We had a fun and productive week in Grades 3/4. Our classroom has discovered that we are all writers! I'm so excited about the enthusiasm and pride students are taking in their work, and the stamina they are beginning to show by writing for 15-20 minutes at a time. We focused on small moment stories this week, (fleshing out the details while telling a story in narrative form). and today finished our first final piece to hang on the bulletin board outside the classroom. The assignment was to write a story about a moment/event that scared us with the goal of provoking empathy in the reader.
In science, we continued our forces and motion unit, studying the mechanical advantage of wheels/axles and used circumference for measuring distance along a flat plane. In social studies, we wrapped up our maps unit, as well as continued looking at how people use their environment to provide for their needs. We did close readings of primary sources and aligned those reading with our overall ELA goal of reading for comprehension.
In math, we are moving through the curriculum masterfully. Students worked on division and place value, and learned yet more games, (ask them about the place value cup scavenger hunt!)
Thanks for reinforcing the school standards regarding chattiness. Please continue to do so, (as I will as well). I can tell students were more mindful of it this week, and was happy to see their energy more directed toward learning. They are an inquisitive bunch, with a true love for one another, and it's heart warming to watch them interact. It's important for them to maintain their relationships with each other and have ample time each day to quietly formulate their own thoughts with minimal distraction. Their work is increasingly rigorous, and I always emphasize the importance of doing their best.
I hope everyone has a great long weekend. There is no specific homework, but I hope students will read each day. Also, I'm asking students to think about the places in their lives that hold stories, and come to school on Tuesday ready to talk about lots and lots of ideas they have for Small Moment stories they can write during writing workshop. As they are beginning to think more like writers, they will concurrently see stories all around them.
In science, we continued our forces and motion unit, studying the mechanical advantage of wheels/axles and used circumference for measuring distance along a flat plane. In social studies, we wrapped up our maps unit, as well as continued looking at how people use their environment to provide for their needs. We did close readings of primary sources and aligned those reading with our overall ELA goal of reading for comprehension.
In math, we are moving through the curriculum masterfully. Students worked on division and place value, and learned yet more games, (ask them about the place value cup scavenger hunt!)
Thanks for reinforcing the school standards regarding chattiness. Please continue to do so, (as I will as well). I can tell students were more mindful of it this week, and was happy to see their energy more directed toward learning. They are an inquisitive bunch, with a true love for one another, and it's heart warming to watch them interact. It's important for them to maintain their relationships with each other and have ample time each day to quietly formulate their own thoughts with minimal distraction. Their work is increasingly rigorous, and I always emphasize the importance of doing their best.
I hope everyone has a great long weekend. There is no specific homework, but I hope students will read each day. Also, I'm asking students to think about the places in their lives that hold stories, and come to school on Tuesday ready to talk about lots and lots of ideas they have for Small Moment stories they can write during writing workshop. As they are beginning to think more like writers, they will concurrently see stories all around them.