Happy Spring!

It is green and gorgeous and time is flying like birds in migration or a frisbee overhead. Ultimate Frisbee has been an ultimate success! After practice and playing in zones, the kids are staying open, passing, and enjoying a game where everyone gets some action. There is an Ultimate game at Putney School this Fri. at 4:00- Putney vs. Compass. Go check it out if you want to watch a game.

We are finishing up an important Math Unit. It covers concepts of Fraction, Decimal, and Percent, as well as multiplying and dividing with decimals. We played a game called 4-Corner Spinner as an experience to apply fraction/percent to a probability experiment. We surveyed people and compared data analysis of fractions and percent to understand that when there are different denominators in fractions it is better to compare the percent value to make statements about the data. This week we will gain a conceptual understanding of multiplication and division with decimals. I teach kids to multiply the numbers as if they were whole numbers and then use estimation to place the decimal point in the answer. We practice using similar problems like:

11* 2.8 =

110 * 2.8 =

11 * 0.28 =

It forces students to relate numbers to their place value and think of decimal/ fraction equalities. With division it is important to think of “number stories” or real-life scenarios of when numbers with decimals would be divided. For example, 4.2 divided by 7---- a story might be: suppose you had a ribbon that was 4.2 meters long and you had to divide it into 7 equal pieces. This paints a picture in our minds of a division experience. It also asks kids whether or not to convert the meters to cm. or not; and look at how the answer comes out both ways. Again, the importance of number value is reinforced conceptually and logically.

We played with Limericks and wrote several limericks, even one about a classmate. It is a fun study of rhyme and rhythm pattern. Students will illustrate their favorite Limerick to share.

It has been exciting to team teach and learn with the 3^rd grade in our study of Ancient Egypt. We began with a study of archeology and Egyptology. I am reading a biography of Howard Carter and his archeology work in the Valley of the Kings. He is just about to discover the tomb of King Tut—wouldn’t you know, it is in the last place anyone ever looked! The kids are enthralled and never want me to stop reading, which is great especially for a biography. We had a lesson on geography and everyone made a relief map. We are having focus groups to study Egyptian life and Mythology and death rituals with artistic projects for each study. We are also learning a lot of important vocabulary in preparation for our trip to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. (NEXT THURSDAY!)

I look forward to meeting with you for our final parent/teacher conference. This is an exceptional group of individuals. It is a pleasure to have gotten to know each 4^th grader so well.

Until then… Yours in partnership, Emily

~OUR TRIP TO BOSTON’S MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS!~

Dear Parents of Third and Fourth Graders,

We have enjoyed planning and preparing for our shared unit on Ancient Egypt. We start this week introducing the concept of archeology/Egyptology and giving the children time with the wonderful resources available in our classroom and school libraries. We think it will be an exciting and very full unit: scientific method (mummification of zucchini slices), virtual tours of various museums’ Egypt exhibits, research (e.g. creating research booklets, classification of relevant facts), art projects (e.g. tomb paintings and mask making), salt and flour relief maps of the region, Egyptian writing activities, folk literature from this culture, pyramids activities, etc. This letter pertains to a field trip that plays a key role in our Ancient Egypt studies.

WHEN? April 26,Thursday

HOW? BY TGS SCHOOL BUS

Please note that we will leave TGS by 7:45 a.m. and return to TGS by 5:00p.m.

While the Boston trip is an important part of our studies about this ancient culture, it also is an important time for us to be together as a whole group. Granted favorable weather and traffic conditions, we hope to have one or two opportunities in the park (across the street from the museum) for outdoor games and a picnic lunch.

There will be no trips to the shop and no need to send money. We do request that electronic games/devices be left at home. Travel games, drawing supplies, and books are encouraged.

Please make sure your child has ample beverages and food for the long day of travel (morning and afternoon snacks as well as lunch).

In split groups students will tour the gallery’s Ancient Egypt exhibit rooms and complete a set of questions, as well as a sketch of an artifact of choice toward the end of their visit. Soon we will begin to prepare the children with our expectations for all aspects of this day.

We are excited about heading to Boston together. It has traditionally been a positive experience for all, and we expect that this year it will be a great day of traveling and learning together!

Sincerely,

Emily and Linda