Don't forget that your child needs to update their iPad to IOS8 this weekend in preparation for district-wide system updates next week. It's best to do this while the iPad is plugged in. Go to settings, general, software update. iPads will be collected by the district on Monday and will be returned when complete mid-week.
If you look to the top of our blog, you'll notice a new link called "Reading Recommendations." Many of you have asked for recommendations to help your child find a good fit book at the right level. This list is somewhat general, as it doesn't specify genres like mystery or historical fiction, but it is a strong list of popular, well-written books for students of this age. Many are award winners, enjoy browsing!
Reading: Our readers read mostly non-fiction articles this week, some independently and some in partnerships. Their year-long partnerships are developing nicely; I'm very pleased with the relationships they're building and the focus they have while working. Ask your kids about what we highlighted to help us identify the main ideas (hint: it was the first sentence of each paragraph!
Writing: From last week, still applies!: We are in the home stretch of their published pieces! I'm starting to meet with kids for editing, and we'll print and publish as we go! Most should be done by next week, with a few trickling into the following week. As kids finish typing and peer revising, they have the opportunity to draft new ideas in their notebooks. Ask your kids about the plot of the story they are about to publish. Who are the characters? What is the problem or action? How does it get resolved?
4th Grade Math: This week we continued to learn different multiplication methods for two/three digit numbers. We learned how to use the area model, partial product model, and the standard algorithm model. Some models were easier for some students! We then moved into two/three step multiplication problems. Next week we will be taking our mid-term assessment. Ask your student if they can show you all three methods!
Standard: 4.NBT.5 - Multiply a whole number of up to four digits by a one-digit whole number, and multiply two two-digit numbers, using strategies based on place value and the properties of operations. Illustrate and explain the calculation by using equations, rectangular arrays, and/or area models
Science: We continued our Land & Water research projects. The kids have chosen a land or water form in the US from a list provided by us. Using a graphic organizer and web and book sources, they researched their land and water form. This week all students should have completed their research. We will begin/continue working on our projects next week, once we get our IPads back! Ask your kids how much research they completed this week!
Social Studies: This week we continued to read Chapter 1. With the day off on Monday we ended up finishing Chapter 1 a little later in the week so we did not have our test. We finished reading the unit together on Thursday and then worked on a study guide in class today. The study guides should be in your child's home folder. They can study for our test this week-end and on Monday night. The test will be on Tuesday. Ask your students if they would like you to quiz them for the test!
Today we had an interesting Current Events lesson from our 6 current events students. We heard about using Mindcraft in the classroom, how London celebrated Veteran's Day, Felony Franks Restaurant opening in Oak Park, and new company that a 13 year old started for blind people. Ask your students if they learned anything new today.
Miscellaneous:
- Please join us at the Whittier Family Math Game Night on November 20th from 5:30-7pm. A sandwich dinner will be provided from 5:30-6. At 6pm, families will move to the 2nd floor gym and explore a variety of hands on stations. RSVP online at http://tinyurl.com/wh2014math
- A big thank you to all the kids who participated in Trick or Treat for UNICEF! Together we collected $368.65!! Our money will be used in different ways. Possibilities include helping 74 malnourished kids eat for 5 days, protecting almost 400 kids from maleria, or providing 40 kids with a year's worth of safe drinking water. Our efforts are important and help improve the lives of kids around the world. Many thanks to our Whittier participants and to their friends and families who supported them!
