2nd Semester!!!

We are off to such a great start!  

It seems like we ALL craved the structure, fun and learning

that a school day provides!  We jumped right back in
and everyone is working so hard!!

I just love our sweet little team of 24 and how well we

all work together!

A few notes for the upcoming week:

• Report Cards will be available tomorrow!
• New Homework policy is coming home today ( a letter).
• Please continue to check the assignment notebook for daily homework (math only) and upcoming test information.
• Body Safety talk tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 6 for all 4th grade classes.
• MAP testing starts next week.  Math first, then Language Arts.
• New Novels will be sent home next week (thank you, PTO).  Each child will receive their very own novel to read and make notes in.  They will have 4 weeks to read cover to cover!
• Science has started - we are learning about Earth's Changing Surface (landforms)
• Long Division is coming up!  IF your child struggles with multiplication facts - try to work on that!  It will make their life a lot easier!!
• In writing we are starting a new genre:  Informational Text!  We are starting with a book on Pioneers.  We are doing RESEARCH!  FUN!

As always, please call or send me an email if you have any questions or concerns!

Winter Break has ARRIVED!!!

I am oh so thankful for this amazing class and their

sweet families!

We had such a fun party! 

Here are some of the brave volunteers 

that came to help us celebrate!!

We are so cool, that we were the only class with LIVE music!!!

Thanks for a super fun 1st semester and 

THANK YOU for the incredibly generous gifts!

I don't deserve all the love!

Have a glorious break with your families - enjoy every minute.

Julie

Multiplication in Math

Hello Families!

I wanted to send you an update on how we are doing with 

multiplying BIG numbers in math.

This is such a big skill and an important one to master!

We have introduced 3 methods for multiplying:

• Traditional Method (the way you and I learned!)
• Partial Products Method
• Lattice Method (taught in 3rd grade - most comfortable method for many)

Your child may use ANY METHOD they prefer.  

Here are some tips for each method...

Here is how partial products works:

49 X 32 =

40X30 = 1200 

40X2 = 80

9X30 = 270

9X2 = 18

Add these products together to get...1568

As for lattice....there are boxes and lines involved.

IF your child is able to draw these lines and boxes carefully and independently, 

that may be a good method for him/her.

I will send home a "cheat sheet" of each method today.

Please consider having a talk with your child about the method they prefer.

From this point forward, I will not require your child to use a particular

method -- they get to choose!

Thank you for your help!

I Am Thankful....

I Am Thankful for.....

Sydnee's desire to always improve.

Austin's enthusiasm for all things.

Josh's stories about his brothers.

Amber's friendliness.

Sylas's deep knowledge on all subjects.

Harper's fun conversations.

Lauren's quiet kindness and sensitivity.

Benjamin's laid back attitude.

Marcellus's return to our class!!!

Delaney's artistic talent.

Jackson's desire to please.

Maile's sweet smiles.

Josie's creativity.

Anna's motivation to do it well!

Gavin's shy playfulness.

Rosie's leadership skills.

Landon's desire to be helpful.

Sophie's attention to detail.

Nick's encouragement of others.

Will's balance of work and play!

Addie's constant positivity.

Erin's listening and learning skills.

Cohen's sense of humor.

So Thankful for this amazing group of kiddos!

We have so much fun learning, each and every day.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Electric Circuits

Experimenting with Electric Circuits is always a favorite in fourth grade science!

Ask your child what they learned about:

Open and Closed Circuits

Conductors and Insulators

The Flow of Electricity

Parallel and Series Circuits

So.  Much.  Fun. Learning!!!!!

Important Reminders!

BIG Dates Coming Up:

• Fri.,      November 4:     Blue and Gold Spirit Day
• Tues.,   November 8:     Math Test
• Wed.,   November 9:     Veteran's Day Program for 4th Grade and 4th/5th Grade Choir
• Must wear Khakis and Choir shirt to school.
• Thurs., November 10:   4th and 5th grade Choir Field Trip:  10:00-1:30
• Must wear Khakis and Choir shirt to school.
• Mon., November 21:      Books MUST be finished for book report!!!!!
• WE will work on the reports in class!  You just need to make sure your child has finished the book!
• Wed.-Fri. 11/23-25:       Thanksgiving Break!  ENJOY!!!

Things are getting BUSY around here!!

Things to ask your child:

Have you turned in your reading contract for the big Book Report Project???

Have you reached a half way point in your book?

Do you need help with your math study guide?

What skills do you need to practice for the BIG math test on Tuesday?

Please let me know if I can help in any way!!!

1st Quarter Report

We have officially wrapped up the 1st quarter of 4th grade!

Here are some of the great highlights of learning:

• We worked through the first 3 units of math covering:  Geometric Figures, Numbers and organizing data, Multiplication and Division

• We completed a Writing Unit on Realistic Fiction!  Those books have been graded and are coming home today!  Enjoy!!
• We said "Good-bye" to traditional spelling to focus on learning the Morphology, parts, of words.  This will give us the tools we need to spell more accurately and learn the meanings of words at the same time.  

• We worked through the first 2 units of reading covering:  previewing and predicting text, monitoring and clarifying our understanding, making connections and determining main idea and details.
• We learned about the early settlers of Indiana and worked on our map skills in Social Studies.
• We have just started an exploration of magnets in science.

Here are some pictures of our most recent science exploration, 

where we measured the strength of the attraction between 2 magnets.

Most Importantly.....we have become a TEAM.

We work together, we have a class motto that is, "Lead with Kindness".

We love reading our book, Wonder after recess and talking about kindness, acceptance, friendship and making good choices.

We have established great routines and 

make the most out of each and every day!

Your child's report card will be available to you via MYCCS on Friday.

Have a wonderful Fall Break (Friday, 10/14-Monday 10/17).

We will be back together again on Tuesday!