Happy Holidays!

December has been a very busy month! We are in the midst of several fun projects : ) Here's what we have been up to:

• In science, the class has been learning about the solar system. They have learned about the planets, comets, asteroids, meteors, inner vs. outer planets,  the cause of day/night and Earth's seasons, and the moon's phases. For our STEAM project, students are designing a structure that would make life on Mars possible. They had to research Mars to learn about the obstacles humans would face if they had to move to Mars. Students are currently building a structure with a partner, that would make life possible for humans on Mars. 
• In math, we are wrapping up our unit on long division. At this point, all students should be able to divide up to a 4 digit number, by a one digit number. We have continued to spend time drawing models to assist in solving word problems. Students have continued to cycle through stations a couple of times a week. Please make sure that your child is practicing their basic facts each night.
• In ELA, students have been learning about author's purpose and the features of a play. We have also been practicing incorporating text based evidence into written responses. Currently, we are working on our "Boxes of Hope" holiday project. Students have written an acrostic poem, an inspirational letter, and 5 genuine compliments about their buddy in Google Classroom. They also drew a picture for their buddy. All of the items will go in the boxes that they have decorated, and they will exchange boxes on Tuesday.  
• Please see below for a few photos of our field trip to see "The Wizard of Oz." Have a great holiday season!!!

Fourth Grade Fun

I hope that everyone is having an excellent fall! We sure have been busy in 4th grade! Here's some of what we have been up to:

• We had a great trip to the Huyck Preserve in October. The class learned all about wildlife ecology and invasive species. We walked through the woods looking for different organisms that lived in a transect that the scientists had measured. Students then tallied up the total number of organisms to get an idea of the population in the area. We had a lot of fun walking through the woods; we even got to check out an old cemetery! We are looking forward to our trip in the spring. Please see below for photos.
• We had an awesome Halloween party on Friday! Thank you to Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Blanchard, and Mrs. Spencer for their assistance with the party. Students made slime, bit into an apple on a string, and made their classmates into mummies!
• In science, we have been learning about the solar system. So far, students should be able to explain what causes day/night and the seasons. They have also learned about the sun and moon. Today we completed a lab where students created the different moon phases with Oreo cookies! Last week in Science Lab, we scaled down the solar system outside, to see how far the planets are from the sun.
• In ELA, we continue to cycle through the Daily 5 each day. For word work, students have new sorts with new spelling patterns that they are learning. We continue to practice finding the main idea, inferring, close reading, and summarizing. Recently, students were introduced to including text-based evidence to support their responses. We are reading Holes as our read aloud, and are looking forward to viewing the movie in a couple of weeks. In writing, we just started up our next essay about things we are thankful for. We are completing this essay in Google Classroom. I am happy to report that almost the entire class has read 5 books for the 40 Book Challenge!
• In math, we just started up double digit multiplication using the standard algorithm (the old way of multiplying that we all learned). Additionally, students have learned how to multiply using breaking apart and a box chart. We continue to cycle through stations a couple of times a week. Many students are getting frustrated with multiplying double digits because they do not have their multiplication facts memorized. Please make sure they are practicing each night! There are links for math games under the math tab on this page. 
• Thank you for all of your support, and have a great week!

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!