Reading: This week we finished reading various texts about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., including biographies, timelines, a page of quotes, and information about his memorial. We reviewed the concept of text structure and identified the way each text was structured (some were chronological, others were written as cause and effect). After they highlighted key points, they took notes based on the text structure, then summarized their articles. Great work by all, and some excellent progress! Ask your students how different text structures reveal different information about the same topic.
Writing: Our writers continued their research for their mini-research projects. This week we discussed how to paraphrase notes, how to cite sources, and how to categorize notes. The kids did great work! Special thanks to our parent volunteers for the extra hands-on support! Our learning targets for the research portion include:
- I can combine information from two texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.
- I can gather relevant information from print and digital sources; I can take notes and categorize information.
- I can provide a list of sources.
Greek & Latin Roots: Our root this week was "terr." We will continue with this root next week!
4th Grade Math: This week we have continued to work on our fraction unit. We are now comparing fractions to each other. We have used area models, tape diagrams, and a number line to help us. Ask your student to compare two fractions and see if they can do it!
4th Grade Math: This week we have continued to work on our fraction unit. We are now comparing fractions to each other. We have used area models, tape diagrams, and a number line to help us. Ask your student to compare two fractions and see if they can do it!
- Standard: CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.NF.A.2 Compare two fractions with different numerators and different denominators, e.g., by creating common denominators or numerators, or by comparing to a benchmark fraction such as 1/2. Recognize that comparisons are valid only when the two fractions refer to the same whole. Record the results of comparisons with symbols >, =, or <, and justify the conclusions, e.g., by using a visual fraction model.
Social Studies: This week we continued learning about the Northeast Region. Students are reading and taking notes in their Social Studies book about the region. We will continue this for another week and then share what we have learned! Ask your students what they wrote on their post-it note!
Current Events was presented by Drew, Clara, Sophia, Ben R, and Hadley. They shared their articles by making an explain everything movie.
Spelling: The 4th grade teachers plan to start a spelling component within the next two weeks to make sure we are supporting the kids' needs in learning proper spelling. We love this new program, as it eliminates the busy-work, and allows the kids to study an individualized list that meets their current level. They'll study their words by playing games online, then test at the end of the week. It is not an overly intensive program, rather, it is one that reminds kids of spelling rules, techniques, and accept ions More to come!
Science: Our students are with Mrs. Darley this trimester for Magnetism and Electricity. They are enjoying their work with magnets, batteries, wires, switches, lightbulbs, etc, as they learn the properties of magnetism and electricity. Updates will be sent as received from her regarding tests or projects. Ask your kids about what they did this week!
Growth/Fixed Mindset: This week we continued our conversation about Growth/Fixed Mindsets. We watched a great video about famous people and times that they have failed. The students were amazed at some of the information. Here is the link if you would like to watch it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLYECIjmnQs After watching the video every student received a sheet of paper that either had a fixed or growth mindset on it. They found their partner and we put the sheets on the board by the stairs. Everyone they put a post-it note on our board about a time they had either a fixed or growth mindset. You can see the board at conferences in a few weeks!
Mindsets...Our attitude, thoughts, and beliefs about something
Fixed: The belief that you are born with a certain amount of intelligence or potential and that's it!
Growth: The belief that we are capable of working hard! We are never as smart as we can be!
Miscellaneous: Below are three links to familiarize yourself with the upcoming PARCC assessments in March.
Current Events was presented by Drew, Clara, Sophia, Ben R, and Hadley. They shared their articles by making an explain everything movie.
Spelling: The 4th grade teachers plan to start a spelling component within the next two weeks to make sure we are supporting the kids' needs in learning proper spelling. We love this new program, as it eliminates the busy-work, and allows the kids to study an individualized list that meets their current level. They'll study their words by playing games online, then test at the end of the week. It is not an overly intensive program, rather, it is one that reminds kids of spelling rules, techniques, and accept ions More to come!
Science: Our students are with Mrs. Darley this trimester for Magnetism and Electricity. They are enjoying their work with magnets, batteries, wires, switches, lightbulbs, etc, as they learn the properties of magnetism and electricity. Updates will be sent as received from her regarding tests or projects. Ask your kids about what they did this week!
Growth/Fixed Mindset: This week we continued our conversation about Growth/Fixed Mindsets. We watched a great video about famous people and times that they have failed. The students were amazed at some of the information. Here is the link if you would like to watch it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLYECIjmnQs After watching the video every student received a sheet of paper that either had a fixed or growth mindset on it. They found their partner and we put the sheets on the board by the stairs. Everyone they put a post-it note on our board about a time they had either a fixed or growth mindset. You can see the board at conferences in a few weeks!
Mindsets...Our attitude, thoughts, and beliefs about something
Fixed: The belief that you are born with a certain amount of intelligence or potential and that's it!
Growth: The belief that we are capable of working hard! We are never as smart as we can be!
Miscellaneous: Below are three links to familiarize yourself with the upcoming PARCC assessments in March.
