October 9, 2015
Dear Families,
- Immigration – The students are presenting their family history projects.
All of us can see how different the stories are, and how all the stories create the reality of this classroom in Denver. Thank you for helping your students learn about their wonderful and adventurous families. They are so proud of you. - Math - In fourth grade, our goal is that students understand WHY the mathematical procedures work. The students can use any method they wish to multiply, subtract, divide, and add. Most adults were taught in a particular “standard” way, and that works for most of us. There are other processes, however, and we encourage students to determine what works for them.
- In literacy, we are comparing texts in various genres, learning about perspective and point of view, and always explaining our ideas with details and evidence from the text. Our class finished a close read of the book, Love That Dog. This was an emotional experience for some students. Our students are growing up and are embracing and seeking out complex texts and ideas. Next week, we shift focus to non-fiction.
- We had an in-class experience this week provided by History Colorado regarding the early people and settlers of Colorado. Students learned about the Ute, Arapaho, Cheyenne, early Hispano, and early European settlers to Colorado. The students were able to handle beaver pelt, buffalo bladder, milagros, and horsewhips. The presentation was paid for through an A-Z grant to our school and we are very grateful for this opportunity.
Conferences are coming and a separate sign-up sheet was sent out on Wednesday. Please contact me if you are unable to attend during the scheduled conferences and perhaps we can set up another time.
Field Trip On Oct 16, we are taking 4th grade on a field trip to see the Capitol building and the Governor’s Residence in downtown Denver. The plan is to travel by school bus to the Capitol or Governor’s Mansion and then walk between the two buildings (from 14th and Lincoln to 8th and Logan). Students will need a sack lunch and we will be back to school by 2 p.m. Cross your fingers for nice weather!
Upcoming events:
- Oct 12 – picture re-takes
- Oct 20-21 – parent-teacher conferences – see separate sign-up
- Oct 16 - Harvest Festival – please plan to attend and to volunteer
- Oct 16 – 4th grade field trip – State Capitol and Governor’s Mansion
Thank you and have a great weekend! Kathleen Gormley