Dear Third and Fourth Grade Families,
We have so busy these last three weeks, it’s hard to believe that today is only the thirteenth day of school. We have been using the Responsive Classroom approach to establish rules and routines, and think about Hopes and Dreams for the year. Students have participated in activities to help them get to know each other better, and build community. They have been writing short pieces in their journals, telling about their summer adventures or the latest news from the weekend.
We have been reading a lot of nonfiction that coincides with our first science unit - Life Cycles and Interdependence. We focused on the features of nonfiction that are different from fiction, along with strategies to enhance reading comprehension. Students will be studying the different classes of animals and plants, and how they are connected, along with doing some independent research on a topic of their choice.
So far, we have explored food chains/webs and learned about producers, consumers, and decomposers. We have taken walks on the nature trail, stopping to observe, take notes and/or draw. One day we focused specifically on the decomposition process, observing rotting logs. We are spending a little extra time on the life cycles of insects for two reasons. One is that we recently acquired some monarch caterpillars and are hoping to watch the metamorphic process in the classroom. Our first 4 Winds topic is spiders, and so we are also studying insects in order to compare and contrast them with spiders (which are not insects).
In math, fourth grades are focusing on multiplication, using different strategies to solve problems. They are learning basic terms such as factor, multiple and product, and drawing arrays and other representations. They are beginning to use the Rocket Math program to practice their facts. They are also reviewing basic addition and subtraction skills. Third graders are working on adding, subtracting and sequencing numbers up to 1,000. They have also begun to practice math facts using the Rocket Math program. They use about 5 minutes of class each day to practice the addition facts and then take a one minute timed test of what they just practiced. It is important that students find time to practice math facts at home as well. If you need suggestions we are happy to recommend games, iPad apps, or other computer programs to help them practice.
We are looking into the possibility of buying a typing /keyboarding program that students could use at school and at home. We are trying to determine if everyone would have access at home to make this a part of their weekly homework. Please let us know if your child would NOT be able to practice keyboard skills at home, and we will figure out a time where they could get additional practice at school.
We are looking forward to seeing you at our Open House this Thursday at 6:00. Your children are excited to show you their work and their classroom.
Sincerely,
Carla and Erin