For math, we worked on something rather complicated. We used base 10 blocks to work out complicated multiplication problems.

In the problem 8 x 14, we built 8 rows of 14 blocks (one long and four cubes), starting in the bottom left hand corner of the grid paper. See below:



If you add the totals of the blocks together (80 + 32), you find the answer...112!

We recorded our work by coloring in blocks and cubes with blue and red crayons in our math journal on page 211. If you need help, please let me know!

This afternoon, you missed a lot of fun! I'm so sorry you weren't here! The National Park teams started their journey by traveling from Florida using several mysterious clues! Where did they end up after their first part of the journey? You'll have to ask tomorrow when you get here. They did a great job following the directions, highlighting the interstates traveled on, and outlining each of the four states they journeyed through today. We should have time tomorrow to answer the questions about your first stop.

Seatwork included finishing up your Matter Puzzle. I will send home the directions and the puzzle with your brother today.

This afternoon, I assigned reading for the Dahl book. Your group read chapters 27-31 (including chapter 31) and answered the question on the Literature Circle sheet. Remember to develop two FAT questions of your own, too.

We hope you make it back to school tomorrow!
:)Mrs. Neal

Gotta move fast on this one!


Try this site for fun: They're, Their, There
Or how about: Too, Two, To?
Think you know your Homophones?

Try a vocabulary challenge...

Fridays are always busy, busy! This morning, we completed the math boxes on page 210, took the Spelling Test and then visited the lab for keyboarding.

After Spanish, I shared this power point:

This morning we read from a new science book called Matter Splatter. (pages 8, 9, 10) While we read about solids, liquids, and gases, we highlighted important facts about each state of matter. Tomorrow, we will begin an art project on the different states. You can click the pictures below to practice identifying a few key terms.



We started an art project for Mother's Day, too. I will give all the supplies to you tomorrow...we hope you come back!

Mr. Shane let the children attempt to build another boat out of foil and test it out on the water, too. I never did ask whose boat held the most mass...

During Math today, we talked about how to solve larger math problems like:

15 x 6, 6 x 45, 9 x 49, etc.

There was more than one strategy, of course. Here is what I showed the class, using 6 x 45 as an example...

Split the number 45 into two separate numbers: 40 and 5.

Multiply:

6 x 40 = 240
6 x 5 = 30

Add the products together (240 + 30) and you get 270!

Try another:

9 x 49

Split 49 into 40 and 9.

Multiply:

9 x 40 = 360
9 x 9 = 81

Add: 360 + 81 = 441

We will try more in the weeks to come. In the meantime, we completed pages 207 and 208 in the math journals today.

This afternoon we went to the fourth grade play (which was hilarious!) and finished the day by reviewing the matter sites listed above.

We all hope you are feeling better so you can come back to see us tomorrow!
:)Mrs. Neal

This morning, we read a story written by a student and scored it using the Word Choice rubric found here. It was the first time we scored a story using the rubric...what score do you think it deserves?

Afterward, we practiced handwriting (shocker, I know)...the letter f!

We reviewed multiplication with a timed test (YIKES) and took a quiz on fractions. You can make that up when you return.

This afternoon, I reviewed Solids, Liquids, and Gases and introduced Conduction. See the power point below. There are hyperlinks embedded in the Slide Show, including a video, so be sure to let your mouse hover over the images to check for links. Slide 5 and Slide 6 will take you to a menu of cartoons. Choose cartoon numbers 4 and 8.

This morning, after keyboarding with Mrs. Driscoll and Spanish with Senora, we completed page 202 in our math journals (some were tricky) and took our spelling test. We also took the Wordly Wise test for Lesson 12.

During Rotation, we discussed our Roald Dahl reading from yesterday. Seatwork included writing your first draft of our story about Mom.

This afternoon, we will complete rotation and HOPEFULLY complete our fun demonstration about Matter.

You might enjoy these little animations or this video.

This morning we practiced taking notes while watching videos and reading articles about the Everglades online. You can check out one of the links by clicking the picture above. We used our mind map note taking sheet and worked together while reading about Gator Holes. We also talked about the importance of documenting which site you use while researching so that you can give credit to the author as well as to help you easily locate the information you have read when needed.

If you liked learning about the Everglades, watch this short video about it from National Geographic.


I surprised the class with a "following directions" test today...you'll have to ask them how that went!!

During math, we practiced fraction story problems like the following:

Mrs. DePew's class built a bookshelf for Shades of Blue. 20 books were donated to place on the shelves. She put half the books on the top shelf and half of those books remaining on the bottom shelf. How many books have not been put on the shelf?

