Humphreys Headlines

January 17. 2014 Math Writing

With the New Year, our students made resolutions and wrote a five paragraph essay about their goals for 2014. They began by brainstorming and selecting three important goals to them. They finished their final drafts today and we hope to display them for everyone to see! Come by our bulletin board and check them out!
Our class is hard at work on our multiplication unit! We began by learning about extended multiplication skills such as 20 x 50 in preparation for multiplying two digits numbers together. Now we are taking a break from the math journal and doing a multiplication challenge! Each student is working hard to progress through the different levels of multiplication. We began with two digits by one digit review and gradually worked our way up to at least 3 digits by 2 digits multiplication! Next week we return to the math journal and work on reading, writing, and using large numbers. We will also be discussing exponential notation for powers of 10. If you are looking for ideas to work with your child at home, please help your child practice multiplication of larger numbers (2 digit times 2 digit or 1 digit times 3 digit) to help them become more secure in this skill. Your child can also continue to work on math facts. We have our long division coming up and knowing their math facts will be really helpful to be prepared for the many steps of long division!

Our class is collecting large and empty tissue boxes for a Valentine activity. If you empty any boxes at home, please send in the empty tissue box for your child. I have been collecting the ones in the classroom but I dont have enough for each child! Thanks!

In Need Of...

Science
The fourth graders are continuing to work on the View from the Earth science unit which analyzes the sun, moon and Earth. We have spent time doing partner research in each of these objects and comparing the three. We discussed the movements of each, their size, location, shape and the unique features of each object. Next, we will put all the information together so each student is able to describe what each object does in coordination with the other. Finally, we will analyze the moon observations we have been completing at home and the weather observations we completed at school. I am impressed with all of the questions the students have generated and how many students are doing further research and reading at home and during read to self!

We recently completed and tested on our government unit. Please look for your fourth graders test to come home this week. Upon returning from break, we began our study of Michigan. This short unit sets up future units (regions of the United States and economy). In this unit we will focus on the natural resources and industries in Michigan. We will also learn about immigration and the reasons for human migration.

Social Studies

Miscellaneous Notes
Please know that if you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch with me at school (863-6362) or by e-mail (khumphreys@rockfordschools.org). Have a great break! Please check out the blog at http://misshumphreys.blogspot.com and our blog with Mrs. Falcinellis classroom at Parkside at http://rockfordfourth.blogspot.com. A book order is due on January 21st! Please try ordering online! Our code is FPNWR.