December Class News

Salutations!

Let me share with you what is happening in fourth grade.  We are wrapping up our Everyday Math Unit 5, and will have the Unit 5 Math Test on Tuesday, December 14th.  Your child will bring home a Study Guide sheet for review in his/her Take-Home folder.  This week, we reviewed solving multi-digit multiplication problems (using various algorithms), estimated & rounded large numbers (into the billions), and learned about scientific notation (with powers of 10).  I do want to let you know - on the Unit Test, students may use any algorithm to solve the multiplication problems.  We have discussed in detail how important it is for them to choose the method which works best for them, and the specific problem they are attempting to solve (for example: 23 * 5 or 483 * 97).  Please remind your child of this when he/she is reviewing for the test this weekend., and remember to use the resources available on www.everydaymathonline.com. 

In Reading, we are continuing to learn about a variety of topics dealing with Westward Expansionism - the Louisiana Purchase, Lewis and Clark, the Trail of Tears and Indian Boarding Schools (Native American Relocation and Acculturation), the Gold Rush, the Transcontinental Railroad, and the Industrial Revolution.  Tomorrow, students will choose a focus topic (from the list above) which they will then continue to learn more in depth, and eventually do for their research project.  The deeper learning and research part will happen once we return from Winter Break. 

Also, students have the option of choosing to join a Westward Expansion "Book Club."  There will be 3-4 historical fiction chapter books from which students may select to read.   This is just another opportunity for them to be exposed to the content and culture of this time period, while enjoying quality literature.  I will let you what research topic and possible book club choice your child has made before Winter Break. 

Also, I will return Home Reading Journals next week to students, with the next entry due by the week of January 3rd.   Many students have shared with me that they are not reading a chapter book at least 20-25 minutes daily.  Also, I've noticed that several have a difficult time sustaining their reading with one book, from the beginning to the end.  I am going back and reteaching the importance of reading a "just-right" book from cover to cover with the students in class, and encourage you to monitor your child's reading at home, too.  Is your child picking up a book, only reading a few chapters, then switching it a few days later for another book?  Is the book he/she chooses too easy or too hard? Have you seen your child reading a book from beginning to end on a regular basis?  If so, how often?

One of the most simple and effective things you can do with your child is to talk to them about their reading.  This is beneficial on so many different levels!  Here are some questions you can ask your child about his/her book:

• How and where/when the book begins... 
• What do they predict will happen next...
• Who is their favorite/least favorite character (and why)... 
• Does this book remind them of anything else they've read or seen?  
• Is it a funny/scary/mystery book?  How do they know?  
• If they were the author, would they change anything about the story?  
• What happens to ____?  What happens in ____?

These are just a few of the questions/conversation starters you can use when talking to your child about his/her book.  I would be more than happy to create a resource sheet with questions like these which you can keep on hand at home.  When children choose chapter books which interest them and are on their reading level, they are much more apt to read.  And - when children truly get into books and read, they become better readers.  Let's all work together to help our children develop that love for reading and achieve as readers, too.  It takes a village!  If you would like to know more about how to choose a "Just-Right" book, please visit the PARENT FILES section of our 4th grade website for a download-able pdf document.  As always, thank you for your support!  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.