Oct. 23, 2017

Parents,

Tonight's homework is on pg.91 - 92 in their math book. Students learned about multiplication using the distributive property. For example, lets say the problem is 5 X 14. They will need to break apart 14 into more manageable numbers to multiply. I tell students the easiest number pair is always 10 and the rest of the factor. Since the factor is 14, you break it into 10 and 4. I will multiply 5 X 10 to get 50. Then I multiply 5 X 4 to get 20. Finally, 50 + 20 = 70. So 5 X 14 = 70. I didn't have to break 14 up into 10 and 4. I could have split it into 9 and 5, 8 and 6, etc. 

The following is what was sent home today in the G Force Gazette.

Neighborhood News

• Mrs. Hamill now has email so you may email her when needed. It is listed below with the fourth grade team.
• Think Central is working but some students are having trouble logging in. We are working to fix the problem with resetting the passwords.
• Students should know all of their multiplication tables 1- 12 upon leaving 3rd grade.  Please work with your child as much as possible as we still have a very high number of students who do not know them with speed or accuracy and confidence. A suggestion would be practicing flash cards with your child.
• Please encourage students to take reading counts tests as they complete their books throughout the year. Reading counts points are being calculated for neighborhood recognition.
• The Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI) is a test that students will take each quarter to measure your child’s reading level. SRI growth is usually related to continual reading.  The more a student reads, the better reader they will become.  
• If you need to contact any of us, the quickest way is probably through email. Our emails are as follows: charles.utter@am.dodea.edu; kali.hamill@am.dodea.edu and judith.ward@am.dodea.edu.
• If your child will be absent from school, please let the office know with a call, email, or note. You can email the school at CESattendance@am.dodea.edu
• New DODEA rules prohibit food for birthdays so please do not send in cupcakes or other food for your child.

Educational Targets:

Math:

Students are continuing unit 2, chapter 2 on the multiplication of one-digit numbers. We are specifically working on multiplication using the distributive property, expanded form, partial products, and mental math.

Science/ Social Studies:

Students are beginning a PBL project on the regions.

Students are being introduced to the five regions of the United States, learning about different types of maps, and gathering information about the significant landforms in each region.

Language Arts:

Students are learning about author’s purpose. We are reading a story called, The Horned Toad Prince, which reinforces author’s purpose along with other valuable comprehension skills. Our grammar skill that we are working on is simple and compound sentences. We will soon be writing a persuasive narrative. This week they will become familiar with what persuasive writing is and what it encompasses.

Important Dates

Oct.23 - Oct.27

Red Ribbon Week

Monday - Wear a jersey

Tuesday - Patriotic Day - wear red, white, and blue

Wednesday - Wear orange for Unity Day

Thursday - Crazy Hair Day

Friday - Wear your favorite super hero outfit (no masks or face paint)

Oct.24th

Reptile Assembly

Weekly Homework:

Monday:

• Math homework on pg.91-92 to be completed on concepts learned in class.
• Read for at least 20 minutes
• Practice your multiplication facts

Tuesday:

• Math homework on pg.97-98 to be completed on concepts learned in class.
• Read for at least 20 minutes
• Practice your multiplication facts

Wednesday:

• Read for at least 20 minutes.
• Practice your multiplication facts

Thursday:

• Math homework on pg.103-104 to be completed on concepts learned in class.

• Read for at least 20 minutes
• Practice your multiplication facts

Friday:

• Read for at least 20 minutes
• Practice your multiplication facts