June Curriculum Letter

Dear fourth grade families,

Please enjoy these updates from our classroom.

Reading

In the remaining days of school we are finishing up reading our two books, Let the Circle Be Unbroken and The Library Card.

Work Time

Students are now spending several periods a day finishing up work across the subjects and continuing various projects. Each child has a checklist of work that needs to be completed by the end of the school year including independent reading, math packets, poetry assignments, and social studies projects. This week, students will also be working on portfolios by looking through their work from the year and reflecting on their learning and progress.

Important Upcoming Dates

Tuesday, June 19^th we will be traveling to the Museum of the American Indian and, weather permitting having lunch in battery park. Please send in permission slips as soon as you can. If you would like to chaperone the trip, please let us know ahead of time.

Monday, June 25th and Tuesday June 26th are Camp Days.  Students will be with substitute teachers for the first two periods of the day while fourth and fifth grade teachers plan curriculum for next year, then teachers will return to the class for the rest of the morning.  In the afternoon, students will go to First Park while teachers pack up the classroom.  Students are encouraged to bring sunscreen, hats and bathing suits for running through sprinklers.

End of Year Celebration

One June 22^nd, we will celebrate the end of school with a poetry reading. Families are invited to join us for morning meeting followed by a student-led poetry share. We expect the celebration to wrap up by 10:00 AM. Report cards will be available for distribution on the afternoon of the 22^nd, and we expect class lists to be available then as well. If your child will not be in school on the 22^nd, you may send in a self-addressed stamped envelope ahead of time so we can send reports and class lists home.

Snack

With only a few days left of school, we only need a few families to bring in snack. We appreciate anyone who can bring in snack for the end of the year.

Water Cooler Funds
Thanks so much to the PTA for covering our remaining water cooler payments.

Returning Books
Students are welcome to continue borrowing books from the classroom library as long as they are returned by the end of the year.  Many families borrowed student math handbooks at the beginning of the year, and we would also like to collect those by  the end of the year in order to lend them out to next year's families.  Thank you for taking time to check for any school books that may remain in your home.

Thanks for sharing your fantastic children with us all year. We wish you and your families a wonderful summer.

Best,

Nancy and Stephanie

Late-May Curriculum Letter

Dear fourth grade families,

Please enjoy these updates from our classroom.

Reading

We have recently completed spring reading assessments. Most students have new reading levels and new goals for how to improve. Many students are working on fluency and would benefit from reading aloud to a younger sibling or neighbor. Other students are working on keeping track of characters and story lines and should be taking notes as they read. Yet oters are working on making inferences and will benefit from discussing characters' feelings and how they change throughout the text. Ask your child about his or her reading goals.

Math

Students have completed their independent survey projects. They also looked at some mystery data that was the length or height of a group of living things and had to figure out reasonable guesses for what the data could be. This week, we'll begin a short study of probability and revisit the fractions and decimals we learned earlier in the year.

Writing

After learning several structured types of poetry, we're now looking at strategies poets use when they write free verse poems. Students have looked at alliteration, simile, and line breaks as they continue to write their own poems. As we proceed through the unit, students are making decisions about which poems they'd like to publish, and many have poems up on the bulletin board outside our classroom.

Social Studies

Students are continuing to read about highlight the packets about the tribe they're studying. Soon, groups will make decisions about what information they'd like to focus on in projects about their tribes.

State Science Test

The New York State fourth grade science test happens in two parts. May 29 and 30, students will take the performance section of the test in small groups, and on June 4, students will all take the written section. In recent test prep sessions, students conducted experiments to see which materials are attracted to magnets and which conduct electricity. Test prep packets have gone home for students to use for practice.

Field Day

Field day is Friday, June 1. Please look for permission slips in Tuesday's backpack mail.

Snack

Thank you to all the families who brought in snack recently. Please take a look at our current snack calendar, and be sure to send in snack on your week. If you realize you've missed your week, we would appreciate any snack you can send in.

