4th Grade Newsletter
March 29, 2018
Important Dates
- March 30-No School
- April 2-No School
- April 9-13-Campus closed due to STAAR testing
April 10-STAAR Writing
April 16-20-Book Fair Week
April 25-Bronco Press due!
May 14-STAAR Math
May 15-STAAR Reading
Writing STAAR
As you know, on Tuesday, April 10 your child will be taking the fourth grade STAAR Writing Test. We are so proud of the students’ hard work in preparation for this important test. They have learned how to organize and compose superb expository essays.
The Writing Test includes answering multiple-choice items and writing a composition. For the multiple-choice portion, students have been taught to read the paragraphs first to look for mistakes in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, other grammar errors, or parts that are unclear. After marking the corrections in the test booklet, students read each question item and try each answer choice in the passage before they choose the best answer. Rereading each sentence several times increases accuracy. We have also reminded the students to read the passage and questions closely to make sure they understand what is being asked.
For the compositions, students will be given an expository prompt. The students know that the purpose of the expository piece is to give information. We do not know what the prompt will be, but it will be a broad topic that all 4th graders in the state can write about. Inside the test booklet, students will have blank pages to plan out their composition. They will also be allowed to use lined paper. Students will brainstorm, draw their own planner, and write a rough draft. They will then write their final copy on the lined page provided. We encourage them to carefully proofread this final copy before they turn it in. The final copy cannot be more than one page long. Students may choose to print if this is the neatest form of handwriting for them.
Reminders for success before the test:
1. Get plenty of rest the night before the test.
2. Eat a healthy breakfast the morning of the test.
3. Bring nutritious snacks & a water bottle to school the day of the test.
4. Bring several sharpened pencils (mechanical pencils are fine) and erasers.
5. We encourage the students to use all the time they are provided to work on the test. However, they may bring chapter books to read when they finish.
We appreciate all that you do to support your child’s education. Thank you for making these days a successful experience for your child.
Science
This week we began our unit on weather and water. In the next few weeks, students will
students will understand that there are recognizable patterns among Earth’s cycles and systems that can be observed and predicted. Students will know that water is necessary to sustain life and ties the land, oceans, and atmosphere into an integrated system.
Math
We will begin Personal Financial Literacy next week. Your child will learn the differences between saving, spending, and sharing. Students will also learn how to distinguish between fixed and variable expenses and compare different savings options. This topic will also teach your child about financial institutions, such as banks, and the purposes they serve.
Allergies
If you know your child has severe seasonal allergies and needs to take medication, please try to give it to them at home to avoid worsening of symptoms at school. Seasonal allergy symptoms can include red/itchy eyes, watering of eyes, eye swelling, sore throat, runny noses, and sneezing.
It is important to try to avoid allergy triggers by following some basic steps: keeping windows closed at home, turn on the A/C and change filters as needed, shower and wash hair after being outside, washing clothes and sheets often to get rid of allergens, and using allergy relief medications such as antihistamines or other medications that may be recommended by your physician. Many of these medicines can be taken at home once or twice a day. Please note: It helps to reduce the severity of symptoms by starting medication about a month before pollination occurs and to take medication regularly. Please talk to your physician about what would be best for your child and remember that a medication request form is required from the parent and a physician’s order to give medications at school. In the nurse’s office, I can rinse eyes if necessary with tap water and give ice packs to apply to irritated eyes.
Thanks!
Nurse Ericka
Parent Workshop
Please join us in the library on Friday, April 6th from 7:45-8:30am for an important parent education program - “What Are Our Children Doing on Their Devices?”. Doors open at 7:30am. Please read the flyer for more details. You won’t want to miss it!
5th Grade Camp!
Parents are invited to an open house for 5th Grade Outdoor Science Camp. It will take place on April 15th from 2pm - 4pm at Collin County Adventure Camp. Please see the flyer below for more detail.