Weekly Update

Writing

This past week we started our Informational Unit!  As a class, we will write a four chapter book on the Revolutionary War.  Right now we are researching about the war and all the important events surrounding it, including the Boston Tea Party, Boston Massacre, Intolerable Acts, Stamp Act, etc.  After writing this informational book together, students will then choose a social studies or science topic to write a second informational book on their own.  

                                                

Reading

Before break we finished "I Survived," and our next read aloud is "The Wild Robot."  We will be doing some STEM activities that relate to this book!  Also, soon we will be starting book clubs!  Students will pick their top book club book and be put into groups.  Students will be responsible for reading an agreed upon number of chapters outside of book club time.  During book clubs, students will have a conservation about the chapters' events, characters, setting, etc.  

                                                                          

Math

We started Chapter 8 with factors and multiples as well as prime and composite numbers.  This week we will continue with equivalent fractions, simplest form and comparing and ordering fractions.  Then, we will get to mixed numbers and improper fractions.  Students took home volume I of their math textbooks, and it is important that they review big topics like long division and multiplication at home.  

Social Studies

We are currently learning about the colonies of Jamestown, Roanoke, Plymouth, and Williamsburg.  Then, we will move into further studying the Revolutionary War to compliment our writing studies.  

Other Important Info. 

• There is no school on Monday, January 15th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 
• The school spelling bee is Friday, January 19th at 1:30.  Good luck, Cecelia and Jacob! 

Weekly Update

Writing

We are celebrating our persuasive essays this Monday, 12/18!

Reading

In reading we are continuing in our information unit.  As we read "I Survived the Revolutionary War," we are taking notes on the facts, dates, and important words in this book.  It will help us with our writing unit in January. Students are doing great with this and are learning a lot about the war! 

Math

We are currently working on patterns in Chapter 7.  We have written equations for number patterns and have completed in and out tables.  We have started to solve equations using the order of operations, PEMDAS.  We will also review PEMDAS this week.  We will not have a Chapter 7 test or another math test before break.

Social Studies 

Students are presenting their explorers presentations!  They are turning out great!  Here are some of their awesome slides! 

Other Important Info. 

• Our second and last class spelling bee is this Monday, December 18th.   The winner from each bee will represent our class in the school bee on January 19th.  
• The Fourth Grade Team has planned some special events the week of winter break! On Monday, 12/18, we will have Winter Spirit Day!  Students can feel free to wear "ugly" sweaters, holiday hats or headbands, etc.  On Polar Express Tuesday, students will enjoy a holiday movie in the afternoon!  The Winter Party is Wednesday, December 20th from 2-3pm. 
• Winter Break starts Thursday, 12/21, and school resumes Thursday, January 4th. 

Weekly Update

Writing

Students are revising, editing and publishing their persuasive essays!  We will celebrate these essays on Monday, 12/18! 

Reading

In reading we are continuing in our information unit.  We have also started our new read aloud, "I Survived the Revolutionary War!"  We are learning how to take notes on the facts, dates, and important words in this book as it will help us with our writing unit in January.  

Math

We are currently working on patterns in Chapter 7.  We will not have a Chapter 7 test or another math test before break.

Science/Social Studies 

We kicked off our explorers unit by pretending we were archaeologists and "diving" into ship wrecks from the 1400s and 1500s.  Students found many interesting and unique artifacts!  We also started our next project, a Google Slides presentation on a famous explorer.  These projects are due on Thursday, and students are working in groups in class.  

Other Important Info. 

• The class spelling bees will take place this Friday, December 15th and Monday, December 18th.   The winner from each bee will represent our class in the school bee on January 19th.  We will also have an alternate.  Students brought home a list of words to study. if interested.  
• The Fourth Grade Team has planned some special events the week of winter break! On Monday, 12/18, we will have Winter Spirit Day!  Students can feel free to wear "ugly" sweaters, holiday hats or headbands, etc.  On Polar Express Tuesday, students will enjoy a holiday movie in the afternoon!  The Winter Party is Wednesday, December 20th from 2-3pm. 
• Winter Break starts Thursday, 12/21, and school resumes Thursday, January 4th.
• An archery class will be available in January and February at Long!  Sign up here: Archery Sign Up

Weekly Update

Writing

Students have started to type their persuasive essays and are making good progress!  Topics include more class field trips, every student having their own school computer, Strings being taught at a different time of day, getting a cell phone, etc.  Also, check out our postcard exchange wall!  We have received postcards from 6 different classes in 6 different U.S. states!  

Reading

In reading we are continuing in our information unit as we identify hybrid nonfiction texts that combine narrative and expository writing. 

