Happy Friday! We can almost see the finish line with 8 more days of school left! Here is a look into fourth grade this week...
Reading- This week in reading students continued studying how communities adapt to their environment and how technological and scientific advances have helped develop a community. Students analyzed historical photographs and created inferences on how the Erie canal changed communities. Students also discussed how the invention of the train changed the life of many Native Americans and their village. Ask your child why the Native Americans were fearful of the "Iron Horse."
Writing- This week in writing students learned the purpose for writing an editorial article. Students learned key techniques and vocabulary used when writing an editorial. We discussed "hot topics" for editorials and began drafting. Next week, we will continue to draft, edit and revise these articles. Ask your child what their editorial topic is.
Math- Students learned what a pie/circle graph is and how to construct a pie graph using a percent circle on their geometry template. Students also began a million dollar project where they are applying their math skills to real world financial situations. We wrapped up unit 5- our last math unit, woohoo!- and will have our Unit 5 Assessment on Wednesday, May 27th. We will be reviewing for this test on Tuesday.
Social Studies- Students began their Shark Tank collaborative project. In this project, students were assigned a region in which they must use the region's natural resources, geography, climate, and people to create a product or business that will thrive in that region. Students must collaborate with one another to pitch their idea to our business tycoons, "sharks," and hope for an investor in their idea! Ask your child what their Shark Tank product or business is.
Science- Students observed what happened with their mystery powders this week when they added water and vinegar. They are carefully recording their observations so that next week we can deduce the mystery powder names. Ask you child what number mystery powder fizzed when vinegar was added.
Upcoming dates:
Tuesday, May 26th - Read-in day: your child can bring a blanket, pillow, or stuffed animal to get cozy while we read around the room.
Wednesday, May 27th - Sun day: have your child bring their beach towel and sun glasses for some fun in the sun.
Thursday, May 28th- Science & Industry Field Trip (Students need packed-paper bag lunch) This is also Twin day: we could all be twins if we wear our Oak spirit wear.
Friday, May 29th - Uniform day: wear your own uniform from a team or troop or wear a sports jersey.
Have a fantastic Memorial weekend!
Mrs. Ingstrup & Miss Hathaway
Friday, May 22, 2015
Saturday, May 16, 2015
Summer is just around the corner, but here's what happened in 4th grade this week...
Important News:
-District 181 is implementing Erin's Law (House Bill 6193) this spring. This law requires all Illinois public schools to implement an age-appropriate sexual abuse awareness and prevention curriculum for all students in grades Pre-K through 12. Mrs. Finnegan will be coming into both fourth grade classroom to discuss this on Thursday, May 21st.
Reading- Our content area social studies unit continues as we strategically read to answer our essential question: How do people change the environment and how does the environment influence people? Students read about the creation of the Erie Canal and how hazardous indian trails and rapids created a need for an easier way to travel and transport goods from Lake Erie to the Atlantic Ocean. With the building of the canal, the environment was changed. Towns and communities developed along the canal and peoples' lives were improved. Students will continue to read this week about the transcontinental railroad with a focus on the influences of science and technology. Look for a final project to be coming home this week.
Writing-This week students finished up their poetry books and wrote an On-Demand Feature Article. We will be assessing these and sending them home soon. The students completed these completely independently and in one sitting. We are so impressed with how far they have come as writers. Next week we begin our final writing piece in 4th grade - an editorial. In this piece students will be expressing their opinion about a topic of interest to them. They will have to create a thesis statement and think of what the opposing opinion might be and how to have a counter argument. These are always fun to read!
Math- Students worked on finding equivalent fractions, mixed numbers, and decimals this week. They also completed the 2 final units of the math PARCC test - yeah! We will be finishing this last unit soon. Test date to be announced.
Social studies- Students jigsawed the Midwest region this week and began working in a group on a poster illustrating the different features that compose it.
