ELA- We are currently reading about America's Champion Swimmer in our Reading Street books. This is a biography and ties in nicely to our upcoming Famous Person Report. I have information on that project and will give that to you at conferences on Wednesday/Thursday.
Math- We have finished Topic 10, it was short and sweet. Our OPM will be tomorrow, then we will begin Topic 11 on Tuesday/Wednesday. Fluently knowing the multiplication basic facts has been key to mastering the concepts in Topic 10 and it really is beneficial for students to have those memorized. Please encourage your child to use Reflex Math, flash cards, or anything else that will help them acquire those skills. As a 4th grade teacher, I know that one of our biggest frustrations were kids that had not mastered their basic facts. It made a SIGNIFICANT difference in the attitude of students towards math. When children struggled in the rote memorization of multiplication and division facts, their perspective on math diminished tremendously. Long multiplication, long division, and fractions rely heavily upon the fluent and accurate recall of basic facts.
Other- Parent Teacher Conferences are this Wednesday and Thursday. Along with conferences comes our Book Fair. This is a great opportunity to find books that are age and level appropriate for your young reader. Information about the book fair went home last week, along with info on the Grandparents Luncheon this Thursday.
Home-School Talking Points-
1. How did our Blue Ribbon Week go?
2. What is Friendship Friday? (This is a concept I implemented last year where students were asked to ask another 3rd grade peer to play with them on one of their Superhero Friday recesses. It is not required, but I had a really positive experience with it last year, including some amazing feedback from your children. So much so, that I wanted to try it again this year.)
3. We had a change in the kickoff assembly for our Blue Ribbon Week, but it was worth the wait! Our fabulous PTA brought in the band Foreign Figures. They had a great message to spread. What was it about? (kindness)
4. How is your child doing on their How-To Presentation in Google Slides? We will be showing them in class this week and your student will be able to show it to you during conferences as well.
5. Easter Egg hint- a song. (It's a favorite of our class!)
Silly Sally- Silly Sally likes Jell-O but not gelatin. Silly Sally likes flossing but not brushing. Silly Sally likes chatting but not talking. What does Silly Sally like?
Thank you,
Ms. Stroud