News and Notes 9/26

News and Notes

From Fourth Grade

Word Search

As we settle in to our fourth grade routines, this week we began our I.D.R. conferences.  As a part of our reading curriculum, students select an "individualized daily reading" book to work on during independent reading.  We use this "just right" text to practice the various comprehension strategies we are exploring together as a class during reading workshop.  This week the focus during I.D.R. was on finding new vocabulary in our books.  Of course as readers we are constantly coming upon new words that we don't know.  It is important to first recognize this fact and then learn what to do about these words.  Instead of skipping over them all the time, there are other strategies we can use.  This week the fourth graders enthusiastically read their books and were so excited when they discovered words like "allegiance" and "immortality."  Then we talk as a class about what the words mean, or how we could discover their meaning.  Two things that are becoming very clear about these fourth grade readers - they are enthusiastic about their books and love a good word search!

Problem-Solvers

One of the greatest skills students develop in school is that of problem-solver.  Across all subject areas and fields of study, problem-solving impacts all of academics.  In all vocations and professions, being a capable problem-solver is a highly valued quality.  In increasingly complex social situations, being able to navigate and solve problems with friends and family is an essential skill.  Math seems to be one of the school subjects where problem-solving is naturally a part of the content.  As a result, each topic of study in fourth grade has one lesson dedicated to discovering a new problem-solving strategy for fourth grade math.  These lessons are great for integrating math content into a "real" world context.  In the end of our first topic of study in fourth grade math, we learned the strategies of drawing a picture/model and writing an equation.  The students were given a variety of story problems and asked to draw a picture and write an equation to solve the problems.  Teaching these basic strategies very explicitly helps our students take and apply them to new situations.  Fourth grade loves being problem-solvers and they proved themselves to be highly skilled with their drawing and equation-writing!

Finding the Right Word

Our personal narratives are taking shape.  This week we focused on how to include the "right" words.  We discussed the importance of adjectives in writing and brainstormed different adjectives that would help our stories develop depth and give the reader a sensory experience.  We also identified some of the most commonly overused verbs (i.e. said) and talked about more specific alternatives we could use (i.e. whispered, whined, or declared).  As we sharpen our skills as writers, we are finding the balance between the art and science of writing, between knowing the rules of the English language and the beauty of a well-crafted tale.  

Geologists

The fourth graders have been learning about rocks and minerals, the rock cycle, and how to identify minerals.  Here are some photos of the fourth grade geologists at work identifying "mystery minerals."

Welcome Fourth Graders!

Each season we are going to try to get a class photo.  This way we can document our growth and progress as a collective fourth grade group.  It's also fun to make silly faces and think of creative ways to photograph our whole crew!

News and Notes 9/19

News and Notes

From Fourth Grade

The Playbook

A quarterback has a play in mind, a pitcher has a pitch in mind, and every good reader comes to a book with a comprehension strategy in mind.  This week the fourth grade reading community discussed the importance of having a specific plan in mind to guide our understanding while reading.  All readers have experienced those moments when we read word after word without truly taking in any content.  Even for the most proficient reader, it happens more often than we'd like to admit.  For the developing readers in fourth grade, it is extremely important that we focus on comprehension when we "do reading."  This means explicit instruction and dialogue surrounding comprehension strategies.  Our first strategy is to determine importance.  This means we are learning how to use the structure of nonfiction texts (text features) to help us find the "big ideas" and supporting details in the text.  Coming to a text with a specific strategy in mind makes us better readers, and in turn, more effective and engaged learners.

The Fruitfulness of Multiplication and Division

The first topic of study in fourth grade math is a general overview of concepts surrounding multiplication and division.  In these first few weeks we have identified the Zero, Identity, Commutative, and Distributive Properties of Multiplication.  We have reviewed multiplication and division vocabulary and definitions.  We have worked with hands-on manipulatives and transitioned to visual representations and then to number sentences and written words to describe computation work.  The fourth grade mathematicians have worked with arrays and bar diagrams to demonstrate concepts of multiplication and division.  By the end of this week we were taking all of these concepts and applying them to many "real life" problems that could be solved using division and multiplication.  How exciting it is to see how our content and skills have so many applications to our daily lives!

Zooming Out and Zooming Out

As the fourth graders begin work on their first assigned writing piece, we practiced zooming in and out.  First we took a large topic of personal interest (hobbies, vacations, special memories, favorite places, etc.)  Then we zoomed in to find a "small moment" to write about.  After discovering this focus, we dug deeply to brainstorm as many specific details we could find.  In the end we had a great brainstorm to guide us in the coming days as we begin drafting these personal narratives.  The brainstorming and prewriting stages of the writing process can sometimes feel tedious and unnecessary, but when we see how much this work helps our actual writing, we find it is time well spent!

News and Notes 9/12

News and Notes

From Fourth Grade

Multiplication Cheats

This week the fourth graders learned how to cheat.  Actually, what we were calling "cheats" were actually tricky shortcuts we discovered to help us solve multiplication problems more easily.  The fourth grade mathematicians analyzed different times tables and observed patterns.  For example, we found that each time you multiply a number by 5, the product will always have either a 5 or a 0 in the ones place.  We found patterns for multiples of 0, 1, 2, 5, and 9.  By using these multiplication "cheats," we were able to skip over steps to determine if larger numbers are multiples of a given factor.  Of course, by labeling these patterns as top secret information, the fourth graders were highly engaged and had fun discovering the secrets.  Unlike other "confidential" information, these fourth grade mathematicians would be happy to share our multiplication cheats with anyone!

