Students are springing into learning!

The past few weeks have been very productive!  In math we have continued our work with fractions, area, perimeter, multiplication and division.  We have been working with rectangles.  Using the area of rectangles we have found the dimensions of the rectangle, and using these dimensions we have found the perimeter.  This is an important piece of mathematics, as it asks students to apply knowledge in multiplication and division to find something other than a product or a quotient.

We have continued our work on opinion writing.  Students are working on crafting claims, backing these up with specific and connected reasons, and backing their reasons up with specific and connected evidence.  Specifically this week we have had our focus on ordering our reasons to effect the most thought in our readers.

Our Discovery unit of the human body is coming to a close.  Throughout this unit we have investigated bones, the circulatory system, the respiratory system, and the neurological system.  We learned what parts of the brain are responsible for which functions, how much blood is pumped through our bodies, the capacity of our lungs and how it changes, and the different parts and functions of bones.

Finally during reader's workshop this week we have been working hard on summaries.  We are working on being certain to include specific information from the books we are reading, as well as some "juicy bits" to keep people interested in what is being summarized.  To develop this skill we have been using read aloud books by Chris Van Allsburg.  These stories are intriguing, complex, and extremely engaging, and students are crafting engaging, complex and intriguing summaries.

As always, have a relaxing and energizing weekend.

-Dave

Another exciting week!

This week we have been working hard in lots of areas.  During math we have been working with fractions, in writing we have reflected on work, and self assessed using checklists, during discovery we made some fantastic mini-books, and in reader's workshop we have been focused on point of view.
In math our focus has been on fractions.  We are working on the understanding that fractions are parts of one whole.  Also important in this understanding is that with the knowledge of the value of one part a person can find the value of the whole.  To practice this we have been using some manipulatives in the form of fraction strips...these are really just pieces of paper that we put through different "machines."  For example, to make a one half, we put a one whole through the half-machine once (to do this we fold the paper in half once), we can use this machine to make 1/2s, 1/4s, 1/8s, 1/16s...you get the idea.
Students in this class are ravenous for writing.  We have been starting out our unit on opinion writing.  In this unit we will be working on generating thesis statements, backing these up with reasons, and bolstering our reasons with specific evidence.  Throughout this week students have self-assessed their own work, and made thoughtful revisions.
As our human body unit continues we are beginning and investigation of the circulatory system, and wrapping up our work with bones.  The bones investigation has yielded some interesting mini-books.  These were created this week and are composed of interesting information we have learned about bones.   These books are scheduled to come home today, and are really cool, make sure to check them out!
Finally in reader's workshop we have been working on identifying the different points of view encountered in text.  Our focus has been on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd person.  To increase understanding of these perspectives students have been identifying passages in their books that have a particular point of view, and transforming them into another point of view.
I hope this post finds you well and that you have a restful and relaxing weekend.

-Dave

Blood Drive info.

Yesterday we had the pleasure of welcoming Bill Scannell from The American Red Cross as a guest speaker.  Bill taught the third and fourth graders about the four components of blood: red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, and platelets.  The students learned what the function and importance of each of these components are and why people may need the gift of blood.

Did you know that an adult has 8-12 pints of blood in their body and you only donate 1 pint? 

On Monday, April 27^th the third and fourth grades will be hosting a blood drive in the EMES gym.  This is a wonderful opportunity to connect our work studying the human body with real world application, give back, and work with our community.

Our students will work with the Red Cross to run the blood drive, by recruiting blood donors, working the registration table, the food table, helping the nurses, and handing out thank you cards.

In your child’s Friday folder, you will find information about the blood drive as well as a place to sign up online if you wish to donate.  If your child is not comfortable participating in the gym during the blood drive, that is okay!  They can help make posters and thank you cards.

Please read the information/permission slip in this week’s Friday folder.  If you have any other questions please contact Christine Christiano at cchristiano@u32.org or Jennifer Fitch jfitch@u32.org, or myself, at dwillard@u32.org.