News and Notes 11/7

News and Notes

From Fourth Grade

Fun and Mental

A quote from a favorite children's movie states that "learning is fundamental"... fun and mental.  Well, in fourth grade math this week we certainly experienced both!  We explored the idea of solving math problems without paper and pencil.  We discussed different strategies we could use to manipulate numbers in our minds and solve addition and subtraction problems using "mental math."  We discussed compensating and turning numbers into round or "friendly" numbers (i.e. exchanging 100 for 98).  We talked about breaking numbers apart into place values and do partial sums or differences.  We also discussed the familiar counting on strategy.  Whichever strategy we selected, our goal was to take some time as mathematicians to think about numbers.  The ability to visualize concepts and develop number sense is so essential in the work of mathematics.  This week the fourth grade mathematicians did an excellent job of demonstrating that math is fun, especially when it's mental!

Changes

As we dig more deeply into our current reading strategy of analyzing text features, this week we focused on characters.  During our read aloud times and independent reading times, the fourth graders were asked to make notes about characters.  They had to have specific evidence they could cite from the text to support their ideas about the characters.  We also took some observations over time to document how characters change throughout the flow of the story.  Being able to describe a character is an important piece of reading comprehension.  Even more than simple description, tracking changes in the character demonstrates a deeper and more inclusive view of the character throughout the story.  Finding the ways characters change not only helps us to better understand the story, it also helps us to develop better connections with the story and keeps us more highly engaged in the flow of the story.

Forces

The fourth grade scientists have begun exploring force and motion.  This week they took time to analyze some of the key vocabulary from our latest unit on physical science.  We explored key terms like force, motion, and potential and kinetic energy.  We used videos, books, discussions, and hands-on explorations to guide our discovery of these important terms.  The fourth graders have proven themselves to be enthusiastic and observant scientists!  In the coming weeks a strong understanding of these key terms will be foundational to our discovery of various simple machines.

Homework Survey

This week the fourth graders have a different type of homework assignment.  Working with their families, they are being asked to complete a survey regarding homework in fourth grade.  As we look ahead to the next three quarters, we want to make sure that homework is beneficial and productive for everyone involved.  This means that the results of this survey are very important for shaping the face of homework in fourth grade.  Thank you for your time and support in this matter!