4TH GRADE TIMES MS. COUDEN

Mathematics

READING: We have been very busy! Our fourth graders have been reading nonfiction scientific text related to the theme- Things in Motion and how it is an important everyday concept. The students have been learning to explain events, procedures, ideas and concepts including what happened and why. They’ve also been learning how to ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text. Some of the topics we learned about were force and motion and how they relate to Newton’s laws of motion. We also read about how airplanes and birds are similar. Our second theme was focused on Achieving Your Goals. What kinds of goals do you have? People everywhere have goals, or things they want to achieve. Sometimes it takes a lot of hard work or practice; sometimes a little bit of luck. But it’s important for everyone to have dreams of things they want to achieve. Through this theme our skill focus was to refer to details and examples in the text when explaining what the text says and also when drawing inferences from the text. In addition, the students also worked on making connections, comparing and contrasting text and summarizing the text. Some stories we read were Snowboard Mania, Sophia’s Race, Basketball Tryouts and Over the Mountain. We also read some poems from an Anthology, Dreams by Day, Dreams by Night. Ask your child to tell you about the goals the characters set in these stories.

Writing:Our students wrote narratives that connected to our theme of achieving a goal. We have also been working on writing narrative from different points of view. We continue to use our writing strategies of developing a strong lead by “hooking” the reader in. Some examples are to start off with dialogue, paint a picture, ask a question,use action, and/or use sound effects.

kcouden@montclair.k12.nj.us

In topic 9 your child has learned to divide numbers with and without remainders. An important part of this is understanding how to share items equally. Dividing 30 by 4 is the same as breaking 30 into 4 equal groups of 7 with 2 left over.In topic 10, your child has learned how to divide with one-digit divisors. Learning this skill will require their understanding in the areas of estimating quotients, remainders, connecting models and symbols, dividing with one-digit divisors, and using zeros in quotients. You can expect to see work that provides practice in dividing whole numbers with one-digit divisors and checking the answer with multiplication and addition. Your child should continue to practice basic facts in multiplication and division.

Fraction Action! Recently, we learned how to order and compare fractions. Now, we are learning how to change mixed numbers to improper fractions and vice versa. This skill is coming in handy since we are also adding and subtracting mixed numbers! WOW!!FYI...Check out Khan Academy for video tutorials on any math skill!

MARCH 2016 ISSUE NO. 6

4TH GRADE TIMESALWAYS FREE ISSUE NO. 4

MRS. COUDEN

Bucket Fillers!Check out this month’s awesome bucket fillers!!

Caden Ellen

Maya Eliza

Maddy

**Reminders and Upcoming Events***

Geography Bee: Saturday 2/6

District Closed: Monday 2/15 - Tuesday 2/16Early Dismissal (Conferences): Thursday 2/25- Friday 2/26

Social Studies

My historians have been learning about notable African Americans. Each student chose an African American to research. They used a graphic organizer to take notes while researching. They are using that information to write a five paragraph essay on their person of interest. They are learning so much! Stay tuned for details about our Wax Museum!

We went to Mathemagic starring Bradley Fields at the South Orange Performing Arts Center. The show promoted math-skills and problem-solving through visuals, history, language, and world-class entertainment. We traveled back to ancient times to meet Imhotep the Magician, (whose secret was really math), Zeno, (whose paradoxes inspired Newton) and Pythagoras and his famous theorem. By integrating math concepts with vocabulary, geography, history, and everyday problem-solving, students were able relate to math in new ways. It was an amazing show and some of our very own Fourth graders had the opportunity to go on stage and participate!

FYI I just wanted to let you know that I fractured my right ankle. I am currently in a cast and on crutches. I’m hoping to return next week, as long as the ice and snow stay away! I miss your children very much, and I’m really looking forward to returning and seeing them all!