Happy Fall!

We have been very busy in 4th Grade this first month of school! We have learned so much and are well adapted to our new routine and classroom : ) Please read to find out what we've been up to!

• In Social Studies, we have been learning about early people. We spent the past 2 weeks studying the Iroquois and the Algonquian. This past week, we compared the 2 groups and found many similarities and differences. Next week we will start a new unit on explorers.
• In Math, we just finished up unit 3. We learned about place value, rounding, and multiplication and division relationships. Students cycled through math stations where they were able to review through math games and small group lessons. Children should be practicing their multiplication facts at home each night.
• In ELA, we have learned many new concepts and have been applying them to our reading and writing. The class has been working through the Daily 5 each day. Our focus this week was on close reading and inferring. We have also been spending a lot of time on summarizing and paragraphing. We have been busy working on The 40 Book Challenge!
• Thank you for coming to our Parent Night! It was great meeting everyone, and I really appreciate your support! 
• Please check our some photos posted below. Have a great weekend!

Fun Trip to the Huyck Preserve!

• We had a great trip to the Huyck Preserve! Students caught crayfish from a creek, and marked them all with nail polish. They also tallied the number of invasive crayfish they caught from one section of the creek. During the afternoon, a Wildlife Rehabilitation Specialist visited and taught us about the animals she rescued. We were able to see several animals, and learn about how they were injured. Please check out the photos below!
• In social studies, we have started to learn about the Industrial Revolution. The class started a new literature circle for either The Diary of Angela, or The Diary of Finn Reardon. Students will meet in their literature circle groups twice a week , and will each complete 2 different tasks a week.
• In math, we have been studying measurement, and have recently started working in our bridge groups. In groups, students have to build a bridge on a budget. They learn how to write purchase orders, checks, and balance a checkbook. The bridges will be built from toothpicks. At the end of the project, we will test the strength of the bridges with weights.
• We have also been reviewing for our NYS science test, which will be on June 1st. The practicum will me on May 26th.
• Have a great weekend! 

May Flowers

Happy Spring! I hope you are all enjoying this beautiful weather! Here's what we have been up to in room 306:

• We finished up Hoot a few weeks ago, and celebrated with our pancake breakfast. We will be starting a new literature circle next week. We are all very happy that state tests are done in ELA and Math, and the students enjoyed their morning breakfasts. Thank you to all who contributed!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Students have been working to make a movie trailer about the myth that they are researching on the iPads. We have been working in class and during library time. The trailers are coming out great!

• In math, we are working with units of measurement. The class was able to circle through stations last week. 
• In science, we are just beginning a unit on simple machines. The class will learn what simple machines are, and how they work. Students will also build simple machines. 2 weeks ago, we dissected owl pellets in lab. Here are some photos:
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• Tilly and Nelly were mystery readers. We were very excited to have them in class!
• The class tried fennel during our Good Eats presentation. You can tell by their reactions how they liked it : )
• Mr. Gilker has been in twice for Junior Achievement. The class has been learning about how to start up a business. We are very thankful that Mr. Gilker has dedicated so much time to us!

Happy Spring!

We have been VERY busy in room 306! Here's what we have been up to:

• In ELA, we have been learning about figurative language. Students have been creating different examples of figurative language, as well as identifying it. We have also been reading the novel Hoot as our class literature circle. The book encourages great discussions, and so far everyone is enjoying it! We have also been practicing responding to reading using a claim and 2 supporting details from the text. Finally, we have been reviewing paragraphing as we write practice essays.
• In science, we are still studying electricity. In lab, we made circuits with a battery, copper paper, and an led bulb. The students were able to keep their STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) creations. Please look for them tonight!
• In math, we have been learning about geometry. We have been reviewing angles and geometry vocabulary words. We also learned how to make a line plot to represent information. We are still working on area and perimeter. Next week, will continue on with geometry and math review.
• Students have been working on creating a movie trailer for a myth that they are researching during library time. They are off to a great start!
• I generally stay after school and offer math help. If you think your child would benefit from some extra practice, let me know and I will keep them.

Have a great weekend, and thank you for your support! Check out our photos from lab today!

Melissa, Caitlin, Sydney, Laurel, Jazmyn, Victoria and Chloe K

on their silly dress up day!