Hot and Not

 

LANGUAGE ARTS- We began reading the novels written by author Jerry Spinelli last week. The 
titles are Fourth Grade Rats, The Library Card, and Report to the Principal's Office. The 
students read in small groups of 4-5, "circling the wagon" (sitting knee to knee)taking turns 
reading, discussing and answering comprehension questions asking them to connect the story to 
their own lives. We are also comparing the three books using a large chart organizer to compare 
character traits, problems, solutions and colorful language.Mr. Roberts began reading the new  
READ ALOUD Measel and the Wrathmonk. If you don't know, Mr. 
Roberts is the master of using a variety of voices when he reads. Very, very funny!

SOCIAL STUDIES - The MAC 3 elections took place on November 4th. Max Gietzen "won" by three 
votes over Nathalie Bolduc. They both did an awesome job feeling some of the pressures from 
taking on a huge, voluntary exercise. We all have a little better appreciation for the election 
process and were happy to be a part of their work for the past month.
We are beginning a short study of maps and globes using the Nystrom Exploring Where and Why 
program. If you have any old or interesting maps at home, we'd love to have them for sharing.

MATH - Mrs. Moore's group began Unit 3 last week. This unit focuses on measuring tools and 
learning measurement vocabulary. We will continue with occasional timed tests now that the state 
testing is completed for the youngers. Kids need to continue to practice basic addition and 
subtraction facts to 20 to help them increase their speed and accuracy.
I recently sent home the pre and post tests from the Unit 1 and Unit 2. If you have any 
questions, please drop me a line.

Mr. Robert's group is starting Unit 4 where we will focus on Decimals and their uses.

SCIENCE - Motion and Design is our first unit. We will learn how things move, how we incorporate 
form and function in problem solving. K'nex building materials will give the kids lots of hands-
on opportunities to plan, build and test their designs.