Sunday, March 19, 2017

This Week in LL38...

     I am so glad tomorrow is the first day of spring!  Hopefully the weather will start to change and give us some warmer weather.  The kids are certainly in need of some outside recess time!

Image result for spring

Math Workshop

      We worked on comparing fractions last week.  We reviewed our understanding of comparing fractions to benchmarks such as 0, 1/2, and 1.  The students also learned other strategies for comparing fractions.  Here are the strategies we have learned for comparing fractions:
                                                                Image result for comparing fractions anchor chart
Some students are more comfortable with using fraction tiles, and that is fine too.  Our goal is to move the students along in their understanding no matter what strategy that they are starting with and most comfortable with.  We have been focusing on..."What is the best strategy for ME?"
      This week we will move on to adding and subtracting fractions with common denominators.  We will continue to use the number line as we practice adding and subtracting.  
      The students will also get their Trimester 2 Assessments back this week.  This was an assessment that the kids took a few weeks ago and was a review of the material covered in Trimester 2.  We will spend some time reflecting this week on the assessment.  Each student will notice what they have a strong understanding of and what they will need to work on moving forward.  You will receive a copy of the scoring rubric at some point this week after your child has spent time reflecting.

Writing Workshop
      We started our new writing genre of responding to a prompt.  We spent a lot of time looking at author's craft in a story titled, Wacky Shoes.  The kids did an awesome job reading like a writer.  They spent time looking at how the author started the story, the words the author chose to use, and the events in the story.  The kids then started to write a story about their own pair of "wacky shoes" borrowing ideas from the author of the original story.  It was fun to see the creativity and how the kids can borrow ideas from an author and use it their own writing!

Reading Workshop
     We worked on determining the main idea and important details in nonfiction texts.  This is a tricky skill for fourth graders.  We will continue to practice thinking about topic of a text, what it is telling us about that topic, and the important details that fall under that main idea.  Ask your child how they are using an umbrella to think about main ideas and details!
                                                       Image result for main idea umbrella

I hope everyone has a great week!  

Jen

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