Would you rather have 2/3 of a can of soda or 3/4?

We also completed the problems on pages 198, 200, & 201 in our math journals.

During rotation we started working on our next story...I hope you've already got your idea!

During DEAR I assigned chapters to be read for your Roald Dahl book and gave everyone a literature circle preparation form to complete. You can catch up once you return.

Seatwork included working with partners today. Each team cut apart fraction cards and placed them on a number line. Fractions close to zero were glued near the zero end of the number line, fractions close to 1/2 were put in the middle of the number line, and those fractions close to one were placed near the end of the number line labeled "1". I will give you your set of cards tomorrow.

I had really, really hoped we would get a chance to try a MATTER demonstration today, but we ran out of time. We reviewed how molecules and atoms move inside solids, liquids, and gases. (Check this out!)

We did try changing a few solids into liquids by adding heat. Try it yourself. Click here.

I hope you are feeling better and can come back to school. I promise, you're going to love the MATTER demonstration!

:)Mrs. Neal

My Discovery Group worked long and hard to create this Voicethread! Click play and enjoy.

Today's been a bit topsy-turvy! We switched schedules with fourth grade, so it's been hard to remember whether we are coming or going today!

This morning we...

*Added five new words to our spelling dictionaries. (Check the pink sheet on the board when you return.)
*Started brainstorming ideas for our next story. (I'll catch you up on that one.)
*Completed math boxes on page 193.

During math, we continued to discuss fractions. Looking at the pictures below, can you identify the name of each piece? I'll give you a hint on the first one...use the fractions 1/2, 1/3, 1/3, 1/6, 1/6. Try the second rectangle on your own.

We decided it was easiest to name the biggest pieces first and then work our way down to the smallest ones.


We also cut apart fraction cards (I did this for you) and compared them. For instance:

*Find the 1/2 card. Now find as many other cards in the deck as you can that have exactly half shaded. List the fractions that equal one half on page 194 of your journal.
*Find the 2/3 card. Now find as many other cards in the deck as you can that have exactly the same as 2/3 shaded and record on page 194 of your journal.
*Work with a friend to complete the table of equivalent fractions on page 194.

If we have time this afternoon we will play the Equivalent Fractions game on page 283 of your student reference book.

We also talked about what good readers do. (See below)

Afterward, I explained our new Literature Circle format. (Please review the form sent home.) The pages you should read will be indicated on the form.

If there is time this afternoon, we will work in teams to glue together a puzzle of equivalent fractions. Pairs of students will receive fraction cards to cut out and pair together if they match. We'll see if we have time. Often times we don't!

We hope you are feeling better and that you can come back to school tomorrow.
Miss you!
Mrs. Neal

Click here!

Click the icon above to go to an online banking activity.
Keep track of your spending and earning using the grid paper provided.
Be sure to follow the directions on the grid paper!

Yes, it was April Fools Day today, and much to my surprise, my class didn't forget about it! You'll be pleased to know that in your absence, a very clever (and brave) third grader placed a small, but frighteningly realistic, pile of dog poo on my desk this morning. Can you believe it?! All I can say is, it's a good thing your teacher is not a screamer. :)

The rest of the day was fairly uneventful, but you'll have to ask them how the same joke went when played on Mrs. Hershman this afternoon!

This morning we completed our synonym, awesome word choice hamburger (they are on display in the classroom now) and shared the answers to the synonym puzzle we started a couple of days ago. Children were learning words like elated and putrid! I love the word putrid!

To complement our study of word choice, a few lucky students were able to act out a small 5 minute play about a poodle who had lost her glasses. We have some future Oscar winners in our classroom, that's for sure!

After our spelling test, we spend the morning singing Spanish songs. (Senora tried to pull an April Fools joke herself, but most of the class didn't buy it.)

In math, we created fraction strips. I gave the class strips of construction paper, one piece at a time, and we folded each strip to make:

HALVES
FOURTHS
EIGHTHS
THIRDS
SIXTHS

Each strip was folded into the appropriate size fractions, labeled, and glued into our math journals. (page 191)

We also compared fractions using the fraction bars found here and completed the frames and arrows puzzles on page 192.

This afternoon, we continued to read in your Roald Dahl book. We can catch you up next week. Seatwork included:

Finish your hamburger and complete two worksheets:

Analogies & Onomatopoeia

You can also practice analogies by visiting the links under the "Language Building" heading found here.

I hope you are feeling better! We missed you so much. Enjoy the long weekend!
:)Mrs. Neal