Friday, December 19th

Happy Winter Break!

Thanks to all the room parents for a terrific holiday party!  Also thank you for your generous class gift!  We appreciate all that you do and feel so fortunate to be able to work with your children!

Here's the scoop on what's been happening in 4th grade:

Reading- This week we continued our novel studies. We learned how an author uses mood and tone to creates feeling and emotion in a text. In addition, we compared themes across texts. After break, we will be finishing our novel studies!

Writing- This week students completed a nonfiction assessment where they applied their knowledge of nonfiction text features and elements to their own writing.

Math- We took our Unit 7 assessment this week. Graded tests will be coming home in your child's Friday folder. After break, we will begin unit 8 where we will explore area and perimeter.

Social studies- This week we took our Southeast content and states and capitals test. After break, we will be learn about the history of the Southeast and begin creating a travel brochure of the Southeast!

Science- This week we finished up observing our minerals for the properties of cleavage (how a mineral breaks) and specific gravity (our mineral's weight as compared to water) which we tested for lightness or heaviness.  When we get back we'll be trying to correctly identify each mineral based on all of their properties.

**iPad Information: If you haven't already done so, please make sure you watch the iPad Introductory video that Dr. Henrikson sent out last week. After watching the video, you will need to print a permission form and have your child bring it to school on Monday, January 5th.

We hope you have a wonderful holiday!
The Fourth Grade teachers

Friday, December 12th

 Thank you for coming to our Fourth Grade Hero Tribute Tour and 50 Nifty United States concert on Monday night! The kids did a fabulous job- we were so impressed! We raised $222.00 to be used for purchasing hero capes for the children at Central DuPage Hospital! Thank you for your ongoing generosity and support. If you would like to listen to the hero projects again, check out the link below!

http://bit.ly/oakheroes14

Reading- Students began their novel study this week and are loving their books! Your child will be traveling with his/her novel to and from school. Please remind your child to put the novel in his/her backpack each night. This week, we also discussed different traits a character can have and the types of characters in fiction texts. Ask your child to infer a trait about the main character of his/her novel.

 Writing- Next week, students will be sharing their published nonfiction books about a pollinator with their first grade buddies!

Math- This week students learned how to multiply fractions by whole numbers and apply this skill to multi-step word problems. Students were sent home with a unit 7 study guide, which is due Monday. Our Unit 7 Assessment will be on Wednesday.

Social studies- Students learned the different types of natural resources, reusable and non reusable, and learn how coal is a natural, non reusable resource of the Southeast region. Next week, we will be reviewing for our Southeast unit and states and capitals test, which is on Friday, December 19th. Please make sure your child reviews his/her study guide coming home on Tuesday. Ask your child to give an example of a reusable and non reusable resource.

Science - Students are continuing to observe their minerals for their different properties.  This week we took look at the hardness of their minerals and compared it to the minerals that are rated on Moh's scale of hardness.  They also tested for whether their mineral left a streak on a scratch plate, whether it fizzed when vinegar was applied, or whether is was magnetic.  Students recorded their observations on their iPad to use throughout our unit and to discover what each mystery mineral's name is.  Ask your child which mineral in their kit was the softest and how they tested for hardness.

SELAS- iCare is December's theme! Students have discussed what it means to care for others and why it is important. We shared the story Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge and created five ways students can show they care about others! Ask your child one way they can show they care about others.

Things coming home this week in your child's Friday Folder:
- The iCare star family activity
- new reading logs
- Southeast states and capitals study map


Reminder: Math unit 7 study guide due Monday!

Friday, December 5th

Happy Friday!

Important Dates to Know:
 - Monday, December 8th: students should bring their costumes to school in a bag.
 - Monday, December 8th at 6:30 P.M. Hero Tribute Tour followed by Fifty Nifty United States Musical Performance.  You won't want to miss it!
- Reading logs due on Friday.

Reading- This week in reading we learned how a fiction text can have elements of trickery, a theme or moral, and different types of characters (static, dynamic, round and flat). Next week, we will begin our guided reading groups with novel studies. Students were introduced to their novels today. Ask your child what novel he/she will be reading.

Writing- We are continuing to polish and publish our nonfiction writing. We also published our hero poems. Please look for these outside of the Hero Tribute Tour on Monday night!

Math- This week we converting fractions to decimals, compared and ordered fractions, and worked on finding the one when given a fractional amount. Also, we explored probability and reviewed landmark data (mean, median, mode). Ask your child how they can convert 2/5 to a decimal without a calculator.

Social studies- This week we continued to explore the Southeast region. Students learned about the variety of natural resources the Southeast region produces. Next week, we will discuss how the demand for oil helped boost the Southeast's economy. Ask your child how the Southeast's long growing season helps the economy. 

Charlie was presenting his genius hour project on how wolves sweat.

Annika proudly displays her spudastic potato- Good Night Construction Site

 Science- Students used iUniversity to begin a class on rocks and minerals.  They will be accessing this class throughout the unit and completing the assignments listed.  This week we started recording information on their minerals' properties.  Students used their iPads to photograph each mineral and then added it to a chart where they recorded a description of each mineral's color, texture, and luster. Ask your child to describe what luster is.

Hanah presented her genius hour project on sugar gliders.