A Big Bite

The last week and a half has been exciting and fun in room 23.  A great start to the week was when we realized that one of our classmates has surpassed Mrs. W in height!  This usually doesn't happen until June. :)

We have been wrapping up many units of study.  We finished division in math and will move on to fractions in the new year.  Our study of Canada is complete and we will begin our journeys across the United States.  We even had the opportunity to participate in a mystery Skype call with another 4th grade class from Canada.  They live in Brampton, which is between Toronto and Ottawa.  It was very cool.  We have been writing rhyming couplets in the style of Robert Louis Stevenson and have been doing some opinion writing as well.  We completed two interactive read alouds, both about dogs.  We have been using the Chrome books a great deal across the curriculum.  Everyone is becoming technology experts when it comes to Google Drive and the tablets.  It is very exciting to see. We have completed a few December Holiday projects and are looking forward to the holiday break.  2015 will bring more learning opportunities and continued fun in 4th grade.

I would to extend my warmest and most heartfelt appreciation for the generous gift that the families in Room 23 made to Answer the Call, my favorite charity, in my honor.  It was wonderful to receive their email this morning informing me f your generous donation.  It is especially touching to receive it now, after the tragic events that took place in NYC this past weekend.  I am most appreciative and humbled.  Thank you.

Have a wonderful break and I will see everyone in 2015!

Mrs. W 

A Big Bite

December has been a busy month for 4th graders in Room 23.  We have started learning about Canada in Social Studies and we have begun a unit of study on  weather in Science.  This is a big unit that will take several months to complete.  Mr. Marzoratti came in to talk to us about his work as a scientist and how he    works with a team of other scientists to study heredity.  It was very exciting to learn about his job and all of the fun work that he does with the 3-D printer.  We have been so lucky to have two scientists talk to us this year!

In reader's workshop, we finished Little Dog, Lost by Marion Dane Bauer and are now researching the perfect dog for our families.  We will be using the Chrome Books and Google Drive to complete our research and to respond to open response questions.  We also had a "Dog Day," in which we brought in stuffed dogs, played Pictionary and watched Homeward Bound.  It was fun.We are incorporating many reading and writing standards across the curriculum with this interactive read aloud.  As a class, we have read 410 books so far this year.  This is amazing!!!  

In math, we continue to learn about long division.  Did you look at the video that was posted about "low stress," division?  It is helpful. :)We will have a test next Thursday in math on long division and a study guide was sent home.  Mrs. Jerrier came in to talk to us about proper hand washing and overall hygiene.   She even did a demonstration on the correct technique to use when washing hands. We also talked about the need to shower every day with soap and shampoo, use deodorant, and to brush teeth with toothpaste.  Fun stuff!

The chorus concert was great!  All of the children sang beautifully and the soloists did  a fantastic job.  We will be very busy during the next week and a half; there will be some tests, in class projects and lots of reading.  I can't wait! 

Juicy Nibble

Here is a video explaining the "low stress," method of division.  Please use this video if you are having trouble remembering how to use this method.