Hello Everyone,
I know that it has been awhile since I have sent any communication to all of you at once. I actually have been communicating via ClassDojo, but realized that not all of you have signed up to receive my quick emails/messages and pictures that I have been sending several times a week. If you would like to be part of this group, please email me and I will send you your access code so you can be part of it!
So just to catch everyone up before our November conferences here are a few things we have been up to.
In Math we just finished Unit 2 and took our Unit 2 math assessment and a cumulative assessment. All students did very well(you will see the results in their portfolios during their November conferences) We started Unit 3 which is all about fractions and finding equivalent fractions. Please have your student practice their multiplication/division facts at home. Often we will have a timed math test to check in and see how they are doing. These facts are the base for all that we do in fourth grade.
In Writing we are publishing our Realistic Fiction stories. The students have written, revised, and edited their stories, met with peers to edit and now are typing their final drafts. These will also be available during November conferences for you to peruse. We have been working on transition words, commas, quotation marks and writing dialogue and capitals and punctuation. Ask your student about ARMS and CUPS!
In Reading we are finishing up our first unit about interpreting characters. We have been reading two read alouds Tiger Rising and Wonder. We have been using these as mentor texts to have great discussions about what are characters are doing, feeling and how they help us to understand the whole story. Your students are so insightful and our conversations have been wonderful. They are writing sticky notes for their own books and thinking about their characters. Encourage your students to read each night and to log on their reading log. To be a good reader you have to read!
We had a great Halloween parade and celebration. Due to the inclement weather and cancellation that week of we did a special project on Friday and decorated mini pumpkins. We practiced classifying triangles and quadrangles and students worked in pairs to create a jack o lantern. They thought it would be too hard to choose who would be able to take it home, so they chose, instead to give them to special staff members--so it turned into a mini service learning project. They are so giving!!
We are furiously getting ready for conferences and finishing things up before the Thanksgiving holiday. I feel blessed in so many ways, mostly to be able to teach these kiddos and be part of their lives. Thanks for your support and I hope that you all enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends. Please email or call with any questions or concerns.
Tracy
I know that it has been awhile since I have sent any communication to all of you at once. I actually have been communicating via ClassDojo, but realized that not all of you have signed up to receive my quick emails/messages and pictures that I have been sending several times a week. If you would like to be part of this group, please email me and I will send you your access code so you can be part of it!
So just to catch everyone up before our November conferences here are a few things we have been up to.
In Math we just finished Unit 2 and took our Unit 2 math assessment and a cumulative assessment. All students did very well(you will see the results in their portfolios during their November conferences) We started Unit 3 which is all about fractions and finding equivalent fractions. Please have your student practice their multiplication/division facts at home. Often we will have a timed math test to check in and see how they are doing. These facts are the base for all that we do in fourth grade.
In Writing we are publishing our Realistic Fiction stories. The students have written, revised, and edited their stories, met with peers to edit and now are typing their final drafts. These will also be available during November conferences for you to peruse. We have been working on transition words, commas, quotation marks and writing dialogue and capitals and punctuation. Ask your student about ARMS and CUPS!
In Reading we are finishing up our first unit about interpreting characters. We have been reading two read alouds Tiger Rising and Wonder. We have been using these as mentor texts to have great discussions about what are characters are doing, feeling and how they help us to understand the whole story. Your students are so insightful and our conversations have been wonderful. They are writing sticky notes for their own books and thinking about their characters. Encourage your students to read each night and to log on their reading log. To be a good reader you have to read!
We had a great Halloween parade and celebration. Due to the inclement weather and cancellation that week of we did a special project on Friday and decorated mini pumpkins. We practiced classifying triangles and quadrangles and students worked in pairs to create a jack o lantern. They thought it would be too hard to choose who would be able to take it home, so they chose, instead to give them to special staff members--so it turned into a mini service learning project. They are so giving!!
We are furiously getting ready for conferences and finishing things up before the Thanksgiving holiday. I feel blessed in so many ways, mostly to be able to teach these kiddos and be part of their lives. Thanks for your support and I hope that you all enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends. Please email or call with any questions or concerns.
Tracy