Math- Multiplication and Division

We continued working on multiplication! This week, we focused on 12s. Students used a variety of strategies to solve these basic facts. One common strategy included using a fact you know. Students are encouraged to keep practicing their multiplication facts at home. We also worked on patterns! Students analyzed the multiplication table to determine patterns for various factors (i.e. when multiplying a number by 10, the product will always end in a 0). We discussed how learning these patterns can help us solve multiplication problems. Students reviewed their basic facts by playing fact fluency games. At the end of the week, students solved division problems using manipulatives and their multiplication facts.

Reading

This week, we revisited Why is the Statue of Liberty Green? Students learned about author’s purpose and literary elements. We discussed how the setting of a story is vital to the author’s message. Students also wrote an extended response using the RACES structure and focused on including text evidence to support their thinking.

Synonyms and antonyms were revisited. Students reviewed critical vocabulary from module 3 using word webs and playing charades. At the end of the week, we practiced making connections (text to self, text to text, and text to world) with the pieces we read throughout the module. Students did a great job comparing how each author presented information about our nation’s history.

Our Community

We began our new social studies unit! Our main focus this week was local government. We talked about all the important parts of city hall. We discussed how each department has a special job to help the community run smoothly. Some of the jobs we discussed included the city manager, the city clerk, parks & recreation, city planning, and public works.

Happy birthday, Jackson!

Today we celebrate Jackson's birthday!  Jackson's parent came to visit us and read us the story, A Bit About Jackson.  It was such a fun story all about Jackson since he was born until today.  We had a wonderful time celebrating Jackson's special day!

Happy, Birthday, Luke!

We want to wish Luke a very happy birthday!  His family was able to come before Thanksgiving break to read with us.  Luke's mom read the story Lenny's Big Baseball Road Trip.  It was a great story about traveling to all the different baseball parks in the USA.  I hope you had a great day, Luke!

Jackson's Flat Stanley is back!

 Jackson's Flat Stanley went to two places.  First her went to Trout Lake and then drove to Arizona for his final destination.  He found out how hot and dry Arizona can be.  He is also met a cactus.  He had a wonderful time learning about both places!

Austin's Flat is back from Iowa!

 Austin's Flat Stanley is back from Boone, Iowa.  Austin sent Flat to his Aunt and Uncle's farm.  Flat learned all about farm life.  He was there while they were collecting all the grain and storing it for it to be sold.  He had a wonderful time with Austin's Aunt, Uncle and cousins.

JD's Flat is Back!

 JD's Flat Stanley went Tempe, Arizona.  He got to visit ASU with a friend.  He got to learn all about how it is hot and dry in Arizona.  He had fun roaming the campus and even saw a cactus!  He had a great time learning all about Arizona!

Social Studies Research

 Students were very excited to start a mini-research project on different U.S. landmarks! They used their social studies textbook, as well as other nonfiction texts, to learn more about each place. They worked together to take notes and jot down interesting facts. Students are working together to design a poster about what they learned to share with the class.

Math- Chapter 4

We dove right into chapter 4: multiplication! Students learned how multiplication problems can be represented by arrays, area models, and number lines.  They also learned that factors can be in any order due to the commutative property. We practiced using a fact we know to solve a new fact (to figure out 9 x 6, we did 10 x 6 and subtracted the extra 6). It is very important that students start learning their basic multiplication facts. They are encouraged to practice these at home.  Please let me know if you would like any additional facts practice worksheets for home.

 

Reading This Week

 This week, we revisited The U.S. Constitution, by Norman Pearl. Students learned how to find the central idea by paying close attention to the headings, subheadings, and topic sentences. They also noted important details that supported the central idea. We also analyzed various text and graphic features that helped us understand the content of the piece. At the end of the week, students watched an informational video entitled “Why We Celebrate the Fourth of July”. They learned that authors use media to inform, entertain, and persuade viewers. We discussed how media techniques are the ways a topic is presented (i.e. sound elements, live action, visual elements, animation, experts, etc.).

Georgia's Flat is back!

Georgia's Flat Stanley is back from Boston, Massachusetts.  While there she was very busy visiting her friend, Deb!  Flat had a wonderful time learning all about the amazing historical events of Boston.  She learned about the Freedom Trail and the Boston Tea Party!  She also rode the subway and became a Red Fox fan!  She brought back a small copy of the Constitution which really helped us this week since we have been learning about the Constitution during reading this week.  What a great place to visit!  

Yamila's Flat Stanley is back!

 Yamila's Flat Stanley is back.  Her Flat Stanley visited her cousin, Dailynn in Pueblo West, Colorado.  While there, she got to visit Dailynn's fourth grade classroom and got to make friends and learn about how to make equivalent fractions.  She had a wonderful time!

Happy Veterans Day!

Today we celebrated our local Veterans.  After our school assembly, we were lucky enough to have Austin's grandfather and JD's grandfather come to our classroom and visit with our class.  They shared about their experiences in the armed forces.  We want to thank all our Veteran's for their service.

Math- Chapter 4

Hi, Everyone!

I cannot believe we are already on chapter 4!  Time has really flown quickly!  This chapter is all about learning and mastering multiplication.  Please be practicing multiplication at home.  This will be a great benefit to them during this unit and as we move on to our future units.  Here are some videos your child can watch to help them practice as well.

Basic Multiplication

Multiplication on a Number Line

Basic Division

More Basic Division Practice

Multiplication and Division