This week we are continuing to work on Because of Winn-Dixie by getting into the importance of comparing and contrasting. It will help in understanding characters and plot better, and will be added to writing later on. In writing, we are finishing up our first Informative paper. We will do some peer editing and then work on the final draft. Be sure to have a black pen ready for that final draft.
In Math we will be continuing to work on using fractions and mixed numbers in operations. We will look at adding and subtracting mixed numbers and multiplying fractions with whole numbers. We are ending this chapter this week, so expect to test on this chapter on Monday. Review will be sent home as usual to study over the weekend.
This week will be our last experiment in the Science Lab for Physical Science. Be sure to start brushing up on magnetism, circuits, and electromagnets, we will be testing on this in 2 weeks. Social Studies has us entering statehood in California and the start of the Gold Rush.
This week, on Tuesday, the Reading Logs for February are due. Students will get new ones that day for March. Also, be sure to put the effort into Paragraph of the Week, as it will now be graded and put towards the last grading period report card. Thank you to those who returned the conference verification, we will be starting those next week.
Finally, I am sure you noticed that I did not include Vocabulary and Spelling words on the homework page. I will no longer be providing these on the website, as it has caused some problems. I put these on the page as a convenience to you, in case their words go missing. However, this year it has caused the class to cheat on tests, undermine my lessons, and create a general disinterest in class when it comes to these activities because they already have them printed out. Students need to be responsible for their learning, as well as their own work. If it gets lost, I suggest asking a friend, or making copies on Monday when it comes home. Students should be more self-reliant by the end of 4th grade, but the current attitude is not preparing them for 5th grade and middle school. If you have any questions feel free to contact me.