May 7	May 14	May 21	May 28	June 4
Parker	Luigi	Kasar	Christina	Amon-ra
Oscar	Liza	D'yanira	Brandon	Ashley
Narayan	Lila	Dreanna	Alana	Jonathan
Milla	Alexander	DeAndre	Adriana	Martha
Miljan	Eko	Dario	Adelina	Michael N.
Michael C.	Ismael

Water Cooler Funds
At the beginning of the year, many families contributed toward our water cooler fund so that students have water accessible throughout the day. Thank you!! At this point in the year, we are still $120 short. If you have not yet contributed and can do so, it would be much appreciated.

Best,

Nancy and Stephanie

May Curriculum Letter

Dear fourth grade families,

Please enjoy these updates from our classroom.

Reading

The Let the Circle Be Unbroken reading group is learning more about the Jim Crow south through the lens of the main character, Cassie. Her brother's best friend is on trial for a murder he didn't commit. We left off with a cliff hanger in the middle of the trial. Ask your child about his or her prediction about how the trial ends. Nancy's group has begun the book The Library Card by Jerry Spinelli. This book has three separate stories about characters’ experiences once they get a library card. In the story we are currently reading the main character found the library card and then entered a library because of curiosity about a bug. As a group our focus will be on change and identifying pivotal moments. We are also continuing spring reading assessments.

Math

We are continuing our data study. Students have created their own survey questions and interviewed students in our class and in the fifth grade. This week, students will create double bar graphs in order to compare the data from the two classes. We are also using vocabulary like median, mode, outlier, and range to talk about data. Ask your child about his or her survey question and what he or she learned.

Writing

So far, we have learned several types of poetry: diamante, haiku, acrostic, couplet, and concrete poetry. Some students have started to publish their poems to the bulletin board outside the classroom. Come and take a peak. This Tuesday, from 10:45-12:25, we're taking a walking trip to Tompkins Square Park collect poetry inspiration. If it rains, we'll postpone to Wednesday.

Social Studies

Students have split into groups to study several Native American tribes: Cheyenne, Hopi, Iroquois, Lenape, Sioux, and Taino. They're finding their own ways to organize the information they're reading through highlighting and note taking. Students who need extra support are using color-coded highlighting to separate information about food, shelter, clothing, traditions, and family. Students are learning new vocabulary specific to their tribe and practicing fluency by reading aloud to their group mates.

State Science Test

The New York State fourth grade science test happens in two parts. Between May 23 and June 1, students will take the performance section of the test, and on June 4, students will all take the written section. We have begun science test prep with Emily to get ready. So far, we've studied the three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas, as well as ways to measure them. Students have used rulers to measure the length of solids, graduated cylinders to measure the volume of liquids, and balances to measure the mass of solids and liquids.

Extended Day Ends

This will be the last week of extended day. Starting on May 21^st, all students will be dismissed at 2:50.

Theater Performances

Monday, May 21^st will be our last theater class. Students will share the short pieces they've been working on around different parts of a Native American myth. Parents are invited to join us from 9:00-9:45 in the back of the auditorium for this final class.

Family Wednesdays

We continue to invite parents who are interested in visiting our classroom first and last period on Wednesdays to join morning meeting and class meeting.

Snack

We are currently out of snack. Please take a look at our current snack calendars, and be sure to send in snack on your week. If you realize you've missed your week, we would appreciate any snack you can send in.

May 7	May 14	May 21	May 28	June 4
Parker	Luigi	Kasar	Christina	Amon-ra
Oscar	Liza	D'yanira	Brandon	Ashley
Narayan	Lila	Dreanna	Alana	Jonathan
Milla	Alexander	DeAndre	Adriana	Martha
Miljan	Eko	Dario	Adelina	Michael N.
Michael C.	Ismael

Water Cooler Funds
At the beginning of the year, many families contributed toward our water cooler fund so that students have water accessible throughout the day. Thank you!! At this point in the year, we are still $120 short. If you have not yet contributed and can do so, it would be much appreciated.

Best,

Nancy and Stephanie

Late-April Curriculum Letter

Dear fourth grade families,

Please enjoy these updates from our classroom.

