In literacy we have been reading Because of Winn Dixie both at home and at school to prepare for our book club discussions. Last week, we met for the first time and the readers practiced talking "long and strong" on a topic using their thinking notes. Next week we will think more about how strong readers analyze characters and how we can engage in meaningful and productive discussions that lead to new understanding. Thank you for helping your fourth grader to be responsible for their book as it travels to and from school. In addition to their yellow homework planner they have a reading calendar that provides a weekly overview of the reading requirements.
In math we have been exploring the "partial products" model for multi-digit multiplication. This visual model will help students move towards the more efficient strategy of multiplying using the standard algorithm, by providing them with a conceptual framework of understanding what each number actually represents. We have also been practicing reading and writing large numbers and had the opportunity to meet in small math strategy groups that focused student learning on concepts that they specifically needed practice with.
Ms. Cota has been teaching her social studies unit around Vermont geography and they students have learned about borders, cardinal directions, and the 14 counties of our state. Next week they will create their own Vermont attraction Google Map where they will get to "pin" and research a favorite Vermont location. Knowing more about Vermont geography will help students to understand the history of our state as we head into a unit around the Abenaki in the coming weeks. The students will be reasearching and writing about Abenaki life and then they will integrate that knowledge in art class by creating a "book" inspired by Eastern Woodland bead art.
Thanks,
Jess and Liz
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