their marshmallows. Looking at their total number of marshmallows, students were able to figure out the fraction of each type of marshmallow they had in their cereal bag. Both groups of students will continue exploring fractions in the next month. Third grade will add fractions with like denominators, compare fractions, and find equivalent fractions. Fourth grade students are beginning to see the importance of knowing their multiples as they are using them to find greatest common factors when adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators. After fractions and decimals, both groups will finish out this last trimester with measurement and geometry. In science, students completed their study of inherited and acquired traits in both plants and animals. The lessons about traits came from Mrs. Smith’s studies with Rice University and the REMSL program, Rice Elementary Model of Science Learning. Students went through the five E cycle: engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate. Students not only learned about the different types of traits in plants and animals, they also created an awesome class book called Trait Tales, a collection of fictional stories in which the reader learns about inherited and acquired traits of real animals. Based on the five E model, students will learn next about physical science objectives such as convection and how this relates to hot air balloons. Keep your eyes toward the skies because students are making their own hot air balloons out of tissue paper. We are looking forward to launching them outside. Finally, in social studies students finished their studies of American history by researching and presenting Google slide shows about the major events that led up to the creation of the United States. Both grades used a large timeline made of event cards ranging from the early explorers to the American Revolution. Students divided up the timeline in major periods of change and researched the events in depth. We will finish our American history studies at the beginning of the last trimester by reviewing the importance of The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, and The Bill of Rights. We will end the year by studying Texas history. 12
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