Long Division (Partial Quotients)

Math Message:  Long Division (Partial Quotients)

 

This week, we began one of the hardest skills in fourth grade math:  long division.  This is a skill that takes time and practice to master.  Everyday Math teaches long division differently (Partial Quotients) than most parents are familiar with.  For children, this is an easier method once they catch on; however, for most adults—it seems foreign and more difficult because it is not the traditional method most of us learned.  We do not recommend teaching your child the traditional method yet, as this might confuse children who are learning and practicing Partial Quotients.  We will be practicing A LOT in class and during workshop.  If your child is still struggling, the SRB is a good reference for parents wanting to help.  Also, your child’s teacher would be happy to answer any questions you might have in assisting your child.  We will continue to practice, practice, practice in class.

        
        During this process (at this time), we are allowing students who have not yet mastered their basic multiplication facts to use a multiplication chart to assist with long division problems.  We want to ensure they are understanding the division process; we’re not checking for basic fact recall.  Although we are allowing this currently, getting stuck on basic facts can really deter students from moving forward, so please ensure your child is working on memorization of facts if necessary. 

Thanks for your support!  

The 4^th Grade Team

**Check out the Math section of the website for helpful links.

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Questions to ask your child during nightly Reading Log time:

PDF Version of Questions

DOT DAY

RPE’s Art teachers, Mrs. Scifres and Mrs. Conder,  are organizing a “Dot Day” celebration this year at RPE on Tuesday, September 15th.  This is a special day that has evolved from the response to Peter Reynold’s book, TheDot.  The Dot tells the story of a caring teacher who reaches a reluctant student in a remarkably creative way. In Reynolds’ book, the teacher dares a very resistant Vashti to “make her mark.” Vashti’s breakthrough begins with a simple dot on a piece of paper. Encouraged by her teacher, she sets off on a journey of self-discovery, letting her creativity bloom and, ultimately, inspiring others.  This is a link that shows a video of the story:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5mGeR4AQdM

Dot Day festivities celebrate all the creativity and originality of each child and how they envision “making their mark”.  The only real guideline for Dot Day is that students read The Dot and then express themselves in any way they are inspired to, whether that means creating a dot — building a dot gallery — collaborating on a dot gallery with teachers/parents — animating a dot — writing a story about being brave and making your mark — going on a dot photo safari to find dot shapes in our world — writing a dot song — doing a dot-inspired dance — putting on a live performance of The Dot, or more!  Your child will participate in may of these activities.  

Students can wear dot or circle-themed shirts with their uniform pants.  We will have some small colored dotstickers available for students to add to their usual polo shirt if they forget or are fresh out of dot wear!

Feel free to connect this theme to conversations that you are having at home.   

We are excited for Dot Day…it is not many times in our test-centered world of education that we have a time to celebrate kids’ creativity as well as creative teaching. 

Let’s make a mark and see where it takes us!