RAH Thinking Expectations

RAH Thinking

Expectations

Each week for RAH, it is expected that fourth graders write down their thinking for at least ONE night of reading.  The thinking can be done within the 20 minutes of reading.

 You need to:

      Use a reading strategy that helped you to understand the story while you were reading.  For example,  you could use inferring, visualizing, predicting, questioning, or determining the meaning of a word.

      Give 2 pieces of evidence with explanations of how you used that strategy/strategies.

For example:

I tried to determine the meaning of a new word, strenuous.  In the text, it says “many people have questioned whether or not these strenuous events are safe for young runners.”  I used context clues to figure out the meaning of strenuous.  I think the word strenuous means something that takes a lot of energy.

I also had a question while I was reading based on one of the headings in the article.  In the article it says “Safety Concerns.”  I wondered what makes running unsafe for kids.

 After writing down your thinking, use the checklist below to circle the strategy that you used to show your thinking.  Then, check off if you have 2 pieces of evidence and 2 explanations.

When thinking I… inferred, visualized, predicted, asked questions, determined the meaning of a word.  (circle one or more)

Evidence #1:  ___

Explanation #1:  ___

Evidence #2:  ___

Explanation #2:  ___

Trying out a new strategy

     Over the past month some of the students have been using exercise/stability balls in the classroom.  Studies have shown that the use of exercise/stability balls helps students to stay engaged in their learning and focus throughout the day.  When using this "tool" the student needs to balance on the ball and put their energy into keeping the ball balanced.  It also has a health benefit of strengthening the core.  Right now we have two stability balls that we are borrowing from Mr. Quinn.  I have seen a great improvement in student engagement and focus. 
     I have talked to the class about the rules of using the ball so that everyone stays safe.  I have also explained to them that right now we only have the two exercise balls.  Many kids were asking if they could bring in an exercise ball to use in the classroom.  It is truly a valuable "tool" for keeping students focused and engaged in the classroom.
     If you would like to donate an exercise ball/stability ball to our class, we would love to have more to try out.  If you are able to donate, please just email me prior to having your child bring it in so that I can make sure that they are able to bring it right into the classroom.

Award Winning Books

     We had an eventful week last week in fourth grade!  There was A LOT of excitement in the room last week on Thursday when the kids got to walk down the "red carpet" to kick off our Kid's Choice Award project.  Over the past few months the kids have been reading books by Chris Van Allsburg as part of our author study.  They have been taking notes on the characters and lessons in his books.  To complete the project the kids needed to choose their favorite character or lesson in one of his books to give the Kid's Choice Award to. 
     In writing we got to share our essays from the personal essay unit that we had recently finished.  The kids went around and read each others essays and commented on what they thought each of their classmates did well as a writer. 
     We also started our new writing unit.  The kids are now learning how to write realistic fiction stories.  They are learning that authors use events in their own life and change it a little to make it fiction, think about stories they wish existed in the world, and/or think about issues that are important to them and create a fiction story around that idea.  The kids have a lot of ideas.  They are now thinking very carefully about the main character in their story.  This will help them with the next step of realistic fiction writing which is creating the plot of the story.
     Be on the lookout for reminders for this week's READ WITH ME WORKSHOP!  We hope to see you there!
     I hope everyone had a great weekend! 
~Mrs. Lewis

Hard Working Writers....

     It has been a very busy week!  The kids worked on finishing up their personal essay this week.  We concluded our essay unit by reminding ourselves what is expected of a fourth grader when writing an essay.  We used a rubric or set of expectations to do this.  We also tried to challenge ourselves and see if we could attempt a strategy that a fifth grader might try when writing an essay.  It is always important for kids to see where they will be going as well!

     Today the kids wrote an essay as part of our on-demand writing assessment.  This will help me get a better understanding of what the students can do on their own. 
     Next week we will be starting our new writing genre which will be writing realistic fiction stories.  We are really going to focus on adding more details to our stories during this unit.  
     In reading we have been working on determining the theme in a text.  The kids have gotten a lot of practice with this and are really making progress in this area.  We will be finishing up our unit on inferring over the next week, and then we will begin our unit on nonfiction.  
     In math, everyone has been working on division.  If your child is fluent in multiplication that will help him/her with the division facts as well.  We talk a lot about division being the opposite of multiplication.  The kids are taught that they can use all that they know about multiplication to solve a division problem.  
     It has been a great week that ended with a paw print reward.  The kids had a great time playing with Legos and Rainbow Loom.  It was nice to see them playing together and enjoying the down time.  It was a nice end to a VERY busy week!
     Have a great long weekend!
~Mrs. Lewis

Off to a Productive Start in 2014!

     It was great to see the kids after such a long holiday vacation!  We started off 2014 by coming up with ONE LITTLE WORD instead of a New Year's Resolution.  The kids chose one word that they want to focus on in 2014.  It was a word that they want to have in the back of their mind each day.  They each made a little sign to put on their desk as a reminder.
     In writing we started to wrap up our unit on personal essays.  Overall the kids seemed to like the structure of an essay.  They put the finishing touches on their essays early in the week.  By the end of the week they used a checklist that shows them the expectations  for a fourth grade essay.  Each of the students needed to use the checklist to make sure that they were reaching those expectations.  The checklist helped them to focus on what they needed to add on to their essay.  On Friday, we went into the computer lab to start typing the final copy of their essays.  They are using Google Docs which allows the students to type in school and at home when they log onto the internet. 

This week the students will finish typing their final copies at home on Google Docs.  It will be due on THURSDAY!

     In reading we started to talk about the theme of a book using fables.  The kids learned that theme is the message or lesson of the story.  This week we will continue to discuss theme and look in the text for evidence to back up our thinking.

     I hope you have a great week!

~Mrs. Lewis

REMINDER...Vacation Reading Challenge!

     I hope everyone enjoyed the extra long vacation!  I know that I am rejuvenated and ready to get back to school.  I hope the kids are ready to get back into the "swing" of school as well! 
     I just wanted to send out a reminder that if your child read over vacation, please make sure that they wrote down what they read either on paper or on the Vacation Reading Challenge paper I sent out in an email at the beginning of vacation.  It needs to be signed by a parent to show that they did do the reading.  Please remind them to bring this in on Monday.  I can't wait to chat with the kids about their reading adventures over the break!
     I am looking forward to a great 2014 with your child!
     ~ Mrs. Lewis