October 12 No School
October 16 Picture Day
October 19 No School
October 25 - 26 Conferences
Homework - More details posted on the Homework Page
1. Read for at least 20 minutes per day and fill out your reading log each night. Your parents must sign your reading log this week.
2. Complete your math homework.
3. Brainstorm a list of topics you might want to write about this year.
Upcoming Out and Abouts
We will be going on a guided walking tour of historic Forest Grove. Please dress appropriately for the weather and wear good walking shoes!
Volunteer Opportunities
Please email Laura if interested
1. Tuesday, October 2 1:30 - 3:00 Out and About Chaperones needed.
2. Monday, October 8 1:45 - 3:00 Library Chaperones needed.
Weekly Review
We have been thinking a lot about our neighborhood and community. The students have brainstormed questions like, "What is the oldest building?" and "Where do the animals live?" During our Out and About, committees investigated the neighborhood around the school, noticing water fountains, parking lots, light poles, buildings, signs and benches. We are using all the observations to make large 3D maps! Students are also working in small groups to draw maps of imaginary neighborhoods, nations and worlds.
I was amazed by all the reading the Plovers did on RAZ-kids last week! As a class, they read for over 20 hours! I will usually have the laptops available once a week for students to read or listen to reading in class. RAZ-kids reading done at home can be recorded on students' reading logs for homework. You should have found log-in instructions and password information in your student's binder last week. Please let me know if you did not receive this information.
Math Notes
In Third Grade Math, the students have been reviewing standard units of measure and measuring tools for length, weight and volume. Throughout the year, students will have structured practice using a variety of measuring tools and making estimates in both US customary and metric units of measure. We read the book If You Hopped Like a Frog by David Schwartz, which uses amazing facts about animals to discuss measurement and ratios.
For homework this week, third graders will bring home instructions and a game board for a math game called Spin and Add. We have played this game in class and it provides more practice with basic addition facts. Your Puffin or Plover will need a family member or friend to play with. The completed game board should be returned to school and turned in.
This week in Fourth Grade Math we will focus on using the area model of multiplication (also know as array) to develop our fluency and automaticity with multiplication facts. The expectation is that by the end of fourth grade all students will have a strong fluency with multiplication facts. Home Support: ask your student about the array model of multiplication and have them draw you a picture to illustrate this concept; help your Plover with multiplication fluency by creating multiplication flashcards and/or practice these facts together.
For homework this week, students need to complete Home Connections 9 — which focuses on the rectangular area model of multiplication. This is an assignment that students should be able to complete independently. However, your student may need support reading and understanding the directions. Please let Becky know if your Plover struggles with this assignment. Questions/Comments, please contact Becky at [email protected].
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.