Moby Max

Today was our first day using MobyMax. The fourth graders logged into their new accounts, took a pre-test and some even began completing some lessons on MobyMax. For every minute spent on MobyMax they earn "game points". MobyMax replaces the "ALEKS" program that our school district used to purchase for our students. MobyMax covers all curriculum areas, but I will be focusing on the math portion of it during my math classes. It's new to me, so I'll be learning right along with the students! 

http://www.mobymax.com/

Kid Bloggers

Has your fourth grader told you about our Kidblog? They are beyond excited about it! Kidblog is an online blogging tool for classrooms. I used it with my first graders at Morning Sun for several years, so I knew the fourth graders at Mediapolis would do very well with it. I introduced it to the kids yesterday and showed them how to log in on the iPads and they caught on very quickly!

The exciting thing about blogging is that the students' writing isn't hidden in a notebook in their desks at school. It is visible for others to read and comment on. We talked about reading each other's writings and leaving positive comments for each other. For their first posts the students were asked to use some of this week's spelling words.  Their writing isn't perfect, but it will give them the opportunity to work on their editing skills.

I welcome you to check out our Kidblog and leave comments if you'd like! All posts and comments go through me first for approval. So, if you don't see your child's post or a comment you've left, that means it hasn't been approved or published yet.

We will continue to use Kidblog to write about various different topics. Stay tuned for next week's fun Kidblog posts! :)

https://kidblog.org/class/MsHiltons4thGrade

Our Kidblog: kidblog.org/class/mshiltons4thgrade/

Our First Time Blogging with Kidblog on PhotoPeach

Math Games

Some of the time spent in our classroom is on math games to practice basic facts and skills. One of the games that I just added to the shelf is "Capture the Factors". The fourth graders are getting good at knowing the factors of a number (1,2,3,4,6 and 12 are factors of 12) and if the number is prime or composite.

Capture the Factors

"Zoom" is a fun card game that gives the kids practice on multiplication. We are continuing to work on our fact fluency and on multiplying 2, 3 and 4-digit numbers by 1-digit numbers. This game gives them more practice on these skills.

Playing the multiplication card game "Zoom".

Yes, ALGEBRA!

This week in fourth grade we've been doing some algebra. Yes, ALGEBRA! The fourth graders learned the "order of operations" for Algebra (1. Parentheses first; 2. Multiplication and division from left to right; 3. Addition and subtraction from left to right)

We enjoyed an assembly this morning by Matt Wilhelm. Matt performed amazing BMX bike stunts while talking about bullying, perseverance and character. His stunts were incredible, his message was very valuable and the children were a wonderful audience! 

Sudoku and Snowball

Today we did two Sudoku puzzles. 

Some of the fourth graders were challenged by the 6 x 6 Sudoku!

To review "rounding" we had a snowball fight! :) 

Ask your favorite fourth grader about our snowball fight!

Wimps and Changers

Today we talked about ROUNDING and how important it is that we learn this skill because we are going to need it when we are adults! In third grade the students learned about "wimps and changers". Ask your favorite fourth grader what "wimps and changers" are. 

We drew pictures and made notes about rounding in our Math notebooks for future reference. I love fourth grade writing and drawings! :)

A Good Start

We've had a very good start to the 2015-2016 school year! This first week of school we have been busy going over rules, routines and procedures. We've also started our PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports) program at Mediapolis Elementary. The students have earned BARK tickets by following our four principles: Be Responsible; Achieve Success; Respect Your Environment; Kindness Toward Others. BARK tickets are used for drawing of prizes.

Today in my math class we played a multiplication game with dice. The fourth graders had to roll the dice, then multiply the numbers. They played the game with a partner and tried to fill in more squares on the game board than their partner. It was a great way to practice those multiplication facts that some of the kiddos have forgotten over the summer!