Math

We will begin September continuing our study of arrays, factors, and multiplicative comparisons in unit 1. The kids will continue to find factors and factor pairs of numbers and cement their understanding of the concepts of prime, composite, and square numbers. Toward the end of the month the students will demonstrate their knowledge of the concepts learned in unit 1. We will then enter our second unit on measurement. Our investigation of measurement will begin by gathering data on the height of fourth graders and our second grade buddies. The kids will then learn how to represent and compare the data they collected using bar graphs and line plots. Finally, they will draw conclusions based on the data. Our study of measurement will continue into October.

Below are some useful visuals connected to our learning so far with our math unit. They connect to how we use rectangular arrays with multiplication, the vocabulary of factors vs. products, the importance of learning multiplication facts, and the vocabulary of prime vs. composite. Feel free to utilize these visuals at home for any support on math homework.


Arrays, Factors, and Products:


Science

We are now fully into our exploration of ecosystems. Thus far, the kids have studied biotic and abiotic factors that exist in ecosystems.  As September begins, we will dive deeper into the unit by studying the five characteristics of all living things, how biotic and abiotic factors impact each other, how plants and animals adapt to their environment, food webs and chains, and explore a variety of physical and behavioral adaptations. As we do so, we will study the different ecosystems that exist in our world and how human behavior impacts those ecosystems and the animals and plants that live there. Toward the very end of the month, the kids will each choose an endangered species to study.  They will research its habitat, diet, adaptations, its place in the food chain, the reasons it is endangered, and then they will craft a call to action with ideas on how to save the species. This information will turn into a brochure that the kids will create and share with one another.


Reading
This month in Reading Workshop we will continue to think deeply about our reading, determine if we are truly reading “just right books” at our level that will help us grow as readers, and analyze our characters’ traits while providing evidence from the text as support. During reading workshop the kids will be reading books at their independent level.  I will be conferring independently with readers as well as working with kiddos in a small group format as I focus on the aforementioned skills. They will use sticky notes, graphic organizers, and record their thinking in their Reader's Journal as they annotate their text. I could really use your support at home…. please encourage your child to read. Volume matters!!



Writing
During Writing Workshop in September, the kids will mine through the seed stories they have written in their Writer's Notebook as they select a story idea for their first realistic fiction piece. I will model how to take a story idea for realistic fiction and create a main character who has fully developed internal and external characteristics and one or more conflicts to solve.  We will being workshop each day by working on a class story that I will lead and the kids and I will craft together. By doing this, they will see how we use techniques such as figurative language, dialogue, apt word choice, details and description, and paragraphing to create a detailed realistic fiction piece that shows vs tells about the character, his or her struggles and how he/she works to solve those problems. Once the kids have selected their own story idea, they will learn how to create a story arc to develop the plot of the story. They will create scenes for the story arc (all modeled by me first) and then ultimately begin their rough draft using their story arc and planned scenes as a guide.  


Technology

The first week of September I will be co-teaching with Mrs. Fleet, our technology teacher.  She and I will guide the kids at they learn how to use Seesaw as a tool for sharing their learning and progress with their families.  hey will reflect on the work they completed during a math project last month. The kids had to find all of the factors of two numbers and create all of the arrays for those two numbers. They will defend their solutions, explain the strategies they used to find all of the factors of the numbers, discuss any challenges they had as well as any changes they would make if they were to engage in the process again.  
Buddy Time
Our class met with Mrs. Padrnos class at the very end of August. The kids learned a bit about their buddy during this time and supported their new kindergarten friend with literacy and math.
Upcoming Dates

September 27th and October 4th:  Parent Teacher Conferences

September 20th: Digger Dash


October 19th: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Field Trip