Math

The Chapter 6 Test over long division is this Thursday, 12/7. Below, students are working in some of our holiday themed activities this past week! 

Science/Social Studies 

This past week we finished our rock study.  Below you will find students engaged in a rocks review game and some students identifying rocks by noting their color, texture, streak, and other characteristics.  We are now moving on to our explorers unit in social studies that I know the students will enjoy!   

Other Important Info.

• This Wednesday, 12/6, is an early release day with dismissal at 1:40.  Please make sure your child knows how they are going home.  

Weekly Update

Writing

This past week in our writing unit, we participated in debates!  Students came up with some pretty persuasive reasons and evidence for their assigned point of view! 

We walked around the room to vote if we agree, "Yes," or disagree, "No,"
with each persuasive thesis.

Reading

We will finish reading "Wonder" on Monday, and we can not wait to see the movie on Tuesday!  What a special treat!  

Math

We have started Chapter 6, "Divide by a One-Digit Number," with estimating quotients.  This week we will start the traditional method for dividing, and we will continue it after break.  Again, it is important that your child knows their multiplication and division facts.  They should be practicing facts for fluency on a nightly basis.  

This week in rotations we worked on graphing. 
First, students asked the class a question to gather data. 
Then, they graphed their data using a variety of graphs. 

Science

This past week we continued to study the rock cycle and identify the three different types of rocks.  We also discussed weathering and erosion.  Our Chapter 5 Rocks Test will be the Friday after break, 12/1.  

Other Important Info.

• Our "Wonder" field trip is this Tuesday!  Students will want to make sure they are dressed warm or bring a jacket.  We are so excited!  
• There will be no school Wednesday, 11/22 - Friday, 11/24 for Thanksgiving Break!  Have a great holiday! 

Weekly Update

Writing

We are participating in a US post card exchange and we got our first postcard- from Massachusetts!  We took a short break from essay writing to write postcards to different states.  Students had a lot of fun brainstorming ideas to tell a little bit about our state/city, school, and fourth grade!  

Reading

In reading groups, we continue to study text features and the structure of nonfiction texts.  It is important that your child read at home every night to further grow and develop their reading skills.  

Math

The Chapter 5 Test over 2-digit by 2-digit multiplication is this Wednesday, 11/15. Chapter 6 begins long division.  Again, with these long, multistep problems, it is important that students know their facts!  

Science

This past week in science, we focused on the different types of rocks and the rock cycle.  Students have vocabulary cards, and the vocabulary test is Wednesday, 11/15.   They can also log onto Quizlet and Pearson for extra practice!  

Other Important Info.

• A big THANK YOU to all of our veterans!  We appreciate you! 
• Make sure "Wonder" field trip permission slips are turned in!  This will be a fun trip!

Weekly Update

Writing

Students have finished their personal essays this past week, and we will begin our persuasive essays this week!  

Reading

In reading groups, we continue to study text features and the structure of nonfiction texts.  It is important that your child read at home every night to further grow and develop their reading skills.  

Math

In Chapter 5, we have learned 2-digit by 2-digit multiplication!  Here is a video showing the traditional method of multiplying big numbers, "turtle style."

Science

In our rock unit, we have learned about the properties of rocks.  Students have vocabulary cards, and the vocabulary test is Wednesday, 11/15.  

Halloween Party

A big thank you to all the parents who donated items or helped at the Halloween party!  A magic show was the perfect party idea!  Students loved it. 

We also engaged in a couple of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) activities this past week!  In one, we tried to build a pumpkin stand out of tape and straws. This stand had to support the weight of a small pumpkin.  In the second, students built a bridge and were competing to make it the the longest and hold the most candy pumpkins.  

Other Important Info.

• This Wednesday, 11/8, is early release with dismissal at 1:40.  Please make sure your child knows how they are going home.  
• The 4th Grade Music Program is thisThursday, November 9th at 7:30 pm at the Lindbergh High School Auditorium.  Students can arrive at 7:15.  When the 2nd Grade Music Program ends at 7:15, the auditorium doors will be opened so that fourth grade students can go directly to the risers on the stage, while families and friends can find seats in the auditorium.  The 4th Grade Music Program is 50's and 60's Rock-n-Roll music.  Students are asked to wear 50's and 60's type clothes.   
• The Veteran's Day assembly is this Friday at 9am.  
• Field trip permission slips for our next field trip were sent home.  On Tuesday, November 21st, fourth and fifth grade students will be going to Regal Cinema in Fenton to see the movie, "Wonder!"  We have all 5 of our parent chaperones and they will be emailed this week.