Happy Spring Break!
Here is a glance at what happened in fourth grade this week...
Reading & Writing- This week in reading we began our poetry unit. Students explored a variety of poems in our mentor texts and discussed the characteristics of a poem. We will be discussing the sensory details that can be found within a poem. As part of an integration with international week, students also researched the current deforestation taking place throughout Brazil's Amazon Rain forest. Students wrote and recorded a news report using Puppet Pals on the iPad sharing the information they learned about the rain forest. Ask your child what is the problem currently happening with Brazil's Amazon Rain forest?
Math- This week students learned about the different types of triangles -equilateral, isosceles, and scalene. They also learned how to classify polygons by their different properties. Lastly, students explored tessellations. Ask your child what is the difference between a parallelogram and a trapezoid.
Social studies- This week students became immigrants immigrating through Ellis Island! Students did an excellent job of reenacting this experience. We also reviewed the Northeast states and capitals, natural resources, and economy. After spring break, we will begin studying the Mountain States.
Science- This week students experimented with friction and its effects on the amount of force. Then we began to prepare for an upcoming activity by creating actual 3D wedges using a program called 3Dtin. Students will be designing their wedge with the essential question: will a longer height or a longer hypotenuse cause their car to travel further?
Have a wonderful spring break!
The Fourth Grade teachers
Friday, March 27, 2015
Friday, March 20, 2015
Friday, March 20th
Happy Friday! Happy Spring!
Here's what's going on in Fourth Grade..
Math -
This week in math we reviewed acute, obtuse and right angle measurements. We learned about adjacent and vertical angles and how to use a protractor and compass. Students also worked through determining angle measurements without using a protractor and instead use their knowledge of circle being 360 degrees and the total of a triangle's angles being 180 degrees.
Ask your child how many degrees are in a straight line.
Reading -
Students became experts on an ecosystem this week as they read and researched about one of the various ecosystems. They used all of their reading strategies to synthesize information from two books and internet sources. Ask your child what ecosystem they're researching.
Writing & Word Study-
Students are working on publishing their fiction stories on Book Creator. We will be sharing these with our first grade buddies next week. Also, to go along with International week, students will be reading about the deforestation of the rainforest and creating a 30 second news report iMovie in small groups. There will be no new word sorts for spelling next week. Ask your child what illustration they drew for their book.
Science -
This week the students looked at the force of friction and its impact. They did an activity to measure the force of friction and they applied a lubricant to sandpaper to see its effect. We realized how lubricants help to reduce friction when friction is not needed. We also discussed why friction is important. Ask your child why friction is needed.
Social Studies -
This week students took a virtual field trip through Ellis Island in preparation for our immigration. Students created passports and gathered their 4 objects they will be bringing with them on their journey. Next week, we will have our immigration simulation and be reviewing our Northeast states and capitals. We will begin studying the West region after spring break. Ask your child to explain the difference between migration and immigration.
International Week -
Monday - wear spirit wear
Tuesday - sport's jersey
Wednesday - PJs or mismatch day
Thursday - crazy hair day
Friday - Brazil Colors (green and gold)
In the Friday Folder...
- new reading log due Friday
-Unit 1 & 2 math test
Here's what's going on in Fourth Grade..
Math -
This week in math we reviewed acute, obtuse and right angle measurements. We learned about adjacent and vertical angles and how to use a protractor and compass. Students also worked through determining angle measurements without using a protractor and instead use their knowledge of circle being 360 degrees and the total of a triangle's angles being 180 degrees.
Ask your child how many degrees are in a straight line.
Reading -
Students became experts on an ecosystem this week as they read and researched about one of the various ecosystems. They used all of their reading strategies to synthesize information from two books and internet sources. Ask your child what ecosystem they're researching.
Writing & Word Study-
Students are working on publishing their fiction stories on Book Creator. We will be sharing these with our first grade buddies next week. Also, to go along with International week, students will be reading about the deforestation of the rainforest and creating a 30 second news report iMovie in small groups. There will be no new word sorts for spelling next week. Ask your child what illustration they drew for their book.
