Week of 10/17/16

Highlights for the Week of 10/17/2016
in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling -  Unit 8 - Grade Appropriate & Domain-Specific Vocabulary
This week's spelling/vocabulary list will include a variety of words that are appropriate for 4th-grade students. Instead of studying a spelling rule, we will focus on the definition of these words and how they might be used in reading and writing. Part of this week's lesson will also highlight how to use reference materials such as a dictionary, thesaurus, atlas, and encyclopedia. The final TEST is scheduled for Friday, 10/21.

Reading - Unit 1 - "Courage"
The vocabulary QUIZ for Happy Birthday Dr. King is scheduled for 10/18. Students should review their digital vocabulary notebook on Google Classroom to prepare for the quiz. There is also a Quizlet for the vocabulary words that may be used as a study tool. 
We will also spend time looking at the text structure of cause and effect. Text structured as cause and effect explains reasons why something happened or the effects of something. An effect is what happens. To determine the effect, students should ask “What happened?”. A cause is why something happens. To determine the cause, students should ask “Why did it happen?”   Ask your child how we used the picture book at the right to discuss this type of text structure. At the end of the week, we will write our first reading response as a group. 

Science - The Scientific Method

Students will work in small groups to complete a STEM activity while practicing the steps of the Scientific Method. Their challenge will be to create the longest paper chain possible using one piece of construction paper, scissors, and glue. They will form a hypothesis, write a plan, carry out their plan and record conclusions. An open note QUIZ on the Scientific Method is scheduled for Thursday, 10/20.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Unit 2 - Adding & Subtracting Fractions

Problem-solving with fractions will be our focus this week. Students will work with partners to create a poster of a hiking trail that is divided into sections based on fractions that they are given. They will then use their poster to problem solve. On Friday I will introduce the final strategy for adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators...the "Double Number Line".

FYI...

Prairieview students and staff celebrated Mr. Pagel's induction into the ISU Educator's Hall of Fame with an assembly in the gym. Aaqil was chosen to read the reasons that 4th grade believes that Mr. Pagel is a hall of famer. Way to go Aaqil & Mr. Pagel!

Happy Friday!

Mrs. Karen Bell