Mrs. DePlaunty's 4th Grade - October, 16, 2015

Math: 

Our focus in math this week was using estimation to check sums, differences and products for reasonableness.  Students did many hands-on activities in groups using basic multiplication facts to find factors and multiples.  They broke down whole numbers into factors or multiplied them to get multiples.  Students used this information to determine whether a number was a prime or composite number.  Next week, we will revisit these math concepts and multiply larger numbers using array models.  

Questions you can ask your child?

What are the factors of 18?  Is this a prime or composite number?  How do you know?  What are the first 12 multiples of 5?  

  

Language Arts:

This week in reading, students practice ways to help grow their ideas about characters in the stories they are reading.  

* The learned to read intensely to notice patterns in the characters actions and use them to      form ideas about them.  

* While reading think about how a character's new actions fit or change with those ideas.  

* While reading think about why the character might be acting this way.  

* Think about the characters desires and how they are trying to achieve them.

Next week, students will be reading intensely and paying close attention to details in their stories. 

Questions you can ask your child:

What inner strengths does Rob have in The Tiger Rising.

How are his inner strengths different from Sistine's inner strengths?

Why do you think Rob and Sistine have become friends?

What is your prediction about what Rob and Sistine will do with the tiger?  Will they let him go or what else do you think could happen in the story?

Why doesn't Rob cry in the story?  

Social Studies:

This week students worked to locate specific locations and information using specialty maps. Next week, our class will review the information and notes presented in Chapter 2.  Students will take an open book/note chapter assessment over Chapter 2 on Wednesday.  

Questions you can ask your child?

What is a specialty map? 

What is the name of the major river that runs from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico?

 Why are the Great Lakes in the Midwest region so important?  

Halloween Celebration

Our classroom Halloween celebration will take place on Friday, October 30th from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.  We will be having a "Spooky" breakfast in our classroom.  Students may wear costumes to school.  Costumes must be friendly, so that they are appropriate for all age groups. Children may not wear masks of any kind or have any pretend weapons that go with their costume (swords, guns etc.)  Your child may bring a change of clothes to put on after our party. Children should bring in a bag to take their costume home in.  We are still in need of 2 more party helpers.  If you would like to join us and help serve breakfast, please send me an email or a note.  Helpers will need to arrive in the classroom at 8:15 a.m.  Your child will bring home a note next week notifying you of the item that they have chosen to contribute to our party.  If you cannot donate the item for our party, please let me know and I will make other 

arrangements.  

Spelling Words:  

knee, knight, quilt, question, knot, knuckles, quite, square, knock, quack, quiet, squeeze, know, quick, queen, squeak, knife, quit, quarter, squirrel

Important Upcoming Events/Dates

October 21st - Social Studies - Ch. 2 TEST and Parent/Teacher Conferences 5 - 8 p.m.

October 22nd - Spelling Packet due and Spelling Assessment over KN and QU words

October 23rd - Wear blue - BULLY Prevention Awareness and Popcorn Day

October 27th - Parent/Teacher Conferences 5 - 8 p.m.

October 29th - Parent/Teacher Conferences 5 - 8 p.m.

October 30th - Halloween Celebration 8:45 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.

November 4th - Family Night at Incredible Moe's

November 19th - Picture retakes 

November 24th - La Senorita Gives Back night

Have a wonderful weekend and stay warm!  

Mrs. DePlaunty

deplauntsh@tcaps.net