Science- Students began the Mystery Powders unit this week. We started by becoming familiar with our safety rules for this unit and getting our protective eye wear ready. Then we took at look at the 5 mystery powders. Do they smell? What do they feel like? Do they smear? Next week, we'll see whether they react to vinegar or iodine?
*If you have not signed your child's permission slip for our upcoming field trip to the Museum of Science and Industry, please do so as soon as possible.
Upcoming Dates:
Important News:
-District 181 is implementing Erin's Law (House Bill 6193) this spring. This law requires all Illinois public schools to implement an age-appropriate sexual abuse awareness and prevention curriculum for all students in grades Pre-K through 12. Mrs. Finnegan will be coming into both fourth grade classroom to discuss this on Thursday, May 21st.
Reading- Our content area social studies unit continues as we strategically read to answer our essential question: How do people change the environment and how does the environment influence people? Students read about the creation of the Erie Canal and how hazardous indian trails and rapids created a need for an easier way to travel and transport goods from Lake Erie to the Atlantic Ocean. With the building of the canal, the environment was changed. Towns and communities developed along the canal and peoples' lives were improved. Students will continue to read this week about the transcontinental railroad with a focus on the influences of science and technology. Look for a final project to be coming home this week.
Writing-This week students finished up their poetry books and wrote an On-Demand Feature Article. We will be assessing these and sending them home soon. The students completed these completely independently and in one sitting. We are so impressed with how far they have come as writers. Next week we begin our final writing piece in 4th grade - an editorial. In this piece students will be expressing their opinion about a topic of interest to them. They will have to create a thesis statement and think of what the opposing opinion might be and how to have a counter argument. These are always fun to read!
Math- Students worked on finding equivalent fractions, mixed numbers, and decimals this week. They also completed the 2 final units of the math PARCC test - yeah! We will be finishing this last unit soon. Test date to be announced.
Social studies- Students jigsawed the Midwest region this week and began working in a group on a poster illustrating the different features that compose it.
Science- Students began the Mystery Powders unit this week. We started by becoming familiar with our safety rules for this unit and getting our protective eye wear ready. Then we took at look at the 5 mystery powders. Do they smell? What do they feel like? Do they smear? Next week, we'll see whether they react to vinegar or iodine?
*If you have not signed your child's permission slip for our upcoming field trip to the Museum of Science and Industry, please do so as soon as possible.
Upcoming Dates:
- Live Online Poetry Reading: 4H Wednesday at 9:45; 4I Thursday at 9:10
- Erin's Law presentations on Thursday, May 21st
- No School Monday, May 25th
- Thursday, May 28th- Field Trip: Science & Industry Museum
Friday, May 8, 2015
Friday, May 8th
Happy Friday!
Here is a look into fourth grade this week...
Important News:
-Students will be coming home with their spring reading & math MAP scores.
-District 181 is implementing Erin's Law (House Bill 6193) this spring. This law requires all Illinois public schools to implement an age-appropriate sexual abuse awareness and prevention curriculum for all students in grades Pre-K through 12. Mrs. Finnegan will be coming into both fourth grade classroom to discuss this on Wednesday, May 21st.
Reading- This week students began our new reading unit which focuses on how communities adapt to their environment and technological advances. This week students have learned how communities use their natural resources to build their town.
Writing-This week students finalized their poems for our poetry slam! Thank you to everyone who came to our poetry slam. The students enjoyed sharing their hard work with you all. Next week, we will be wrapping up our poetry unit.
Math- Students are looking at fractions again and using models to understand equivalent fractions. As we continue through this unit we will be seeing how fractions, decimals, and percents are all related and learning how to create percent circles or circle graphs.
Social studies- Students learned about the natural resources of the west and how that helps to shape their economy. Next week, students will learn about the Midwest region. There will be no test over this region. Stay tuned to learn more about our final "Shark Tank" regions project!
Science- Students took their science test on Machines and Motion this week. If your child received a letter and practice pages, please be sure to have them complete it and return them on Tuesday. Our next unit is called Mystery Powders. Students will be using their deduction skills to try and figure out what our 5 white powders are by a series of property tests. This is a look into the science area of chemistry. We'll soon see if they can solve the mystery!
