Math Rotations!

We did MATH ROTATIONS both yesterday and today.  We are practicing Partial Products, working on math vocabulary, practicing our facts, and using Xtramath for the first time this year.  They all have the Xtramath code they need to access it when at home too.  It's in their planners.  We will continue to do math rotations on a regular basis, and I’m really looking forward to being able to work on a variety of things at once.  This was an introduction week, so as we progress forward, they will have more choices and rotations will follow a formal lesson.  Stay tuned for more information and even more rotations!  Yay!

Timed Tests!

We have been taking 2-minute addition and 2-minute subtraction tests, along with 5-minute multiplication tests on a fairly regular basis.  I will be sending home a pile of completed tests on Monday.  They are working really hard to beat their own scores – as they are only competing with themselves.  It has been wonderful to see them taking it so seriously!  With dedicated practice (about ten to fifteen minutes a night), they will improve a great deal in a short amount of time.  Bravo!  Knowing their basic facts will really help them in every aspect of our math program, both this year and beyond.  It’s worth your time, I promise! 

Project Lead The Way

We started our final module in PLTW this week.  Kids demonstrated how a circuit works.  They worked hard to beat their times and were successful at every turn!  WoOoOT!  They will be bringing home their first Launch Log (PLTW journal) in the coming weeks and I encourage you to check them out!  They are learning some really great stuff!

Morning Meetings Continue to Unite the 4^th Graders in Room 306!

YahoOoo! Responsive Classroom ROCKS!

Oh what fun we’re having!  I am so excited about our morning meetings.  We are having fun, but we are also doing a lot of community building and problem solving.  Our class motto: Be KIND, even to mean people, is something we discuss a lot.  Why might someone say a mean thing to you?  How your reaction can make things better, or worse.  We’ve also been talking about friendship a lot too.  How to be a great friend, what happens when friends fight, and learning what to do if we are having problems with our friends.  It’s important for kids to understand that all friends fight.  It’s what friends do.  We are learning strategies to talk to one another and help our friends when they are having a difficult time. 

OOoOoh how we love secret handshakes!

Here are some pictures of another round of SECRET HANDSHAKES and WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?  Two of my favorite things in the world to watch happen!  The app on my phone picks partners for Secret Handshake (no muss, no fuss) and EVERYONE has a FANTASTIC time creating a new handshake to share with the class.  What are you doing?  Is such a fun and silly game to play.  Make sure you ask your child how to play.  Trust me, you want to know how to play!  So.  Much.  Fun. 

Another fun round of WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?