FOURTH GRADE NEWS
December 10, 2015
Welcome to Fourth Grade
Our students have grown so much already this year both academically and physically. This is a good time to have a discussion about staying healthy and clean. Washing hands, taking baths/showers on a regular basis, and wearing deodorant are important with all the physical activities they take part in during the day.
Cold and flu season is underway, and it is a good time to talk to your child about healthy habits that will keep them and others from getting sick. It is important they get a good night's rest, drink plenty of water (we encourage them to bring a water bottle to school), eat healthy foods, wash their hands often, and cover their mouths when they sneeze or cough.
On December 17th, students will be celebrating the end of the first three units of study by having a math game morning. They may bring a game that involves math in some capacity. The games can be board games, card games, or on their personal device. However, students do need to be able to explain how math is being used while playing the game.
As the winter winds start to blow, be sure to check that your child is dressed appropriately for the weather. It is also a good time to check that hats, gloves, coats, etc. have your child's first and last name inside. This will allow for a quick return of lost items.
An amazing opportunity is coming to the Skaggs Library on December 16th & 17th sponsored by the Skaggs PTA. Our students will be fully engaged for over 90 minutes in hands-on technology experiences! iCode is an after-school program that focuses on computer science, robotics, and technology. iCode's programs are based on a comprehensive approach to STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) where children learn in a fun and dynamic environment.
Language Arts
Words are powerful tools that often move people to action. Students continue to analyze our unit theme, The Power of Words. This week, we will learn how much power words in both spoken and written form can have on people. Students will practice determining facts and opinions presented in speeches and written texts. The spelling pattern for the week will focus on words with soft c and g in words such as cement and germ. As an at home extension to our learning, you and your child may want to research speeches given throughout history such as the Gettysburg Address, "I Have a Dream" by Martin Luther King Jr., or others. As a family discuss the powerful words you encounter as you read. What makes these words stand out from all the others? How does understanding their meaning impact us as readers and writers?
Math
Our multiplication assessment will be Monday, Dec. 14th. Students may use pgs. 307-310 and pgs. 359-362 to help prepare for the test. For the remainder of the week we will be reviewing our first 4 units: Place Value, Addition and Subtraction, Multiplication and Division. After which, we will have a math game morning to celebrate on Thursday, December 17th. Examples of board games: Monopoly, Life, Payday, etc.
Science and Social Studies
In science, we will be working with open and closed circuits. Students will learn to create and build a schematic diagram of a circuit ,and will be exposed to learning how schematic diagrams can be used to communicate information about different electrical circuits. They will also explore and investigate what an electromagnetic field is.
The unit assessment will be Wednesday, December 16th.
From the Teachers
- Science Fair is coming to Skaggs! If your child is interested in participating please send in the student letter as soon as possible in order to receive the handbook. Student Letters can be found on the fourth grade website. Projects are due to school by Wednesday, January 13th. https://sites.google.com/a/pisd.edu/fabulous-fourth-grade-friends/
- Reading Logs: Skaggs has a new reading program that we would love to encourage your children to participate in. With this reading program, your child will read at home and record the number of minutes that he or she has read each night. At the end of the week, your child can record the number of minutes read for the week on the following web site: http://tinyurl.com/SkaggsReadingLog
- 40 Books in 40 Days: Each child has been given a challenge by Mrs. Geiler, our librarian, to read 40 books in 40 days. The challenge ends December 16th! Each week teachers will tally up the total number of books read by our classes. At the end of the challenge the grade level with the highest percentage of books read will earn a prize! Please see below for further information.
- We would like to encourage your child to bring their electronic devices. Electronic devices are being used in all subject areas along with music and art.
- Be a star for our students and write a check to our PTA. See the information below regarding the Skaggs PTA Check Writing Campaign.
- A fourth grade website just for parents! You will find links, important information, and much more. https://sites.google.com/a/pisd.edu/fabulous-fourth-grade-friends/
Important Dates
- 12/11 Class Spelling Bees
- 12/14 Language Usage MAP
- 12/14 Math Unit Assessment
- 12/16 Science Unit Assessment
- 12/17 Math Game Morning
- 12/18 End of 2nd Nine Weeks, Winter Party, Report Cards, Early Release, 40 Book Challenge Due
- 12/21 Winter Break Begins
- 1/5 Students Return