The Scoop on 4th Grade
with Miss Lejsner, Mrs. Napoleoni and Mrs. Smith
November 2, 2018
Dear 4th grade parents,
On October 16, our parent teacher conference sign up for November conferences opened via ParentVue. We sent an email reminder and conference sign up instructions on October 15. Parent teacher conferences will be hosted on November 15, 5:00-8:00 p.m.; November 19, 12:00-8:00 p.m. and November 20, 8:00-11:00 a.m. This module will be open until November 13. If you have trouble signing up for a conference time through ParentVue, please contact the District 47 help desk at 815-788-5080 or hd@d47.org or email your child's teacher.
Curriculum Corner
Reading & Writing
The last few weeks have been full of informational texts. They were "hit hard" with texts on tornadoes, hurricanes, and big storms in both shared reading and guided reading lessons. Together we used the notes we took to compare and contrast the two natural disasters. The students also discovered how text features can help us understand the story by reading the headings and captions of diagrams. We learned a lot of valuable information. Reading a variety of nonfiction texts has helped us to discover that authors choose a certain text structure to give the information they want to share. This week we looked at the text structure of cause and effect.
In writing the students had the opportunity to write a personal narrative told from their point of view. For this project they have shown us how they can use active verbs to strengthen word choice. Another skill they have worked on is how to narrow down their topics. We have enjoyed reading about these narrative experiences.
Math
The students will complete their big multiplication unit soon if they haven't already. Then we will be starting division. Watch for the parent note to come home soon. Notice that the curriculum starts by teaching division using the place value model. Eventually, we will get to traditional long division. Both methods will be assessed in this curriculum. As always we are here to provide extra support. You can continue to support your child at home by practicing math facts for just a few minutes a day.
Science/Social Studies
We have all taken the chapter 2 test in Social Studies and read chapter 3. Now we have jumped to science and began our Earth Materials unit. In this unit, we will be studying rocks and minerals as we act like geologists. Students will use their observation skills to learn the difference between a rock and a mineral.
Books We've Read
- City of Ember
- The Big Storm
- Hurricanes
- Thunder Cake
- Social Studies Text Book
- Various Guided Reading Texts
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, November 5th - Author Eric Litwin presents to the students
Tuesday, November 6th - Bring a book to read with our book buddies
Wednesday, November 7th - Unplug and read instead of using technology at night
Thursday, November 8th - Bring in a book to swap
Friday, November 9th - Wear a shirt with words on it
Monday, November 12th - Veteran's Day assembly for students and Veteran's that can attend
Monday, November 12th - PTO Pie Fundraiser pick up 4-6pm
Wednesday, November 14th - Early Release, students dismissed at 2pm
Wednesday, November 14th - Progress Reports available online, will be sent home on Friday
Thursday, November 15th - Parent Teacher Conferences 5-8pm, by scheduled appointment
Have a wonderful weekend!!
-Miss Lejsner, Mrs. Napoleoni & Mrs. Smith-