*If you have not signed your child's permission slip for our upcoming field trip to the Museum of Science and Industry, please do so as soon as possible.
Upcoming Dates:
Monday, May 11th- Math PARCC test at 12:30
Wednesday, May 13th- Math PARCC test at 9:30
Thursday, May 14th- Band Assembly at 12:15
Thursday, May 28th- Field Trip: Science & Industry Museum
Coming home in your child's Friday folder...
-Spring MAP scores
-Graded Science test
-Wholesome food hot lunch reminder
Here is a look into fourth grade this week...
Important News:
-Students will be coming home with their spring reading & math MAP scores.
-District 181 is implementing Erin's Law (House Bill 6193) this spring. This law requires all Illinois public schools to implement an age-appropriate sexual abuse awareness and prevention curriculum for all students in grades Pre-K through 12. Mrs. Finnegan will be coming into both fourth grade classroom to discuss this on Wednesday, May 21st.
Reading- This week students began our new reading unit which focuses on how communities adapt to their environment and technological advances. This week students have learned how communities use their natural resources to build their town.
Writing-This week students finalized their poems for our poetry slam! Thank you to everyone who came to our poetry slam. The students enjoyed sharing their hard work with you all. Next week, we will be wrapping up our poetry unit.
Math- Students are looking at fractions again and using models to understand equivalent fractions. As we continue through this unit we will be seeing how fractions, decimals, and percents are all related and learning how to create percent circles or circle graphs.
Social studies- Students learned about the natural resources of the west and how that helps to shape their economy. Next week, students will learn about the Midwest region. There will be no test over this region. Stay tuned to learn more about our final "Shark Tank" regions project!
Science- Students took their science test on Machines and Motion this week. If your child received a letter and practice pages, please be sure to have them complete it and return them on Tuesday. Our next unit is called Mystery Powders. Students will be using their deduction skills to try and figure out what our 5 white powders are by a series of property tests. This is a look into the science area of chemistry. We'll soon see if they can solve the mystery!
*If you have not signed your child's permission slip for our upcoming field trip to the Museum of Science and Industry, please do so as soon as possible.
Upcoming Dates:
Monday, May 11th- Math PARCC test at 12:30
Wednesday, May 13th- Math PARCC test at 9:30
Thursday, May 14th- Band Assembly at 12:15
Thursday, May 28th- Field Trip: Science & Industry Museum
Coming home in your child's Friday folder...
-Spring MAP scores
-Graded Science test
-Wholesome food hot lunch reminder
Friday, May 1, 2015
Friday, May 1st
Happy May!
Here is a glance at what took place in fourth grade this week...
Reading- This week in reading students wrapped up our poetry unit. Students took our Poetry Assessment which will be coming home today in their Friday folders. Next week, we will begin our next reading unit which will focus on how communities adapt to their environments. We will read a variety of texts including nonfiction, fiction, and poetry in order to build content knowledge about this important social studies topic.
Writing- This week students have been writing a variety of poetry to present at our Poetry Slam next Thursday, May 7th at 2:00. We hope to see you there!
Math- Students reviewed key fractions concepts, practiced solving parts-and-whole problems and finding fractional parts of whole numbers. Students also solved fraction number stories and reviewed mixed-numbers and improper fraction concepts.
Social studies- This week students learned about the diverse climate of the West region due to its size and spacing. Next week, students will learn about the natural resources of the region. We will have our West region content and states & capitals test on Friday, May 8th.
Science- In science, we finished up our simple machines unit and reviewed for our upcoming test. Students should use their study guide, machines and motions (red booklet), the simple machines handout, and their web from Inspiration that is on their iPad to study for the test. I will also add some resources to our website to assist them in reviewing. The test is on Monday, May 4th for 4I, and Tuesday, May 5th for 4H.
Coming home in your child's Friday folder...
