Factors, Fourteen States, and a Fourth Grade Nothing!

Welcome back from a relaxing break.  This week marks the middle of the 2nd semester and we are knee-deep in fourth-grade awesomeness.  Here is what's going on in Room 25 this week:

Math
The Chapter 4 Test was finished before break and I was proud of the progress the class made in Division.  This week we begin Chapter 5 - Factors, Multiples, and Patterns, which will be building upon everything we have learned with multiplication and division, and will set us up for upcoming units on fractions.  The lessons we will be covering this week are:

• Monday - Modeling Factors (click on image for a video) 

• Tuesday - Factors and Divisibility

• Wednesday - Common Factor Problem Solving
• Thursday - Factors and Multiples - A video that compares the two.
• Friday - Review and Quiz

Social Studies/Science

The week before break we completed a project regarding the importance of importing and export goods through international trade.  This week will conclude our Southeast Region Unit with the students creating a 5-slide research presentation created in Google Slides.  This will give the kids an opportunity to learn some more in-depth information about a specific state in the region and present that information on Thursday.  In addition, the region's States and Capitals test will be on Friday.  Al 14 states in the region will be tested, along with their corresponding capitals. A study sheet can be found here (along with Delaware and Maryland).

On Friday we will begin our Science Unit: The Rock Cycle.  The unit will begin with a really cool hands-on activity that models sedimentary rock (and it will be edible!)

Language Arts

Word Study

This week's word list will be abbreviated with a list of only 10 words.  The words all follow specialty spelling rules when followed by suffixes -ing or -ed.  There will be a test on Monday, December 5th. Here are the words for the week.

Reading

We will finish Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing this week; using the text to review how to identify character traits, themes, mood/tone, and point of view.  Friday will wrap-up our fiction unit with Part 2 of the fiction assessment.

FYI - I haven't loaded the Pandora's Box plays onto the blog yet, but when I do, I'll let you all know (this week!)!

Writing

Tuesday we begin our next persuasive essay.  We will begin focusing on the craft and style of our writing; making it sound more personal and less robotic.  Tune-in to Twitter to see the process!

Have a wonderful week!  As always, let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  

Conflicts, Quotients, and Coastal States

I admit, it was a stretch with the "k" sounds in the title, but I think I pulled it off!  Anyway, here is what's happening in the Room 25 this week and next:

Language Arts
Word Study
Due to the shortened week, we will not be adding any new word study words this week.  We will end the week with List 11 (compound words) and have the quiz on Thursday.  Here are the words for the week.

Reading
This week and next we will be focusing on Mood/Tone a fictional story, as well as conflict.  Conflict consists of two types: External Conflict (Person vs. Person, Person vs. Nature, or Person vs. Society) and Internal Conflict (Person vs. Self).  Currently we are reading the novel Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume; using it as a example text to find examples of Mood/Tone and Conflict.  I will be assigning additional reading for homework that can also double as the required 30-minutes each night.

Writing

Currently we are writing a persuasive essay around the controversial topic of whether backyard trampolines should be banned or not.  The conversations have been heating and I've heard many gruesome stories of accidents in many families!  STAY SAFE!

Social Studies

Last week we began our next unit: The Southeast Region.  Students will be bringing home maps of the region that include the states and capitals.  The test over this regions states and capitals will be after Thanksgiving break (November 29th).  In addition to the geography, we will be focusing on the rich history of this region, including slavery, the Civil War, and the Civil Rights Movement.  

On top of all that, the last few days have been filled with talk of the presidential election.  We have done some research in class about the candidates and even participated in a mock election hosted by the 5th grade classes!

Math

This week and next we will finish-up our division unit.  I am taking a few extra days next week to make sure we have a mutual understandings of the division strategies before assessing everyone.  Fractions are coming up next, and I want to make sure we are all ready!  If you are wondering HOW I am teaching these strategies, click on the pictures below for a refresher.

               Long Division                                                                Repeated Subtraction

A few more important announcements:

• There will be confirmation letters going home tomorrow. letting you know what time your parent/teacher conference is scheduled for.  If there are any changes you need to make, please return them ASAP.
• Next Tuesday, November 15th, is Parent/Grandparent visitation day for the school.  The fourth grade teachers will be in a mandatory meeting all day, so I am inviting you to visit on Wednesday, November 16th!
• Next Friday, November 18th, we will be performing our Pandora's Box plays in the classroom at 12:30.  You are all invited to come and watch the performances!  I will send home reminders next week!

Have a wonderful rest of the week!  If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.