In Social Studies, we are studying U.S. Immigration, focusing mostly on the period of time when Ellis Island was open. Students have been reading nonfiction articles and books during our literacy blocks, and will begin some historical fiction next week. They will also begin a project, based on a country related to their ancestry. We would appreciate any information that you have that you can share with your children. We are also combining geography lessons with this study.
4 Winds
Last week Ms. Lewis’s class studied “Snags and Rotting Logs” in 4 Winds. Ms. Koch’s class will have their class next week. Check out the photos below.
Fourth graders have been working on linear measurement, using both US standard and metric units. They determined the perimeter and area of regular and irregular shapes, including designs that they had constructed. We have been singing a Perimeter song (to the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell”) and reciting an Area Rap (composed by the class) to help us remember the difference. Students are also comparing and contrasting polygons, checking for parallel and perpendicular lines, and right, acute and obtuse angles. We have been using “Power Polygon” pieces to measure angles and construct new shapes, and will eventually be using protractors to measure angles. We have also started doing some “coding”, using Logo Paths to move a turtle different distances and angles.
In third grade math we are working on understanding linear measurement using US standard and metric units. We are also applying measurement to finding perimeter and applying that knowledge as well as reason to create rectangular spaces for yards or bunny cages. After Thanksgiving we will work on finding area by looking at the number of square units that are covering a space. This knowledge will help as we move into understanding multiplication and the area model to represent a problem. As always it is helpful for your child to practice math facts each night as knowing the math facts makes doing more complicated problems easier!
Check out the Art Blog and the French Blog to find out what is new and exciting in those classes.
Grades 3 and 4 French News.
http://faystonart.blogspot.com/2014/10/matisse-goldfish-collage-by-grades.html