Science -
This week the students looked at the force of friction and its impact. They did an activity to measure the force of friction and they applied a lubricant to sandpaper to see its effect. We realized how lubricants help to reduce friction when friction is not needed. We also discussed why friction is important. Ask your child why friction is needed.
Social Studies -
This week students took a virtual field trip through Ellis Island in preparation for our immigration. Students created passports and gathered their 4 objects they will be bringing with them on their journey. Next week, we will have our immigration simulation and be reviewing our Northeast states and capitals. We will begin studying the West region after spring break. Ask your child to explain the difference between migration and immigration.
International Week -
Monday - wear spirit wear
Tuesday - sport's jersey
Wednesday - PJs or mismatch day
Thursday - crazy hair day
Friday - Brazil Colors (green and gold)
In the Friday Folder...
- new reading log due Friday
-Unit 1 & 2 math test
Friday, March 13, 2015
Friday, March 13th
Happy Friday! PARCC testing is over and we are so proud of the students for persevering through these tests.
Reading- Next week, students will begin reading and researching an ecosystem of their choice in order to write a feature article on the ecosystem and a keystone animal found within it. Then we will be moving on to Poetry.
Math- This week, students reviewed for our Unit 1/2 math test. Next week, we will introduce Unit 3. In this unit, we will be exploring angle measurements, understand the use of a protractor and compass, and discussing the properties of different polygons.
Writing- Students are working on publishing their fiction narratives. Students will be turning their narratives into an iBook next week.
Social Studies- This week, students calculated their food and travel expenses as they immigrate to America. Next week, we will discuss what this journey was like for immigrants and what their experience was upon arrival to America.
Science- This week students took a closer look at force. We defined force as a push or pull and then experimented with spring scales to measure the gravitational force on certain objects in our classroom. We discovered that objects will move toward the greater force whereas equal amounts of force will not create movement or work. Next week we will take a look at the properties of another force - friction.
Please see the message below regarding important orchestra information!
Have a great weekend and enjoy the warm weather!
Reading- Next week, students will begin reading and researching an ecosystem of their choice in order to write a feature article on the ecosystem and a keystone animal found within it. Then we will be moving on to Poetry.
Math- This week, students reviewed for our Unit 1/2 math test. Next week, we will introduce Unit 3. In this unit, we will be exploring angle measurements, understand the use of a protractor and compass, and discussing the properties of different polygons.
Writing- Students are working on publishing their fiction narratives. Students will be turning their narratives into an iBook next week.
Social Studies- This week, students calculated their food and travel expenses as they immigrate to America. Next week, we will discuss what this journey was like for immigrants and what their experience was upon arrival to America.
Science- This week students took a closer look at force. We defined force as a push or pull and then experimented with spring scales to measure the gravitational force on certain objects in our classroom. We discovered that objects will move toward the greater force whereas equal amounts of force will not create movement or work. Next week we will take a look at the properties of another force - friction.
Please see the message below regarding important orchestra information!
Dear Orchestra Parents,
We have our second feeder school orchestra rehearsal coming up next week on Thursday March 19th. This rehearsal is in The Lane Elementary gym from 3:30-4:30 pm.
Students are to bring their instrument, music and a music stand. Just
like the February rehearsal, parents drop off and pick up their son or
daughter for the rehearsal.
In case you don't have these dates from earlier this year, here is the website again:
(You only need the HMS feeder dates, since thats the school they will eventually attend.)
If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Thanks!
Have a great weekend and enjoy the warm weather!
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Friday, March 6th
Here's What's Happening in Fourth Grade...
Students finished their Math PARCC tests this week and did an amazing job! Thank you for your support throughout this week.
