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Just to help the students develop their sense of ‘number’, we have been starting easy, to build some new strategies. Away with Rocket Math, at least for a little while.
We started learning a new way knowing our 5 facts. Easy, just X10 then take half!
Let’s see, 10 x 4 = 40 so 5 x 4 = 20! It is faster to say “times ten, then half it. ” . .than it is to count by 5′s to a number. They are also building another strategy!
So, Try it! 5 x 9 = {90/2} 45. WOO HOO . .
We will be working on these easy problens this week. Then learn doubles (X 2) next week, followed by double double (X4)and then Double, Double Double! (X8) I know, you’re thinkin’ “These teachers and their crazy, new Math!” But really this is a way many mathematicians around the world REALLY think about number. This helps us for all the math we do mentally every day!
We also wrote ten sentences today without repeating the same word!
This week we are learning what our Spring Homework looks like. It is very different from our past weekly homework. The kids have the next month to learn more about their favorite subject and create any sort of presentation they desire. I am showing them examples of some great presentation ideas from the past and sending home a complete booklet guiding them through the process. You job as a parent is to help your child choose a topic that you fully support. I will be very happy to assist you in any way. I am looking forward to hearing from you about any questions you might have. This is my third year having the students complete a spring project and it is always a great success!
We have successfully navigated our way through WASL Week! The kids seemed to think the test was easier than regular classwork. The only thing they do not like is the ‘boredom’ factor. This results mostly from the practice of limiting the variety of activities to participate in after the children have finished their test. We try not to offer many interesting tasks. When we do, then several kids rush through the test to get to less thought intensive work.
I do not get to look at the test except to help the kids make sure they have completed each problem. But I do have some ideas on area we can help our children. The area that impacts their success the most on the assessment is VOCABULARY. Not that there are many vocabulary questions on the test, but more that the passages have some vocabulary and some questions use specific vocabulary that some students aren’t used to seeing or hearing.
Reflecting on the vocabulary piece, reminds me that when Mr. Shoemaker started, I was struck by how his vocabulary was too high for the kids. Great for him since he is on his way out of college and has worked successfully in another industry for many years. There were many words we use everyday, that we had to define for the students to understand.
So, I suppose if you are going to help your child over the summer . .Vocabulary, fractions and decimals are the way to go!
This is the question Mr. Shoemaker posed to the class today. He is helping them understand that scientists make inferences based on what we find. So, we just learned about the Kennewick man. We connected that learning to some very interesting stuff about Egyptian mummies. So, we have buried some apples in a mixture we combined called Natron. From baking soda, detergent and salt. Before we ‘buried our apples , we recorded a diagram as well as as many attributes as we could record. Scientists really like measurements. So, we have length, width and weight. What do you think will happen to our apples over time?
Well, I thoroughly enjoyed conferences. Spring Conferences are my favorite because I know the students a little better than in the fall and have already talked to most of the parents numerous times throughout the winter.
We are lucky to have Mr. Shoemaker from Whitworth to work on his student teachnig. He brings a wealth of knowledge to us as he has a lot of exciting life experiences. He is more experienced than most student teachers because he is about my age!
To summarize how things went overall for the students and their parents at conferences; most students are progressing well. Some parents are concerned with some friendship issues. Which is very typical for the 9-10-11 year age. Also, many parents were happy to find that their children are still respectful at school even though at home they are starting to act like tweens!
Well, I have also taken a bunch of new pics that will be posted here soon! Check back soon!
What will happen to our apples over time? »« We have our classroom back!!
I am so thankful for the great people at Belfor. THey are the company who did the rennovation. The room looks better now than it did before the water damage! I did spend 16 hours putting everything back. actually, i have a couple hours left, but at least i know where most of the stuff is. Thank you all for your flexibility during the mess!
Please check the calendar page to see the due dates for the various assignments. The book project this month is Non-fiction. I will post the sheet on the projects page in the next couple of days.
This is the month I hope to get our classroom back! I am sure you have heard that our classroom, as well as many others in the district, is in disarray. We have about 2/3 the space we usually do because our east wall was saturated with meltwater over the winter break. We are fortunate to be receiving a new wall so so won’t have any icky mold or other damage to deal with.
We are also buckling down and really working!! We have been writing, writing, writing!! Revisiting fractions and learning about geometry.
I keep hearing the kids exclaim that the day went by SO fast! That is a good sign!
Here is a link I thought you might like. It shows what may be expected in a 4th grade classroom. It is from Schwab learing who is very involved in school reform and improvement.
http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/showarticle/729
Arcadia students
will be participating in a reading incentive program from Monday, Feb. 2 to Friday, Feb. 27 to grow reading skills, for enjoyment, and to celebrate literacy as part of our Read Across America celebration.
We will be counting the minutes students read or are read to outside of school. Minutes for each classroom are tracked; every five hours of reading adds a stripe to the Cat in the Hat’s hats, which are posted outside of classrooms. Classes that meet grade level goals (3rd grade: 50 hours, 4th grade: 75 hours, 5th grade: 80 hours) receive root beer floats on March 6. Other prizes are awarded along the way to classrooms and to individuals.
In addition, guest readers from the community will be in the building on March 6 to help us celebrate. If you are interested in reading to a class, or know someone who might like to participate, please call Diane Ball at 464-5730 or e-mail to
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