Such unusually warm weather for this time of year, but we will take it! When the weather is this nice, we should never complain. Let's hope it stays this way.
Obviously, we are using today, President's Day, as a make up day. We will keep you informed on the remaining three days that we need to make up, and when they will happen.
Now down to business! This week's math is checking out how are students are doing with decimal place value on Monday, and moving into comparing fractions and decimals for the rest of the week.
In Science, students will look at non-renewable resources, and how to conserve nature's resources.
This week's reading and writing go hand in hand. As we finish up our fictional narratives in writing, and then our read-aloud Mr. Tucket in reading, students will learn about summarizing and the best ways to accomplish this goal.
Have a great week and thank you for all that you do at home to support us here at school!
Friday, February 17, 2017
Monday, February 13, 2017
February 13-17
Dear Fourth Grade Families,
We are enjoying this beautiful weather as I am sure you all have been as well. This week is going to be a fun one. We are kicking off our next science unit today by looking at biodegradable materials. We will be setting up an experiment that we will track over the next few days to see what happens to each object and explain the science behind it. We have also finished up our Lewis and Clark journals and they turned out great! The students really had fun recreating the journey across the unsettled west.
In math this week we will be taking our test over the Fractions unit on Tuesday. Then, we will be beginning our next unit which will teach the students the relationship between fractions and decimals. In reading we are reading Mr. Tucket the story of a young boy who gets captured from his wagon train and then rescued by an old mountain man named, Mr. Grimes. The students are really caught up in the story if you would to hear more make sure to ask your student about our thrilling story. In writing we are also trying our hands at writing our very own narratives. The students have been working hard to develop their characters and a story line that is sure to please their readers. Last, but not least is spelling, this week is all about "r" controlled vowels. Please help your student by looking at the rule with them and practicing their words with them.
In other fun news I know we will be seeing several of you tomorrow afternoon at 2 for our friendship parties. We look forward to it and would like to extend a thank you in advance for all that you do to make these parties possible! Wednesday February 15 is a half day don't forget. Please let us know if your child has any transportation changes that day so we can make sure and get them to where they belong.
As always if you have any questions or concerns please let us know!
Sincerely,
The fourth grade team
Mrs. Kountz, Ms. Ussary, & Ms. Brown
We are enjoying this beautiful weather as I am sure you all have been as well. This week is going to be a fun one. We are kicking off our next science unit today by looking at biodegradable materials. We will be setting up an experiment that we will track over the next few days to see what happens to each object and explain the science behind it. We have also finished up our Lewis and Clark journals and they turned out great! The students really had fun recreating the journey across the unsettled west.
In math this week we will be taking our test over the Fractions unit on Tuesday. Then, we will be beginning our next unit which will teach the students the relationship between fractions and decimals. In reading we are reading Mr. Tucket the story of a young boy who gets captured from his wagon train and then rescued by an old mountain man named, Mr. Grimes. The students are really caught up in the story if you would to hear more make sure to ask your student about our thrilling story. In writing we are also trying our hands at writing our very own narratives. The students have been working hard to develop their characters and a story line that is sure to please their readers. Last, but not least is spelling, this week is all about "r" controlled vowels. Please help your student by looking at the rule with them and practicing their words with them.
In other fun news I know we will be seeing several of you tomorrow afternoon at 2 for our friendship parties. We look forward to it and would like to extend a thank you in advance for all that you do to make these parties possible! Wednesday February 15 is a half day don't forget. Please let us know if your child has any transportation changes that day so we can make sure and get them to where they belong.
As always if you have any questions or concerns please let us know!
Sincerely,
The fourth grade team
Mrs. Kountz, Ms. Ussary, & Ms. Brown
Monday, February 6, 2017
February 6-10
Happy Monday!
Reminders:
*1/2 AR goal is due this Friday, the 10th- Progress reports will come home this day, please get those signed and returned as soon as possible
This week in spelling, we are having a review week. This means there is not a new rule, they'll just need to study the words and how to form them correctly with cursive. You'll notice we've been sneaking the days of the week on our lists... we've seen our students are struggling to spell those correctly and these need to be worked on, hopefully continuing to put them on the lists will help!
In math this week, we will begin subtracting mixed numbers, multiplying whole numbers with fractions, and will review for the unit test. The unit test will be next Tuesday and will cover adding and subtracting like fractions, adding and subtracting mixed numbers, simplifying fractions, converting improper fractions to mixed numbers and vise versa, and multiplying who numbers and fractions. We will have a review sent home on Friday to help them prepare.
In reading, we will wrap up our unit on First and Secondhand accounts and move on to a new group read aloud. We will read Mr. Tucket, by Gary Paulsen. We will use several different comprehension and vocabulary strategies as we read this story which blends well with our Social Studies unit on the westward expansion.
In writing, we are slowly drafting narratives. This week students will really get into building and drafting their stories. We're focusing on story elements and having original and organized ideas with this piece. We will also finish our stories up with a fun 3D cover that will be made in art class.
In Social Studies this week, students will continue working on their Lewis and Clark projects. With these projects they are using nationalgeographic.com to "discover," and journal new life along with Lewis and Clark. They will also be creating a map of the territories, just as they did. They are having a lot of fun with this project! We are hoping to wrap this up on Thursday.
Have a great week!
Reminders:
*1/2 AR goal is due this Friday, the 10th- Progress reports will come home this day, please get those signed and returned as soon as possible
This week in spelling, we are having a review week. This means there is not a new rule, they'll just need to study the words and how to form them correctly with cursive. You'll notice we've been sneaking the days of the week on our lists... we've seen our students are struggling to spell those correctly and these need to be worked on, hopefully continuing to put them on the lists will help!
