FOURTH GRADE NEWS
January 21, 2016
Happy 2016!
Thank you to all the students that participated in the 2015-2016 Skaggs Science Fair. The Science Fair projects were awesome! We hope you were able to stop by and take a look.
Congratulations to William in 4th grade! He's our Skaggs 2015-2016 Spelling Bee winner! He will now compete at the district spelling bee on January 28th. We wish you luck William!
Please see the link below for the next parenting class, "Did We Win? Helping Children Learn to Handle Competition."
Language Arts
Next week, we will begin Unit 4, and our theme is "Working Together." Students will come to the conclusion that one person can make a big difference, but there are times when one person needs the help of other people. While reading our main story, "The Cricket in Times Square," students will be visualizing or creating a mental picture based on the descriptive clues an author provides which will help them form mental images of the story's events, characters, and setting to gain a better understanding of the ideas and details in a text. The comprehension skill is theme, or the overall message or idea that the author wants readers to understand when they read a story. Students will learn that the theme may be stated directly, but many times it is implied. Our spelling pattern for this week is inflectional endings -ed and -ing. We will continue to perfect and hone our expository writing skills.
Math
We will continue to work on Topic 10: Fraction Meanings and Equivalence and continue on to Topic 11: Adding and Subtracting Fractions with Like Denominators. Students represent, apply, generate, and estimate the addition and subtraction of fractions with like denominators in order to solve problems. By the end of the unit, the TEKS expect students to use objects and pictorial models that build to the number line. Objects could include fraction strips and fraction bars and could include sketches of the linear fraction models and strip diagrams. Students are expected to record the appropriate number sentence for problems solved using models. Improper fractions and mixed numbers may be included. Students are also expected to apply properties of operations learned in previous units to their work with fractions.
Science and Social Studies
Next week, we begin learning about Earth Science, the physical characteristics of earth and its atmosphere. Students will investigate components, cycles, patterns, and natural events of the earth's surface which will help them begin to understand and communicate the importance of Earth's cycles and systems. They also learn to describe how the Earth is constantly changing through the processes of weathering, erosion, and deposition.
From the Teachers
- Please always send your child with a coat during cold weather. We go outside if the temperature is 40 degrees or above. Also remember to label all of your child's removeable clothing so we may find its owner easily.
- 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
- We would like to encourage your child to bring their electronic devices. Electronic devices are being used in all subject areas every day, along with music and art.
- Be a star for our students and write a check to our PTA. See the information below regarding the Skaggs PTA Check Writing Campaign.
- 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
2/2 Student Council Meeting 2:45-3:30 pm