Penny Experiment

Yesterday students worked with a partner to conduct an experiment to test how many drops of water a penny can hold.  We learned about why it is so important for scientists to do more than one trial when they are collecting data.  Our pennies held a lot of drops of water.
Here are some pictures of the experiment:

Homework for week of September 11-15

Students should choose at least 2 afternoons during the week and one weekend day to do a whole session of xtramath.org with the Beat the Teacher section.  They can choose which nights they would like to go on and they can always do extra days.  It is very important for students to know their math facts.  If your child does not have access to xtramath then they can practice with flashcards or with a game if you have one that practices the facts.

Curriculum Night is on Thursday, September 14.  Meet with Encore teachers at 6:00 and classroom teachers at 6:30.

There is a sheet in students' binders describing the different spelling sorts.

Monday (Day 3):
Read for 15 minutes
Math - Standard Form from Word Form Sheet
Spelling - Regular Sort (You don't need to record.)

Tuesday (Day 4):
Read for 15 minutes
Math -   Number Forms Sheet
Spelling - Regular Sort and Record

Wednesday (Day 5):
Read for 15 minutes
Math -  Position vs. Value Sheet
Spelling - Spelling City (Speed Sort if you can't get on to computer.)

Thursday (Day 6):
Read for 15 minutes
Math -  Place Value Review (evens only)
Spelling - Blind Sort

Friday (Day 1):
Read for at least 30 minutes over the weekend

Go on xtramath.org 

Gobstopper Experiment

We are learning about the scientific method and doing observations.  The students were very excited to watch what happened to their Gobstoppers.

Homework for Week of September 4-8

Students should choose at least 2 afternoons during the week and one weekend day to do a whole session of xtramath.org with the Beat the Teacher section.  They can choose which nights they would like to go on and they can always do extra days.  It is very important for students to know their math facts.  If your child does not have access to xtramath then they can practice with flashcards or with a game if you have one that practices the facts.

Monday (Day ):
No School

Tuesday (Day 5):
Read for 15 minutes
Math -  Choose the Best Problem Solving Strategy Sheet#1

Wednesday (Day 6):
Read for 15 minutes
Math -  Choose the Best Problem Solving Strategy Sheet#2

Thursday (Day 1):
Read for 15 minutes
Math -  Sheet

Friday (Day 2):
Read for at least 30 minutes over the weekend

Go on xtramath.org 

Great Start - Team Building

We had a great first week in 4B!  All the students were excited to start the year and get to know all their fourth grade classmates.  We did many team building activities and I was so impressed how well all the students worked together.  They were all willing to share their ideas and listen to others tells them about what they were thinking.

Our first activity was to help build a perch for Harry (a pom pom with eyes).  Students had to try to build the tallest perch from objects found in a bag.  Our tallest perch was 18 1/2 inches tall.

  

Our second challenge was to build the longest paper chain with your group.  Students could only use two sheets of paper and a foot of masking tape.  It was great to hear all the planning and strategies kids were using.  Students discussed their thoughts about the length of the strip of the paper, size of the loop, how small the piece of tape could be to still hold the loop, and how to divide up the jobs.  The final products were AMAZING!  Most of the chains were yards long.

The discussion after was even better where teams talked about strategies and how they persevered even when they saw other teams making their chains longer.  We also discussed how important it will be to work as a team this year.

It is looking like it is going to be a fabulous year in 4B! 

Homework for week of August 28-31

Homework will be written in assignment books daily.  You can also check the blog for a list of the weekly homework.  Occasionally the homework on the blog has to change depending on how much we get to during class.  If you are unsure of an assignment you can always call one of your study buddies which is written in the assignment book.  Remember to ask an adult to sign your assignment book.

Monday (Day 1):
- Read for 15 minutes
- Show parents forms
- Write a letter to Miss Beauchesne introducing yourself.  The letter should be at least two paragraphs long.  You can write about your family, interests, what you did over the summer, etc.

Tuesday (Day 2):
- Read for 15 minutes
- Start getting your pictures and/or stickers for your writer's notebook.  See notice sent home.  Remember to ask your parents before taking pictures.  They will be cut and glued.  Materials should be brought in by Thursday.
- Gather supplies and finish questionnaire if you need to

Wednesday (Day 3):
- Read for 15 minutes
- Math - Use letter and try to get signed up for xtramath by next Tuesday.

Thursday (Day 4):

- Read for 30 minutes
- Math - Use letter and try to get signed up for xtramath by next Tuesday.

Friday (Day ):
NO SCHOOL

Few More Weeks

I hope everyone has had an awesome summer and received my letter introducing myself.  I wanted to remind you I will be working in our classroom on Thursday, August 24th from 1:30-2:30 if you would like to stop by to meet me and see the room.  I am looking forward to meeting all of you soon.  If you can't make it on the 24th, I will see you on the 28th for our first day.

Fourth Graders:  Every Kid in a Park
Also, this is a great way to visit the national parks around the country.  Click on the link below to get a learn how to get a free pass.  This starts September 1 and runs for the next year.  Here is the link.