THE STRATTON SOUND

In reading we began a mystery unit with the Encyclopedia Brown series. The students had to use their detective skills to figure out Encyclopedia's cases. We enjoyed checking to see if our deductions were correct.

Students updated their INDIAN binder for November. Students now have the November class calendar with newsletter. Students did not bring home their November reading sheets. I felt the students truly deserved a fall break, so they do not have any reading. Please look for the November reading to come home when students return next week. Also please review the new November responses which will focus on vocabulary, similes, metaphors and idioms.

In math we are continuing our work with decimals. We practiced tenths, hundredths and thousandths place. We reviewed adding and subtracting decimals again. It is very important when you subtract decimals that you have the same number of digits after the decimal on the top number as you do on the bottom number. Many times we had to add zeros so we could borrow. We started working with measurement and decimals also. This is sometimes a difficult concept for students. We converted millimeters, centimeters and meters using our decimal knowledge. We will continue to practice this next week.

In social studies we learned a little more about the prehistoric Indians, the Mound Builders with our visit to Fort Ancient. I will be posting pictures soon of our adventures there. When students return we will continue to learn about the early Ohioans in our next social studies unit.

I scream! You scream! We all scream for ice cream! Our matter unit concluded with a fun ice cream making activity. The students had a blast making their own ice cream! We all got a little wet and sticky, but had fun too! Students brought home a different recipe they wanted to try at home. Thank you to Mr. Boy, Mrs. Bowser and Mrs. Kilburn for lending a helping hand for this activity. Also thank you to the many parents that sent in supplies for this activity. It was greatly appreciated! Students completed their matter unit with a test on Wednesday, which came home yesterday. Science grades are now complete for this nine weeks. You may go online and view these grades.

Students also ended the annual 4th grade fall festival on Tuesday. All fourth grade students got to rotate through each fourth grade classroom and enjoy a fall themed math activity. We reviewed area and perimeter with candy bar math in our classroom. We reviewed measurement and estimation with pumpkins in Mrs. Griffith's room. Students worked with Skittles in Mr. Ward's class. They learned about symmetry with Mrs. Lipps. They reviewed volume and problem solving with Ms. Bair. Mrs. Howard helped them practice math with candy. It was an enjoyable day full of math! We will have this type of rotation once each nine weeks with various subjects being focused on.

Conferences are almost upon us! I posted the conference schedule at a link to the left. See you soon!

Thursday was the last day of the 1st nine weeks. Report cards will be coming home next Friday!