Ms. Cook

Highlighting book clubs and our new inquiry into science

Literacy:

This week, we also had book talks in partnerships to find out more about what we are reading. Here are some shots of the kids in action. Our discussions are revealing more about our books and our understanding them. Reminder: April 19, section 2 of book to be read, post-it notes and Fake Breaking News tasks ready to share.

Math:

Our new unit of study is based on Measurement and Data. This week our focus was on metric measurements for distance and length.

Inquiry:
We have launched into a new inquiry! We are now looking at what it means to think scientifically and how to use scientific thinking to explain the world. Here are some of our first thoughts about what this.

Genius Hour Sharing March 11, 2016

This week, we ended the week by sharing the results of serval weeks of personalized inquiry. The Flaming Fish shared their learning on a huge variety of topics. Here are some shots of them in action from Thursday.

Friday's group...

Publishing Party for March

The Flaming Fish had another publishing party to share their writing. Well done you amazing fish!

Highlights from Sports Day 2016

Last week finished with the amazing Sports Day. What a great day celebrating fitness, all organized by our PE department. The kids had a great time. Ms. Edvie documented a lot of our fun through photos. Take a look at just some of the things we did during Sports Day!

Our day ended in the Fine Arts Theater where each fourth grade class presented a 1 minute class dance that was a wrap up to the movement unit in PE. Here is our class dance.

Check out the latest from Mrs. Cook's 4th Grade

Literacy:

We had our second round of book club talks. Conversations about the books lasted 15 minutes this time. The goal is to move up to 20-25 minutes next time. Students should be reading with their partner in mind, and preparing discussion items for the their next meeting. Please make sure that section 3 of your books are read and 3 or more post-its are ready to be discussed for Tuesday, Feb. 16.

Writing Sample: Drafts and final copies were finished up this week. Feedback will be given and results distributed to families on March 7.

Math:

We are moving along with our work on math mastery of multiplication facts 0-12. When students master their multiplication facts, they will then move on to division facts. Practicing the basic facts at home will help with this. Some ways to practice are to create flash cards, practice online games, write out the facts several times, etc.

We continue our exploration of fractions. This week we reviewed and practiced adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers with common denominators. Strategies used include using an area model, decomposing fractions (breaking them into smaller chunks), and adding and subtracting.

Personal Inquiry:

Students are in the research phase of their personal inquiry this week. The primary source of information this week is the internet. They are spending at least one hour a day, and often more, researching and collecting information for their projects. Not only are they researching, but they are monitoring their own learning along the way and adjusting their goals as they go. Next week, we will shift the research to other sources, such as books, interviews, surveys, etc. Keep up the great work!

Parent Teacher Conferences:

Parent teacher conferences are next week, February 16 and 17. Students are preparing to show their latest and greatest in learning with you. Email me if you need a reminder about your scheduled time.

FROM THE PCA

Bearcats! Get your 80's groove on with the PCA at our 80's Dance Party.

Friday, 12th February - 6:00 to 9:00 pm - Little Theater.

Prizes for best in costume await you! Join us and let your inner Madonna and Billy Idol out to dance!

Tickets will be available for sale in front of the ES Office Thursday and Friday at the end of school.

Link to 80s Dance Party

Coming Up:

Feb 12: 80’s Party from 6-9pm sponsored by PCA

Feb 16-17: Parent Teacher Conferences - School dismissed at 12:00 noon

Feb. 19: Sports Day

Enjoy your long weekend!

Passion Projects and More!

Lots going on with the Flaming Fish. Here's a longer look at what happened in our school lives this week.

Literacy:

We had our first book club talks. We learned that jotting things down leads to a deeper conversation than just keeping ideas in our head. The goal is to extend our conversations next week. Please make sure that section 2 of your books are read and ready to be discussed for Tuesday, Feb. 9.

Writing Sample: We have been reviewing, discussing, and practicing the 3 main writing formats this week - narrative, opinion, and informational writing. We have reviewed the writing rubric and writing samples from semester one and made new goals for this time around. The writing sample prompts were discussed in class today and students will begin writing on one on Tuesday. Please see the email from the ES for further information about this writing task.

Math:

We continue our exploration of fractions. This week we worked with adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers with common denominators. Strategies used include using an area model, decomposing fractions (breaking them into smaller chunks), and adding and subtracting.

Personal Inquiry:

Students are in the research phase of their personal inquiry this week. The primary source of information this week is the internet. They are spending at least one hour a day, and often more, researching and collecting information for their projects. Not only are they researching, but they are monitoring their own learning along the way and adjusting their goals as they go. Mid week next week, we will shift the research to other sources, such as books, interviews, surveys, etc. Keep up the great work!

Parent Teacher Conferences:

Please confirm your parent teacher conference time with me directly through email.

Coming Up:

Feb 8: NO SCHOOL

Feb 16-17: Parent Teacher Conferences - School dismissed at 12:00 noon

Feb. 19: Sports Day

Enjoy your long weekend!

A look at what happened in our class this week.

Here is a look at some of the things that happened in and around our classroom this week. Further explanations can be found on our blog at: http://ism-cookt.blogspot.com/

Literacy:

We are getting into book partnerships as a way to work on comprehension, collaboration and communication skills as well as developing responsibility and self-management. The kids partnered up, decided on books, and have mapped out a reading plan to finish reading their books. We also had a special guest, reading and writing specialist Kathy Collins, come in and work with our class on how to read on your own with your reading partner in mind. The idea is to read and identify things you would want to share with your partner. It was a great session and special thanks to Tyler, Alex, and Junno for meeting in a conference with Kathy while being observed by all the 4th grade teachers! Well done Flaming Fish!!!

Math:

We continue our exploration of fractions. This week we went beyond identifying and making equivalent fractions to comparing fractions using a variety of strategies. These include using an area model, using a common benchmark fraction such as ½, using a numberline, cross multiplying, and making equivalent fractions first then comparing.

Personal Inquiry:

“Official” proposals are now being written up by the students for their personal inquiry. The are working to develop an idea that they can launch into and sustain learning about for 4+ weeks. Some of the ideas coming in are: Why are giant pandas endangered and what can we do about it? How have military weapons changed over time? What is the motivation behind the creation of Star Wars and where do movie ideas come from?

Parent Teacher Conferences:

Please confirm your parent teacher conference time with me directly through email.

Coming Up:

Feb 2: Parent Coffee - Kathy Murdock 7:45 LT

Feb 3: Grade 4 to 5 Parent Transition Meeting 5:00pm FAT

Feb 16-17: Parent Teacher Conferences - School dismissed at 12:00 noon

Feb. 19: Sports Day