April 1-19
Welcome Back! We hope everyone had a refreshing spring break. This blog update will cover the next three weeks.
We will continue our focus skill of sequencing, which is a structure authors use to describe events in time or chronological order.
Book Talks
As explained in class, students are completing a 'no notes' book talk due April 30. The genre is biography and specific directions were given to students. They will be completing the graphic organizer as usual, however to present, they are only allowed to use a slide show with pictures only. NO WORDS/NOTES allowed. We are extending the time limit to 2:00-3:30 minutes this time. Let me know if you have any questions. This is the last formal book talk, as the final reading project will mostly be done in school (poetry project). Thanks for your continued support with these book talks. Students' overall confidence, presentation skills and enthusiasm have soared since the beginning of the year. Please see the following rubric and graphic organizer below that will help your child prepare for the book talk.
IAR Testing
The fourth grade classes will start testing on Friday, April 5th to Thursday, April 11th. It is important that every child has a set of personal headphones or ear buds for this assessment. Please make sure your child has one at school. Our fourth grade schedule is as follows:
- April 5th- Math test 1:00
- April 8th- ELA test 1:00
- April 9th- Math test 1:00
- April 10th- ELA test 1:00
- April 11th- Math test 1:00
As always, eating a well balanced breakfast and getting a good night's sleep will ensure your child is rested and ready to do his/her best! If possible, avoid doctor appointments and other absences (unless ill). The tests will need to be made up, which means missing curriculum. We understand if emergencies come up. Homework will be lighter during this testing window.
Language Arts
Our next lesson will cover words related to our Social Studies curriculum (Revolutionary War). The test will be in THREE weeks, on Thursday, April 18th. Spelling activities will also be due on April 18th.
Book Talks
As explained in class, students are completing a 'no notes' book talk due April 30. The genre is biography and specific directions were given to students. They will be completing the graphic organizer as usual, however to present, they are only allowed to use a slide show with pictures only. NO WORDS/NOTES allowed. We are extending the time limit to 2:00-3:30 minutes this time. Let me know if you have any questions. This is the last formal book talk, as the final reading project will mostly be done in school (poetry project). Thanks for your continued support with these book talks. Students' overall confidence, presentation skills and enthusiasm have soared since the beginning of the year. Please see the following rubric and graphic organizer below that will help your child prepare for the book talk.
Math
We are starting Unit 7, multiplication of a fraction by a whole number and measurement. The students are learning how to multiply fractions in word problems. They are using pictures, equations, and repeated addition to solve these problems. Students will also focus on multi step division problems and generating and identifying patterns in the upcoming weeks. Here is the link if your child forgets their home link for homework: http://everydaymath.uchicago.edu/parents/4th-grade/em4-at-home/unit_7/
Social Science
Our next unit in social science is the Revolutionary War. For the first half of this unit, we will be focusing on the events that let up to the war and the growing tension between the Colonists and Great Britain. We are using the metaphor of a parent-child relationship to learn and connect with historical events leading up to the war. We will also participate in a couple of simulations that will help the students empathize with the colonists' struggles.
Social Emotional Learning
We will wrap up our study on Growth Mindset this week. In preparation for the IAR tests, we will also discuss test anxiety and strategies to help if students are feeling nervous or anxious before or during a test.
Second Step has also provided parents with a recommended reading list that help reinforce the topics we are learning about in class.
Important Dates
- Monday, April 1: School Resumes
- Tuesday, April 5-11: IAR Testing in the afternoon
- Tuesday, April 16-Thursday, April 18: Spirit Days and Change Wars for Books
- Wednesday, April 17: Music Show, 6:30 PM
- Thursday, April 18: Mid-Trimester Reports Sent Home
- Friday, April 19: NO SCHOOL; Good Friday
- Monday, April 22: NO SCHOOL
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