CES 4th Grade
February, 2020
Halfway There!
It’s hard to believe we are halfway through the school year! The kiddos are building their stamina as readers, writers, and mathematicians. As we head into quarter three, this stamina and hard work will allow all of our star scholars to continue to reach new heights!
Classroom Supply Stock-Up
It’s the time of the school year where spirals and folders are in need of replacing. Please check with your child to see that his/her supplies are in good shape.
And...with the cold and flu hitting this community HARD, our classrooms could always use more tissues and hand sanitizer.
Thank you for your generous donations. They are greatly appreciated!
Reading News
As we begin the new quarter, we will be continuing our studies of informational texts. Students will be reading different informational texts in order to make conclusions about their readings and gather notes from multiple articles. We will also find the main idea and supporting details of a text and compose summaries. Students will even try their hand at synthesizing and integrating information from more than one text, in order to demonstrate their understanding in a written response.
Students will always be asked to prove their point by citing text evidence.
As your child is reading at home, encourage them to cite evidence from the story/text as they discuss their reading with you. (“How do you know that? What does the author tell you? What can you infer about _____?”)
Math News
We have wrapped Unit 6 and are moving back into - Fractions! In Unit 7, students will be expected to:
→ Students will explain why a fraction a/b is equivalent to a fraction
(nxa)/(nxb) by using visual fraction models, with attention to how the
number and size of the parts differ even though the two fractions
themselves are the same size. Use this principle to recognize and
generate equivalent fractions (NF.A.1)
→ Students will compare two fractions with different numerators and
different denominators by creating common denominators or by
comparing to a benchmark fraction such as 1/2 . Recognize that
comparisons are valid only when the two fractions refer to the same
whole. Record the results of comparisons with symbols <,>, =, and justify
the conclusions by using a visual fraction model. (NF.A.2)
→ Students will add and subtract mixed numbers with like denominators,
e.g., by replacing each mixed number with an equivalent fraction, and/or
by using properties of operations and the relationship between addition
and subtraction. (NF.B.3c)
→ Students will solve word problems involving addition and subtraction of
fractions referring to the same whole and having like denominators, e.g.,
by using visual fraction models and equations to represent the problem.
(NF.B.3d)
→ Students will express a fraction with a denominator of 10 as an equivalent
fraction with a denominator of 100 in order to add two fractions using a
variety of representations. (NF.C.5)
→ Students will make a line plot to display a data set of measurements in
fractions of a unit (1/2, 1/4, 1/8). Solve problems involving addition and
subtraction of fractions by using the information presented in line plots. For
example, from a line plot find and interpret the difference in length
Between the longest and shortest specimens in an insect collection.
(4.MD.B.4)
→ Students will understand a fraction as a multiple of a unit fraction and be able
to solve a variety of problem situations involving multiplying a whole number
times a fraction using models, fraction strips, and number lines. (NF.B.4abc)
→ Students will compare decimals and write in decimal notation for fractions
with denominators 10 or 100. (NF.C.6, NF.C.7)
(Standards in bold come to mastery this unit. Other standards will be revisited in a later unit.)
Science & Social Studies News
As we begin the second half of our year, we will continue working on science unit about Energy and Energy Waves. We will further investigate how energy is converted and transferred, and explore things like waves of energy, and even Rube Goldberg machines!
Once we wrap up our experiments over the next couple of weeks, we will be jumping back into Social Studies to explore what happened in Maryland after the Revolutionary War. Stay tuned for more Social Studies information next month!
Writing News
Wow! These fourth graders completed some amazing Informational Research Reports in Quarter 2!
Now as we begin Quarter 3, students will be guided through the process of Opinion writing. Teachers will provide daily instruction on specific strategies and tools necessary to write fluently in the opinion genre.
Students will also be given daily opportunities to practice and reflect upon what they have learned. Teachers will be looking for students to independently apply their new learning as they share their opinions in both writing and through verbal communication.
Save The Dates!
Feb. 7: Report Cards Issued
Feb. 11: All 4th Grade Valentines Parties from 2:00-3:10pm
Feb. 14: 2-Hour Early Dismissal
Feb. 17: Schools Closed - Presidents’ Day
The CES 4th Grade Team
Sandy Cafarelli
Dreda Kelley
Karla Hallock
Melissa Lasko
Jill Maenner
Caitlin Mills