Weekly Update

Writing

Our Revolutionary War chapter books are due this week.  Then, we will start our second books on our own topic.  Students' books are turning out great! 

Reading

Book clubs are off to a nice start!  As a reminder, students are responsible for reading an agreed upon number of chapters outside of book club time.  In this first book club, students will use role sheets (i.e. predictor, connector, summarizer, clarifier, characterizer, and discussion director) to help guide them in having conversations about the chapters' events and characters.  These book club role sheets are completed outside of the book club meeting time along with reading the assigned chapters, so that all students are prepared!  Each group chose two days to meet each week.  

Math

In Chapter 9, we have added and subtracted fractions and mixed numbers.  We will multiply fractions this week.  The Chapter 9 Test will be this Friday, 2/9.

Social Studies

Below are students' colonists!  They were assigned "Loyalist" or "Patriot,"  and then chose a specific colonist to write about the Revolutionary War events from his or her perspective.  I am so proud of their hard work!

Science

We kicked off the new science unit with a lab!  Students were given a piece of foil, a lightbulb, and a battery.  Their job was to get their light bulb to light.  Then, they were given other materials such as wires and a switch.  They loved making circuits! 

Other Important Info. 

• This Wednesday, 2/7, is an early release day with dismissal at 1:40.  Please make sure your child knows how they are going home.  
• Six Flags Read to Succeed forms are due Friday, February 23rd!  Your child can use the same minutes read outside of class on our reading log!  Students can turn in their form when they've read 6 hours to get a free Six Flags pass!  
• We had two special events this past week!  On Monday, we got to meet Miss Missouri, hear her read a picture book she wrote, and ask her questions!  On Friday, the high school students came in to teach us about topics such as the Great Migration, Josephine Baker, and Booker T. Washington.  The fourth graders enjoyed the interactive rotations that the high schoolers prepared!

Weekly Update

Writing

Most students are working on Chapter 2 of their informational books.  Again, I am impressed with all they have learned about the Revolutionary War!  They are so intrigued, and I can't wait to see the final books.

Reading

As we continue to read "The Wild Robot" together, we will also be starting book clubs this week!  During book clubs, the students will be responsible for reading an agreed upon number of chapters outside of book club time.  In this first book club, students will use role sheets (i.e. predictor, connector, summarizer, clarifier, characterizer, and discussion director) to guide them in having conversations about the chapters' events and characters twice a week.  These book club role sheets are completed outside of the book club meeting time along with reading the assigned chapters, so that all students are prepared!

Math

We are continuing with fractions in Chapter 9. Students who do not know their facts should continue to spend extra time each night studying.  We will begin this chapter with adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers.  Also, check out some of our awesome fraction pictures from last week below!

Social Studies/Science

We are studying more about the Revolutionary War in social studies to compliment our writing unit.  Early this week, we will be finishing a Patriot and Loyalist project that I can't wait to show you!  They are amazing!  Later this week, we will start our next science unit on electricity with a lab!  

Other Important Info. 

• Make sure you are seeing math worksheets coming home in the front pocket of the accordion file.  We do either even or odd problems, so it would be good practice for students to do the other problems on their worksheets at home!
• We are currently collecting Box Tops for Education! 
• Six Flags Read to Succeed forms are due Friday, February 23rd!  Your child can use the same minutes read outside of class on our reading log!  Students can turn in their form when they've read 6 hours to get a free Six Flags pass!  

Weekly Update

Writing

This past week we made great progress with our informational books!  We have started writing Chapter 1: All About the Revolutionary War.  Next, we will focus on our small war topic in Chapter 2. 

Reading

Students are doing a great job practicing for book clubs while reading, "The Wild Robot."  We are having some awesome discussions about the book, and students are impressing me with their ideas!

Math

We continued in Chapter 8 with equivalent fractions, simplest form, and comparing and ordering fractions. This week we will focus on mixed numbers and improper fractions.  The Chapter 8 Test over fractions will be this Friday, 1/26.

Social Studies

We are currently studying more about the Revolutionary War in social studies to compliment our writing unit! 

Other Important Info. 

• Cecelia and Jacob did awesome in the school spelling bee, coming in the top 3!  Our class had SO much fun watching them on Facebook Live!  
• Make sure you are seeing math worksheets coming home in the front pocket of the accordion file.  We do either even or odd problems, so it would be good practice for students to do the other problems on their worksheets at home!
• A class list with student names will be sent home to aid students in making valentines!  
• Six Flags Read to Succeed forms are due Friday, February 23rd!  Your child can use the same minutes read outside of class on our reading log!  Students can turn in their form when they've read 6 hours to get a free Six Flags pass!  
• This Wednesday, 1/24, 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 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.