-Poetry Reading Assessment
-Unit 4 Math Assessment
-Field Trip permission form
-Wholesome food hot lunch ordering information
Upcoming dates:
Wednesday, May 6th- ELA PARCC Test in PM
Thursday, May 7th- Poetry Slam at 2:00pm
Monday, May 11th- Math PARCC Test in PM
Wednesday, May 12th- Math PARCC Test in AM
Thursday, May 28th- Science & Industry Museum Field Trip
Enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend!
Miss Hathaway & Mrs. Ingstrup
Here is a glance at what took place in fourth grade this week...
Reading- This week in reading students wrapped up our poetry unit. Students took our Poetry Assessment which will be coming home today in their Friday folders. Next week, we will begin our next reading unit which will focus on how communities adapt to their environments. We will read a variety of texts including nonfiction, fiction, and poetry in order to build content knowledge about this important social studies topic.
Writing- This week students have been writing a variety of poetry to present at our Poetry Slam next Thursday, May 7th at 2:00. We hope to see you there!
Math- Students reviewed key fractions concepts, practiced solving parts-and-whole problems and finding fractional parts of whole numbers. Students also solved fraction number stories and reviewed mixed-numbers and improper fraction concepts.
Social studies- This week students learned about the diverse climate of the West region due to its size and spacing. Next week, students will learn about the natural resources of the region. We will have our West region content and states & capitals test on Friday, May 8th.
Science- In science, we finished up our simple machines unit and reviewed for our upcoming test. Students should use their study guide, machines and motions (red booklet), the simple machines handout, and their web from Inspiration that is on their iPad to study for the test. I will also add some resources to our website to assist them in reviewing. The test is on Monday, May 4th for 4I, and Tuesday, May 5th for 4H.
Coming home in your child's Friday folder...
-Poetry Reading Assessment
-Unit 4 Math Assessment
-Field Trip permission form
-Wholesome food hot lunch ordering information
Upcoming dates:
Wednesday, May 6th- ELA PARCC Test in PM
Thursday, May 7th- Poetry Slam at 2:00pm
Monday, May 11th- Math PARCC Test in PM
Wednesday, May 12th- Math PARCC Test in AM
Thursday, May 28th- Science & Industry Museum Field Trip
Enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend!
Miss Hathaway & Mrs. Ingstrup
Friday, April 24th
Happy Friday! Students did an excellent job of persevering through their MAP tests!
Here is a glance at what took place in fourth grade this week...
Reading- Students discussed the mood of a poem and what words the author used to create the mood. They also learned how the structures of poems can vary. Next week, we will be finishing our poetry unit.
Writing- Students are in the final phases of revising and editing their ecosystem feature articles. We will be publishing these articles early next week! Students will begin writing their own poetry next week as well.
Math- Students wrapped up unit 4 and began reviewing. Our Unit 4 Assessment will take place on Tuesday, April 28th. Students will be coming home with their study guides this weekend and we will have an additional review on Monday. We will begin 5th grade unit 5 next week.
Social Studies- Due to MAP testing and our field trip, students only had social studies one day this week. We introduced the West Region! Ask your child what states are in this region?
Science - We had a great field trip to the Hinsdale Library to explore inclined plane height and ramp length to see how far our cars would travel. Students will be wrapping up the unit on simple machines and be completing study guide next week.
Upcoming Dates to Remember:
Wednesday, May 6th- ELA PARCC in the afternoon
Thursday, May 7th- Poetry Slam at 2:00 (parents are invited!)
*As we near the end of the school year, 4th grade will be doing an ABC countdown to celebrate the last 26 days of school starting on Thursday, April 30th. Please look for the blue information sheet coming home in your child's Friday folder for more specific details!
Coming home in your child's Friday folder...
-Graded Mountain Region social studies test
-ABC countdown calender
Here is a glance at what took place in fourth grade this week...
Reading- Students discussed the mood of a poem and what words the author used to create the mood. They also learned how the structures of poems can vary. Next week, we will be finishing our poetry unit.
