Morning writing prompts:

Some of our morning writing prompts will resume in March. We are taking the opportunity to review 4th grade skills.

For the 3rd nine weeks, we will spend one morning a week practicing our name in cursive. It is not a 4th grade standard for the students to write in cursive. However, I do feel that it is a valuable skill for them to be able to sign their name. As we all know, that is a life-long skill that they will continue to use.

Math Standards:

We are continuing to work on fractions. This week has been a review of adding and subtracting fractions. It is important that they have a solid foundation in fractions before moving onto multiplying fractions and word problems involving fractions.

As we approach multiplying fractions, it is stressed daily the importance of knowing their multiplication facts. Throughout fractions, we have discussed 'greatest common factors' and found multiplies. When students are unsure of their fact families, it slows the learning process down. Please continue to encourage them to study these facts daily.

• 4.NSF.1 Explain why a fraction (i.e., denominators 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 25, 100), 𝑏 , is 𝑛×𝑎 equivalent to a fraction, 𝑛×𝑏 , by using visual fraction models, with attention to how the number and size of the parts differ even though the two fractions themselves are the same size. Use this principle to recognize and generate equivalent fractions.

• 4.NSF.2 Compare two given fractions (i.e., denominators 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 25, 100) by creating common denominators or numerators, or by comparing to a benchmark fraction such as 1 and represent the comparison using the symbols >, =, or <. 2

• 4.NSF.3 Develop an understanding of addition and subtraction of fractions (i.e., denominators 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 25, 100) based on unit fractions.

• Compose and decompose a fraction in more than one way, recording each composition and decomposition as an addition or subtraction equation;

• Add and subtract mixed numbers with like denominators;

• Solve real-world problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions
  referring to the same whole and having like denominators.

Science:

Standard 4.E.3: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the locations, movements, and patterns of stars and objects in the solar system.

4.E.3A. Conceptual Understanding: Astronomy is the study of objects in our solar system and beyond. A solar system includes a sun, (star), and all other objects that orbit that sun. Planets in our night sky change positions and are not always visible from Earth as they orbit our Sun. Stars that are beyond the solar system can be seen in the night sky in patterns called constellations. Constellations can be used for navigation and appear to move together across the sky because ofEarth’s rotation.

One fun method of learning about the solar system is going to be project based. Coming up they are responsible for completing a moon project. Students were given the rubric to this on Tuesday. The project must completly show a representation of the 8 phases of the moon, labeled correctly, and include a paragraph explaining the phases of the moon or their knowledge of the moon.