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