continuing our persuasive essays this week revolving around the argument of whether wild cats should be aloud to be kept as animals. We read this article, and the students are choosing a side. If your student tries to convince you to get a tiger as a new pet...encourage the persuasion and let them explain!
Reading
This week we wrap-up our introduction to Reading Workshop and will be fully implemented by the end of the week. This includes a Read A-loud, independent Word Study and Strategy work, as well as guided reading groups meeting with me throughout the week.
Social Studies
We will be wrapping up the Northeast Region chapter this week. We end with focusing on how the Northeast grew after the Revolutionary War and how the Industrial Revolution changed industry. A Chapter assessment will happen next week with some fun activities.
Math
Math
Last week was the introduction of multiplication and using models to solve word problems. Hopefully the link to Think Central is helping support you at home. Again, this site includes interactive games and access to the homework and student GO MATH! books. Let me know if this is/isn't helping and I'll make adjustments on the blog. This week we are focusing on:
We will be wrapping up the Northeast Region chapter this week. We end with focusing on how the Northeast grew after the Revolutionary War and how the Industrial Revolution changed industry. A Chapter assessment will happen next week with some fun activities.
Math
Math
Last week was the introduction of multiplication and using models to solve word problems. Hopefully the link to Think Central is helping support you at home. Again, this site includes interactive games and access to the homework and student GO MATH! books. Let me know if this is/isn't helping and I'll make adjustments on the blog. This week we are focusing on:
- Lesson 2.4 - Estimating Products
- Lesson 2.5 - The Distributive Property of Multiplication
- Lesson 2.6 - Multiply Using Expanded Form/Area Model
- Lesson 2.7 - Multiply Using Partial Products
The strategies this week are all taught order for the students to find a way that makes the most sense to them. There may be a strategy that doesn't click with them, but as long as they can solve the problem correctly, that is the goal! I have linked posters to help in the understanding at home as well.
Have a great week! Let me know if you have any additional questions or concerns.
Check out our classroom out on Twitter @misterholmes25
Monday, September 5, 2016
What's Happening in Room 25?
Hello Parents! Hopefully this will reach a few more parents than last week. I will continue to add email address to my list as they come. I will also send this newsletter home on paper until I know it is reaching everyone. In the meantime, here's what's happening in Room 25 this week:
Language Arts
Word Study
Last week we began Word Study, instead of the "old" Spelling work. In order to keep a better handle on making sure my students are understanding the work associated with Word Study, all of the word work will be done during our Language Arts Workshop time. Students are gradually getting used to working independently at a much more rigorous pace, so you may have seen some of this work brought home as home work. Additionally, quizzes will not always be on Fridays, and many times will be scheduled on a Monday or Tuesday. If there is ever any changes to the schedule, it will be indicated in their assignment notebooks. The quiz for this week will be Tuesday, and new words will be given on Wednesday. There may be occasional word study homework, but not as frequent as in the previous weeks. Here are the new words for the week.
Reading
This week we will begin guided reading and centers during our Language Arts block. The students have worked hard to focus on the routines and strategies needed to make this process run smoothly!
Writing
We will be working to prepare for the Fall district Writing assessment this week. Our focus will be persuasive writing; where we will be reading a passage that gives two sides of an issue and then writing to support one side. If your child argues with you at home this week...make sure they give you evidence to support their side of the issue!
Math
Last Friday we took our Chapter 1 Test and they will be returned on Tuesday. Instead of jumping into the next chapter, we will spend Tuesday review common misunderstandings from Chapter 1 and doing some center work that previews Chapter 2.
Beginning on Wednesday we will start Chapter 2: Multiplying by One-digit Numbers. This chapter sets the groundwork for the rest of the year; where we will be transitioning from multiplication, to division, and then to fractions. Take a look at the Think Central link on the blog for some additional at-home practice and support. We will go over this together as a class, as well as at Curriculum Night on Thursday.
Social Studies
This week we will continue our Northeast Region Unit; studying the history and people that make up the colonization of area. On Tuesday we will take the first States and Capitals quiz. You will receive those graded assessments on Wednesday.
Other things going on this week:
Language Arts
Word Study
Last week we began Word Study, instead of the "old" Spelling work. In order to keep a better handle on making sure my students are understanding the work associated with Word Study, all of the word work will be done during our Language Arts Workshop time. Students are gradually getting used to working independently at a much more rigorous pace, so you may have seen some of this work brought home as home work. Additionally, quizzes will not always be on Fridays, and many times will be scheduled on a Monday or Tuesday. If there is ever any changes to the schedule, it will be indicated in their assignment notebooks. The quiz for this week will be Tuesday, and new words will be given on Wednesday. There may be occasional word study homework, but not as frequent as in the previous weeks. Here are the new words for the week.
Reading
This week we will begin guided reading and centers during our Language Arts block. The students have worked hard to focus on the routines and strategies needed to make this process run smoothly!
Writing
We will be working to prepare for the Fall district Writing assessment this week. Our focus will be persuasive writing; where we will be reading a passage that gives two sides of an issue and then writing to support one side. If your child argues with you at home this week...make sure they give you evidence to support their side of the issue!
Math
Last Friday we took our Chapter 1 Test and they will be returned on Tuesday. Instead of jumping into the next chapter, we will spend Tuesday review common misunderstandings from Chapter 1 and doing some center work that previews Chapter 2.
Beginning on Wednesday we will start Chapter 2: Multiplying by One-digit Numbers. This chapter sets the groundwork for the rest of the year; where we will be transitioning from multiplication, to division, and then to fractions. Take a look at the Think Central link on the blog for some additional at-home practice and support. We will go over this together as a class, as well as at Curriculum Night on Thursday.
Social Studies
This week we will continue our Northeast Region Unit; studying the history and people that make up the colonization of area. On Tuesday we will take the first States and Capitals quiz. You will receive those graded assessments on Wednesday.
Other things going on this week:
- Curriculum Night on Thursday, September 8th. There will be two sessions and you can come to either one. This lets parents attend the other session if you have multiple students at North. The schedule is:
- 6:00-6:30 - Presentation 1
- 6:30-6:45 - Break
- 6:45-7:15 - Presentation 2
- On Wednesday there will be band/orchestra instrument trials for 4th grade. You will receive additional information about those programs soon.
Have a great week! Let me know if you have any questions or concerns throughout the week.
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