GIZMOS!

Our gears have been turning as we've embarked on a Gizmo module.  Students have been studying prime factorization in math.  To enrich our experience, we hauled the mobile lab to class and partook in Gizmo lesson on prime factorization.  What fun we had!  Check out Gizmos for free for 30 days at Gizmos!  Students can access their accounts from home too!

4 Winds!

Today we had the opportunity to learn about camouflage with Mrs. Corbin and Mrs. Lynn.  Check out our pictures below!

November News!

As you know, we have been holding conferences which is why I haven't had a chance to write to you!  Nearly 100% of students were represented!  Way to go parents!

In math we've been focusing on addition and subtraction with regrouping.  We worked with base-10 pieces and practiced the process of exchanging ones, tens, and hundreds pieces in order to add or subtract.  Students are using base-10 shorthand to model problems as well as computing standard algorithms.  Here's a website we've enjoyed using Adapted Mind

We introduced our rocks and minerals unit (finally) with the book Rocks in His Head written by Carol Otis Hurst.  You can get a snippet here.  We also began watching a video about rocks and minerals.  Next week we'll delve into observation of rocks and minerals with our Delta Science Kit (thanks again, PTO).

In Daily 5 (our literacy block), we've been studying the polar bear.  Students have read an article in Time for Kids and have worked in their guided reading group to expand their learning about polar bears and their habitat.  Did you know that by 2050 the Arctic could be free of its sea ice in the summer?  You can get more information and activities here

We just finished reading aloud the book The Twits by Roald Dahl.  This obnoxiously funny story had our students rolling with laughter and groaning with disgust at Mr. and Mrs. Twit's nasty ways.  Tomorrow, we'll move on to reading aloud a new Great Stone Face book with Mrs. Stone.  Students will be listening to various adults introduce the books and selecting books they'd like to read in their dossier.

In writing, we've finally finished our Picturing Writing stories and have moved on to more in-depth pieces.  Tomorrow, we'll be making art for our monster stories.  Be on the lookout for these scary creatures on a bulletin board near you!

The cooler weather is upon us.  Please be sure your child comes prepared for frigid temperatures.  Remember to put their name in their hats, mittens, boots, coats, and ski pants.

Knitting group for fourth grade will start tomorrow during recess.  Mrs. Shaker and I will lead the kids through the basics of knitting.  If you or someone in your family has yarn or needles they'd like to donate, send 'em in!

As always, you are welcome to stop in and observe lessons, volunteer, whatever!  We'd love to have you visit!

Hatchery!

We had a fantastic trip to the New Hampton Fish Hatchery.  Students had an opportunity to strip female fish of their eggs, observe redds and BMI, explore a riffle, run, and pool, and climb to the top of the watershed.  Hooray for a great learning experience!  Thank you to all our parent volunteers and for the cooperation of parents behind the scenes!

Field Trip!

Tomorrow we'll be headed to Concord to visit the state house and New Hampshire Historical Museum. 

REMINDER!

Lebanon School District

Fourth Grade Field Trip

The fourth grade team will be taking the fourth grade classes to Concord, New Hampshire to visit the State House and Museum of New Hampshire History.  The trip will be Wednesday, October 24th, 2012. 

We will leave Mt. Lebanon School by bus at 8:10 AM and return to school by 2:00 PM.  Please make sure your child arrives to school on time.  Your child is permitted to bring headphones or electronics for the bus ride so long as he/she keeps the volume at a level that does not disturb others.  Your child must take full responsibility for any belongings brought to Concord.  Cameras are only permitted to be used by chaperones.

If you are chaperoning the trip you are responsible for paying your admission.  The discounted admission fee for chaperones is $ 4.00.  Please bring cash.  Chaperones will also need to drive their own car or carpool with another chaperone.  If you have any questions, please feel free to email Ms. Allen: mallen@sau88.net

                                                              

Thank you,

                                                               The Fourth Grade Team

Conferences!

Conference days are taking place during the week of November 1st. Check out a BEARS book near you for a conference sign-up/confirmation sheet!

Kilton Public Library Visit

Tomorrow around 1:30, we'll be visiting the Kilton Library.  We'll meet Amber, the children's librarian,  listen to a read aloud, and check out books.  These books will stay in our classroom and will be checked out on a classroom library card.  If you'd like to join us, let me know!