National Geographic Explorer

FUN! Yes, we are reading the National Geographic Explorer (September 2013 issue) this week.

Today, we learned how to identify parts of a magazine. Then, we began by reading "In Living Color", a "colorful" article teaching us about how and why animals use camouflage.

In the next few days, we will read about ocean animals and something else??? Hmmm...

Kids are loving it, and so am I. Ask them what they have been learning! They should be able to tell you all sorts of exciting information about exotic animals living in different parts of the world.

For some extra fun, play Photo Safari here!

Addition and Subtraction Unit Test!

Yeah, the TEST is tomorrow! Students have been practicing adding and subtracting using traditional algorithms (the way we were taught), and other methods, which actually make a lot of sense. You may hear them refer to these strategies as partial sums (for adding) and counting up (using numbers written vertically or a number line) for subtraction.
Partial sums must means students add up by place value--then combine all the values into a total sum. Counting up is basically like counting back change--start with the lowest amount given--then count up to the total. (What a handy strategy to know! Kids will actually be able to count back change--awesome idea!!!)

I digress--Test is Wednesday, September 18th. We did a review in class today--kids should have brought this home today--along with homework including 4 addition and 4 subtraction problems. All of this practice should support student learning. I'm hoping all students will do well!

Next up, MULTIPLICATION! Pre-Test on Thursday. Lots of instruction before post-test.
What can you do to help at home? Please practice multiplication facts! Anywhere and everywhere! There are lots of websites to help and iPad apps to support (that make practice fun!).

Examples:
funbrain.com
factmonster.com

Free iPad Apps:
SushiMonster
Slide (multiplication and division symbols)

Words of the Week: High-Frequency Words

It's an out-of-the-norm week--only 4 days. So, this week's words are already (or should be) familiar to students.
There are 25 of them--none are considered challenge words. Two students passed the pre-test with 100%! Hopefully, everybody else will do well this Friday (September 20th, 2013).

1. were
2. we're
3. where
4. there
5. their
6. they're
7. went
8. you're
9. your
10. our
11. are
12. to
13. too
14. two
15. right
16. write
17. because
18. enough
19. until
20. through
21. almost
22. Idaho
23. knew
24. people
24. other

Air Lift!

Whoa! Air Lift! This was the name of our latest science activity. Students used a straw, quart-sized zip lock bag, and heavy book to conduct this experiment. The goal: to figure out HOW compressed air can be used to MOVE things. Ask your child to explain how this works.

The next step suggestion was to try moving something BIGGER using a BIGGER zip-lock bag...maybe gallon sized? or even bigger! See what happens! I look forward to hearing from the kids if they've tried this next step activity. Science is truly FUN!

Next week, we'll be starting our new unit titled, "Motion and Design." Students will create a vehicle that moves. We'll see who can get their unique design to move the farthest. Fun stuff coming up in Science!

Words of the Week: Unit 1 Lesson 3

Spelling test tomorrow! Hope you practiced your spelling words!

Root Words Plus Suffixes
1. joyous
2. useful
3. lonely
4. dangerous
5. hopeful
6. movement
7. playful
8. careless
9. freely
10. painful
11. helpful
12. statement
13. hazardous
14. gladly
15. marvelous
16. fearless
17. treatment
18. suddenly
19. shipment
20. harmless

Challenge Words
idly
adjustment
glamorous

4th Grade Math

 

Today, students will take an Addition and Subtraction Pre-Assessment identifying what they know before instruction begins on this unit. Students will need to know the value of and be able to manipulate up to 7 digit numbers using both addition and subtraction. By the end of this unit, students will be able to use the traditional algorithm to solve multi-step problems (using numerals and in word form).

Scientific Method

Juice Rocket! Our class used the Scientific Method to construct and conduct a Juice Rocket. What made it go? A simple mixture of lemon juice and baking soda...Unfortunately, our bubbles (carbon dioxide) bubbled over before the gas was captured and our rocket was unable to blow its cork! What a disappointment! We will be giving this a second try on Monday. Students loved observing in this visually stimulating experiment. Don't worry, there will be more to come!

*With parent supervision, try it at home here.