FOURTH GRADE NEWS
October 29, 2015
Welcome to Fourth Grade
Language Arts
Next week, students will be reading an expository text called Wild Horses. While reading students will use their understanding of text features and expository text structure to determine the cause and effects. Students will also learn how elaboration of details adds excitement and interest to a narrative composition. R-controlled vowels, or vowels that are followed by the letter r and not heard when saying a word will be our spelling pattern for the week. Students will work specifically with a and o, and the various ways these r-controlled combinations are spelled in words.
Math
Next week, students will continue to focus on the process of division. They will learn that the remainder of a problem can be interpreted in different ways. When solving word problems, students need to be aware of the meaning of the remainder within the context of the problem. Additionally, students will learn how to use partial quotients to divide, and use strategies and algorithms, including the standard algorithm, to divide up to a four-digit dividend by a one-digit divisor. Please continue to work on multiplication facts at home.
Extended learning for Unit 7 is due on Monday, November 16th. Please see page 363 "Conserving Natural Resources" for more information about the assignment.
Science and Social Studies
Students have been hard at work researching various Native American groups in Texas. They will be presenting their research and artifacts to our class and comparing other tribal groups to their own. Students will learn about the arrival of European explorers to Texas and how that impacted the lives of many Native American groups.
From the Teachers
- Field Day is tomorrow, October 30th! If you would like to volunteer for this fun-filled day, please sign up on the following link. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14MRZyOOScehWn-iUT_n-djoZTOP3JNWutNJAXFoGFdY/edit#gid=0
- Candy Drive ends November 2nd: Please see our parent site for more information. https://sites.google.com/a/pisd.edu/fabulous-fourth-grade-friends/
- 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/
- The 2015 Fall Book Fair is is scheduled for November 4-13. See the flyer below or the link to find out more information. http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/skaggs
- Skaggs is hosting a parenting workshop on November 9th. For more information see our parent website link https://sites.google.com/a/pisd.edu/fabulous-fourth-grade-friends/https://sites.google.com/a/pisd.edu/fabulous-fourth-grade-friends/
- Be a star for our students and write a check to our PTA. See the information below regarding the Skaggs PTA Check Writing Campaign.
- 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 device. Electronic devices are being used in all subject areas along with music and art.
- 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
- 10/30 Field Day - Bring a sack lunch.
- 11/4-11/13 Fall Book Fair
- 11/16 Math Extended Learning due
- 11/19 Progress Reports
- 11/20 Word Masters Meet #1
- 11/23-11/27 Thanksgiving Break