It has been such a joy getting to work with these students so far.  They are hard working, motivated, and respectful.  I feel very lucky!  This week is another jam packed week of learning.

Specials

Monday – Art and Library

Tuesday – Gym

Wednesday – Music

Thursday – Art and Computer Lab

Friday – Gym

Spelling Words

Vowel Pairs ai, ee, ea

• heading
• freezer
• beauty
• succeed
• refrain
• steady
• disease
• trainer
• measure
• rainbow

High Frequency Words

• sign
• guess
• forward
• huge
• ride
• region

Writing

We are finishing up our first personal narrative this week.  Students will be revising and editing their writing before having the opportunity to share their writing with the class.  The improvement I have seen in their writing is just wonderful.  They are like little sponges, soaking up all of the tips and tricks to making writing more engaging for their readers.  I am excited to read their final pieces.

Reading

Students have been working on strategies to improve their comprehension.  This week, students will be recommending books to their peers as well as choosing a stack of “just right” books that they can read in the classroom, and at home.  Please remind your child to take the online quiz each time they finish a book so that they can demonstrate their understanding of the book.  Toward the end of the week, students will be asked to retell the stories they’re reading as well as make inferences.  These are skills that can be practiced at home with any story they read.  Students can retell the events of a story to a parent, sibling, or even a pet.  The key is practicing that retell, telling the events in order, and trying to remember all of these important/key details.  Practicing inferences is a little trickier.  Perhaps the author writes that a character has a red nose and continues to sneeze as he walks through the library.  The students should be able to infer that the character either has allergies or a cold.  Inferences are sometimes difficult for the students because the author doesn’t outright tell them, but the more opportunities they have to practice the skill, the better they become. Remember, our goal is 400 minutes a month for 4th grade.  Some students have already met that goal!  When in doubt, just keep reading.

Math

Students have been working hard on their addition and subtraction skills, and this week is no exception.  Students will use addition to check their subtraction as they move into subtracting even larger numbers.  Whenever possible, have your child practice multi-digit addition and subtraction at home.  We will have our third quick quiz of the unit on Friday, 9/30.  To prepare, please go over the homework and remembering sheets with your child and have them practice similar problems if they’re struggling.  The key to success with the multi-digit addition and subtraction is having the children slow down and take their time.  They’re making a lot of simple errors, like forgetting to add the one they carry, or making mistakes when regrouping for subtraction.  If your child gets an answer wrong, see if they can find their errors.  When they can begin recognizing their own mistakes, hopefully they stop making them.

Social Studies

It’s almost here!  Market Day is this Friday!!!  Students have been working so hard learning economics concepts in preparation for Market Day.  This week we will finish up by discussing entrepreneurship, budgets, and advertising.  Please ensure your child has their good/service prepared for sale on Friday.  Students will be buying and selling from 10:30 – 11:30, and will then return to their rooms for reflection before recess and lunch.  I am so proud of their hard work and preparation as they get ready for Market Day.  I have no doubt it will be a huge success!

 

As always, if you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.  Pictures coming soon!