This Week in LL38....

Engineers at Work....
   
     The class received a letter last week asking for their assistance in creating an earthquake resistant building.  In order to create this building the students were being asked to research what other engineers have done before them to create buildings that hold up against earthquakes.
      The kids were very excited to start researching the materials that engineers use to create this type of building.  They will be writing a letter stating what they feel are the best materials to use to create this building and why they have chosen them based on their research.  The kids will also be creating a replica of their building this week.  The buildings will be put to to the "test" to see how they hold up against an earthquake.

Thank you to the parents that were able to donate items to help make this project a success!  :)


Module 4 Assessments

     Tomorrow your child will be coming home with their Module 4 Assessment.  As in the past, please sign and return the cover sheet stating that you have reviewed the assessment with your child.  I will then send the cover sheet back to you so that you have it at home and it can serve as a reminder as to what your child needs to review.

Just a reminder that Wednesday is a 1/2 day. Dismissal will be at 11:40.

I hope everyone has a great week!

Jen

I hope everyone enjoyed the vacation week!  We are entering into a very busy time of fourth grade!

Writing Workshop and Science
      We will are getting ready to start our Nonfiction writing unit in Writer's Workshop.  We are going to continue to learn about earthquakes, how they are measured, and research how engineers make buildings safer if there is an earthquake.
      After doing the research the kids will be constructing an earthquake proof building.  To help with our project we will need the materials listed below.  If you are able to donate these items to our class, please let me know that way I will have an idea of what is being sent in and can make sure we don't have too much of one item.  :)  If you are able to send in anything, please let me know by Thursday, February 25th.  We will need the items by next Monday, February 29th.  

Items needed for engineering project:

• mini marshmallows
• toothpicks
• marbles
• box top similar to the size of a board game box or cereal box
• string/yarn
• pipe cleaners
• index cards
• box of spaghetti
• duct tape
• coffee stirrers

Reading Workshop

      We will continue to work on our Nonfiction unit in reading as well.  We will be reading paired texts which are multiple stories/texts that show multiple points of view.  For example, we will read a text about Hurricane Katrina as well as an account from a person who lived through Hurricane Katrina.  We will discuss the differing points of view.

Math Workshop

     We will  continue to work on fractions in math.  We will start to learn about multiplying fractions this week.  We do not have a homework helper packet for this module, but if your child is stuck, this website might be helpful.  

http://www.oakdale.k12.ca.us/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1424347210205 

I hope everyone has a great week!  

~Jen

Celebrating the Authors!

The Friday before vacation was certainly an eventful one!  Each of the kids got a ticket for our Book Launch Party.  They celebrated with popcorn!  Each of the authors got to participate and share their story with a small group.  After sharing, each student was able to compliment the author on a part of the story that they liked.  It was fun to see all of the kind words and hear all of the amazing stories! We will be putting the books into the Farley Library for other students to enjoy!

                                            

Punctuating Dialogue

Here is the poster that your child can refer to when typing on Google Docs.

This week in LL38....

I hope everyone enjoyed the extra long weekend!  

Writing Workshop

     We will work on becoming published authors this week.  Last week the kids worked on punctuating dialogue and started editing their story.  This week we will continue to edit and then we will start to type or write our final drafts.  This will be homework as well this week.  All stories will need to be finished by Thursday.  We will celebrate all of the authors on Friday!

Valentine's Day

     Your child should have brought home a class list last week. Your child can bring in their Valentine cards on Friday.  If you didn't receive a list, please remind your child to take one tomorrow.

Math Workshop

     We will be taking our Module 4 assessment tomorrow.  Geometry has been a fun unit.  The kids were able to do a lot of hands on learning.  

     Our next module will be on fractions.  I will be sending home a parent letter this week explaining some of the topics that will be covered.

     One topic that is very important for 4th graders to understand in this unit is multiplying fractions.  One fun way of reinforcing this at home is through cooking.  For example if you are baking cookies and you need to double the recipe your child could figure out the measurements for each ingredient if it was doubled or multiplied by 2.

I hope everyone has a great week!

~Jen