• Ecosystems presentations will continue until Wednesday.
• DRA's (Developmental Reading Assessment) will be completed.
• End of the Year Writing assessments will be given.
• End of the Year Math tests will be given.

Please don't forget about our trip to the zoo tomorrow. So far we are still in need of parents to join us. If you are able to go, please meet us at the school by 8:50 AM. We will eat lunch at the zoo and will return to school between 1:00 and 1:30. Wear your walking shoes and bring your lunch. We look forward to seeing you!

Spanish Curriculum News

This will be our last news flash of the school year! What a great time we have had in 4th grade Spanish! Our last unit of study is about community helpers, and professions/occupations. Study guides are going home on Monday’s May 11th communication folder. We have had fun doing our review playing Spanish Olympics and singing all the songs we have learned throughout the year!

Some fun ideas to keep Spanish “fresh” over Summer break: Check-out books in Spanish on your regular trips to the library. The Decatur Library has a great collection of Spanish books for all levels and interests on the third floor! When renting DVD movies, set up the language to Spanish and the subtitles in English. Good practice for listening and comprehension! When listening to radio, crank-it up and jive to Spanish music! It does wonders for getting our ears used to the sounds! If you have cable TV at home, check out PBS, ESPN, Univision, and Telemundo … they have great programs in Español,

We look forward to seeing all 4th graders next August! ¡Felices vacaciones de verano! ¡Hasta pronto! ☺

Math
Homework

Here are the answers. You create the problems. Write an algebra problem to go with each answer. Each equation must contain at least 2 different operations and the numbers used may not be repeated.  Equations like 2+x-2= 2 will not be accepted because the number two is repeated. Do your best and have fun with this assignment.



Answer    Equation
X = 2    (27 * 4)/ x = 54 (Remember the/ sign means to divide)
Y = 13    
X = 97    
W = 0    
N = 34    
X = ½    
B = 77    
K = 47    
M = 24    
J = 1    
X = 9    


Read 30 minutes tonight!

Class Update

 

Today was uneventful but very busy. We started the day with a morning work assignment from the science textbook. It was the chapter review for the ecosystems unit. In Reading Workshop we completed attribute charts for three of the Chris Van Allsburg books read in class. Each chart is one part of a matrix that will show the similarities and differences we notice in Mr. Van Allsburg’s works. The competed matrix will also help students in the completion of the final assessment for the unit.

In Math today we worked in small groups for an algebra mini-lesson. We learned the basic differences between an algebraic expression and an equation. We also learned that expressions can be simplified.

We practiced our Algebra skills by completing some problems in Math Journal volume two. These were “What’s My Rule” puzzles and some linear equations with fractions. We will continue to solve these kinds of problems throughout the unit so students will need to practice this skill often. For homework, students are to write their own “What’s My Rule” problems. The first problem should be easy to solve. The next two should be of medium difficulty and the last one should be hard by student standards. Here is an example:

Rule: +2

IN	OUT
3	5
5.2	?
½	2 ½
?	4 ¾
?	7.5

 

We ended the day with independent work and research for our class ecosystems project.

Lots of information was sent home today. Please check your child’s book bag for today’s flyers.  

Today a letter from Sally Dobbins, the School Health Coordinator, was sent home. It describes the health alert concerning the swine flu and ways to prevent infection. Please be sure to ask your child for it tonight.