Grade 4 News
Newsletter #2: Sharing the Planet
What Are We Learning This Unit?
Our Unit of Inquiry
We have been learning all about rainforests! We have been exploring rainforests through different key concepts: change reflection, and responsibility.
- Change: How do rainforests change as you move from the forest floor up to the emergent layer? How have animals adapted to their layer of the rainforest? How do biomes change as one moves further away from the equator? We researched the different layers of the rainforest and the plant and animal life that reside there. Then we each picked an organism, drew it, and put it on our rainforest bulletin board.
- Reflection: We also have been looking at biodiversity in-depth. In groups, we investigated different aspects of the rainforest and made posters which we presented to the class. We also watched a video about the importance of balance in an ecosystem. We watched a fascinating documentary about the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park and how one species single-handedly redefined the landscape and restored balance to an area that had experienced devastating changes of the last 50 years.
- Responsibility: Finally, we looked at ways various individuals have made a positive impact in preserving the rainforest and how we can do the same.
Math
We have been getting very proficient with fractions in the last few weeks, alhamdulillah. We are able to find equivalent fractions and compare them when they have different denominators. In the last week, we have been adding and subtracting fractions and applying this knowledge to word problems. I am really proud of the effort and progress every student has made in fractions, which can be a very tough concept to grasp well. It would be a shame to lose the momentum over the summer break, and I really encourage every student to continue to work on the modules over the summer on Khan Academy or some other resource.
English Language Arts
During our Language Daily 3 time, students have been working on individual reading and writing activities. They have been strengthening their reading skills of nonfiction texts and learning more about current events related to rainforests through the use of age-appropriate news articles.
Learner Profile Attribute of the Month
Last month the school focused on the IB Learner Profile Attribute of Risk Taker. For our class's presentation during the special assembly, we decided to be risk-takers and tell the school what being a risk-takers means to us. A small group wanted to do a skit to demonstrate the meaning of a true risk-taker. I am so proud of each and everyone. We practiced in class several times and did an amazing job, Masha Allah.
Summative Assessment
For our last summative assessment task, students have been given a choice board with various activities that they can choose from. They have been super excited about this because they can create an end product that plays to their strengths. For the ones who enjoy writing, they have several options to write stories, poems, persuasive letters or speeches, or create a newsletter or a brochure. For the artistic ones, they can create a poster or a diorama. And for the ones who are more tech-savvy, they have a lot of options to create digital presentations through Powtoons, PowerPoint, a Youtube video or even a podcast. Lots of options for everyone!! I am really excited about seeing what everyone comes up with, insha Allah.
Other Class Happenings
For the last several weeks, our class fostered a guinea pig, Oreo, from the first-grade class. She has been a source of great excitement and everyone enjoyed playing, petting, and taking care of her.
Grade 4 Team
- Ms. Shabana Ahmed - sahmed@tarbiyahacademy.org (Hmrm)
- Ms. Ibrahim - hibrahim@tarbiyahacademy.org (Quran)
- Imam Mikaeel Smith - msmith@tarbiyahacademy.org (IS)
- Ms. Taame - otaame@tarbiyahacademy.org (Art)
- Ms. Azzam - razzam@tarbiyahacademy.org
Email: info@tarbiyahacademy.org
Website: http://www.tarbiyahacademy.com
Location: 6785 Business Parkway, Elkridge, MD, United States
Phone: 844-827-2492
Facebook: facebook.com/tarbiyahacademy