ELA:
Welcome to the second quarter as we take off into nonfiction! We will spend the next two weeks focusing on using text features (headings, photos, captions, word boxes, charts, graphs, etc) to predict and help readers comprehend what they read. Students will also learn to annotate, organize main ideas and key details into a “boxes and bullets” organizer, and summarize.
In writing, students will take off on an adventure in writing research papers. We will take them through the process step by step as we research owls and other animals learning about the various adaptations animals have. Through work in the Media Center, Computer Lab, and in the classroom, students will practiced paraphrasing what they have read and writing it onto their graphic organizers. They will compiled information from multiple sources including books, encyclopedias and websites (focusing mainly on NCWise Owl resources linked from the Media Center website.) Following our research, we will work on introductory paragraphs and then lay out additional paragraphs, learning about topic sentences and how to organize details effectively. This will be a month long process.
Math & Science:
In math we will be spending the next few weeks working on multiplication and division word problems. The goal is to determine what a word problem is specifically asking us to do. Please continue working on 2 digit multiplication using the rectangular method, or algebraic method and division using the expanded method. Because these are emerging skills, many students forget how to divide and multiply large numbers once we move to other units. Constant review is essential for mastery of these skills. I also have many students who still need to practice their multiplication facts. Please take a few minutes each night to work with your child on this!
In science we are beginning our Animal Unit with Nutrition and Exercise. How do food, vitamins, minerals, and exercise benefit us? We will be keeping a food diary for the week and then using the Choosemyplate.gov site to see if we are eating a healthy, balanced diet. We'll also look at how to read a food label and make good food choices in the future. Next Friday, we would like to have parents send in healthy snack so that we can sample some!
News & Important Information:
We are so thrilled that the PTA has sponsored Donna Campbell Smith, author of Pale as the Moon, to come speak with the fourth graders on November 21. Donna will be available to sign copies of her books if the students wish to bring them in. Here is a link to order Pale as the Moon if you would like to. Just click on the title of the book.
Important Dates:
Early Release: Fridays November 7
Author Visit (Tommy Greenwald): Tuesday, October 21
Spelling Bee: November 7
Book Fair: November 3-14
Author Visit (Donna Campbell Smith): Friday, November 21
No School: November 11, 27, 28
Talent Show Auditions: November 19
Track out/report cards quarter 2: December 19 (Early Release Day)
Symphony Field Trip (no chaperones needed):
Old Salem Field Trip: April 30
Welcome to the second quarter as we take off into nonfiction! We will spend the next two weeks focusing on using text features (headings, photos, captions, word boxes, charts, graphs, etc) to predict and help readers comprehend what they read. Students will also learn to annotate, organize main ideas and key details into a “boxes and bullets” organizer, and summarize.
In writing, students will take off on an adventure in writing research papers. We will take them through the process step by step as we research owls and other animals learning about the various adaptations animals have. Through work in the Media Center, Computer Lab, and in the classroom, students will practiced paraphrasing what they have read and writing it onto their graphic organizers. They will compiled information from multiple sources including books, encyclopedias and websites (focusing mainly on NCWise Owl resources linked from the Media Center website.) Following our research, we will work on introductory paragraphs and then lay out additional paragraphs, learning about topic sentences and how to organize details effectively. This will be a month long process.
Math & Science:
In math we will be spending the next few weeks working on multiplication and division word problems. The goal is to determine what a word problem is specifically asking us to do. Please continue working on 2 digit multiplication using the rectangular method, or algebraic method and division using the expanded method. Because these are emerging skills, many students forget how to divide and multiply large numbers once we move to other units. Constant review is essential for mastery of these skills. I also have many students who still need to practice their multiplication facts. Please take a few minutes each night to work with your child on this!
In science we are beginning our Animal Unit with Nutrition and Exercise. How do food, vitamins, minerals, and exercise benefit us? We will be keeping a food diary for the week and then using the Choosemyplate.gov site to see if we are eating a healthy, balanced diet. We'll also look at how to read a food label and make good food choices in the future. Next Friday, we would like to have parents send in healthy snack so that we can sample some!
News & Important Information:
We are so thrilled that the PTA has sponsored Donna Campbell Smith, author of Pale as the Moon, to come speak with the fourth graders on November 21. Donna will be available to sign copies of her books if the students wish to bring them in. Here is a link to order Pale as the Moon if you would like to. Just click on the title of the book.
Important Dates:
Early Release: Fridays November 7
Author Visit (Tommy Greenwald): Tuesday, October 21
Spelling Bee: November 7
Book Fair: November 3-14
Author Visit (Donna Campbell Smith): Friday, November 21
No School: November 11, 27, 28
Talent Show Auditions: November 19
Track out/report cards quarter 2: December 19 (Early Release Day)
Symphony Field Trip (no chaperones needed):
Old Salem Field Trip: April 30