Reading

Both reading groups have recently completed their books and are moving on to new novels. The group that had been reading Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, voted overwhelmingly to hear the sequel, Let the Circle Be Unbroken. The group that just finished Bud, Not Buddy, will begin hearing Navajo Longwalk by Nancy Armstrong as part of our new social studies unit on Native Americans. We are also beginning to conduct spring reading assessments. During these assessments, we listen to each student read aloud, noting any errors, listening for fluency, and calculating reading rate. Then, we'll ask students to retell or summarize what they've read and ask specific questions that target both literal and inferential comprehension. The benchmark reading level for the end of fourth grade is R/S/T, and we will also be looking to see how much growth students have made throughout the year, ideally three levels for students who started out on or above grade level, and more levels for students who started out below grade level. We are finding that students who have been reading every day on their level have made significant progress this spring.

Math

This week, we will begin a new math unit on Data. Students will learn how to collect data using strong survey questions, construct single and double bar graphs, and describe data using vocabulary like median, mode, and outlier. Later on in the unit, students will study probability, exploring the likelihood of various outcomes through experimentation.

Writing

We recently began a unit on writing Poetry. Students have begun to explore various poetry books and notice some of the features of this genre. This week, students will brainstorm topics they'd like to write about and techniques they'd like to try out. The first half of the unit will look at very structured forms of poetry, like haiku, diamante, acrostic, and couplet. These forms often help reluctant writers by limiting the number of decisions students need to make as they write. The second half of the unit will look at elements of free verse poetry like simile, metaphor, rhythm, and alliteration. Students will look at mentor poets and find styles that inspire them in their own poetry.

Social Studies

We have also recently begun a unit on Native Americans. We started by talking about the terms “Native American” or “American Indian” being somewhat problematic for two reasons. First, the name American is derived from the Italian explorer, Amerigo Vespucci, who came to this continent thousands of years after those the terms are meant to describe. Also, the terms lump together hundreds of distinct tribes. When students recorded facts they already know about Native Americans, they were careful to specify when facts applied to only some Native Americans. This week, students will make a list of questions they have about Native Americans. Then, they'll split into small groups to research different tribes and nations: Cheyenne, Hopi, Iroquois, Lenape, Sioux, and Taino.

State Science Test

The New York State fourth grade science test happens in two parts. Between May 23 and June 1, students will take the performance section of the test, and on June 4, students will all take the written section. In preparation for the test, we will have eight sessions of test prep with Emily where students will engage in experiments like testing to see which materials are magnetic or which conduct electricity and will have the opportunity to practice with questions similar to those on the written test.

Test Scoring

Each year, schools are required to send several teachers each to grade the ELA and math tests. This year, Nancy is one of the scorers from our school. Last week she spend two days scoring the sixth grade ELA test, and she will also be scoring test Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. She is learning valuable information about the way tests are scored, which will help the entire staff better prepare students for future tests.

Extended Day Returns

After a hiatus, Stephanie and Danette's extended day groups resume Monday. Nancy's extended day group will resume next week when she is back from scoring tests.

Snack

Please take a look at our current and upcoming snack calendars, and be sure to send in snack on your week. If you realize you've missed your week, we would appreciate any snack you can send in.

March 26 and May 7	April 2 and May 14	April 16 and May 21	April 23 and May 28	April 30 and June 4
Parker	Luigi	Kasar	Christina	Amon-ra
Oscar	Liza	D'yanira	Brandon	Ashley
Narayan	Lila	Dreanna	Alana	Jonathan
Milla	Alexander	DeAndre	Adriana	Martha
Miljan	Eko	Dario	Adelina	Michael N.
Michael C.	Ismael

Water Cooler Funds
At the beginning of the year, many families contributed toward our water cooler fund so that students have water accessible throughout the day. Thank you!! At this point in the year, we are still $120 short. If you have not yet contributed and can do so, it would be much appreciated.

Best,

Nancy and Stephanie

Mid April Curriculum Letter

Dear fourth grade families,

Please enjoy these updates from our classroom.

Social Studies Shares

Thank you to everyone who came to our social studies shares, and congratulations to all the students for the hard work they put into their performances and presentations. After testing, we look forward to studying several Native American cultures and engaging in a new round of projects.

