Friday, November 21st

You’re Invited to the 4th Grade Program!

What: Fourth graders will be presenting their Hero Tribute Tour, followed by the 50 Nifty United States musical performance.
When: Monday, December 8th at 6:30pm
Where: Oak School (MRC & Gym)
Why: Students will be collecting donations at the Tribute tour in order to provide hero capes for kids at Central DuPage Hospital.

**Remember to bring your hero costume TO SCHOOL on Monday, December 8th. Students will be presenting their Tribute tour to third grade during the day.

**PARENTS: Please bring a handheld device and headphones, or earbuds, in order to maximum your tribute tour experience.


Reading- We began our fiction unit and discussed the traditional types of fiction including: fables, folk tales, tall tales, myths, and legends. Students learned about the different points of view a story can have: first, second, third (limited & omniscient). Also, we were able to identify the plot elements in a story. Ask your child what plot diagram poster they created today.

Writing- Students worked on publishing their final nonfiction text this week.

Math- Students are continuing to expand their knowledge of fractions. This week we learned how to model fractions using geometric pieces, add and subtract fractions and mixed numbers, and write equivalent fractions. Ask your child to name some equivalent fractions. 

Social Studies- Students created a website to show their knowledge of the Southwest region. Please check out the links below to see which webpage your child created! We began learning about the Southeast region and some of its natural resources. Ask your child how the Mississippi River helps transportation in the Southeast.

Mrs. Ingstrup's SW Website

Ms. Hathaway's SW Website

Science - This week students began exploring minerals by looking at a penny and observing it carefully.  Then we talked about how scientists, especially geologists, have to be careful observers.  Then students practiced their observational skills by describing 5 different minerals and having their  partner try to match the mineral based on their description.  After break the students will continue to describe the minerals based on their properties and try to figure out their names. Ask your child what properties they used to describe their minerals.

Important Upcoming Dates!!
 The Book Fair will be open all week long during the school day until 3:30 and also:
                       Tuesday, December 2nd from 6-8pm
                       Wednesday, December 3rd from 6-8pm

Wednesday, December 3rd- Pizza Lunch In
Monday, December 8th- 4th Grade Program at 6:30pm
      *Please remember to bring your hero costumes to school on this day. 
 
**The 1:1 iPad Meeting, originally scheduled for December 3rd, has been cancelled. Look for an e-mail regarding this important iPad information.

Isabella, Chris, & Chase were discussing plot elements in a fiction text.

Noah & Nolan were discussing plot elements in a fiction text.

Mimi describing minerals!

Caroline & Katie are describing minerals!

John & Kevin were working on creating their plot diagram poster on the falling action.

November 14, 2014

Boy these weeks fly by...

The kids have been busy, busy in all subjects and enjoyed the celebration of the Blue Ribbon assembly on Thursday.  They were able to view photos taken by Mrs. Eggers while she was in Washington D.C. with Mr. Walsh, accepting the award on behalf of Oak school.  The choir sang and Mr. Walsh explained the award to the students along with congratulating them on a job well done.  It was a really nice way to commend all students.  Thanks to the PTO for providing the neat keychains for all.

Reading
This week we wrapped up our nonfiction unit by meeting with strategy groups to work on our individual reading goals, finished synthesizing our hero research, and began recording our opinion statements with Mrs. Morgan Ryan. Next we compared the similarities and differences of poetry, prose, and drama.  We rounded out the week with the students creating their own Hero poems.
Ask you child what their "Super" power is.

Writing
Students continue to draft, edit, and revise their nonfiction pieces.  As we revise students are looking to add authentic details, include voice, make sure they include nonfiction text features.  Next week we'll work on publishing these pieces using the Book Creator application on our iPads.
Ask your child how they added authentic details to their writing this week.

