Welcome Back!
After just over a week in room 19, students are becoming very familiar with the routines to be followed all year long. We have spent time getting to know one another, greeting old friends and making new ones, and establishing the how's and why's of what is expected each day. This week, we have begun following a typical fourth grade schedule complete with switching for ELA as well as science and social studies.
Curriculum Overview:
In ELA this week, my room is simply learning about the structure of our class. For instance, today we discussed how to choose a book for independent reading and when it is acceptable to abandon a book that we are not enjoying.
Social studies began with a review of map skills learned in 3rd grade, moving towards more complex 4th grade map reading such as using the concepts of latitude and longitude to read the global grid. Today, students worked with an authentic Mt. Wachusett map to complete a map key activity with partners.
Math is focused on understanding the meaning of multiplication. We will relate multiplication to repeated addition, find patterns for facts, as well as look at the inverse relationship between multiplication and division. An overview went home last week that included suggestions for games that can be played as support if desired.
Don't be surprised to hear about some silly stories I have been sharing with the class! Believe it or not, this all relates to writing. Our first genre of writing will be personal narrative writing, or writing stories about our personal experiences. To generate ideas, we have been telling each other stories. I start by sharing a personal story, they brainstorm similar experiences they have had, then they share their story with a partner. I believe that after a few days of oral story telling, students will find it easy to choose a topic to write about and be able to really describe it in detail.
Homework:
Students will have math homework most nights Monday through Thursday, due the next day. I have sent home the student workbooks to be kept at home. Each afternoon, students write in their planner what they need to tear out at home for homework. For the most part, lessons go sequentially with infrequent interruptions. As I get to know students better, you may find that I alter the homework a bit for different students. There is work that is not in the workbook that may be sent home for your child. If that happens, it will be written in their planner.
Grammar homework will be given to my homeroom as well, beginning next week. I will give a lesson on Monday, send home the grammar book then, and it will be due on Friday.
Vocabulary is going to be done with each student's ELA class. Students bring their planner to ELA and will be writing down any homework for that class during that time.
Science and Social Studies occur on alternating days. There is not always homework in these classes. When there is, it is typically due the next day they have the class which gives them two nights to complete it. This also will be written in their planners.
All homework can be found here on the blog under the homework tab so that if there are any questions you will have somewhere to look. I try to check planners every day, but there are times when that isn't possible. For instance, yesterday the kids had a fabulous presentation by the science center on Matter at the end of the day. They got back to class so late, I printed the planner for them and sent it home. If that got lost somehow, you can always check the blog here.
Please call me or email anytime with questions!