State Tests

The New York State ELA and Math Tests are coming up April 17-19 and April 25-27, respectively. It's especially important that on testing days, students come to school after a full night's sleep and a substantial breakfast. If your child's sleep schedule has changed over the vacation, please be sure to move back to a school schedule tonight. On testing days, it's very important for students to arrive at school by 8:25 to make sure they have ample time to unpack, use the rest room, and settle in before testing begins at 8:45. If your child eats breakfast at school, please plan to arrive by 8:00. There will be no homework for the next two weeks, other than reading each night, in order to ensure that students are able to go to bed early and arrive at school on time. We understand that testing puts undue stress on families; we encourage families to help students feel as relaxed and confident as possible about the tests. We will do the same at school.

Extended Day Break

As a reminder, there will be no extended day on April 16, 17, 23, and 24. Please make alternate arrangements after school on those days. Extended day will resume on April 30.

Snack

Please take a look at our current snack calendar, and be sure to send in snack on your week.

March 26	April 2	April 16	April 23	April 30
Parker	Luigi	Kasar	Christina	Amon-ra
Oscar	Liza	D'yanira	Brandon	Ashley
Narayan	Lila	Dreanna	Alana	Jonathan
Milla	Alexander	DeAndre	Adriana	Martha
Miljan	Eko	Dario	Adelina	Michael N.
Michael C.	Ismael

IndyKids

Many of our students have enjoyed reading IndyKids, an independent newspaper written by and for kids, this year. Families may be interested in this opportunity to participate in the production of IndyKids. http://indykids.net/main/get-involved/kid-reporter-program/

Best,

Nancy and Stephanie

April Curriculum Letter

Dear fourth grade families,

Please enjoy these updates from our classroom.

Social Studies Shares

This Tuesday, April 3^rd, we are excited to share with you two projects students have been working on. First, from 8:25-9:10, we'll present our West African folk tale readers' theater pieces in the library. Then, we'll head to the classroom to share projects about the West African kingdoms of Songhay, Mali, and Ghana until about 10:00 AM. We hope you can join us.

Reading

We are coming to the end of reading Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor and Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis. During independent reading, students continue to make individual reading goals and are working on speed and stamina. It continues to be important for students to read for thirty minutes every day, including on weekends and vacations. Students should be aiming for thirty minutes in a single sitting as it's difficult to maintain fluency in shorter periods of time.

Math Test Prep

We are continuing to work on the sections of the practice test that were most challenging for students in our class. Some students are working in small groups with teachers and other students are working with partners. Students are focusing on explaining why they chose their answers. We are also focusing on extended response questions, which ask students to show their work.

ELA Test Prep

We are especially focused on the writing section of the test, where students need to write essays in response to passages they've heard or read. Students are practicing using the language from the questions as the basis of their answers and using the language from the passage to support their theses. Many students are working in pairs to critique each others' essays use each other's feedback to improve their own essays.

Word Study

Students have been working on taking words they've spelled incorrectly in their own writing, identifying what's tricky about them, and then making lists of words with similar spelling patters. Some of these spelling patterns include -dge, -lly, and y-->ies. At the end of the week, students quiz each other on five words they've been practicing.

State Tests

The New York State ELA and Math Tests are coming up April 17-19 and April 25-27, respectively. It's especially important that on testing days, students come to school after a full night's sleep and a substantial breakfast. Studies have shown that when children's sleep times shift (as on weekends and vacations), there can be a negative impact on academic performance. Since the tests are coming right after the vacation, please be sure that children are going to bed on time the last few days of vacation to prepare. Since the tests are coming right after the vacation, we understand that some families will want test prep packets to work on over the break. We also imagine that some families will want their children to spend their vacations outdoors and get some exercise. We respect both plans and will leave the decision to you. Since there is such a tight schedule between the vacation and the tests, we will not be able to grade and return the packets. You may want to review the packet with your child after it's completed at home.

Extended Day Break

Because of state testing, there will be no extended day on April 16, 17, 23, and 24. Please make alternate arrangements after school on those days. Extended day will resume on April 30.

