Team4@Cornelia
Mrs. Carlson, Mr. Erickson, Ms. Gesme, Mrs. Laven
March 18, 2015
Family Life Lesson
The fourth grade health curriculum includes a lesson about body changes during puberty. On, Friday, March 28 the boys and girls will be separated to watch a video to learn about the following:
* Boys and girls will learn the role of glands and hormones in puberty.
* Boys and girls will learn that exercise, diet, and sleep are important.
* Boys will learn ways to maintain good hygiene and explain why it is especially important beginning at puberty.
* Girls will learn about the parts of the reproductive system and why, how, and when menstruation occurs.
* Girls will learn about types of supplies used during menstruation, how they are used, where they can be purchased, and how supplies can be accessed at school.
* Girls will learn ways to maintain good hygiene and decrease chances of infection when using menstruation supplies.
The boys will be guided by Mr. Erickson and Mr. Dahl (school social worker); and the girls will be guided by Mrs. McNamara (school nurse).
Reading Updates
Novel Studies and Small Group Discussions
Fourth Grade Novel studies include Realistic Fiction, Science Fiction, and Mysteries. During Novel Studies, students read one of three novels in a specific genre. In addition to the Literature standards, Novel Studies provide an opportunity for students to develop small group discussion skills as required by the English Language Arts Standards:
4.8.1.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
a. Come to discussions prepared, having read or studied required material; explicitly draw on that preparation and other information known about the topic to explore ideas under discussion.
b. Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions and carry out assigned roles.
c. Pose and respond to specific questions to clarify or follow up on information, and make comments that contribute to the discussion and link to the remarks of others.
d. Review the key ideas expressed and explain their own ideas and understanding in light of the discussion.
e. Cooperate and problem solve as appropriate for productive group discussion.
To view the books included in Fourth Grade Novel Studies, click in the links above.
Math Updates
Unit 9
This unit focuses on the links among fraction, decimal and percent names for numbers, with a special emphasis on percents. Unit 9 has three main areas of focus:
1. Reinforce naming equivalencies among fractions, decimals, and percents
2. Introduce multiplication of decimals (make an estimate first)
3. Introduce division of decimals by whole numbers (make an estimate first)
Units 10
Unit 10 has three main areas of focus:
1. Guide the discovery of basic properties of reflections, involving 2-dimensional figures and the connection with line symmetry
2. Guide the application of 2-dimensional transformations: reflections (flips), rotations (turns), and translations (slides)
3. Introduce addition involving negative integers
Unit 11
The lessons in Unit 11 center on the:
1. Review of grams and ounces as units of weight
2. Identification of geometric solids (rectangular prism, cylinder, cone, triangular prism, sphere, square pyramid) and their properties
3. Review of concepts and units of capacity and volume
4. Introduction of subtraction involving positive and negative integers
Reading at Home. Yes, it is important.
Please continue to encourage your child to read at home. Fourth graders are required to read at least 20 minutes/day at home. While some students do this on their own, many need support and encouragement from parents to make this happen. Here are some helpful resources to consider.
From the Minnesota Center for Reading Research tip sheets for parents:
· How Do I Get My Child to Read at Home? Good for all ages of students.
· 10 Tips for Supporting Your Child in Reading and Writing Most appropriate for parents of students in early childhood programs and elementary school.