Earth Changes and Fractions

Dear Families,

We have begun our new math unit on fractions. The students started this unit by exploring the connection between fractions and division. Then they created their own fraction tiles and explored fractions that are equivalent to one whole and one half. Students focused on iterating to solve for unknown fraction amounts and identifying parts and wholes respectively. They have also been exploring measurement with fractions and representing them on a number line. Looking ahead- students will be exploring fractions as part of a set of something and later on they will revisit fractions of an area using the Geo-boards. Students are continuing to practice their multiplication facts through their Math Menu work or their fact practice at the end of the day.

We have also started our new science unit on Earth Changes. Our focus is on weathering, erosion and deposition as well as fast and slow changes. The students are currently working in pairs to research how either wind, water or living things change Earth's surface through weathering, erosion and deposition. They are creating a 3-5 slide presentation on their focus area which they will present to the class next week. Looking ahead-students will be conducting experiments with stream tables to explore how factors like slope, speed of water and soil substance are impacted during erosion.

Announcements:
* Students are welcome to make friendship cards to bring in next Thursday for Valentine's Day if they would like. It is completely optional. We will pass them out at snack time.
* Our second skating day with our entire house team will be on Tuesday, February 19, 2019. We will be skating from 10:00-10:55.

Welcome Back and Thank you!

I hope that everyone had a relaxing and enjoyable holiday break. The students were all buzzing this morning having lots of news to share with each other. Thank you for your generosity before break. My family and I thoroughly enjoyed the many tasty treats. Sending along a HUGE thank you from my family to yours!

This week in math we are going to review multi-digit multiplication using the area model and do a brief introduction to division and the idea of remainders. We officially wrapped up Unit 2 on this topic before break but I am using these few days back to reteach any areas of confusion. Students will be bringing home some math work this week for you to see. In social studies we are finishing up our study of Vermont history with Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys. 

Looking ahead, we will be starting our unit on fractions and our new science unit will study the Earth with a particular focus on changes in and on Earth's surface.

-Mrs. Hopper

Math and Social Studies

This week the students are spending a lot of time practicing two digit by two digit multiplication using story problems. We have been practicing this type of multiplication using the Open Area Model. This model directly connects to a strategy called Partial Products which will be the place that we stop and where fifth grade picks up with the standard multiplication algorithm. The more time you can spend practicing basic multiplication facts the easier these more complicated problems will become. Below is a link to a video I made a few years ago showing the strategy that we are working on in class. I call it the Partial Products Strategy in the video, which it is, but I am using an open area model to demonstrate it. I have included the video below for you to gain a better idea of the way your child is being shown to break down numbers into their place values before multiplying.

Multiplication Strategy



In Social Studies this week we are learning more about Samuel de Champlain and the struggle over the NH grants. Afterward, we will pick up with learning all about Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys.

Miss Tonia Send Off

Tonia Crawford is a UVM senior who has been spending time with your children every Tuesd/Thursday since the beginning of the year. One of her passions that she spent time sharing with us all was learning sign-language. On her last day with us, we presented our own unique send-off video to let her know how much we appreciated all her hard work.

Click here to watch our send-off video:

Math Learning & New Social Studies Unit

The students started the year with exploring multiplication strategies for basic facts. We have continued to practice these facts during class as well as during our Fact Power block at the end of the day with Mr. Willette, our Title One Math Coach. Initially, we started the year with many students practicing their addition facts during Fact Power. As of the end of November we have moved all students into practicing their multiplication facts during this time. Fact practice is so important to freeing up energy in their mind's when working on more difficult math concepts. Fact practice at home is always a great idea!

During math class we are now working on multi-digit multiplication using a strategy called the Open Area Model. The students have excelled with decomposing multi-digit numbers into simpler facts and then putting them back together at the end to solve. Students have also looked at patterns that occur with place value as numbers get larger and have used those patterns to solve problems focusing on number relationships instead of algorithms.

Lastly, we have spent a great deal of time working on multi-step word problems. Each week students are being asked to understand the problem, plan out a strategy for solving, solve and judge the reasonableness of their answer. During our MTSS time, which is outside of our regular math class, students are working on a differentiated math menu that is asking them to tackle many math skills, one of them being challenging word problems. These math menus will be coming home so that you can see the types of problems your student is working on.

You can click this link to see the math menus that the students have worked on.

In Social Studies we are currently working on Vermont history. We have learned about the geologic processes that shaped this region as well as the early native people that lived here. We are just beginning to dive into the Europeans, where they settled and how they impacted the area we now call home. The students have been working off of a site that I built that can be found under Important Links on our Homepage. The students are creating a book that goes along with the website as we move through each period in our state's history.

Classroom News

Welcome to our fourth grade blog! This is a place where you can find updates about our learning in the classroom. We are busy building new ideas on top of old and stretching our brains in fun and exciting ways! Please consider subscribing to our blog to stay current with all that your child is doing throughout each week.