Leprechaun Rockets and More!

Gr3 Math - Schoolcraft:  Third grade mathematicians toiled through division story problems this week and explored the difference between sharing and grouping problems (ask your third grader what the difference is and for an example).  All students also learned about improper fractions and practiced comparing fractional amounts using a number line.

Gr4 Math - Weegar:  Fourth graders began Unit 5 this week, Geometry & Measurement.  They began the week taking a pre-assessment.  Students considered the similarities and differences between different types of angles.  We learned the terms zero angle, acute angle, right angle, obtuse angle, and straight angle.  Finally, students used pattern blocks to measure angles of rotation on a clock face and determine the fraction of a complete turn represented by each angle of rotation.

Gr3 Writing - Stewart:   Writing Friendly Letters and addressing envelopes has been a large part of the focus for Third Grade writers this week.  Third graders have also learned about how to write an essay in a particular genre all in one day rather than over several weeks.  

Gr4 Writing - Ward:     It was such an exciting week as fourth grade writers ‘took attendance’ of the paragraphs in their personal opinion essays.   Everyone checked for a powerful introduction, three strong reason/evidence paragraphs, and a final conclusion that includes a suggestion for the reader.   Final versions were printed and self-assessed.   Extra copies were sent home to share with you!

Science / Engineering:   Third and fourth graders tested the impact of compaction on foundation strength by using a model tarpul and two soil samples.  Students worked together to analyze the data using a tiered bar graph, drew conclusions and adjusted their recommendations regarding the tarpul site. Our class also used the Engineering Design Process to create Leprechaun Rockets (to help the leprechauns escape the clever traps).  See our blog for some great photos from our learning this week!

Ask About - Equinox:  Zig Zag day on Wednesday, 7 & 8 Chorus and Band Concert, Green on St. Patrick’s Day

Upcoming - Equinox:  We look forward to parent/teacher/student conferences over the next several weeks! Jump Rope for Heart will be Fri 01 Apr, HeadPhones are needed for SBAC in April, Big Basket Raffle will be Sat 02 Apr - please send in donations for our Basket!!! 

Engineering

What a Great Week!

Gr3 Math - Schoolcraft:  Third graders are cruising along in unit 5.  Students worked on solving and writing story problems with multiplication and division.  Students are exploring the relationship between area and perimeter through the number corner calendar collector activity this week.  Finally, third graders are revisiting telling time and solving problems using elapsed time.

Gr4 Math - Weegar: This week students had an opportunity to explore benchmarks and relative sizes for length, time, liquid volume, mass and weight.  Students used ratio tables to convert units within the same measuring system, and apply some of the place value and multidigit computation skills they've been practicing to solve story problems related to measurement.

Gr3 Writing - Stewart:   This week we fortified our learning of the Friendly Letter format.  Students studied the letter that the class had written together and put it in their notebooks.  Next we learned about erosion via models and teacher led demonstrations.  Students have written a friendly letter about that to the person of their choice.  Please ask your child to whom they wrote a friendly letter and provide an address for them if needed.  We shall be addressing envelopes and mailing the letters on Monday.

Gr4 Writing - Ward:   To start the week, all writers completed three solid ‘Prove It’ paragraphs.   The next few days were spent writing introductions with a variety of sentences starters.   The Core Writing Idea is to get the audience to care and to give the audience context.   The introduction format is to introduce the, zing the reader with a bonus sentence, tell the thesis statement, and close with a summary of reasons.   Ask your writer about her/his zing!   

Science / Engineering:   Your young scientists used background knowledge, multiple maps, and river models to come to conclusions about locations with the least and most erosion.   The maps, spanning 54 years, showed changes in the river path and the model, a human chain representing water, showed the power of erosion at the bends in a river. 

Reading:  We started learning about finding themes in reading today.  We learned that the theme is similar to the message or the heart of the story.  While choosing the theme, we had great discussions.  Our next step is finding evidence to support the theme we chose.     

Ask About - Equinox:    Four Winds Nature Science about Birds, Chart of Mistakes that Lead to Growth, International Women’s Day #OneDayIWill, Red Clover Award Books at Library Time,

Upcoming - Equinox:   Pi Day is Mon 14 Mar, on St Patrick’s Day (Thu 17 Mar) wear Green, Jump Rope for Heart will be Fri 01 Apr, HeadPhones are needed for SBAC in April, Big Basket Raffle will be Sat 02 Apr - send in Movie Themed ANYTHING for our Basket!!!