Our Holiday Homework Contests begin today at 4:00 and end at 8:00 pm on Sunday, January 5.
Here are the rules:
WORK HARD and HAVE FUN!
Don’t forget: Late Start tomorrow
Winter Break homework paper coming home today! Students need to read everyday. They can keep track of what they read on the paper that is coming home today. I will also post a RAZkids contest to begin after school on Friday.
We will have a math quiz on division on Thursday and an energy quiz in science on Friday.
We are working on Division in math. Earlier this week, I sent home an informational letter explaining the strategies we will be using to solve division problems. In class I am explicitly teaching the steps to solve the problems and the procedure to check with multiplication. The students are having a difficult time because they don’t know all their multiplication math facts and because they want the problems to be easy and one step. In fourth grade it will not be either of these.
Two huge changes in education have occurred. The number fluency required to successfully complete the division is huge and they need to be able to do the division problems in the context of multi-step word problems. Just like the math assessment I sent home today, and other standardized tests, problem solving is the focus.
To help your child, look at the homework helper to see how we are using a place value chart to show a picture of the division. The place value chart shows the students the number of tens and ones in each equal group. All of the students’ work should match the examples in the Homework helper.
Another way to help is to give ask multiplication fact and division fact questions. For example: What number times 8 is 32?
Plans for our Holiday Party are underway. Our class party will take place on Friday, December 20 from 2:40 to 3:10. The students will decorate cookies and make a holiday craft. I have created a sign up account if you are interested in sending supplies or treats for the students to share. I have also asked that a few parents sign up to help with the projects. Use the link below to check out what we need and sign up if you are able.
In science we are studying energy. We have watched several videos of chain reaction machines. Today I have sent home the basic supplies needed for the students to make a chain reaction machine. They may also incorporate things they have at home. Small cars work well.
Several students would like to work with a partner and that is fine. I told the students they would have one week to design and create their chain reaction machine. It is due next Wednesday, December 11. Students will have an opportunity to demonstrate their creation. They are really excited about it.
I can send home additional supplies if necessary. Just send me a message.
The Mid-module math test is Friday. Students have written this in their planners since Monday. Today, they have the review paper to complete as homework. This is a difficult test that is mostly problem solving. Please make sure they have completed all of the problems tonight and we will go over and correct tomorrow in class.
I have exciting news to share. All of the students have created a Raz-Kids account. They have the log-in information in their planners. They have a number of books at their level to listen to or read silently. After reading, they take a short comprehension quiz.
You will also have access to the account to track their progress. Look for the directions on Monday. There are three options but you need to choose only one.
Parents and Children (ages 6 months—4 years old) are invited to join us on:
Friday, November 22nd at 8:45 am
at River Oaks Elementary for a party to celebrate mama!
Activities Planned:
Yoga
· Storytime/Songs
· Muffins/Coffee/Tea/Juice
· Special Mama and Me Crafts!
· Bonding with your young child!
Join us to celebrate how special our mama’s are.
Children, Parents and Staff will sing, play and engage in activities together from 8:45-10:00 am.
Please call or email to reserve your free materials!
(313) 827-4616 bassj@dearbornschools.org
The math in Module 3 may not look like the multiplication you remember doing in elementary school. Please be patient and use the Homework Helper pages that the students bring home with every math assignment. It is really important that the students use the strategies we use in class. All of the practice looks just like the assessments, so to learn something new at home only leads to extreme confusion.
Also, I sent a newsletter explaining the strategies and reasons we are teaching math in this way. As always, if you have any questions or concerns about your child’s progress in math, please call or send a message here or through Class Dojo.
All previously scheduled Thursday, November conferences will take place today.
The make up day for Tuesday conferences is Monday, November 18. I will send home a note if your conference was missed because of the snow day on Tuesday.