Sunday, October 11, 2015

Weekly Update

Fourth grade is a busy place! We are continuing to work hard to master our multiplication facts and use them to solve larger, more complex problems.  In order to practice our skills we designed, created, and purchased Lego pieces to create Lego cars. The bumps on Lego's are arranged in arrays. Students had to pay for each Lego they used to build their car.  For example, if the Lego was a 2 x 6 array, it would cost $12.  If they needed 6 of these blocks, the total cost would be $60 or $12 x 6. It was a very engaging activity and the students created some amazing vehicles.  


We are also progressing in Genius Hour.  Most students have selected their topic, submitted their proposals, and will now start researching. We have a wide range of topics and I look forward to seeing what the students discover and create. 


In Social Studies, we have been studying different types of government and the ways in which states are organized.  In order to apply and prove their understanding, students worked individually or together to create a state.  They picked a state name and motto.  They also designed a state flag, seal, money, and described their leadership setup. Many students choose to accept additional challenges of organizing the military, creating programs for the common good, and more. We look forward to sharing our state books with you very soon.