4th Grade
Mrs. Conley, Mrs. Marcks & Mrs. Norton
Friday, October 19th
As the weather has turned cooler, and we feel the crispness of fall, we witness our trees as they let go of their leaves. In many areas of your child's learning, we are not letting go, rather, we are adding on. We hope you enjoy reading this newsletter. Please make sure that you connect with your child about what you have read. They love to make connections with their learning and their own lives. Thank you for being a partner with us in your child's education.
Reading Workshop/Language Workshop:
Readers are now into Unit 2: Relationships in Language Workshop and Reading Workshop. The essential question that we will be focusing on for the next 5-6 weeks is "Is conflict inevitable in relationships?" Students were first introduced to the 4 types of conflict in literature; Character vs. Character, Character vs. Self, Character vs. Nature, and Character vs Society. Our first book that we read to explore conflict and relationships was Fox. Although Fox was written in 1948 by Margaret Wild, the conflicts between the characters is relevant for today's reader! The kids were surprised at the end of the book, and asked if there would be a "Book 2" coming out.
Our second book is called Riding to Washington, and this book takes place during the Civil Rights movement. A young white girl does not understand why she is going on a bus across the country to hear Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speak. At the end of the story, Janie understands that the speech is not for some, but for all.
Literature Discussion Groups will focus on characters and conflict as they read in their LDG books. Please look at your child's assignment notebook to make sure that they are keeping up to date on assignments so that they are prepared for their group discussions. While not all students are in an LDG at the same time, independent readers are also focusing on our essential question for this unit.
Writing Workshop:
Writers are now drafting essays that focus on Opinion Writing. Students are learning that opinion writing looks very different from narrative writing. We are developing writing that has a thesis statement with reasons and evidence to support the thesis statement.
Talking Points for ELA:
Are you in an LDG book right now? What is the title?
Tell me about the books FOX and Riding to Washington. What conflicts did you notice?
What topics have you been writing about in your opinion unit?
Math Workshop:
Mathematicians have been working hard completing the rounding unit as well as working through standard ("old fashioned") addition and subtraction algorithm. Yay! Your student can add and subtract "the way you were taught"! It's a beautiful thing!
Please note, TenMarks should be checked on frequently! Some students are finding themselves under a mountain of TenMarks assignments. This should not happen! We have not assigned any classroom assignments since October 11, therefore, there has been plenty of time for students to get their TenMarks assignments done. Please remember, there are "hints" and "videos" available on every TenMarks assignment. Please ask if you should have any questions.
Talking Points for Math:
What is the purpose for estimating before an addition or subtraction problem?
How do you show regrouping in an addition problem? In a subtraction problem?
How would you round 802,046 to the nearest thousand? Ten-thousand?
Science:
Special Notes:
Please see the link below to help volunteer in your child's classroom through Sing-Up Genius:
Please see the parent letter linked below for more, specific, information regarding this fun day!
Thanks Everyone!