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