Plays of Week #18

Reminders for the Upcoming Week

Tuesday 12/16 = Library Check-out

Wednesday 12/17 = Mr. Holt Duck Taped to the Wall

Thursday 12/18 = Last Day of 2nd Quarter

9:00 am - Panther Pride Assembly (Tie cut and Pie in Face for Mr. Holt)

1:00 pm Big Event

2:00 pm Classroom Party

3 pm Gifts from Asbury

Friday 12/19 = No School

Reading = This week we will be wrapping up our unit on questioning as well as thinking about making inferences.  We will, also, be looking at some narrative books famous authors have written to go along with our writing unit.  

Writing = Our first piece in our Narrative Writing Unit #2 has been revised and edited.  On Friday, we brainstormed what our new narrative writing piece will be.  This piece will be drafted and taken through the writing process much quicker because we have many more tools in our tool box for writing now.  Take a look at the chart with all of our focuses from the unit and the focused writer at work (pictured below). 

Math =  Chapter 6 about Division will be explored more this week.  We will look at the problem solving strategy, dividing with remainders, and how to interpret remainders.  The chapter 5 test will be sent home this week so look for it in your child's red folder.  Lastly, remember to keep working on those multiplication facts.  It will help as we think about what multiplication facts can help us with our division.

Spelling = Since it is a short week, there will not be a traditional spelling word list.  Instead, we will simply work with more grammar skills and commonly misspelled words this week in class.

Content = Science - Last week, we began our unit of the States of Matter.  This week we are going to explore our National Geographic text previewing and making observations about our unit.

Highlights of the Week

2 Digit by 2 Digit Multiplication

We tried out the "Turtle Method" to help us remember our Multiplication Steps! If it helps you please try out this method while studying for your test on Tuesday.

Plays of Week #17

Reminders for the Upcoming Week

Monday 12/8 = Social Studies Quiz

Tuesday 12/9 = Math Test and Library Check-out

Thursday 12/11 = Middle of the year testing

Friday 12/12 = Spelling Test

Reading = This week we are going to reflect on the book Teammates and continue to use our Questioning strategies through out.  On Friday, when we began this book I was amazed at the thinking Team Meyer had throughout it.  It is about Jackie Robinson joining the Major Leagues.  Some made very strong connections that allowed them to think much deeper.  After we finish this book we will then explore text structure with the book Basket Moon by Mary Lyn Ray and think of how good readers ask questions before, during, and after they read.

Writing = At the end of last week we looked at adding dialogue to our writing pieces to add voice.  This week we are going to continue with this while exploring it within reading as well.  Then as we will be approaching half way mark through our writing narrative unit we will reflect on all the skills/tools we have learned to strengthen our writing pieces with:  strong verbs, sensory details, transition words, dialogue, similes, and metaphors.  We will use rubrics and checklists to enhance our current pieces and prepare for the next piece.  Thank you to all of you who have encouraged the writing at home especially when it is assigned on Monday and Wednesdays.  I have seen stamina improve in class as a result of this.

Math =  At the end of last week, we decided to spend more time working with 2 digit by 2 digit multiplication.  We have learned to use the area model, estimation, partial products, and even the "turtle method" to help us.  We will be reviewing on Monday and testing over Chapter 5 on Tuesday.  Please remember a great way to study would be to check out our online "My Math" e-book and practice those multiplication facts.  On Wednesday, we will begin our Chapter 6: Divide by a One-digit Number.

Spelling = Look for new spelling words to go home Monday and we will be testing on Friday.  Soon we will be retesting over our spelling program words to see if the groups we are in need to be adjusted.  Our new groups will begin after Winter break and there will be a reminder as well.

Content = Social Studies - We will be finishing our Government chapter on Monday.  If you are in the hallways of Portland this week please check out our "4th Grade Government Wall" in the hallway (pictures are below of the projects we have been working on).  We will begin Science later this week focusing on the 3 States of Matter.

Highlights of the Week

Another way to look at two digit by two digit Multiplication

Miss Dutton had her last day at Portland on Thursday!  We will miss her a ton, but we wish her all the best during her student teaching in the spring!  Look at the awesome scarves she made for us! :)

We have been exploring government in Social Studies...