October 2022 TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER Vol 1 Issue 1

4th Grade Math

MS.RUSSELL'S 4TH
GRADE WHAT'S INSIDE:

Note From Your Teacher: Khan Academy:

As we are getting settled into the What is it and how to
school year I wanted to reach out and use it
share some exciting programs we Fun Brain: What is it

will be using in our classroom that and how to use it

can also be used at home! The Ms.Russell's Reviews

programs are fun, helpful, and a Why technology is

great way to practice math at home. I helpful

encourage you and your child to

familiarize yourselves with these
programs as they will be used pretty
Questions?
frequently in our classroom.
Contact:
Additionally, I wanted to talk about
the technology we will be using in Teacher@school.com
our classroom and why we use it.
123-456-7890
Never hesitate to reach out with
I'm always happy to help!
questions, comments or concerns!
 Khan Academy What is it?
Khan Academy is a nonprofit organization that provides students with videos, activities,
and practice in many subjects. It allows students to work at their own pace and test their
understanding. Their mission is to "provide a free, world-class education to anyone,
anywhere." There is also a khan academy app, but the web browser works on laptops
and Ipads and is what we will be using!In class we will use it for review of
multiplication, fractions, decimals and proportions, but you can explore so many other
topics too!
Step by Step of how to Access Khan Below is the bar where
you can pick your grade
Academy: level
1. Go to https://www.khanacademy.org/
2. Click courses in the top left corner, then
4th grade under "MATH: PRE K-8TH
GRADE"
3. It will take you to a page where you can Below is the page it will
take you to
scroll and explore different topics, such
as 'division' or 'factors, multiples, and
patterns'
4. On each of these pages, there are options
for videos and practice. This is where it's
all up to you! I recommend watching the
videos and then trying out the practice
activities.
5. At the end of each set of videos and
activities, there is a quiz. Remember,
quizzes are there to see how much you
know and if you should keep practicing,
not to stress you out! It's a tool not a test!
 Khan Academy
Below are some snapshots of different ways khan academy
teaches fractions!

Using Fraction Bars

This helps to compare fractions and find equivalent fractions

Real World Examples

They use a lot of relatable real-world examples, such as pizza, to
demonstrate fractions.
 FunBrain
What is it?
FunBrain is a free website that provides grade-specific games in a variety of
subjects, but the math is exceptionally helpful! The games help students to get extra
practice understanding multiplication, division, fractions! The games are fun and
engaging but also great for mastering topics and extra practice! FunBrain is
completely free and doesn't require making an account.
Step by Step of how to Access FunBrain:
1. Go to https://www.funbrain.com/
2. Once you're there go to the top right corner and
press Math Zone
3. A number of games will pop up with grade levels in
the corner. Press any game that has a 4. (some might
be 3-4 or 4-5 but any of these are great practice!)

Have fun exploring!

The best part about FunBrain is that
there are so many different options
so practice won't get too repetitive!
Unlike Khan Academy FunBrain isn't
Some Examples of FunBrain Games
as topic-specific, but, rather, just
general math practice! I encourage
this because it is always great to keep
up with old skills while learning new
ones in school! If a game feels a little
too tricky or a little too easy feel free
to switch over to another one that
works better for you!
Math Basketball: One of the fourth grade
math games available on FunBrain
 Miss.Russell's Reviews
Fun Brain

Pros: FunBrain has so many

Khan Academy
Pros: As a student, Khan
Academy was my go-to! I
love the variety of subjects
and activities and the well-
produced videos. It is very
easy to connect in-class
lessons with at home
practice!
Cons: I understand that it
might seem a little
intimidating if is the first
exposure to a topic. That's
why I recommend using it
as additional practice once it
has been taught by me
already.
different activities that keep
students having fun while
also keeping their math skills
fresh. I purposefully choose
this as a choice activity in
class because the games are
not directly associated with
one topic or skill, but rather
lets students switch things up
to either review or challenge
themselves!
Cons: So many
advertisements!! FunBrain is
a free website so that means it
is filled with a lot of
advertisements. These can be
a little distracting at times.

Don't Forget!!!
These websites and others like them are amazing for practice!
But if you do not have access to wi-fi or electronics at home or it
might be a little intimidating, some of the best practice you can
do is flashcards and extra worksheets! These are available from
me upon request!

 Why tech is Pictured below are the

important standards for mathematical

practice in 4th grade as stated
by the MA curriculum
Students at BC Elementary all have frameworks. These will all be
access to chromebooks and tablets on a focused on in class but at
home practice is a super
daily basis. This raises concerns about
great way to get closer to
excessive screen time but I can assure meeting all these standards!
you that time using technology in my
classroom is always educational.
Because of this technology students
have access to programs such as Khan
Academy and FunBrain. Many of my
past students have expressed to me
how technology time is often a fun
break in their day where they get to
focus on learning without having to be
in a large class setting (such as a
lecture). With the world becoming so
technology-driven, our students are
getting ahead of the game by knowing
how to use technology, the internet,
and typing. However, this is not all day
long. We also utilize hard-copy
worksheets, quality conversations and
group work. This technology gives
students extra practice so they can Thank you for
better understand rational numbers,
which is a big part of fourth-grade reading!
math! My goal is for my students to
use technology as a tool for learning
and they have been doing a great job at
it!