Spring Creek Cardinals
4th Grade Newsletter
LOTS HAPPENING!
We have our Valentines party coming up and then our rescheduled field trip to Washington on the Brazos along with the Planetarium enrichment day.
Look in the Monday folder to get more information for you to fill out!
FEBRUARY 2019 EDITION
MATH Update
Hello! Since our return from Christmas break we have completed a long unit of division and students worked very hard to learn the many new strategies. Moving forward, this month we have started our fraction unit. We have already been exposed to fractions when we covered our decimal unit but will now dive a little deeper. Relating fractions to decimals using pictorial models will be our start and will come as a review for most and move on to determining equivalent fractions. We will spend roughly 4 days working on comparing fractions with same and different denominators and numerators as this is a hard concept to master. We will finish out the month of February with how to decompose fractions as well as addition and subtraction with fractions. A unit assessment will be given at the end of the month. Homework will be given out on an as need basis but if at any time you feel you would like your child to have more sent home please email me and let me know. Although we have completed our multiplication and division units, math fluency is still practiced daily at school and is still encouraged daily at home. As always, if you have any questions please feel free to contact me by phone or email.
READING/WRITING Update
READING
Students have just finished their projects on a novel study. We will present them with a gallery walk where students will be able to leave feedback and compliments for each other. On February 14 parents will also be able to participate in the gallery walk of student projects. Plan to take some time while you are here for the Valentine’s party to view student novel projects and leave compliments. Last month in January students analyzed nonfiction texts in class. We looked at how authors organize the text in order to provide comprehension. We have learned some amazing behaviors squirrels and octopuses exhibit.
WRITING
Students are continuing essay writing. This form of writing will be used throughout their school career and it is important they learn the structure and development of essays. Based on two essays written in January I am excited to say most students already have a basic understanding of an essay structure. In class we will focus on developing our introductions, body, and conclusion to include more detail, examples, evidence, and opinion. Elaboration is key to developing student voice within their writing.
HOMEWORK
During February, students will be asked to read 120 minutes a week their book of choice. I am asking that students choose traditional chapter books to read at school and at home. I know graphic novels are fun and of high interest, I also am noticing students are not challenging themselves to try new books. We are talking a lot about proper book selection in class. Reading is so important to grow a students vocabulary, spelling, and understanding of words. Please make time each day to read. By this time of year, most students are enjoying reading and will make time for it on their own. If your child is still resistant to reading for fun, let me know and maybe I can help them find some titles of interest.
PARENT OPPORTUNITIES
PARENT HOMEWORK - Write an essay telling about a special person in your life and explain why they are important to you. (Many of us parents haven’t written an essay in years! I really would like to see a lot of parents write this essay and turn the homework in. Parent essays will also be set out for a gallery walk in the classroom so students can give you feedback. This is a great opportunity for you to experience what your child experiences in class, while providing a model for our class to learn from.)
DISPLAYING NOVEL PROJECTS for the Gallery Walk - This would be about an hour of work stapling student work to the wall sometime before February 13th.
SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES Update
In Social Studies:
During the next three weeks we will look at the development of the Republic of Texas, the important leaders, and the impact of the Mexican-American War on Texas. Each week students read sections of the newspaper and answer critical reading questions. This helps me and the students know if they are understanding what they are reading. Students have the newspaper next to them to use as they answer these questions. We are improving our skills of going back and proving that our answer is correct by using the text.
We will also work on finding the main idea and supporting details in the articles. This is a great carry over from what they are learning with Mrs. Dungan. I will be incorporating this concept in our weekly quizzes.
**WEEKLY QUIZZES** - encourage your student to participate in class and review the key vocabulary that is on the webpage.
In Science,
We will wrap up looking at the various patterns we find on Earth then move into the fascinating world of weathering, erosion, deposition and the formation of soil. As we gain more new knowledge in the Spring semester, I will have activities for the students to do that spirals back over previously learned material. This helps students to learn in a variety of ways, make connections between big ideas and review concepts so they do not forget them as time passes.
As a reminder, Encourage your child to review the vocabulary on the website.
Looking Ahead...
February 14 - Valentine Party
February 18 - Student Holiday
February 25 - Washington on the Brazos (rescheduled) Field Trip
February 21-22 - Planetarium is here!
February 22 - Sing-along
Spring Creek Elementary
Website: http://sc.csisd.org/
Location: 2450 Brewster, College Station, TX
Phone: 979-694-5838
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CSISDSpringCreek
Twitter: @sc_elementary