The end of October....

So we wrapped up our week with a fun Halloween Party!  The kids enjoyed making two great crafts. Stay tuned for pictures!

Here are some updates on what we've been learning in Room 49.

Math: This week we wrapped up our unit on Multiplication and Division Concepts.  Next week we will begin learning how to multiply larger numbers using the box method, partial products, and the algorithm.  Keep practicing those multiplication facts!

Social Studies: We are learning about the Northeast Region of the USA.  This includes 11 states (New England and the Mid-Atlantic states).  Our focus has been learning about the land, natural resources, landmarks, and culture of these states.

Science: The class took their first Science test this week on Rocks, Weathering, and Erosion.  Next week they will begin learning about Energy.

Reading: The students are working with their literature circle to read and discuss an Andrew Clements novel.

Language Arts: The students finished writing the first draft of their Fall Favorites story.  Next week they will be bringing their notebooks home to type a final draft.  We have also been learning about figurative language and how it adds detail and creativity to stories and poetry.    Check out this You Tube video, which demonstrates the use of figurative language in songs.  We watched this many times and were able to see that similes and hyperboles are used most often in song lyrics.

Next week there is no school on Tuesday, November 4th because it is a teacher professional development day.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Variables, expressions, and equations...oh my!

Need extra algebra practice?  
Check out the variety of games on Math Playground!  

Halloween Happenings....

Halloween Party!

Next Friday, October 31^st is Crazy Hat Day! 

We will also celebrate in the afternoon

with a pumpkin craft project. J

Please send your child to school

with an individual* special Halloween snack  

and a drink (cookie, cupcake, snack mix, etc.). 

*Information was sent home

this week about the district’s

new wellness policy.

Thank you!

Let me know if you

have any questions.

Rock Detectives!

On Friday our class attended a workshop called Geology: Rock Detectives!  The students explored the different types of rocks and how they form over geologic time.  Working in small groups they rotated through six hands-on stations where they made observations and conducted experiments.  Finally, each group used an identification chart to discover the name and type of rock they were studying.  Thank you to Hannah and the Boston Museum of Science for this wonderful workshop!  

Click HERE for more pictures from ROCK DETECTIVES! 

October Happenings...

Creative Writing: 

All stories are due by Tuesday, October 14th.  

An illustration, project, or small craft should also be created to go with the story.  

*Remember to practice reading your story aloud to someone at home so you are prepared to share with the class.

Multiplication:

This week we began our multiplication and division unit.  All students have been making progress with their facts. Please continue to use xtramath.org at home.  

Reading:

This week we began our Andrew Clements literature circles.  Students are working in small groups to read and discuss a realistic fiction book.  

Social Studies:

The students have a Map Skills test on Tuesday, October 14th.  The study guide was sent home this past Tuesday.  Just a few minutes of practice each day will help your child be prepared for the test.

Upcoming events.....the Rock Detective program will be visiting the fourth grade soon!  More details to follow.

Gravestones and Games

Click HERE to check out new photos from two activities this week!

RIP Boring Words!
This week the class created a spook-tacular display outside the library.  Everyone chose a boring word and then used a thesaurus, computer or ipad to find synonyms for the words.

Each gravestone says RIP, here lies........ with a list of awesome synonyms to replace the boring word.  The students will be encouraged to use all the new vocabulary in their writing.


Frindle Jeopardy
To wrap-up this great unit, the class played an exciting game of Frindle Jeopardy, which included questions about the characters, setting, and plot of the book.  "The Millionaires" beat "The Rulers" with a score of $3,000 to $2,650.  Good sportsmanship was showed by all!