Reading: We started two novels this week! The first is a Newbery Award winning novel called Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. It is a beautiful and sensitive story about two friends, one Jewish, one not, who live in war-torn Copenhagen during WWII. The second book we started is our "One Book, One School" selection, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We really enjoyed jumping right into both! Ask your kids about what they learned about WWII and The Holocaust. We didn't go into specific details about some of the especially sensitive topics, like concentration camps, but the kids were wonderfully respectful, thoughtful, and reflective about the topic overall. Ask your kids about the Kick Off Assembly for Charlie. What fun!
Writing: Our writers started their research on the World' Fair this week using the readings we did during our most recent informational reading unit. They will be writing an informational book about the Columbian Exposition, teaching their readers about the Fair overall, as well as a focus topic related to the Fair. They'll also write as a fictional character from the time period, and they'll write a mini essay about the importance of their topics. It's a fantastic unit and they're really pumped! Ask your kids about what they know about the Columbian Exposition. Ask them what topic they've chosen.
4th Grade Math: We began our last unit, which teaches about fractions. Thus far they've learned about fractions as part of a whole, and how to decompose (break down) fractions in different ways. For example, 3/4 can be shown as 1/4 + 1/4 + 1/4= 3/4, or 2/4 + 1/4. They've also learned how to decompose mixed fractions. Ask your kids to show you how (1/3 + 1/3) is equal to (2 x 1/3).
Social Studies: This week the kids worked in small groups to research the other four regions of the US, (west, midwest, southwest, and southeast). They took notes in the same way we modeled as a class and began composing a Google Slides presentation to teach their classmates about their region. Ask your kids what region they are assigned to, and what is special about their region. Ask about the products and natural resources, culture, landmarks & attractions, and land & water.
Science: Our class is studying life science with Mr. Lukehart for third trimester, we just started this week! Ask your scientists about their first two classes with Mr. Lukehart.
Miscellaneous:
- Our new last day of school is Friday, April 1st. This change is due to the half day snow day we had during February conferences. Dismissal will be at 11:00am.
- Whittier Families: Join us in making the Whittier parade contingent in the 38th annual Ethnic Festival & World Languages Day one of the biggest and best ever! Saturday, May 5, the parade steps off from Julian middle school at 10:00 a.m. Whittier student council will lead us! Wear your heritage cultural clothing, Whittier colors (blue & yellow/gold) or your Whittier wear! Look for Sra. Deaton in the parade line-up. Back at Julian following the parade celebrate with performances, hands-on activities, workshops, and more.
- Our next Social Studies unit is about economics. Today we kicked off the unit with an assembly, showing them a clip of a young boy who proposed a business plan on the TV show "Shark Tank." Ask your kids about the upcoming project, and what type of business (good or service) they might want to develop with a group. More info about this unit to come!
