Here's a mini-overview of the goings-on in 3rd and 4th grade math and humanities!
Reading and Writing
We just began our work with literary essays by reading short stories and writing entries responding to the reading. I teach some of the ways a literary essayist might study a text before writing about it. The students are observing the text closely and then pushing themselves to have thoughts about what they notice. A good literary essayist must first be a good reader, dreaming the world of the story, walking in the shoes of the character. After reading the story with empathy and imagination, the essayist shifts to reread the text with an analytical critic's eye, constructing a logical argument about what he or she sees.
Math
Both third and fourth graders will be working with word problems until the Thanksgiving break. They are de-coding story problems with extra, unnecessary information, searching for the clues they need to find the answer. Third graders are working with addition and subtraction problems featuring a total and two partners (addends and subtrahends). If one of the partners is unknown, it can be found by subtracting the known partner from the total or by counting on from the known partner to the total. They're also working with problems that involve one amount that is more or less than another amount and using comparison tools to find the difference.
Fourth graders are working on multi-step word problems such as, "Eli is ordering 5 pizzas for a party. Each pizza will be cut into 8 slices. Three pizzas will have multiple toppings and the others will be plain cheese. How many slices of plain cheese pizza is Eli ordering for the party?" These problems require significant analysis and organization. I teach different mental and written organization techniques and processes to divide up the necessary information into steps.
Can't wait to see you all tonight at the San Rafael Community Center!
Viv and Max welcome their ancestors back during our class Dia de los Muertos celebration.
Halloween was pretty much the most fun EVER! :)
We were so inspired when Lisa shared her dioramas, we had to have a go at it ourselves.
Sami keeps us focused and engaged as she leads a discussion about whether or not students should be allowed to draw during read-aloud time. The class decided that it would be too distracting and that we'd re-visit the idea again later. Amazing job, Sami!
Sweetness.
Hugo brought in his microscope to share with his scientific community. I sent him next door to share with the 1st and 2nd graders. Lindsay said that he really inspired her Junior Scientists. Our class was also really excited to see his slides and guess what they were. We thought the slide of a drop of blood was really cool!
A CCS-inspired art project that Lisa and Caroline are coordinating for the auction
Vivienne facilitated a productive class meeting in which a student proposed that we go on a 3rd and 4th grade class overnight field trip. The class voted and came to the consensus that such a trip would be a great way to build our team. A future facilitator will have to continue to work with the group to fill in the details in a way that works for everyone, including your's truly. :) Awesome job synthesizing some very diverse opinions, Vivi!
Karen joined us this morning to teach us about electricity and circuits! So cool! We'll use our new knowledge of batteries and closed circuits to build lunchbox alarms next week.
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