Updates!

I hope you all had a nice, relaxing weekend!  Here is what is going on in fourth grade this week!

This week in math we will be learning about addition and subtraction strategies and key words.  Look for anchor charts that show what we learned later this week.  We will begin with estimating answers to addition and subtraction problems, then actual adding and subtracting problems.  We will work on borrowing across numbers as well as zeros.  We will also be using our knowledge of addition and subtraction to solve word problems.

In reading we are continuing to write about our thinking when reading.  Your child will be writing their first reading response letter this week.  This will include one paragraph summarizing what they have read during independent reading time, and one paragraph that shows what they were thinking during independent reading time.  We worked on tracking our thinking last week to get ready to turn our thoughts into letters.  I will conference with students about their letters this week, and then we will begin to read in small, guided reading groups by the end of the week!  We have been working on our reading stamina as a class and we are up to 35 minutes of reading as of today!  They have been working so hard!

In writing we are continuing to work on our personal narrative writing.  Last week, we worked on coming up with small, crystal clear moments we had with people, places, objects, and pets.  This week we are going to narrow our topic down, and begin the drafting process. I am very excited to see their ideas grow into stories!

We will be taking our first spelling test this Friday.  Every student should have their individual spelling list stapled in their planner.  They each have 12 words to study.  There will be two additional words added to their test to show application of their individual spelling skill.  We have been working in small group to learn and practice these skills.  Their tic-tac-toe projects are due on Friday as well.  They work on these at school to practice their words.  Any student may bring them home to work on as well, if they don't think they will finish them on time.

As always please message me with any questions you have!  Have a great week!