Thursday

Yes, there was school today! Check out a site called 'XtraMath' for a fun way to practice multiplication facts (you can also find addition and subtraction facts, too).

Let's do some research and find the answer to the bonus questions (see below). And, if finding out about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln seems too easy, try this one: If a roll of nickels is worth two dollars and fifty cents, how much is a roll of dimes worth?

Furthermore, can you guess what the fourth graders in the picture are doing? Finally, check the Port Angeles School District website for the latest about snow days or late starts during these times of wild weather in Port Angeles.

Friday

So many cupcakes and cookies! Such great treats on Monday with lots of valentines exchanged.
As Presidents' Day approaches (no school Monday) the students are asked to find out what major historical events happened during the lives or presidencies of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Have a good weekend and remember to read for at least fifteen minutes each day!

Thursday

The Family History Reports show a wealth of memories, organization, and respect for the people who came before us and those we live with or who play a role in our students' current lives. This week the fourth graders presented some of the anecdotes and showed pictures from their reports to the rest of the class. For most of our students, a report project, complete with interviews, rough drafts, final drafts, pictures, maps, family tree, family recipe, and bibliography, covers new ground and the organization, thought, and homework required stretches their skills. Many went beyond the minimum requirements by making intricate family trees, for example. Very nice work!
The second round of our classroom's Analytical Reading Inventory shows exceptional Reading growth in many of our students and nearly a year's growth in Reading levels in most of the other fourth graders since the first round of assessments in September. Extra practice reading at home (for at least fifteen minutes) pays off.

Thursday

What do you know about the American Quarter Horse? Soon our fourth graders will know a lot more about them. As soon as they finish learning how to write a business letter, the students will mail their letters to the American Quarter Horse Association in Texas. Within a few weeks, as long as the letters are in the correct form, each student will receive an abundance of information about quarter lessons. Not only is it fun to receive mail and 'stuff,' but learning to write business letters improves writing skill and develops a practical way of formal communication that will help with job applications in the future, for example.

The Family History Reports are in, and oral presentations will start next Monday. Each student will choose an anecdote from their report to read to the class. The presentations are short but always memorable.