What is Coming in January?

Dear 4B Families,

I write today to share how we will jump back into learning in January. I realize you're packing for your trips, so I'll keep it short...

For literacy, we will spend the month of January working on poetry reading and writing. Simultaneously, we will have a publishing unit for our Nonfiction books. This will allow us to add more Text Features and revise and edit. Then, I will print these books in colour so that kids can keep them as a "keepsake". 

February 13 is the deadline for the next Raptor Reader and many 4B kids want to submit a piece for publishing. Nonfiction books can be submitted too! We will have many poems written by then as well. Some kids have continued to write stories at home and those can also be submitted.

For science, we we have a hands-on unit for the study of solar energy that begins with a shadow tracking activity. We spend a lot of time outside, so buy some quality sun-screen or a great hat for your 4B child. 

For math, the study of decimals will continue and we will have another summative math assessment at the end of January. The study of measurement will begin to show up mixed through the math curriculum. For example, we will have a cooking day and we will pull out the measuring cups.

Below is a repeat from the last news about decimals:
For math, we have completed our summative assessment for multiplication and division unit 3 and we are shifting to a study of decimals. After break, we will work on measurement and then spiral back to decimals and fractions; fraction equivalents; and operations with fractions.

To begin our study of decimals, we want to learn how to read numbers, such as 3.2 or 3.02 or 5.607. We are working with tenths, hundredths, and thousandths in grade 4. We will learn to add, subtract and multiply with decimals too. Then, we will begin to see that .2 is the same as 2/10 and .02 is the same as 2/100.

Unit Four I Can Statements

• I can read decimals through the thousandths fluently, such as 3.405 or 0.5 or 1.05
• I can use decimals and fractions to show equivalents for tenths and hudrendths, such as .3 is 3/10 and .06 is 6/100. We also call this "Many Names For"
• I can compare two decimals to thousandths by reasoning about their size, such as .34 and .345. .345 is greater than .34 because it is 5 thousandths larger
• I can order decimals least to greatest or greatest to least
• I can add and subtract and multiply decimals
• I can plot decimals on a number line 

Have a great break,

Ms. T 

Plate Tectonics Slideshow: The Building of the Himalayas

CIA World Factbook

Data Mining

If The World Were A Village of 100

During social studies we have thought about ourselves and our "personal identity."

We have thought about ourselves and the communities that we are a part of.

We have thought about ourselves in India.

With this video, we are inspired to think about ourselves in the world. 

News for December 5

Dear 4B Families,

• 4B Room Mothers will run a Winter Celebration on Wednesday morning December 17th. Please join us between 9 and 10 AM to kick off the holiday spirit.

• Please read Mr. Hall's blog for other important dates, such as the Winter Concerts.

Here is a brief blurb about our current units of study:

For reading and writing, we are reading and taking notes for our Nonfiction Research Book. Once a student has many notes in their notebook, they can then open up a Google Presentation and type up those notes. Then, pictures and maps can be pulled into the file; the bibliography can be added; and the like. World Book Online is the next step in gathering information. Then, a student can use Dino Search to find a third resources on their topic.

I have been modelling all of these steps using the slideshow below. 

This is an "in class" writing unit and I will inform you if your son or daughter needs to make progress at home. So far, I have only asked students to take some additional notes at home during the week of December 1 to 4.

After break, we will revise and edit our book and add additional text features. Simultaneously, we will begin a poetry unit at least two literacy blocks per week that will continue for a couple of months.

For social studies, we are wrapping up some assessments for our standards that focus on the geography and culture of South Asia. After winter break, we turn back to science with our solar energy studies.

For math, we have completed our summative assessment for multiplication and division unit 3 and we are shifting to a study of decimals. After break, we will work on measurement and then spiral back to decimals and fractions; fraction equivalents; and operations with fractions.

To begin our study of decimals, we want to learn how to read numbers, such as 3.2 or 3.02 or 5.607. We are working with tenths, hundredths, and thousandths in grade 4. We will learn to add, subtract and multiply with decimals too. Then, we will begin to see that .2 is the same as 2/10 and .02 is the same as 2/100.

Unit Four I Can Statements

• I can read decimals through the thousandths fluently, such as 3.405 or 0.5 or 1.05
• I can use decimals and fractions to show equivalents for tenths and hudrendths, such as .3 is 3/10 and .06 is 6/100. We also call this "Many Names For"
• I can compare two decimals to thousandths by reasoning about their size, such as .34 and .345. .345 is greater than .34 because it is 5 thousandths larger
• I can order decimals least to greatest or greatest to least
• I can add and subtract and multiply decimals
• I can plot decimals on a number line 

If you have any questions please email or book a Monday or Tuesday to visit with us from 3:35 to 4:15.

Cheers,

Ms. T and Ms. Deanna