Think, Pair, Share

Answering a question requires a child to work through many different steps.  First, they have to hear the question and determine what is being asked of them.  Then they have to dig through the files of their minds and pull out the corresponding information.  After this they have to formulate the words to convey their thinking.  For some students this process is generally very quick while others may need a longer "wait" time.  As we work to establish classroom norms, finding a way of asking and answering questions that works for all types of learners has been of great importance.  One strategy we will often use is called, "Think, Pair, Share."  First the student must take some time to think of the answer.  During this time the room is silent and everyone is encouraged to reflect and process.  Next, students turn and share with a partner.  This way everyone has an opportunity to articulate their ideas and everyone gets practice in being an active listener.  Finally, we take volunteers or select a few students to share their ideas with the whole group.  This "Think, Pair, Share" strategy seems so simple but it is a hugely effective means of assisting students in being effective thinkers and responders to questions.  

It's a Cycle!

This week in science the fourth graders discovered that rocks changed.  As we explored the different types of rocks, we found that a sedimentary rock won't necessarily always be a sedimentary rock.  As we noted the different ways that rocks can change, we discovered that it is really a cycle of transformation.  We identified many different forces that cause rocks to change including: heat, pressure, weathering, erosion, compacting, and cementing.  The fourth graders were able to identify the different forces at work in forming specific types of rocks and minerals.  We thoroughly enjoyed being able to track the changes of the "rock cycle."

enVisions Math- Parent Letters

This year the Kearsarge Regional School District adopted a new math program for grades K-5.  This program is called "enVisions."  We will share lots of information about the plan for fourth grade math as the year goes on, but here are a few helpful documents regarding enVisions and the correlation to the Common Core State Standards.

News and Notes 9/5

News and Notes

From Fourth Grade

If You Find a Rock

The fourth graders have become scavengers.  Scavengers of rocks that is.  We wandered around the school and the grounds looking for rocks and minerals.  From the brick building to the pebbles at the bottom of the fish tank, we observed rocks being used in a variety of ways.  This was a fun way to build awareness of rocks and introduce students to our first unit of study in science.  It is a treat to see just how excited these fourth graders are getting with the study of geology.  As we began talking about the different types of rocks, our room was full of engaged scientists who eagerly learned the vocabulary "igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic."  What a great moment of scientific learning!

Turn to Your Partner

There is a certain type of beauty and fullness in being able to share thoughts and experiences with others.  Fourth graders simply love to be able to talk about themselves with each other.  There is a completeness of enjoyment that comes in the sharing.  As we seek to develop our social skills in the academic setting, this week we worked on the simple strategy "turn to your partner."  During reading workshop this year the fourth graders will practice a variety of reading comprehension strategies as a full class.  This week we began work with sharing ideas with a partner.  It is such a simple strategy, but being able to pause in a full group dialogue and share thoughts with one other person is an extremely important skill.  The fourth graders did a great job thinking about how to share and listen to their partners.  They discussed concepts like body language, eye contact, and clarifying questions.  If in the first week of reading workshop we are able to make such great strides, it seems like the rest of the year will be a great experience of learning and growing together as a community of readers.

Say What?

Specialized vocabulary can be very difficult for children to understand.  When we dig deeply into the maths and sciences particularly there are times when the fourth graders lose comprehension because of vocabulary.  This week we looked at some of the mathematical practices required in fourth grade.  We tackled the complicated math vocabulary together and rewrote some of these standards in "kid-friendly" language.  We don't want to shy away from unknown words, but instead we want to learn what to do when we run into them.  The fourth grade problem solvers did an excellent job of persevering through this challenge.  In the end, we had eight mathematical practices written in easy to understand language.  Now we are excited for the opportunity to apply these skills and strategies to the exciting world of fourth grade mathematics!

The Dreaded Blank Page

As a way of introducing the subject of writing in fourth grade, today we took some time to talk about "The Dreaded Blank Page."  We've all experienced those moments of stress and frustration when the blank page seems like an insurmountable obstacle.  Today the fourth grade writers brainstormed a fabulous list of what to do when faced with a writer's greatest nightmare.

What to do with the DREADED BLANK PAGE...

• Draw a memory.
• Write a story.
• Draw a picture.
• Draw a movie scene.
• Sketch/Doodle/Scribble.
• Make something origami-ish.
• Write a poem.
• Reflect on nature.
• Write a song.
• Celebrate someone or something.
• Practice your math facts.
• Write a puzzler to stump the teacher.
• Make a card.
• Write a recipe.
• Make word art.
• Write a riddle.
• Make a list.
• Draw blueprints or designs.
• Write about your feelings.
• Make a smiling face.
• Tell a joke.
• Write a journal entry.
• BRAINSTORM
• Make a "To Do" list.
• Write a letter.
• Make a plan.
• Write about a book.
• Practice typing.
• Practice penmanship.
• Make a puzzle.
• Make a map.
• Write a list of goals.
• Make a calendar.
• Write questions.
• Make a game.
• Make a wish list.
• Write about sports.
• Make a biography.
• Create a picture collage.
• Make a diploma or certificate.
• Write something in bubble letters.
• Design your own money.
• Make pretend bills.
• Create a contract.
• Describe mythical creatures.
• Write about your hero.
• Create a license.
• Make a book.
• Make a get well card.
• Create a menu.
• Draw a design.
• Create a poster.
• Make a "bucket list."
• Make a shopping list.
• Write about memories.
• Make a supplies list. 
• Write about seasons.
• Make a favorites list.
• Create a weather chart.
• Make predictions.
• Make a book report.