Fanatical Factoring Fourth Graders!

Fanatical Factoring Fourth Graders!

Wow!  I am so happy with the accomplishments of our class.  Factoring is a very difficult concept and for the most part our 4^th graders rocked it!   We will continue our study of factoring this week by learning about prime and composite numbers, common factors, and then my favorite: finding the missing factor!  I have been known to get so excited about this particular lesson that the whole class misses recess because we are having so much fun in math!  Let’s see if that happens this year. 

We will be learning about Mount Blanc and Mt. Everest this week.  We will be comparing the heights of the mountains we have learned so far and making a graph.  We should finish up and be ready to test on Thursday or Friday.  The next unit will be our geology unit where we will learn about rocks, mountain formations, plate tectonics earthquakes and volcanoes, to name a few things. 

We are moving along in literature with Pollyanna.  I expect to finish it in about three weeks and then we will begin Robin Hood about the same time as we begin the Middle Ages in history.

Our class would like to welcome the newest member of the Xavier Charter School Family, Kyler!  She joined our class on Monday and will be a welcome addition to 4^th grade!  We also have a new bundle of joy in Scout’s home!  Welcome to the new baby brother.  I hope you all have a great week, I know we will in 4^th grade!

I think we have arrived!

Is it really the second week of October?  My how time flies!  We have spent quite a bit of time learning how to be 4^th graders in my classroom.  I think for the most part we have it!  It is very important to me to have a peaceful and structured learning environment.  I actually pledge this to my students every day when I say the Xavier Teacher Creed.  It states, “I accept the responsibility to create a learning environment conducive to optimum achievement academically, socially, and emotionally.”  To me this means I must do whatever I can to help create a place where students can thrive.   With the occasional exception my class has learned how to listen carefully and quietly while I am teaching and to participate in the discussions at the appropriate times.  I am pleased with the progress we have made!

Now that we have gotten to know each other you should start to see us fly!  Starting tomorrow we will begin the following units:

·         Math – factoring (it is so important that your student knows their multiplication and division facts in order to do this, please work with them at home to make sure they don’t get frustrated)

·         History/Geography – mountains of the world

We will continue with the following:

·         Grammar – nouns, we will be doing possessive nouns this week

·         Excellence in Writing -  this will be our final week of key word outlining

·         Pollyanna – we will have our first quiz this week

·         Greek and Latin – students that did not get 100% on the last quiz will re-take it this week

Thank you for all your support on Limeaides for Learning!  I hope our project funds tomorrow, but if you are willing to vote again it can’t hurt!  Here is the link:  http://www.limeadesforlearning.com/teachers/view/1232750/default/840888

Volunteer Opportunities:

I could use help with grading some multiplication papers and doing flashcards with kids.  If you are interested please let me know!  Thank you!