Working Hard and Learning Lots

This week we started new units in math, social studies, and writing.  In math, we started our measurement unit.  Metric conversions have been tricky, but students seem to be progressing nicely.  Time, customary conversions, and area and perimeter are coming our way next week.  In social studies we are studying Government.  This is a big topic and we are hoping to lay the foundation so that we can answer the question, "why is government needed?" and "on what principles should our government be based?"  Lastly, in writing, we started a new unit on research.  This unit puts together the ability for students to read for information, and write down key understandings.  Our goal is to research and create a brochure based on a Native American region.  

Here is a link to a video we watched about the Preamble to the Constitution: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHp7sMqPL0g
Here is a link to a video students sang to in music: http://viewpure.com/o8pAIO3CPBY?start=0&end=0

Reminders:

MStep:  The dates are: 5/9, 5/10, 5/11, 5/16, and 5/18.  Please try to not to schedule vacations or appointments on these days.  

Here is what we learned in 4th grade this past week:
Writing: 
I can use sketching to help me record what I am learning about Native Americans.

I can observe while I read to help me record what I am learning about Native Americans using inferencing, comparison, and cause and effect.

Social Studies:  

I can explain the possible consequences of having no government, rules, or laws.
I can describe the purpose of government as shown in the Preamble of the Constitution.
I can give negative and positive consequences to land modification in the United States.

Math: 
I can recognize and measure metric units of length, liquid volume, and mass.
I can solve problems using different measures of time.

Reading:

I can show deep comprehension by writing an essay about my character's traits with evidence from the text.

Important Dates:

May 8th: MStep breakfast

May 9, 10, 11, 16, 18: MStep 

May 12th: Early Release, students are dismissed at 12:15

May 19th: Popcorn Friday
May 29th: No School - Memorial Day

Raining Outside, Learning Inside

This week we worked hard to complete Unit 8 in math.  Tests will come home next week for signature and return.  Students only need to return the test with a signature if they received a 1 or 2 in any of the standards.    We will be starting unit 5, which is all about measurement.  

Our Social Studies unit on geography came to a close this week, and we had a quiz on Friday.  We will be starting our unit on Government on Monday.

We had a wonderful time expressing ourselves in our Poetry writing unit!  Students created their own poetry collection.  Eventually these will make their way home, and you'll have to check out your student's creativity.

Reminders:

MStep:  The dates are: 5/9, 5/10, 5/11, 5/16, and 5/18.  Please try to not to schedule vacations or appointments on these days.  

Here is what we learned in 4th grade this past week:
Writing: 
I can use repetition for emphasis in my poetry.

I can use a mentor poem to inspire my own poem.

I can use simile and metaphor to create a mental image in my poem.
I can use rhythm to give my poem structure.
I can edit, revise, and publish my poetry into a collection.

Social Studies:  

I can give examples of how people in the United States Adapt to their environments.
I can identify land uses based on a location's climate and landforms.
I can give negative and positive consequences to land modification in the United States.

Math: 
I can use geometry in real world situations.
I can review our geometry unit.
I can assess my understanding of our geometry unit.

Reading:

I can use research to write an opinion essay.

I can tell character traits and give text evidence to support those traits.

Important Dates:

May 8th: MStep breakfast

May 9, 10, 11, 16, 18: MStep 

May 12th: Early Release, students are dismissed at 12:15

May 19th: Popcorn Friday

Wonderful First Week Back!

We had a great week back!  Students seemed to love our experience at the Symphony!  They participated by listening and responding to the program, but also got to play their recorders with the entire symphony.   McDonalds' was a fun time, but also a great learning experience on how to manage money, count change, and order food in public.  I am proud of our students!  They did a wonderful job.

Today, students practiced being "better together" by going outside and cleaning up the school grounds.  With Earth Day coming up, it was a good reminder to take care of our earth!

MSTEP Breakfast:  Is May 8th.  I am still looking for a volunteer who would be available to help cook that morning (from 9:20 until 10:30ish).  If you are able to donate or volunteer, please e-mail me.  Thanks!

Reminders:

MStep:  The dates are: 5/9, 5/10, 5/11, 5/16, and 5/18.  Please try to not to schedule vacations or appointments on these days.  

Here is what we learned in 4th grade this past week:
Writing: 
I can choose strong themes for my poems.

I can use line breaks and stanzas to enhance my poems.

I can use specific words to emphasize emotions.

Social Studies:  

I can explain push and pull factors.
I can tell push and pull factors for the Underground Railroad, the Westward Movement, and the Trail of Tears. 

I can define immigration.

Math: 
I can name and classify polygons based on sides and angles.
I can decompose quadrilaterals and triangles.

I can recognize and draw lines of symmetry, and determine when figures have line symmetry.

Reading:

I can read and construct a response to questions about a text.

I can read for research to form an argumentative essay.

Important Dates:

April 18th: Parent club meeting at 9:00am

April 20th: Art Show Reception at City Hall 5:30-7:00

April 21st: Popcorn Friday

May 8th: MStep breakfast

May 9, 10, 11, 16, 18: MStep 

May 12th: Early Release, students are dismissed at 12:15