Winter Party

We will have our winter party this Wednesday at 10am.  Thank you to the families who have donated items for our party.  As of right now, I don't think we have juice for the party.  If you are interested in donating a drink, let me know.  I tried to make a google.doc for sign-ups, but it doesn't seem to be user-friendly at the moment.  (no one has signed-up).  I will work on the google.doc and hopefully our families will be able to sign up easier in the future.  I am so sorry for making this so complicated!

MAPs results

We have been celebrating our improvements in reading and math.  Recently, we took our winter MAPs tests for both math and reading.  The students took the test seriously and worked very hard on the test.  All students that made growth in the reading MAPs test earned a Wii party!  It was so much fun!!  Many of you brought in remotes and games - thank you so much for that!  Also, the students voted for a sundae party for all students who made growth in math.  We will have to do that party after break....just too much to squeeze in before break!

Math Homework

Hi Families!

Please remember to use the online resource that correlates with our math series.  Here is the link, once again.
http://www.eduplace.com/kids/mthexp/g4/index.html

Here is some help with our triangle homework. 

A triangle can be named by it's angles or it can be named by it's sides.  For angles, and triangle can be an acute triangle (all acute angles), an obtuse triangle (one obtuse angle -two acute angles), or it can be a right triangle (one right angle - 2 acute angles).

When looking at a triangle's sides, a triangle can be named an isosceles triangle, equiliateral triangle or a scalene triangle.  An isosceles triangle has two congruent sides.  An equilateral triangle has all three sides equal to each other (congruent).  A scalene triangle has three different lengths for sides.

Living Museum - Due Dates

It's almost time!  We are excited to start presenting our Living Museum projects.  All projects will be presented in the afternoon, after our lunch recess.  They will begin at 12:35pm and all family members are welcome to join us. 

I sent a reminder on the back of our math homework today with each student's due date. 

Goodbye, Ms. Korkus!

We sent Ms. Korkus off with tear-filled eyes:(  We proudly gave her our personalized class book with all of our wishes, hopes and advice for her teaching career.  Thank you to all that made a donation for her sweatshirt.  The PTO advised me that it will be in this week, so I will be making a trip to see her soon.   We all wish her the best in her final semester at NIU.

Math Study Guide

This was passed out last week, but I thought I would post it just in case!

Unit 2 Study Guide

This unit focuses on addition and subtraction word and number problems.  Please practice the following concepts with your child before our test on Tuesday, December 6, 2011. 

Addition:  Remember to regroup your place values when you are adding multi-digit numbers.  Regroup TO the LEFT. 

Subtraction:  Remember to regroup your place values when you are subtracting multi-digit numbers.  Regroup FROM the LEFT.

Commutative Property:  Addition can be done in any order.

       Example:  3+9+6 = 9+6+3

Inequalities:  When two equations do not equal one another we use the < (less than) or > (greater than) sign.

       Example:  8+9 > 8+3          8 x 9 > 8 x 3

Equalities:  Using an = or = sign to show if an equation is equal.

       Example:  8+9 = 9+8                 8 x 9 = 9 x 9

                   8+8+8+8 = 8 x 4          2+2+2+3 = 2 x 4

Break Apart Drawings:  These help us see that addition and subtraction are the inverse of one another.  2 addends equal our total.

Place Value:  Know the name of the place value of each number.

       Example:  777,298,433

7 hundred millions  (700,000,000)

7 ten millions  (70,000,000)

7 millions thousands  (7,000,000)

2 hundred thousands  (200,000)

9 ten thousands  (90,000)

8 thousands  (8,000)

4 hundreds  (400)

3 tens  (30)

3 ones  (3)

Writing Numbers:  Know the different ways to express numbers.

      

       Examples: 

Standard Form:  7,349

Expanded Form: 7,000 + 300 + 40 + 9

Word Form:  Seven thousand three hundred forty nine

Write Equations/Solve for the unknown variable:  Given word problems be able to determine whether or not they are addition or subtraction and what number is missing.  (Using break-apart drawings is very helpful to solve these!!!!) 

       Example:  Henry walked for 90 minutes on the weekend.  He walked for a total of 140 minutes for the week.  How many minutes did he walk on the weekdays? 

       Solution:  90 + x = 140        140 – 90 = 50 

                   Henry walked 50 minutes on the weekdays.

Comparison bars:  These help us compare numbers in word problems.

       Example:  At the zoo there are 12 lions.  There are 9 more tigers than lions.  How many tigers are at the zoo?

Multi-step word problems:  Understand when there is more than one operation that is needed to solve a problem. 

       Example:  Miguel gave the clerk two $20 bills for a hat that cost $16.50 and a shirt that cost $12.00.  How much change should Miguel receive? 

Step 1:  Two $20 bills = $40.00

Step 2:  How much did he spend on his items altogether?  16.50+12.00= 28.50

Step 3:  Set up an equation to show how much change he should get back.  40.00 – 28.50 = $11.50

Rounding:  Know how to round numbers to the place value given. First, underline the place value that you are looking at.  Then, draw an arrow to the number to the right.  Ask yourself if that number is 5 or higher or lower than 5.  If it is 5 or higher round up and change the rest of the number to the right to zeros.  If it is 4 or lower then round down and change the number to the right to zeros.

       Example:

Round 237 to the nearest ten:  240

Round 87,938 to the nearest thousand:  88,000

Know your multiplication and addition doubles!!  You will be tested on these!!

Ex:   2 x 2 =     3 + 3 =     4 x 4 =

       2 +2 =      3 x 3 =     4 + 4 =

Ms. Korkus

Ms. Korkus' last day is fast approaching.  She has been a wonderful addition to our class!  We will miss her dearly.  Her last day is Thursday, December 8th.  We will be giving her a zip-up Mary Endres Sweatshirt along with a personal book that we created for her.  Each student created their own page with well-wishes, memories and advice for Ms. Korkus when she has a classroom of her own.  We were so lucky to have her work with our class!  A small donation for the sweatshirt would be appreciated if you are able ($0.50 - $1.00).  Thank you! 

PTO Party Sign Up

The party sign-up is filling up ....(round 2).  Thank you so much for your support!