We are in the middle of some exciting investigations into magnetism
and electricity. The kids should be able to talk to you about magnetic force and building a circuit. They are having a blast with it!
I am asking my kiddos who have interest and a few spare minutes to write paragraphs about what’s going on in our fourth grade class. The first one is not quite complete, but it’s at least a taste of what I hope to develop. It’s always fun to hear their perspective on things!
Last week we began a unit on measuring by sorting measurement words and working with a balance to weigh objects. We are building understanding so that kids will eventually be able to do unit conversions (e.g. inches to feet, ounces to pounds, centimeters to meters). This week’s focus is on weight. Vocabulary covered was: ounces, pounds, tons, milligrams, grams, kilograms.
to those of you who returned the surveys I sent out at conferences. I really want to do a good job of keeping you informed about what’s going on in our classroom and of being in touch so we can work together for the benefit of the kiddoes. If you haven’t returned yours, feel free to send it in or to ask for another.
I hope all of you had a wonderful winter break. It was a great first day back, although I had to leave halfway through because my daughter has strep. Please check the homework and book project pages for updates.
December Curriculum Focus
Reading: sking questions as we read
Math: Area, perimeter, and multiplication facts
Writing: Revising and publishing
Social Studies: Washington State geography
No homework until after Thanksgiving!! Have a great holiday. 
Tuesday, Nov. 10: Veteran’s Day assembly at 9:00
Fourth grade to Spokane Symphony; buses leave at 11:30
Wednesday, Nov. 11: Veteran’s Day; no school
Thursday, Nov. 12: All fourth grade teachers at science training
Friday, Nov. 20: Fourth grade music program at 2:30
Monday, Nov. 23-Wednesday, Nov. 25: Conferences
Today we put on the gloves and tore into owl pellets. The kids were totally fascinated. Several found rodent skulls in their pellets. On Thursday we will be sorting and identifying the bones we found.
The DPHS Science Club will be with us tomorrow morning. They are teaching the kids about density. The hands-on science lab will take place first thing with our class and Mr. Potter’s class.