November 28-December 2

Math 4:
Students will continue to use Hands On Equations to write and solve equations with the variables x and y. We will then extend our learning to solve equations without the pieces.  We will also use the Distributive Property to solve equations with parenthesis.



A number may be made by multiplying two or more other numbers together. The numbers that are multiplied together are called factors of the final number. All numbers have a factor of one since one multiplied by any number equals that number. All numbers can be divided by themselves to produce the number one. Therefore, we normally ignore one and the number itself as useful factors.

A multiple in math is any number that is a product of the number. The multiples in math are found by taking the products of any counting number and that number. For example 2,4,6,8 are all multiples of 2.



We are using the Kahn Academy website to take individualized tutorials to practice our multiplication facts. For more information, visit
http://www.khanacademy.org/ and search for basic multiplication.
http://www.multiplication.com/




Social Studies:
Our study of maps has led us into studying regions of the United States and how those regions impacted Native American Settlements. Students will then begin to research the Native Americans living in each region. Once research is compiled, students will create a PowerPoint presentation to display what they have learned to the class.



Reading:
In reading groups, we will continue to study the reading strategy making predictions. We will focus on making predictions before and during text for three weeks. When making predictions, students will focus on clues in the text or text features to help them predict what will happen in a text. We will read both fiction and nonfiction to predict outcomes.


The prediction cycle:
1. Make a prediction
2. Gather evidence to support prediction
3. Confirm or change that prediction.



Writing:
This week students will continue to revise and edit their first writing pieces. Several students have made graphs on Excel and are writing research papers about the topics. Other students are writing creative stories. Others are writing poetry collections. We can't wait to share these with you!

Once students have published their first writing projects of the year, they will move on to their second project. Here is a sample of what is happening in class:
Anjali and Ethan are creating journals.
Kaley, Melanie, Ryan, and Zaria are writing stories.
Brian is surveying the class about our favorite candies.
Christine is reporting on hamsters and dogs.






Spelling:
We will study comparative suffixes for Sort 6. Our spelling test will be Friday, December 9. Please remember that all students are given TWO copies of their spelling lists: one for class and one for home.  They must have their list with them in order to take their spelling test (all students have different lists).




The suffixes for the next two weeks are:
-er, -est, -ier, -iest
When comparing two things, -er is used.  When comparing more than two things, -est is used.
Students will notice that when given word like kind you simply add -er or -est to the base word.
When given a word like early, the y will change to an i before adding -er or -est.