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 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 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