In math, we have been working on a unit involving data collection and interpretation. Students have been working with the language of MEDIAN, MODE, MAXIMUM, MINIMUM, and RANGE. Some students have additionally gone on to have success with finding the MEAN in a set of numbers as well! This unit has also revisited concepts of fractions, including converting to equivalent fractions, and finding common denominators when adding/subtracting with fractions. It has been a challenging unit, but we have had some fun along the way, too. One activity in my classroom involved data related to candy! (We only ate a little bit... I promise!)
Reading has largely supported our writing curriculum, and both have been tied directly in with what we are studying in social studies. Students have been learning about Colonial Life in order to be able to teach others about a topic of their choosing through information writing. The kids additionally were able to make some really cool "billboards" and commercials to teach one another about several of the 13 original colonies. For the past two weeks, we have been learning about slavery, which has brought up many important and interesting questions for discussion. Next, we will learn about Colonial Williamsburg, which will wrap up our social studies work for a few weeks. The students are eager to begin science learning again next quarter.
One other reading item to mention is our One Book One School book, Mystery on Pine Lake! The kids are enjoying reading about Cooper and Packrat's misadventures, and their sleuthing of the campground Cooper's family owns. This book has also led to many interesting conversations. I hope you can ask your child about their favorite parts of the books as well as characters they like/don't like. Please be on the lookout for information that has gone home regarding family events surrounding this book, including two morning breakfasts, and one evening gathering. It should be a very fun time!
Lastly, this Friday, 27 of our fourth and fifth grade students will show their talents and knowledge in the Annual Geo Bee! Thank you to Mrs. Copeland for organizing this fantastic event each year. Four students from the Hoskins Community will be participating, and we wish ALL the students the best of luck!
Cheers!
