A short but productive week!

This week a lot has been happening.  One of the things we have been focused on is discussion.  We have had the opportunity to have Mrs. Christy join us anh help us learn discussion protocols.  Thus far we have worked on the "jigsaw," and "save the last word for me."  Both of these encourage engagement, and give students the time and space to share their views and thoughts, as well as to respond to the views and thoughts of others.

One of the strategies was used during our writing time, as we split into groups to investigate different aspects of a writing checklist.  After expert groups reviewed certain aspects of the checklist they "jigsawed" to share the information they had just gleaned.  This is a great way for students to synthesize and share new information.

Speaking of new information, we have been investigating the pattern of repeated addition and how this influences multiplication.  We have used the algorithm: 4 + 100 x 5 = _____ for this discussion.  Check with your student to see what they think the answer is to this, and ask how they arrived there.

Student reflections:  This week students have been really excited about math, engagement has been high, and discussions have been lively.  Many students are also stoked about the specials we have, especially P.E.  Lyddie has also been a big hit, we are nearing the end of the book, and many students are being carried along by this beautiful story.

As always, I hope you have a relaxing and refreshing weekend!

Dave

Ukuleles and math

We have continued to work hard this week in all aspects of academia.  This post, however, will focus on the work we are doing in math, and our uke-club.  As I outlined last week, many students in fourth grade participate in band.  Many, however, is not all therefore, this year all of those who are not participating in band will still be learning to make music, as we are building our own ukuleles!  These little instruments are fun to play and are proving cool to build.  We have affixed the necks of our ukes to the bodies, and will be gluing fret-boards next week!  Hopefully by January our room will be filled with "sounds of the islands."

This image is of our ukuleles drying!

The following images are of some of the models we have been building in math.

We have continued to work in math on solving multiplication algorithms.  We are working to master to concepts of multiplication by using models.  The premise we are working from is that all multiplication algorithms can be solved using the area of a rectangle, and we have been building these rectangles!  To build them we are using cuisenaire rods and hundreds blocks.  This model allows students to gain a sense of what is happening in multiplication that they can extend to the algorithm that many of us are familiar with...then one that involves "carrying."

As always, I hope you have a restful weekend, and look forward to seeing your students again on Wednesday.

-Dave

Lots of new things happening this week.

This week has seen alot of new action in our room.  We have taken delivery of some new tables!  These things are fantastic, the tops fold up for quick storage, and the surface is large enough for 5 students to spread out on!

These really increase our usable space!

We are also beginning a parallel program to band.  As you know not all students choose band, and this year, those who don't will be making ukuleles!  We will be working for the next four of five weeks to build and finish our ukes, and when they are done, we will learn to play!  At the end of the year, any participants from our "Uke-club" will be able to purchase their instrument if they wish (the cost is $46.00).  

As usual, I will wrap up this post with some reflections students have had about the week.  These take on a few themes, the most prominent of which are homework, and chromebooks.  We began our homework program this week, and it is off to a rolling start. Nearly all students are practicing at home, and all are eager to share what they have done.  Also we have a 1:1 ratio for Chromebooks this year.  Each student has a machine assigned for their use, and they will be using these for the duration of this year and in years to come.

I hope this post finds you well and that you have a relaxing and refreshing weekend.

-Dave

A friendly sock reminder.

This quick note is just to remind everyone that our sock fundraiser orders are due on Monday.  Originally they were due tomorrow, but as it is hike day, we are moving the deadline to Monday.  If your student(s) have sock fundraising forms please return them on Monday.

Enjoy your weekend, and our hike tomorrow if you can join us.

Dave

We are hitting our stride!

As we exit this week we are really starting to gel as a community.  We are working together in academic areas, sharing our work, and getting excited about things to come.  As usual the students have reflected this week, and our "paper blog," follows a few themes.  Students are getting really excited about many of our specials, their sports, and meeting up with old teachers.

Many students are really stoked about P.E.   This week the weather was nice enough to be able to go outside and play capture the flag.  This is such a valuable game for building teamwork and patience, and the students love it!

Students are also getting excited about band.  We have 12 students who will be participating in band this year, and we are looking forward to hearing them soon.  As for the students who are opting out of band, we will be working on some alternative music themed investigations, more to come on this soon.

Also next Friday is our all school hike!  If any of you are planning to attend, please be certain that all forms have been submitted to the office for a clean launch Friday morning.

As always, I hope this finds you well and that you have a relaxing and restful weekend.

Week three!

This week, like all others, saw a lot of excitement, hard work, and fun in our room.  This week's reflections have some common threads which are special classes, bus-action, and read aloud engagement.

In read aloud we finished our first book of the year.  The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, is one of my favorite books and I share it with every class during our first few weeks together.  Throughout the course of the book Edward learns to accept and engage in love.  Though he is only a china rabbit he goes through some strong emotions and learns some valuable lessons.

A few of the students reflected on some lessons they have learned on the bus.  Our bus drivers are embracing the PBIS model, and have been working hard to use this approach to keep our buses safe and sound.

Students are also getting very excited about band.  Yesterday many students picked up their instruments last night.  Please remind them to bring their instruments on Tuesday as that is the first day of band, and even though they may not meet in band on Tuesday, it will be helpful to have their instruments here at school to be certain they are ready for Thursday.

Finally, today we did a timed subtraction assessment.  For this assessment are checking students knowledge with the "foundation" facts in subtraction.  That is to say all of the subtraction facts with numbers 10 or less (9-6, 5-4, 7-3...).  A score of 40 or more on this assessment means your student is meeting the criteria for fourth grade at this time.  A score of 40 or less means they could use some more practice.  Please try to work this practice into some of your evening and or weekend routines.  This practice can take the form of oral practice of subtraction facts, written practice, card games (difference "war" is a good one, they all know how to play this), or your favorite practice method from childhood.

As always I hope this communique finds you well and you have a relaxing and refreshing weekend.

-Dave

Our second week!

As we move into our second week we are beginning to gel as a community. We are all getting used to one another, our school building and our routines.  Throughout the week all students have participated and worked hard in all aspects.  After this week there seem to be two strong themes in student's reflections.  One theme is the upcoming three day weekend, and the other theme is school related excitement.

For this upcoming weekend students are excited about many different things.  A few students will be travelling to coastal New England states.  Others are excited about some trips to visit with and spend time with family, while others still are excited to spend some quality time with friends.  I for one am excited to send some time with my family, and get out in the canoe with my wife and our 1 1/2 year old.

As for school related excitement people are really enjoying P.E. with Mr. Blanchard, and although new to us this year, he already fits into the fabric of our staff.  Three students are getting really amped up for band.  This is an exciting year as students get their first chance to play a band instrument.  Please keep you eyes open for information from Ms. Gelfon regarding instrument pickup, and from me regarding what those of us who choose to pass on band will be doing when band is in session.

Finally we are moving through our review of the foundation concepts in math, and are getting ready to move into more advanced ideas.  Students are working on increasing their depth of knowledge in the area of subtraction to establish a solid base to master addition and division.

As always I hope this update finds you well and that you have a relaxing and enjoyable weekend.

-Dave