Mental Math

Grade 3s spent this morning completing their review for tomorrow's unit test on patterning and place value. While they were busy, the grade 4s worked on their report writing. Grade 4s also had time for independent reading. In arithmetic, we learned about writing money amounts represented by dollars or pennies. The children also spent time working on their spelling words for this week.
In science, students shared themany ways they found rocks and minerals being used in their homes. They reexamined their special rock and thought about its properties. The imagined that they had unlimited quantities of their special rock and then listed ways that people could use their special rock or mineral. The class continues to show enthusiasm for this unit by choosing to read our rock & mineral reference books, talking about rocks and minerals, sharing interesting rocks with the class and they are still using recess time to hunt for interesting rocks.
Grade 4s ended their day working on developing their mental math skills. Today we focused on two strategies - friendly numbers and counting on. Many students struggled with these strategies. Extra parental support with tonight's homework would be much appreciated. Talk to your child about your mental math strategies. Make it a habit that whenever you get into the car, one family member poses a 3-digit addition problem. Race to see who can solve it first and who can explain their strategy. Grade 3s ended the day working on a unit problem that shows their understanding of patterns and place value concepts.
The class attended gym, music and french class today.

Homework:

• Review list 4 words
• Arithmetic p. 31 & 32
• MMS 3 - Study pages 1 - 27 for tomorrow's unit test
• MMS 4 p. 20 & 21