Lastly, our classroom is AGAIN officially out of tissue! Thanks to the two families who brought in tissue last week. If anyone else is able, we'd appreciate more boxes.
Reading: We had an incredible conversation about Ruby Bridges, segregation, integration, and racism in relation to our readings this week. After a million and one thought-provoking (and difficult!) questions, one of the kids threw his hands up in the air and asked "What is wrong with this world?!" Though our focus was still on comparing the information provided in the two different sources, I spent the time engaging in their questions and discussion and it was a meaningful and helpful discussion. Talk to your kids about what we learned from the primary source vs the secondary source about Ruby Bridges. Talk to them about what life was like for her that year and what their opinion is on how people reacted.
Writing: Our opinion pieces are complete! I'm thrilled with how they turned out. They are clever and unique, yet they achieved what we set out to achieve: learning how to craft an argument, support it with evidence, and organize it in an outline. Ask your child about how their opinion piece turned out. What did they do in the publishing process to attract their audience? (title, font, etc)
Roots: Our prefix this week was 'tele,' meaning far or from afar. The kids had a very easy time with this prefix and enjoyed our activities. We even got to play "Wordo," like bingo, again this week! What examples of "tele" words can your child offer?
4th Grade Math: This week we took our last PARCC test of the year in math class on Monday. The rest of the week we continued our unit on geometry. We went over our mid-term tests and there was a retake option on Friday. After going over the midterm test we learned how to measure angles with pattern blocks, figuring out angles with missing information and symmetry. Ask your child if they can see if a shape is symmetrical.
Current Events: This week we learned about lizards in Peru, Baltimore Orioles vs. White Sox last week, a middle school lunch room and decreasing bullying, and the Solar System. Ask your student which current events they liked this week!
Great Mail Race: This week we haven't heard back from any school. Hopefully we will receive letters next week. We have heard back from schools in the following states: Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arkansas, Nebraska, Florida, and Texas.
Growth/Fixed Mindset: This week we continued to film our iMovie. Everyone is now in the filming stage. Many students finished on Friday. We will share them with the class next week and our book buddies the following week. Ask your child if you can see their iMovie.
Social Studies: This week we researched about the West Coast. We will finish our research next week and work on our book creator. Ask your student if they learned something new about the West Coast!
Science: This trimester, our scientists are studying with Mr. Lukehart. They'll be learning about Ecosystems throughout an exciting unit during which they'll develop experiments using mealworms and build a live terrarium and aquarium! Ask your kids about what they planted, grew, or added to their ecosystem.
Miscellaneous:
- It's time for the final round of BoxTops for the school year. The classroom with the most BoxTops by May 22nd wins the classroom BoxTop Trophy! We still have time to collect a few more BoxTops before the final count. Thank you again for helping with this fundraiser. It's appreciated!