Snack

Please take a look at our current snack calendar and be sure to send in snack on your week.

March 26	April 2	April 16	April 23	April 30
Parker	Luigi	Kasar	Christina	Amon-ra
Oscar	Liza	D'yanira	Brandon	Ashley
Narayan	Lila	Dreanna	Alana	Jonathan
Milla	Alexander	DeAndre	Adriana	Martha
Miljan	Eko	Dario	Adelina	Michael N.
Michael C.	Ismael

Best,

Nancy and Stephanie

Mid March Curriculum Letter

Dear fourth grade families,

Please enjoy these updates from our classroom.

Open Classroom Day

We are excited to invite families to join us in the classroom Wednesday, March 21 and 28^th for morning meeting (8:30-9:10) and class meeting (2:15-2:50). We'd love for you to see the classroom during our regular activities. We will continue to offer open classroom days on a regular basis throughout the school year.

Reading

We continue to read Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor and Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis. In addition to the social issues in the stories, we are using the texts to practice defining new vocabulary in context. We read the section around the new word and figure out a reasonable definition. This is an important skill in reading more difficult texts and is an area that's tested in the ELA exam. When you read books with your child at home, pause at difficult words, and ask you child to use context clues to figure out the meaning.

Math

Students have completed a practice math test for all three days of the test. We identified measurement, fractions, and decimals as the areas where students need the most improvement. This week, we'll begin working on measurement. Students will be expected to use rulers to measure line segments and objects, and choose the best tools units of measurement for different situations. Students should be familiar with both metric and US units. Talk about units of measurements at home though cooking projects, weighing items on a scale, and estimating the mass, volume, and length of various objects.

ELA Test Prep

In recent weeks, we've been studying strategies for reading both fiction and non-fiction passages and answering questions. This week, we'll begin working on the listening section. Students will practice taking notes on the characters, setting, problem, and solution of passages as well as answering questions about the passage including extended responses. Students will practice organizing their answers around thesis statements and using details from the texts to support their positions.

Word Study

We concluded our study of parts of speech by looking at prepositions, words that show relationships in time and space. Now, we are beginning an individualized study of spelling patterns. Students are looking at their spelling try sheets, selecting words they'd like to practice, and making a list of words with similar spelling patterns. This tailored approach will help students improve in the areas where they need to improve the most. We will also begin weekly individualized spelling quizzes.

Social Studies

We are excited to invite families to join us on the morning of Tuesday, April 3^rd as we share our social studies projects. We'll begin the day in the library where students will present three reader's theater stories from West Africa. The share will continue in the classroom as students present skits, songs, posters, and art projects about the three West African Kingdoms of Songhay, Mali, and Ghana. We expect the presentation to end by 10:00.

Best,

Nancy and Stephanie

March Curriculum Letter

Dear fourth grade families,

Please enjoy these updates from our classroom.

Reading

We continue to read Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor and Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis. Students are discussing issues of race and justice as they arise in the texts. We are also focusing on stamina in independent reading, helping students read longer and faster through goal setting.

Math

We have just completed our unit on fractions and decimals. Grocery stores and restaurants are great places to practice adding and subtracting fractions. How much would it cost to buy the peanut butter and the jelly? How much more expensive is the coffee than the tea? This week, students will take a practice math test in anticipation of the state math test, which is approaching from April 25^th to 27^th. When we return from camp, we'll begin preparing for the test, starting with questions about geometry. Students will be encouraged to think critically about test questions justifying their answers and debating their solutions with others.

ELA Test Prep

We have already begun to study for the ELA test, which will happen from April 17^th to 19^th. Students are learning various strategies for reading different kinds of passages and answering different types of questions. We are also studying general test prep strategies like eliminating the answers that are least correct, reading questions before looking at the passage, and scanning for specific information.

Word Study

Our latest word study activities centered around conjunctions. We learned when conjunctions need commas and when they do not, which conjunctions come in pairs, like neither and nor, and some conjunctions students tend not to use as often, like thus and therefore.

