Lessons Learned Sep 13-18

Reading:
In Reading this week we have been working with the story Grandfather's Journey. The strategy focus of the week was predicting and the comprehension skill of the week was author's viewpoint. We also worked with the concept of story structure and mapping out the events and details in the story. Students will be completing the Grandfather's Journey test the beginning of the upcoming week.  

Also, in Reading, students have been learning how to respond to the read, think, explain test questions in an essay format, which they will have to apply on the Reading FCAT. There are two types of extended response questions, 2 point questions and 4 point questions. Our goal is to answer the 2 point questions in approximately five minutes and the 4 point question in approximately 10. Students are to use the key words from the question and restate the question in a topic sentence. They are to answer the question and support it with details from the text.



This is the official FCAT symbol for the short response 2 point question.



This is the official FCAT symbol for the extended response 4 point question.


Social Studies:
In Social Studies this week we have been working with the fourth grade standard: SS.4.G.1.4: Interpret political and physical maps using map elements (title, compass rose, cardinal directions, intermediate directions, symbols, legend, scale, latitude, and longitude). We have read multiple map books, discussed new vocabulary based on the parts of a map, and the students created their own maps.  

Writing:
In Writing this week we have been working on our "On demand" writing prompts. "On demand" prompts require students to respond to a prompt through writing a standard five paragraph essay with a solid beginning, middle, and end within a 45 minute time period. Fourth grade is an FCAT Writing test grade and these writes will help prepare students to make higher test scores.  

Math:
In Math this week we have been finishing up chapter one in our textbook. Chapter one covered numeration and number patterns. We have been working with and reviewing our multiplication facts 0-12, place value, standard form, expanded form, word form, factors, multiples, and arrays.



Place Value Example



Examples of Arrays



             

Science:
In Science class this week we have been completing our chapter on sound and pitch. We have spent time doing hands-on experiments as well as working in the book to review and master the subject. At the end of the week we had our first science test.