Math
This week we started fourth grade Unit 7 on fractions.  Students worked to solve "fraction of" problems and make sense of the "whole" when determining fractional parts.  Then we reviewed various math skills while we worked in partners to solve Thanksgiving related story problems.  Today we used our shopping lists to find items from our beloved family recipes and practiced multiplying and subtracting decimals.  It's amazing how quickly it all adds up - but most of us we able to come in under budget.  Thank you parents for helping your child with their list.
Ask your child how much money they had left after purchasing their Thanksgiving meal ingredients.

Science
We began our next science unit on rocks and minerals by watching a short video on Geology.  Students took notes and then learned how to use the Inspiration application on their iPad to web their notes.  We will be adding to our notes throughout the unit and have them to study for our unit test.
Ask your child one way we use rocks or minerals.

Social Studies
This week students created their own website that summarizes their knowledge of the Southwest region. Stay tuned to see our final product! Next week, students will being learning about the Southeast region's climate and landforms. 
Ask your child what information their webpage contained. 

Conferences are coming up.  Please be sure to sign up for a conference if you haven't already!!!!

This week in your child's Friday Folder...
-First Trimester Report Cards 
           Please sign and return the envelope to school
-Unit 6 math tests
-Reading Logs
-P.E. Portfolios
          Please have your child complete the assignment, sign and return Portfolio by Wednesday


Important dates to know...
- Wednesday, December 3rd from 7:00 - 8:00 an iPad parent meeting will be held in the Oak gym.  Please plan on attending.  This is necessary in order for your child to be able to bring his/her iPad home.
- Monday, December 8th is our 4th grade musical and Hero Tribute Tour.  


Have a great weekend - Stay warm!!!
Mrs. Ingstrup and Miss Hathaway

Friday, November 7th

Reading- This week we finished our nonfiction unit. Students will be bringing their Nonfiction Assessment home in their Friday folders. Everyone's hero poster looks great! Just a reminder, students will need to bring their costumes to school for the Hero Wax Museum on Monday, December 8th the third grade classes will be previewing our hero exhibits during the school day.
**Save the date you're invited for our evening exhibit, with the musical performance to follow, starting at 6:30pm on 12/8.

Writing- Students are drafting their nonfiction books about the life of their pollinator. Next week, we will move further along in the writing process and start editing and revising our books. Ask your child what text structure they are writing their nonfiction book in.

Math- Students finished Unit 6 this week. We will begin Unit 7 next week. In unit 7, students will learn how to add, subtract, and multiply fractions and mixed numbers, write equivalent fractions, and understand chance and probability. Ask your child how they felt about the math test. What are they proud of/what was challenging?

Social studies- Next week, students will begin learning about the Southeast region! At the end of the Southeast region unit, we will have a states and capitals test on this region. If your child would like to begin preparing for this quiz, they can visit our fourth grade website (under grade level resources) and study the Southeast Quizlet!

Science- Students reviewed for and took their Life Cycles unit test this week which has been sent home in the Friday Folder.  Next week we will begin our Rocks and Minerals unit.  Students will be learning the different types of rocks through observation of their properties.  We will also take a look at the composition of the Earth, volcano types, and the effects of erosion and glaciers.  Finally they will have an understanding of the rock cycle and how rock can be broken down to form new ones. 


Genius Hour Update: Genius Hour is an opportunity for students to research something they are passionate about! Students created a proposal with a driving question to guide their research. Our next step is for students to create an action plan for researching and developing their final product. Ask your child what their Genius Hour topic is.

Students created inferences on President Obama's speech about the importance of education.

*Reminder: If you haven't done so already, please sign up for your parent-teacher conference via Sign Up Genius! If you are unable to attend, please e-mail your child's homeroom teacher to set up another time to discuss your child's great progress!

Upcoming Dates to Remember:
Monday, November 10th- Lunch In
Thursday, November 13th- Picture Retake Day

Coming home in your child's Friday folder,
-Nonfiction assessment
-Science assesment
-Hero poster rubric
-new reading log