Tips of The Week: January 26-30

Math: The last two weeks we have been working on Bar graphs (both vertical and horizontal) and Pictographs with many to one correspondence (i.e. one smiley face = 5 people). 

This week in Math we are continuing our Data Management unit, specifically Circle Graphs. Students are learning to be able to read data and to answer a variety of questions based on various graphs with various types of data, including:

•  "What is the total number of people who were surveyed?" and
•  "How many more people like ______ than ________?". 

We will also be looking at collecting data and displaying data in graphs, along with  learning how to compare data, and determining which graphs are best for which particular type of data.

Grade 4s will also be referring to data in circle graphs in terms of fractions/ parts of a whole, (.i.e.  5 out of 25 means that 1/5 of the total number of people surveyed like Baseball).

Circle (or Pie) Graph

Language: This week in Language we are continuing to work on paragraph writing. We are specifically looking at the details we include in our writing. In class, we use the analogy of the 'hamburger paragraph' to help us with organization and knowing what comes next.

 

We are also looking at editing and formatting skills in each of our sentences. Capitals and proper punctuation are our main focus at the moment, as well as checking (a quick glance) vs. reading over our work. A great strategy we use to check over our work is to read it aloud to a partner. Our partner then helps us with the questions:

•  "Does it sound right?" and 
• "Does it make sense?"

We then work with the partner on the question "What details can we add to make our ideas more clear?"

Science: We are currently working on a Structures and Mechanisms unit. 

Grade 3 students:  Please assist your child in brainstorming and gathering items (preferably recycled) that can be used to assist in the building of a strong and stable structure that is able to bear a light load. Students have been learning how to use strengthening techniques (twisting, braided, layers) to add strength to a structure in order for the structure to bear weight. *Students much be able to describe the specific use of their structure, and answers questions about their structure in class.

Grade 4 students: Please assist your child in gathering any items (preferably recycled) that can be used to assist in the building of a structure that uses a movable mechanism such as a pulley or a gear, and that performs a specific task (i.e. a simple pulley system that raises a flag). *Students must also write a short description of how the movable part works and be able to explain and answer questions about their invention in class!

Thank you for your continued support! Have fun working and being together!

~ E. Sullivan