Math - Students worked on understanding how to convert measurements within the metric system. They also practiced solving story problems involving elapsed time and measurement. Students will be taking a test over 5th grade units 1 and 2 on Friday. We will be reviewing in class for this test. all week. Study guides will go home Thursday to use for review.
Language Arts- This week students continued to draft their fiction narratives. They also worked with partners to edit and revise their drafts. Next week, we are going to begin publishing. We also reviewed skills needed or the PARCC reading test the students will be taking next.
Science - Students began studying our new unit called Simple Machines this week. They watched an introductory video on the simple machines: ramp, wheel and axle, pulley, and lever. Next students did a simple experiment on force and defined what force is - a push or pull. We discussed how gravity and friction are two types of force.
Social Studies - Students continued to work on their immigration cooperative group activity. They calculated the distance it took each family to travel and estimated their expenses for their journey.
Important Information...
- Students received their science unit tests and Ecosystem reading assessments in their Friday Folders. Please help your child select an item for their portfolio and return in to school this week.
- PARCC testing will be taking place Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoon this week.
- Math Test Friday over Units 1 & 2 (5th Grade)
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Sunday, March 1st
Here's What's Happening in 4th Grade...
Math -
This week students wrote and solved open number story problems using a variable. They also learned how to make magnitude estimates in order to know where to place the decimals when multiplying. We will be reviewing this week along with taking the two mathematics PARCC tests on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. Ask your child what a magnitude estimate is.
Reading and Language Arts-
Students synthesized information from all our sources throughout the unit to answer our essential question this week on ecosystems. We also took our unit assessment. Coming up students will be reading and researching different ecosystems and keystone animals to write a feature article. Until then, we continue to work on writing, revising, and editing our rough drafts for our fiction stories. There will be no new word sorts this week. We will be reviewing spelling and vocabulary in school.
Ask your child what figurative language they are using in their story?
Science -
Students finished up our unit learning about metamorphic rocks and the rock cycle. Our unit test is on Monday. Students should have their study guide to study from, but additional information is posted online.
Social Studies -
Students have been given their origin countries and have discussed reasons that are pushing them from their country and pulling them to America. Students mapped out their route they will take to immigrate to America. Next week, we will be calculating the distance it will take each family to travel depending on the year of immigration and estimate their expenses for this journey. Ask your child what are some reasons they are being 'pushed' out of their country.
Important Information for this week...
-Please make sure your child is well-rested and has a water bottle for PARCC testing on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. We will be testing from 9 -11.
-It's not too late to register for Girls on the Run. If interested, please register online ASAP. Our first practice is Tuesday!
Math -
This week students wrote and solved open number story problems using a variable. They also learned how to make magnitude estimates in order to know where to place the decimals when multiplying. We will be reviewing this week along with taking the two mathematics PARCC tests on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. Ask your child what a magnitude estimate is.
Reading and Language Arts-
Students synthesized information from all our sources throughout the unit to answer our essential question this week on ecosystems. We also took our unit assessment. Coming up students will be reading and researching different ecosystems and keystone animals to write a feature article. Until then, we continue to work on writing, revising, and editing our rough drafts for our fiction stories. There will be no new word sorts this week. We will be reviewing spelling and vocabulary in school.
Ask your child what figurative language they are using in their story?
Science -
Students finished up our unit learning about metamorphic rocks and the rock cycle. Our unit test is on Monday. Students should have their study guide to study from, but additional information is posted online.
Social Studies -
Students have been given their origin countries and have discussed reasons that are pushing them from their country and pulling them to America. Students mapped out their route they will take to immigrate to America. Next week, we will be calculating the distance it will take each family to travel depending on the year of immigration and estimate their expenses for this journey. Ask your child what are some reasons they are being 'pushed' out of their country.
Important Information for this week...
-Please make sure your child is well-rested and has a water bottle for PARCC testing on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. We will be testing from 9 -11.
-It's not too late to register for Girls on the Run. If interested, please register online ASAP. Our first practice is Tuesday!
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