December 4 Winter Social (Night of Traditions)
December 9 Library Visit - Chaperones Needed
December 9 Scholastic Book Orders Due
December 13 All School Meeting and Spirit Day (Crazy Hair)
Homework Due Thursday, December 5 - More details posted on the Homework Page
1. If you haven't, please turn in $8 for Oregon's Children Theater O&A to Laura
2. Read for at least 30 minutes per day.
3. Complete your Reading Response Letter to Laura
4. 3rd Graders complete pages 13, 14 & 15 in Math Practice Book
4th Graders complete pages 12, 13 & 14 in Math Practice Book.
Upcoming Out and Abouts
For the month of December, we will use our Out & About time for Science Labs! We will be exploring states of matter (solids, liquids and gases) through lots of hands-on activities and student-led Science Talks.
Volunteer Opportunities - Sign up on our VolunteerSpot page: http://vols.pt/drMimF
Chaperones are needed for our Library visit next Monday (December 9th). We are also in need of breakfast donations, especially fresh fruit, for the month of December.
I have added a wish list page to this website for other supplies and donations that would be appreciated at any time! There are many small items (like craft and office supplies), as well as a link to my Powell's book wish list and some "bigger wishes." Thank you for your support!
Math Notes
In 3rd Grade Math, students learned how to create a bar graph using the data they collected from their individual survey questions. We used the "Create A Graph" tool on the NCES Kids' Zone website. After inputting their data and labels for the x-axis, y-axis and title, students were able to customize their graphs and experiment with various settings. This week, students will complete an assessment on bar graphs and pictographs, and we will begin a geometry unit. Students will also continue to practice addition fact fluency with Rocket Math and multi-digit addition and subtraction using an open number-line model. Please continue practicing addition facts at home.
Last week in 4th Grade Math, students completed our Unit One Assessment. This assessment covered the majority of concepts we have studied so far this year: multiplication facts, multiplication & division word problems, area, perimeter, and factorss. Our next unit will continue to build our confidence with multiplication by starting to multiply larger numbers (double-digit x double-digit, for example). Please support your 4th grade mathematician at home by continued practice of multiplication facts!
Weekly Review
Before break, students started to learn about persuasive writing strategies by responding to Thanksgiving-related writing prompts. First, students worked in small groups to create a commercial or short presentation about a given prompt. After each commercial, the students in the audience shared their observations on how the presenters tried to convince others. We discussed strategies such as slogans, testimonials, ethos (convincing your audience that you are honest and the best person to speak about a topic), pathos (connecting to your audience by using emotion and passion) and logos (using facts and examples to make your argument stronger). Each student then practiced using the new strategies by completing an independent writing activity. We will continue to focus on persuasive writing throughout the month of December.
We met with the Barn Swallows for the first time to do some buddy reading! The Plovers chose picture books from the Library to read to the first and second graders. They each practiced reading their book out loud several times before our buddies arrived on Wednesday afternoon. Re-reading text is a CAFE strategy that supports fluency (reading accurately with expression). We had planned for some buddies to read in Eva's room and some buddies to stay in the Plover Nest, but we were surprised to find out that all 50 students could easily fit in our classroom! The Barn Swallows were excited to check out our reading nooks and comfy chairs, and the Plovers were great hosts!
Communication
Please contact me with any questions or concerns. Parents and students can e-mail me at [email protected]. You can also leave a voice message on the class phone, come into the classroom before or after school, or call me before 8PM at home.