Math Workshop

      We are working on our last Module in math this week.  We will be working on measurement and conversions as well as some review work. To start off the unit, we went outside last week and measured some of the equipment on the playground.  Partners used either a ruler or a yardstick to complete the activity.  This week we will take our measurements and work on converting to inches, feet, and yards.  

Writing Focus...Process not Product

        The research project that we are working on for the Regions of the United States is a project that requires students to apply what they have learned about writing fictional narratives and essays.  Even though half of this project is to apply their learning, the other half of the project is new learning. 

Students have the task of choosing their topics, reading nonfiction texts, determining what is important for their research, taking notes in their own words about the important facts, and then writing their research report.  Phew!!  It is a lot to learn! 

Since this is the first time that students are doing this kind of research, we are really focusing on the process that students are going through rather than solely focusing on the final product.  Of course we want the final product to have been revised and edited, but the amount of work that goes into their paper “behind the scenes” is really important in fourth grade. 

Research Update

        Thank you for your support at home last week while your child was finishing Chapters 1 and 2 of their research.  The kids are continuing to work on completing Chapter 3 of their research for their region.  This week we will start the final chapter, which will be an essay.

        Last week the researchers were working on creating a fictional narrative based on one of the topics that they researched.  The kids needed to think about what they know about writing fictional narratives, but they also had to think about how they were going to “weave” in the facts that they have learned through their research.  This is certainly a challenging task!  The kids found out that planning out their story before typing was really helpful. 

        Just like last week, your child will be responsible for finishing Chapter 3 of their research at home this week.  Each afternoon your child will come home with a slip that explains their “goal” for writing that night.  Please sign the slip so that I know you were aware of your child’s responsibility that night for homework.  Your child will need to return the slip the next day.

 

Sample homework slip….  

Dear Parents,

We are working on our research in school, however, it requires a lot of time to type in Google Docs.    At the end of each writing block, we are creating a goal for ourselves.  This goal is what we would like to accomplish at home, so that we can continue making progress with our research.  Tonight my goal is  _____________.

                                                                                        Thank you!

Student Name:  _______  Parent Signature:  ______

Thank you for your support.  I hope everyone has a great week!

~Jen