We will have two tests coming up. On Monday, I will be giving the kids an explorer study guide. We will TEST on Friday, October 21st. The guide covers details on the six explorers we have studied. It has LOTS of information. The kids (and maybe you too) are finding that once you hit 4th grade, social studies covers history with great detail. I will be the first to tell you that it is a lot of information for their little minds to retain. The class has really seemed to enjoy this unit. After explorers, we will move on to colonists.
In my math class, we are working our way through our next math unit. Some of the topics that will be on the next test are basic multiplication, factors, multiples, applying multiplication to word problems, and properties of multiplication. We will complete a study guide in class, and the test will be on Monday, October 24th. There are also review questions from the last topic of study, including questions on median, mode, and range. The study guide will go home later this week. We will also have two other multiplication tests this nine weeks. They will cover other topics dealing with multiplication, such as two digit by two digit multiplication.
Two other topics of study in the classroom are nouns (common, proper, singular, plural, possessives, etc.) and informational writing.
As we move into this second nine weeks, the students should have a full understanding of what the class and school expectations are. Because of this, no warnings will be given before choice cards are marked. I have also gone over this with the kids. If you would like to talk with your children about this, some expectations to discuss would be: morning expectations upon arrival (these are also posted on the wall), bathroom behavior (talking), hallway behavior (talking, playful behavior), classroom behaviors (keeping others from learning, goofing off, not engaged in lessons, talking when teacher is teaching, getting up in the middle of lessons, not being prepared with materials, etc.), lunchroom behavior (school rule is to enter cafeteria on silent, walk through the line on silent, and stay on silent when the music in playing, line up silently), and exiting the building on silent in the afternoon as they walk through the halls. Despite the fact that this seems like lots of 'silent' time, the school does expect silence in lots of situations. There is also plenty of time in the classroom to work with partners, groups, or simply talking throughout lessons. There is visiting in the lunchroom when the music is not playing and they have recess each day to visit with friends and play.
Busy... Busy... Busy!! ....... I have a very busy weekend planned!! Of course I had the sock hop last night, and my daughter goes to her first high school homecoming tonight... so exciting!! She and her group of girlfriends are going together for an evening of fun. In addition, my son has a baseball tournament, which will include a minimum of four games. So, as you can tell, life is very busy for the Phillips' family.
Enjoy your weekend!
Please excuse any typos. Thanks!
