NO Math tomorrow

Hello,

We have a chorus concert tomorrow at 2:30.  Our class will be performing with three other fourth grade classes.  The other four classes will be performing during our regularly scheduled math classes.  Therefore math class will be cancelled tomorrow.  I am proud to say that that is the first time that we have cancelled math class that I can remember.  In year's past, I have had to constantly fight battles to get things scheduled around our math classes.  We have done a good job this year of keeping that time slot consistently available. 

We did more research on our animal reports today.  We have seven children starting their rough drafts.  The majority of kids are only a day or two behind.  We discussed opening paragraphs today and grabbing the reader's attention.  No one wants to read a boring fact to start off a paper.  They may not continue reading.

We have discussed figurative vs. literal language quite a bit lately.  I was pleased when someone shouted out, "Figurative!" in the middle of read aloud today.  Well, as pleased as I could be by someone shouting out.  We are starting The Landry News by Andrew Clements.  We'll get into some good discussion about freedom of speech and freedom of the press.  The girl in the story writes an editorial about how lousy her teacher is.  Let me know if you want an extra copy to read along at home.

We'll be starting our biome unit tomorrow.  I'll introduce a biome or two a day, and then they will get to choose one to focus on to make an interactive display and diorama for.  I am encouraged by our biography unit that they will be able to take this challenge and run with it.  We will use our research skills to help us gather the information for our mini biome museum. 

Thanks for reading,

Have a good night.

Mr. Shea