In math this week, we will begin subtracting mixed numbers, multiplying whole numbers with fractions, and will review for the unit test. The unit test will be next Tuesday and will cover adding and subtracting like fractions, adding and subtracting mixed numbers, simplifying fractions, converting improper fractions to mixed numbers and vise versa, and multiplying who numbers and fractions. We will have a review sent home on Friday to help them prepare.
In reading, we will wrap up our unit on First and Secondhand accounts and move on to a new group read aloud. We will read Mr. Tucket, by Gary Paulsen. We will use several different comprehension and vocabulary strategies as we read this story which blends well with our Social Studies unit on the westward expansion.
In writing, we are slowly drafting narratives. This week students will really get into building and drafting their stories. We're focusing on story elements and having original and organized ideas with this piece. We will also finish our stories up with a fun 3D cover that will be made in art class.
In Social Studies this week, students will continue working on their Lewis and Clark projects. With these projects they are using nationalgeographic.com to "discover," and journal new life along with Lewis and Clark. They will also be creating a map of the territories, just as they did. They are having a lot of fun with this project! We are hoping to wrap this up on Thursday.
Have a great week!
Friday, January 27, 2017
January 30- February 3
It seems as though winter is calming down, allowing us more time in the classroom! But sickness has not been on our side. We hope that everyone gets to feeling better soon. And remember, you are always welcome to come pick up any assignments missed from the school day if your child is feeling up to completing them. Of course, our first priority is making sure your child is healthy!
In reading this week, students will be learning to compare first hand and second hand accounts of the same event. We will use several short articles to help students learn the difference between someone who is writing that has experienced the event, someone who is writing that has only researched the event.
In writing, students will work on creating a narrative paper. We are looking at adding in all of the details that a narrative can contain, without losing focus by the end of the story.
Math this week is more work with fractions. We will continue to work on subtracting fractions with like denominators, problem solving with fractions, and always SIMPLIFYING when possible.
Social studies this week continue to look at Missouri in the 1800's and westward expansion. Students will begin an in class group project learning about Lewis and Clark and their expedition.
Look for our new spelling list coming home on Monday. From now on, tests will be written in cursive. Some students are really working hard on their handwriting! Impressive!
As always, continue to encourage reading independently at home. 50% of AR goals will be expected by February 10! 100% of their goal will be expected by March 16.
In reading this week, students will be learning to compare first hand and second hand accounts of the same event. We will use several short articles to help students learn the difference between someone who is writing that has experienced the event, someone who is writing that has only researched the event.
In writing, students will work on creating a narrative paper. We are looking at adding in all of the details that a narrative can contain, without losing focus by the end of the story.
Math this week is more work with fractions. We will continue to work on subtracting fractions with like denominators, problem solving with fractions, and always SIMPLIFYING when possible.
Social studies this week continue to look at Missouri in the 1800's and westward expansion. Students will begin an in class group project learning about Lewis and Clark and their expedition.
Look for our new spelling list coming home on Monday. From now on, tests will be written in cursive. Some students are really working hard on their handwriting! Impressive!
As always, continue to encourage reading independently at home. 50% of AR goals will be expected by February 10! 100% of their goal will be expected by March 16.
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
January 16-20
Reminders: With all the snow days, we wanted to remind you that we will pick up on the number that the snow day was supposed to be. For example, since Friday was supposed to be a day 1 and we were snowed out Friday and Monday, today is a day 1.
In spelling this week, we decided that instead of starting a new list, we will continue to work on last week's list and will have the test for that list on Friday.
In reading, we will continue working on reading and understanding poetry. We will do poetry passes and discussions to help students further understand poetry.
In writing, we will be finishing up our poetry booklets. We are focusing on figurative language and word choice in our Winter poetry. We will share poems on Thursday. Friday we will begin a short unit on Quotations using Martin Luther King Jr. quotes and books.
In science, we will be finishing up our unit on Changes to the Earth's surface. The test will be on Friday. On this test, students will only be able to use their study guides. They will do the study guide in class, take it home as homework, and then review it together the next day to check that their answers are correct.
In math this week we will continue working with fractions. We are comparing and ordering fractions this week by using our knowledge of equivalent fractions. We will then move to improper fractions and mixed numbers. This is a challenging unit (especially with so many breaks and snow days!) so we may use a couple extra days to review.
Have a great week!
Monday, January 9, 2017
January 9- 13
We're Back!
Welcome back! We hope that everyone had a long and restful winter break. Now that we are back into the swing of things, let's hope that the weather doesn't interfere...too much, anyways!
In reading this week, we will be working on poetry and how to read it. We will not only look at how to identify the parts of a poem, but look deeper into what the poet is trying to tell us. We will use the strategy of close reading to help determine the meaning of the poem.
In writing, we will be working closely with reading! Students will be learning about figurative language, and how to use that to enhance their writing. Students will be creating a book of poetry with this unit.
In math, the class will look more closely at fractions. Students will be learning new ways to find equivalent fractions, simplest form, comparing and ordering fractions, and how to problem solve using fractions.
Science this week will focus on rocks and how they form and change.
We are encouraging students to bring their independent reading books home every day, in the case we may have a day home due to weather conditions. Please help them to remember to bring them back each day.
Grade cards went home last Friday. Please make sure to sign and return them by Wednesday.
Friday, January 6, 2017
Welcome Back!
After a short, cold, and rather crazy week back, we wanted to remind you that grade cards will be sent home with your child today. Please look them over, sign them in the quarter 2 box, keep any papers inside of the envelope, and return the grade card with the envelope by Wednesday of next week. Thank you.
As always, please let us know if you have any questions.
As always, please let us know if you have any questions.
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