Rube Goldberg machines....

...Boston information and more!  This has been a busy week for us here in 4th grade.  We have done a lot of work with fractions, designed Rube Goldberg machines, done some SBAC assessments, and greened up!  Our fraction work has taken to the place of adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators (3/4 + 4/4 = 7/4).  We have worked to build the understanding that the denominator notes how many pieces a whole is split into, and the numerator denotes how many of these pieces you have.  It was a bit of a mind-bender to see the concept of a numerator greater than a denominator, but we are starting to see the light, as well as understand how to translate these improper fractions into mixed numbers.  As we gear up for our trip to Boston we are heavy into scientific inquiry.  We are working on understanding different simple machines (lever, pulley, inclined plane, and the like) and incorporating these into some Rube Goldberg machines!  The beauty of work like this is the design and test process, this refinement is where students really sharpen their skills of problem solving, collaboration, and application of knowledge.  This was also our first week of SBAC assessments.  I must say that students took this work very seriously and put their all into these assessments.  We have two days left next week which will focus on math.  We also spent a little time greening up around our school, this was a nice time for all as we spiffed up some of the road frontage, and spent some wonderful time outside.

Finally, please keep your eyes open for some materials coming home this week about our upcoming trip to Boston!  All students will bring home a letter outlining what to bring.  This letter will also give a general schedule that will be solidified more when we get to the museum.  Also, if you are one of our chaperones there will be an additional letter, with contact information for me and Robin, as well as some other odds and ends.  Also, if your student still needs to bring in a permission form you will receive an email from me this afternoon (Friday), please try to get those in by Monday! 

Thanks and have a great weekend,

Dave