Long Division, Elections, and Red Ribbons...Oh My!!

Long Division!!!

We are fully into our unit on long division. We are learning a couple of methods, but our main focus is on the big seven method. Here is a link that will walk you through the big seven method:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7xSGYBpaUw

Below is the image that we use to describe big seven including a way to check your answer.




Big seven keeps place value in division and allows kiddos to solve division problems when they don't have a great grasp of multiplication facts. This makes long division seem easier for the kiddos!

We have also looked at division using standard method and distributive property. You are all familiar with the standard method, but it can sometimes make division difficult because of the removal of place value. Both of these methods rely heavily on know basic facts. Here are some examples below:



As you know, I do not have one way that I require kiddos to solve problems. I want them to do the method that works the best FOR THEM. So far, big seven is the preferred method in class. Have your kiddo show you what method they like the best!

***This week's homework will have them coming home and explaining the big seven method to you. It will be due on Monday, November 3.

Please let me know if you have any questions about this. I am more than willing to help in any way that I can!


2014 Gubernatorial Election

We will be participating in the 2014 Gubernatorial Mock Election this coming week! This is a student mock election conducted by the state. We will vote on Tuesday and report our totals to the Secretary of State. Discuss with you kiddo the impact of voting and how some of the issues the candidates address can impact them. This will be fun!


Red Ribbon Week

This coming week is red ribbon week. Don't forget the fun ways planned each day to remind kiddos to say NO to drugs.

Monday- Wear RED! As much as you can...
Tuesday- "Sock it to Drugs"- Wear colorful, crazy socks
Wednesday- "Put a lid on drugs"- Wear your favorite hat
Thursday- "An education is a terrible thing to waste"- College t-shirt
Friday- "Have the power to say no to drugs"- Superhero day

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Ms. Christian and I really appreciated and enjoyed meeting with you all this past week. We are blessed to have some amazing kiddos and parents!!! If we weren't able to meet with you and you would still like to meet, please email me and we can work something out.

Thank you for your support and sharing your wonderful children with us!

Distributive Property of Multiplication

The distributive property of multiplication lets you multiply a sum by multiplying each addend separately and then adding the products.

For example:  6(4+5) is the same as (6 x 4) + (6 x 5)  it all equals 54.

The Distributive Property of Multiplication is worth its weight in gold because:

• It allows students to solve multiplication problems that are otherwise too hard for them.
• It helps students to develop a better sense of numbers because it clearly illustrates that a number is equal to the sum of its parts.
• It helps students develop a more creative and flexible use of numbers through “number crunching”.
• It helps students to more fully understand the concept of multiplication.

Here are some example of how your kiddo might see it:

Next week's homework will have them practicing this concept. It will be due Monday, October 27th. Please let me know if you have any questions!

-Mrs. Milot

Double Digit Multiplication! :)

  

This week your kiddo was introduced to double digit multiplication. We have learned a couple of ways to calculate these types of problems. I wanted to be sure that you were aware of the methods introduced so that you can support your kiddo at home. We learned the standard/bow method and the box/partial product method. Below are images of the steps/notes that your kiddo uses for both methods.


             

                                         


Here is a link that can help demonstrate and explain the connection between the box/partial products method and the bow/standard method:
Multiplication Instructions

Box/partial products method does a good job of keeping place value in double digit multiplication. This concept can be lost when calculating using the standard method. It is also less overwhelming and therefore seems easier to some kiddos. I do not care which method your child uses as long as it make sense to them and they are consistently successful. Ask them to explain the method that they like the best to you!

Their homework next week will consist of finding multiplication problems in the real world. I give an example of a problem and how to solve it using the box method and standard method. Homework will be due on October 20th.

Please feel free to ask questions if you need some clarification. I am more than happy to help!

Thank you for all your support!

-Mrs. Milot

Glad You Asked...

What in the world have we been working on? So glad you asked! Let me share with you. 

This nine weeks focused on fiction and poetry, not to mention establishing routines for reading and writing. One of the favorite projects, for them and for me, was creating our "Who Is..." books while teaching the writing process. We began by reading the book Who is Melvin Bubble?  and learned the different perspectives of how each person/item would describe Melvin. We then brainstormed people/items who know us well, drafted a passage from their perspective using first person, met in groups and with me to conference edit/revise, and finally published our final copy. 

Btw, please do not be alarmed at how long these have taken to grade. There were multiple steps. Please know that all students are in good standing and missing grades will be added asap. Take a look at us in action.

iPads

We love using our iPads in the room. We were able to take our first Social Studies test on them, as well as, use them for stations. This year will offer so many more opportunities for us and we are thrilled!

Reading Buddies

As leaders in Fourth Grade, it is important to give back and invest in others. We have partnered with Mrs. Perkins' Kindergarten class and are setting great reading examples. We will help to strengthen their reading skills and citizenship skills over the course of the year. Our first task was teaching them proper skills and behavior in the library. We did a GREAT job!

Upcoming Events

October 22- Unity Day (formerly known as Anti-Bullying Day)

Student and staff wear orange.

October 27-31

Red Ribbon Week- Say No to Drugs!

Monday- Wear Red

Tuesday- Don't be Crazy and try Drugs!- Crazy Sock Day

Wednesday- Put a Lid on Drugs- Hat Day

Thursday- Be Intelligent, No Drugs- College Shirt Day

Friday- Superheroes Don't Do Drugs- Superhero Shirt Day

**Coyote Call-Out- 2:00pm

Parent Conferences

Notes regarding conferences came home today. It is first come, first served. Please return them as soon as possible. Thank you!