March

I sent home the Unit 3 math assessments last week.  Hopefully you had a chance to look it over with your child.  After a mini-unit on measurement conversions last week, we are now moving into Unit 4.  This will be a geometry unit, and students will learn how to measure angles, plot items on a coordinate grid, and reflect shapes over a line of symmetry.

Students are starting their bi-weekly multiplication quizzes this week.  They will take a quiz every Monday and every Friday for the duration of the school year.  It is a 4th grade math standard for students to have their times tables 2-12 memorized.  The goals are speed and accuracy.  Students should study one number at at time, as each quiz they may choose which number to test on.  They will have two minutes to complete 40 multiplication questions about that number.  Please help your student be successful by having him or her study for ten minutes each evening.  I suggest quizzing your child in the car, quizzing while waiting around, quizzing while cleaning up from dinner, and so on. Some students find great success with flash cards, which you could make at home or purchase at the dollar store.  Students who complete their times tables by the last week of school will get to participate in an ice-cream sundae party.

In writing students are continuing their work on a place that is important to your family.  They are working on rough drafts this week.

We wrapped up our Native American unit on Friday by coming up with themes/lessons from the unit.  I asked the class “Why does Native History matter?” and they came up with some great responses.  Please take a look at our culminating project in the hall outside the classroom.

As things ramp up in this election cycle, we are continuing to examine candidates and their views.  Don’t be surprised if your child comes home with lots of questions and opinions!