Social Studies

We continue to work on our two social studies projects on West African kingdoms and West African stories. Students have been so excited about their projects that they often ask to stay in from recess to continue their work. As we proceed with both of these projects, we'll decide on a date to share them and invite you to join us.

Theater

We are very excited to begin our theater workshop on Monday. Students will be playing improv games games and making their own improvised skits. We'll be focusing on showing different emotions through facial expressions and actions, self control, and projecting voices.

Camp Ashokan

We are very excited about our trip this Wednesday to Friday. Please send in all permission slips, forms, and payment directly to us as soon as possible. We are happy to answer any last minute questions about the trip via email.

Thank you

As you may have heard, Stephanie recently became engaged to her partner, David. Students threw a wonderful party in their honor on Friday. Many students participated by making centerpieces and artwork, delivering a speech, singing a song, helping with food, or toasting over apple juice and lemonade. Stephanie sends a warm thank you to all of you for raising such lovely children.

Best,

Nancy and Stephanie

February Curriculum Letter

Dear fourth grade families,

Please enjoy these updates from our classroom.

Writing

We are finishing up our unit on persuasive essays. Your child might choose to write their final draft by hand or bring it home to type. If your child brings his or her essay home, please help make sure he or she makes time to type it and that all components including the rough draft and final essay make it back to school.

Reading

Some students are reading Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor and others have just begun to read Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis. As we read these books, students will be practicing talking about books with their peers, particularly learning how to respectfully agree and disagree with each other's interpretations of the books they read.

Math

We are now well into our unit on fractions. Students are adding fractions using pictures and by learning equivalent fractions. Dinner time is a great time to talk about fractions. If I eat half my mac and cheese and then I eat another quarter of my mac and cheese, how much of my mac and cheese hae I eaten? If there are 36 grapes on the table and I eat one quarter of the grapes, how many grapes are left?

Word Study

Last week we studied adjectives including adjectives that compare, like faster and fastest. This week, we'll be studying adverbs that describe verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. We'll be looking at the differences between adjectives and adverbs.

Social Studies

We are continuing our study of West Africa through two exciting projects. In class, students are working in groups to study the Ghana, Mali, and Songhay empires. They are working on collaborative projects about the empires they are studying. Also, in the library, we are working on a Reader's Theater project. Students will be learning various stories about Anansi, the Spider that originate form West Africa. Students will be using these stories to learn about West African storytelling and practice fluency.

Dance and Theater

We are wrapping up several months of dance classes on Monday, February 13^th. Students have enjoyed learning hip hop dances, practicing yoga poses, and creating their own moves with partners. During our last class, we invite families to see the work we've been doing. This class will be February 13^th from 9:10 to 9:55 in the auditorium. After the dance class ends, we will have the opportunity to participate in a ten-week theater workshop, the content of which will be decided in the coming weeks.

Half Day February 10^th

Please be aware that this week, on January 27^th, we have a half day. Dismissal is promptly at 11:30 AM. If you would like to sign up for childcare with Wingspan for the remainder of the day, please contact Mat mcgloin.matthew@gmail.com or Laura Lee lauralee@wingspanarts.org or Noemi 212-387-0195.

Snack

Please check out our new snack calender and help us replenish our dwindling snack supply. Please also bring in another roll or two of paper towels.

Feb 13	Feb 27	March 5	March 12	March 19
Parker	Luigi	Kasar	Christina	Amon-ra
Oscar	Liza	D'yanira	Brandon	Ashley
Narayan	Lila	Dreanna	Alana	Jonathan
Milla	Alexander	DeAndre	Adriana	Martha
Miljan	Eko	Dario	Adelina	Michael N.
Michael C.	Ismael

Camp Ashokan

We will be heading to Camp Ashokan from March 7-9. We will send home information packets soon, but we also wanted to make sure you have the dates on your calendar. If your child takes any prescription medication, or if you would like your child to be able to take any over the counter medications including cough drops during the trip, Ashokan's policy requires a doctor's note and a prescription is applicable. You may want to schedule a doctor's appointment during the February break.

Best,

Nancy and Stephanie