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