Writing- Students are in the final phases of revising and editing their ecosystem feature articles. We will be publishing these articles early next week! Students will begin writing their own poetry next week as well.
Math- Students wrapped up unit 4 and began reviewing. Our Unit 4 Assessment will take place on Tuesday, April 28th. Students will be coming home with their study guides this weekend and we will have an additional review on Monday. We will begin 5th grade unit 5 next week.
Social Studies- Due to MAP testing and our field trip, students only had social studies one day this week. We introduced the West Region! Ask your child what states are in this region?
Science - We had a great field trip to the Hinsdale Library to explore inclined plane height and ramp length to see how far our cars would travel. Students will be wrapping up the unit on simple machines and be completing study guide next week.
Upcoming Dates to Remember:
Wednesday, May 6th- ELA PARCC in the afternoon
Thursday, May 7th- Poetry Slam at 2:00 (parents are invited!)
*As we near the end of the school year, 4th grade will be doing an ABC countdown to celebrate the last 26 days of school starting on Thursday, April 30th. Please look for the blue information sheet coming home in your child's Friday folder for more specific details!
Coming home in your child's Friday folder...
-Graded Mountain Region social studies test
-ABC countdown calender
Friday, April 17, 2015
Friday, April 17th
Happy Friday!
Here is a look into what's happening in fourth grade...
Reading- This week in reading students identified the big idea of a poem, used context clues and rhyming words to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words and learned how to detect rhythm within a poem. Ask your child how rhyme and rhythm are different.
Writing- Students began organizing their ecosystem research into a graphic organizer that will be used to help them construct their feature articles. Students practiced creating different attention getters to hook their reader and how to organize each paragraph by using a topic sentence and supporting details. Ask your child what the hook of their feature article is.
Math- This week in math, learned how to divide a whole number by a decimal and how a magnitude estimate is helpful when determining the quotient. We also discussed how to interpret the remainder and how you know when to ignore it, round up, or report it as a fraction. Ask your child to solve
45.8 / 6.
Social Studies- Students finished the Mountain States region. Next week, we will begin learning about the West region. Ask your child to name a natural resource and how it is used within the Mountain States region.
Science- Students experimented with the wheel and axle this week. First they created a wheel spoke using a straw attached to wood. As students turn the straw it acted like a wheel to raise a paper cup with weights attached with string. Next we used gears to look at a special kind of wheel- a wheel with teeth. Students discovered how gears work together to transfer energy. Ask your child how gears move when they are touching each other.
Important Dates:
Monday, April 20th- Math MAP test at 12:30
Tuesday, April 21st- Reading MAP test at 9:15
Thursday, April 23rd- Library field trip at 12:30
Thursday, May 7th- 4th Grade Poetry Slam at 2:00
Here is a look into what's happening in fourth grade...
Reading- This week in reading students identified the big idea of a poem, used context clues and rhyming words to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words and learned how to detect rhythm within a poem. Ask your child how rhyme and rhythm are different.
Writing- Students began organizing their ecosystem research into a graphic organizer that will be used to help them construct their feature articles. Students practiced creating different attention getters to hook their reader and how to organize each paragraph by using a topic sentence and supporting details. Ask your child what the hook of their feature article is.
Math- This week in math, learned how to divide a whole number by a decimal and how a magnitude estimate is helpful when determining the quotient. We also discussed how to interpret the remainder and how you know when to ignore it, round up, or report it as a fraction. Ask your child to solve
45.8 / 6.
Social Studies- Students finished the Mountain States region. Next week, we will begin learning about the West region. Ask your child to name a natural resource and how it is used within the Mountain States region.
Science- Students experimented with the wheel and axle this week. First they created a wheel spoke using a straw attached to wood. As students turn the straw it acted like a wheel to raise a paper cup with weights attached with string. Next we used gears to look at a special kind of wheel- a wheel with teeth. Students discovered how gears work together to transfer energy. Ask your child how gears move when they are touching each other.
