Reading - Fall 2016
What we are learning: Currently we are getting into non-fiction text and working on being careful, dedicated readers. We are becoming experts at sharing learned information and becoming teachers to others.
Ways to practice at home:
Winter 2017
We are studying characters in our fiction books. We are following characters and deciding on the kinds of traits they exhibit throughout a story. "Stories are shaped like mountains" will be a recurring theme throughout this unit. The kids are very excited to be getting into their book clubs!
What we are learning: Currently we are getting into non-fiction text and working on being careful, dedicated readers. We are becoming experts at sharing learned information and becoming teachers to others.
Ways to practice at home:
- Read some non-fiction! Have your child read text that is informative and then practice telling you different things they learned.
- Read to your child! I understand that the kids can feel overloaded after a busy evening. If you want to read to your child on occasion, they can count it towards their reading minutes! Ask them some comprehension questions as a check in. "Why do you think that character just did that?" "Can you summarize the chapter I just read to you?" "Can you predict what might happen next?" These are all great prompts.
Winter 2017
We are studying characters in our fiction books. We are following characters and deciding on the kinds of traits they exhibit throughout a story. "Stories are shaped like mountains" will be a recurring theme throughout this unit. The kids are very excited to be getting into their book clubs!
Writing
What we are learning: We are continuing our work with narratives and also beginning to explore some informational writing. We talk frequently about editing and revising independently and students have a checklist on their writing folder to refer to. We are also beginning spelling groups based on individual student needs.
Ways to practice at home:
Winter 2017
Expository, personal narratives, poetry... so much writing! Many are working on becoming more independent with editing and revising skills.
What we are learning: We are continuing our work with narratives and also beginning to explore some informational writing. We talk frequently about editing and revising independently and students have a checklist on their writing folder to refer to. We are also beginning spelling groups based on individual student needs.
Ways to practice at home:
- Have discussions about potential writing topics at home
- Practice spelling words written/orally
- Dinner table story building - everyone adds one word or sentence at a time to the story to see where it goes!
- Keep a journal at home of daily reflections or to write creatively
Winter 2017
Expository, personal narratives, poetry... so much writing! Many are working on becoming more independent with editing and revising skills.
Math
What we are learning: We are currently moving at full speed in our multiplication and division unit! 3rd graders are building arrays, relating multiplication to addition, and creating equal groups while solving complex math labs! 4th graders are creating bar models and using them to compare numbers, multiplying by tens, hundreds, and thousands, and breaking apart numbers to multiply parts (distributive property.) Both grades are practicing their basic facts.
Ways to practice at home:
Winter 2017
Hello, Fractions! We are diving right in, working on equivalences, comparing fractions, adding/subtracting fractions, making fraction mosaics... you name it!
What we are learning: We are currently moving at full speed in our multiplication and division unit! 3rd graders are building arrays, relating multiplication to addition, and creating equal groups while solving complex math labs! 4th graders are creating bar models and using them to compare numbers, multiplying by tens, hundreds, and thousands, and breaking apart numbers to multiply parts (distributive property.) Both grades are practicing their basic facts.
Ways to practice at home:
- Practice basic facts with flash cards, orally, writing them on paper, etc. By the end of the year, 3rd graders will need to know their facts 1-10. 4th graders need to know 1-12.
- Visit math websites for additional worksheets. You can simply google "multiplication worksheets" or find them on: www.mathplayground.com, www.funbrain.com, www.coolmath.com
Winter 2017
Hello, Fractions! We are diving right in, working on equivalences, comparing fractions, adding/subtracting fractions, making fraction mosaics... you name it!
Science
What we are learning: States of Matter! Our Mystery Science fun grows with every experiment. Check out the photos!
What we are learning: States of Matter! Our Mystery Science fun grows with every experiment. Check out the photos!
Social Studies
What we are learning: Pilgrims/Colonial Times!
What we are learning: Pilgrims/Colonial Times!