Friday, Jan. 18th All School Meeting & Spirit Day
Monday, Jan. 21st NO SCHOOL Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Monday, Jan. 28thPuffins to Forest Grove Public Library 2pm-3pm
Students should bring their library books to return, library card and a tote bag.
Chaperones Needed!
Wednesday, Jan. 30th 12:55-1:45pm O&A to Top Golf
We will be touring the facility, taking photos and learning about a golfing business in action. Chaperones needed!
Please contact Ginny if you are available: [email protected]
Thursday, Jan 31st& Friday, Feb 1st NO SCHOOL for students
End of 1st Semester- Teacher Grading Days
Community School Calendar 2018-2019
Forest Grove Public Library November Calendar of Events
A little note about comfort: Winter is here! Please make sure that your kiddo is properly outfitted with warm (waterproof) layers and appropriate footwear on Monday and Wednesdays when they will be outside for at least part of their day.
What's Happening in the Puffin Nest...
This week, students attended a theatrical presentation by Metro called, “I JUST DON’T BUY THAT!” This entertaining show reminded students about how the choices they make when shopping or disposing of unwanted items impacts the environment. The assembly contained three key concepts:
• Natural resources are used to make the things we need or want but are limited.
• There are many things each of us can do to reduce our impact on the earth.
• Advertising and peer pressure affect buying habits.
In the classroom, students worked in small groups during a “force and motion” science lab as preparation for planning and building our mini golf course. Next week, we will have a visit from the creators of Twin Pine Country Club– a free neighborhood mini golf course in Portland.
UPCOMING PROJECT: THE CLASS BUSINESS
Level 2 students will be working through the different stages of the supply chain ( Plan-Source-Make-Deliver-Reuse/Recycle) as they develop their own classroom business.
Our kiddos will research the materials, design, and assembly of a mini golf course and putters. They will investigate motion and force before making a prototype for each hole that will be made using recycled materials.
Students will engage with the engineering design process by asking questions and seeking solutions.
- ASK: What is the problem? How have others approached it? What are your constraints?
- IMAGINE: What are some solutions? Brainstorm ideas. Choose the best one.
- PLAN: Draw a diagram. Make lists of materials you will need.
- CREATE: Follow your plan and create something. Test it out!
- IMPROVE: What works? What doesn't? What could work better? Modify your design to make it better. Test it out!
It’s a new year and we are kicking off a new writing unit: Persuasive Speech Writing.
Students will take what they have learned about writing opinion pieces, and use it to write clear and convincing persuasive speeches about issues that matter to them. Students will consider their audience and develop supporting reasons, details and examples directed at their audience.
This week’s topic: "Why we should have class jobs in the Puffin classroom"
We will continue to work on the following:
- Introducing a topic, “hooking” the reader, and stating a thesis (opinion)
- Providing reasons that are supported by details
- Ending with a concluding statement
- Sentences have correct capitalization and punctuation
- Neat handwriting and proper spacing between words
How's your homework routine going?
Suggested Weekly Homework:
Reading Homework
Spend at least 20 minutes reading (outside of school) every day.
Reading is on the "honor system" and we ask that you help your kiddo to develop a daily reading routine with good-fit books and a well-lit, comfy reading spot away from distractions. At fall conferences, your kiddo brought home the Tower of Books wall poster, which is a fun (and optional) reading genre challenge.
Typing Homework
Level 2 students have typing homework to develop and support important keyboarding skills. Please practice at least 20 minutes per week on: Typing.com
Passwords were sent home at family visits. Please email Ginny if you need help getting into your child's account.
Math homework
It is strongly recommended that your student practice math skills at least 30 minutes (or more) per week.
Our Dreambox math program for homework has started. Passwords and account information were sent home with your kiddo this week.
If you are interested in exploring other ways to practice math at home, take a look at these ideas:
Ideas for math practice:
- 4th graders can get valuable math practice with Khan Academy. Current 4th grade math topics are listed below.
- Online Math Game Sites: ZapZap Math or Prodigy- create your own account!
- Multiplication Facts Practice with a simple dice game. How to Play: Each player takes turns rolling 3 dice. First to break 200 (or 500, etc.) wins. On your turn, you get to choose two dice to add together, then you multiply the sum by the final die. That’s your score for that turn.
- Facts Practice with Free Math Apps: Sushi Monster & Math Hero
- Facts Practice with Purchased Math Apps: Operation Math & Math Vs. Zombies
- Place Value and Rounding
- Multi-digit Adding and Subtracting
- Factors & Multiples
- Prime and Composite Numbers
- Multi-digit Multiplication
- Division with Remainder
Our fraction unit was developed with Dr. Gowri Meda. For information about how we approach instruction during this unit, or to get information about how to review concepts at home with your child, visit Dr. Meda's website of math videos: Math Precisely.
Prefer a paper copy of math homework? Fractions Homework 1
All 4th grade math students should be practicing their multiples DAILY.