Important Dates:
Monday, April 20th- Math MAP test at 12:30
Tuesday, April 21st- Reading MAP test at 9:15
Thursday, April 23rd- Library field trip at 12:30
Thursday, May 7th- 4th Grade Poetry Slam at 2:00
Friday, April 10, 2015
Friday, April 10th
Happy Friday! We hope everyone had a relaxing and wonderful spring break!
Here is a glance at what happened in fourth grade this week...
Reading- This week students continued understanding the depths of poetry. Students learned the difference between the tone and mood of a poem. Students discussed how to find the meaning of a poem and how to compare and contrast poems. Ask your child what the difference between tone and mood is.
Writing- Students learned about the important nonfiction text features and characteristics of a feature article. Students will be using their prior research of an ecosystem and a keystone species within that ecosystem to construct a feature article. Ask your child what are some characteristics in a feature article.
Math- This week in math we finished Unit 3 and took our unit 3 assessment. Students began unit 4 today where they will review long division strategies when dividing whole numbers and decimals. Ask your child what the difference between the divisor and dividend is.
Social Studies- This week students began studying the Mountain States region. Our states and capitals and content test for this region will be next Friday, April 17th. Ask your child what a timberline is.
Science- Students learned about levers and how they work. We experimented moving the fulcrum to see how it impacted the amount of force needed. Next we looked at the difference between 1st, 2nd, and 3rd class levers. Finally we looked at the wedge as a simple machine and how it works by lifting and separating. Ask your child to name an example of a wedge.
Coming home in your child's Friday folder...
-2015-16 Online Registration Information
-Hinsdale Public Library field trip permission form (Due April 20th)
-Poetry Slam invitation for all parents (May 7th)
-Graded unit 3 math assessment
-Buffalo Wild Wings fundraiser information
-New reading log
Important Dates:
Monday, April 20th @ 12:30- Math MAP testing
Tuesday, April 21st @ 9:30- Reading MAP testing
Thursday, April 23rd @ 12:30- Library field trip
Thursday, May 7th @ 2:00- Poetry Slam
Have a great weekend!
Mrs. Ingstrup & Miss Hathaway
Here is a glance at what happened in fourth grade this week...
Reading- This week students continued understanding the depths of poetry. Students learned the difference between the tone and mood of a poem. Students discussed how to find the meaning of a poem and how to compare and contrast poems. Ask your child what the difference between tone and mood is.
Writing- Students learned about the important nonfiction text features and characteristics of a feature article. Students will be using their prior research of an ecosystem and a keystone species within that ecosystem to construct a feature article. Ask your child what are some characteristics in a feature article.
Math- This week in math we finished Unit 3 and took our unit 3 assessment. Students began unit 4 today where they will review long division strategies when dividing whole numbers and decimals. Ask your child what the difference between the divisor and dividend is.
Social Studies- This week students began studying the Mountain States region. Our states and capitals and content test for this region will be next Friday, April 17th. Ask your child what a timberline is.
Science- Students learned about levers and how they work. We experimented moving the fulcrum to see how it impacted the amount of force needed. Next we looked at the difference between 1st, 2nd, and 3rd class levers. Finally we looked at the wedge as a simple machine and how it works by lifting and separating. Ask your child to name an example of a wedge.
Coming home in your child's Friday folder...
-2015-16 Online Registration Information
-Hinsdale Public Library field trip permission form (Due April 20th)
-Poetry Slam invitation for all parents (May 7th)
-Graded unit 3 math assessment
-Buffalo Wild Wings fundraiser information
-New reading log
Important Dates:
Monday, April 20th @ 12:30- Math MAP testing
Tuesday, April 21st @ 9:30- Reading MAP testing
Thursday, April 23rd @ 12:30- Library field trip
Thursday, May 7th @ 2:00- Poetry Slam
Have a great weekend!
Mrs. Ingstrup & Miss Hathaway
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