4th Grade News
December 2018 Newsletter
General Notes
- As the weather turns colder, be sure students have coats and appropriate clothing/footwear for recess.
- School Starts every day at 7:40 am. Please make sure to have your children here on time to begin their day.
Important Dates
December 5 - Chorus Concert
December 7 - Novel Projects DUE
December 18 - 4th Grade Holiday Parties)
December 21 - January 4 - Holiday Break
Special Areas Newsletter
Our special areas teachers are a-m-a-z-i-n-g and really want to make sure you are informed about the exciting things they are doing with your children in their classrooms. Please take a few minutes and review their newsletter for November: https://www.smore.com/ehfdr
Leadership Trait of the Month - PURPOSE
Having a purpose is different from being tracked into a specific career or outcome – it’s being oriented toward a vision for the future. When kids are motivated by a larger purpose, studies show they have more academic motivation, life satisfaction, identity formation and success in a career. This month, we will be focusing on this trait throughout Creek View. Students will see video clips on the topic on our morning news and we hope many students will complete the Purpose Tic Tac Toe activities to have additional opportunities to practice this trait.
If you’d like to reinforce this leadership trait with your child, consider the following ideas:
- Encourage your child to think about the world beyond himself/herself
- Ask your child to brainstorm how they might make a difference (big or small) in the world
- Provide praise when you notice your child doing little things to help family members or others
- Let your child have a chance to do chores to earn money to buy a gift for someone in need
- Emphasize how all careers provide an opportunity to have a positive impact
- Share examples of how you work to leave the world a better place than you found it through work, volunteering or caring for others
Academics
On-Level Math
In 4.1 Math, we will be wrapping up Unit 3 on Wednesday, December 3. We will then be continuing our work with fractions in Unit 4. Unit 4 encompasses operations with fractions, such as adding and subtracting fractions, converting improper fractions to mixed numbers, and solving word problems with fractions and whole numbers.
Unit 4 Parent Letter: https://www.georgiastandards.org/Georgia-Standards/Frameworks/Unit-4-4th-grade-parent-letter.pdf
Standards:
MGSE4.NF.3 Understand a fraction with a numerator >1 as a sum of unit fractions .
a. Understand addition and subtraction of fractions as joining and separating parts referring to the same whole.
b. Decompose a fraction into a sum of fractions with the same denominator in more than one way, recording each decomposition by an equation. Justify decompositions by using a visual fraction model. Examples: 3/8 = 1/8 + 1/8 + 1/8 ; 3/8 = 1/8 + 2/8 ; 2 1/8 = 1 + 1 + 1/8 = 8/8 + 8/8 + 1/8.
c. Add and subtract mixed numbers with like denominators by replacing each mixed number with an equivalent fraction, and/or by using properties of operations and the relationship between addition and subtraction.
d. Solve word problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions referring to the same whole and having like denominators, e.g., by using visual fraction models and equations to represent the problem.
MGSE4.NF.4 Apply and extend previous understandings of multiplication to multiply a fraction by a whole number by using a visual such as a number line or area model.
a. Understand a fraction a/b as a multiple of 1/b.
b. Understand a multiple of a/b as a multiple of 1/b, and use this understanding to multiply a fraction by a whole number.
c. Solve word problems involving multiplication of a fraction by a whole number by using visual fraction models and equations to represent the problem.
MGSE4.MD.2 Use the four operations to solve word problems involving distances, intervals of time, liquid volumes, masses of objects, and money, including problems involving simple fractions or decimals, and problems that require expressing measurements given in a larger unit in terms of a smaller unit. Represent measurement quantities using diagrams such as number line diagrams that feature a measurement scale.
Advanced Math
In 4.2 Math, students will be finishing 5th grade Unit 1, Order of Operations and Whole Numbers. The conclusion of the unit focuses on multiplication and division of whole numbers.
5th Grade Unit 1 Parent Letter: https://www.georgiastandards.org/Georgia-Standards/Frameworks/Unit-1-5th-grade-parent-letter.pdf
Standards:
MGSE5.OA.1 Use parentheses, brackets, or braces in numerical expressions, and evaluate expressions with these symbols.
MGSE5.OA.2 Write simple expressions that record calculations with numbers, and interpret numerical expressions without evaluating them. For example, express the calculation “add 8 and 7, then multiply by 2” as 2 × (8 + 7). Recognize that 3 × (18932 + 921) is three times as large as 18932 + 921, without having to calculate the indicated sum or product. Understand the place value system.
MGSE5.NBT.1 Recognize that in a multidigit number, a digit in one place represents 10 times as much as it represents in the place to its right and 1/10 of what it represents in the place to its left.
MGSE5.NBT.2 Explain patterns in the number of zeros of the product when multiplying a number by powers of 10, and explain patterns in the placement of the decimal point when a decimal is multiplied or divided by a power of 10. Use whole-number exponents to denote powers of 10. Perform operations with multi-digit whole numbers and with decimals to hundredths.
MGSE5.NBT.5 Fluently multiply multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm (or other strategies demonstrating understanding of multiplication) up to a 3 digit by 2 digit factor.
MGSE5.NBT.6 Fluently divide up to 4-digit dividends and 2-digit divisors by using at least one of the following methods: strategies based on place value, the properties of operations, and/or the relationship between multiplication and division. Illustrate and explain the calculation by using equations or concrete models. (e.g., rectangular arrays, area models).
Accelerated Math
Students are working on 5th Grade Unit 4, which includes adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators.
5th Grade Unit 4 Parent Letter: https://www.georgiastandards.org/Georgia-Standards/Frameworks/Unit-4-5th-grade-parent-letter.pdf
Standards:
MGSE5.NF.1 Add and subtract fractions and mixed numbers with unlike denominators by finding a common denominator and equivalent fractions to produce like denominators.
MGSE5.NF.2 Solve word problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions, including cases of unlike denominators (e.g., by using visual fraction models or equations to represent the problem). Use benchmark fractions and number sense of fractions to estimate mentally and assess the reasonableness of answers. For example, recognize an incorrect result 2/5 + ½ = 3/7, by observing that 3/7 < ½.
Reading (All Levels)
We will be continuing to review all story elements, including plot, setting, character traits, theme, problem, solution, and point of view.
On/Advanced Language Arts
Current topics of study in Language Arts include Latin and Greek root words, possessive nouns, and figurative language, such as metaphors, similes, personification, alliteration, and hyperbole).
We are currently continuing our work with informational writing. Also be sure to keep an eye out for our use of writing in our upcoming PBL unit!
Accelerated Language Arts
Students will be continuing their work with informational writing. They are also comparing and contrasting theme within novels.
Social Studies
We are excited to continue with Westward Ho! In this unit, we are exploring Westward Expansion and its impact on America. This is also our largest PBL unit for the year, so lookout for more updates regarding projects, assignments, and showcase dates.
Standards:
SS4H3 Explain westward expansion in America.
a. Describe the causes and events of the War of 1812; include the burning of the Capitol and the White House and the writing of “The Star Spangled Banner.”
b. Describe the impact of westward expansion on American Indians; include the Trail of Tears, Battle of Little Bighorn and the forced relocation of American Indians to reservations. c. Describe territorial expansion with emphasis on the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark expedition, and the acquisitions of Texas (the Alamo and independence), Oregon (Oregon Trail), and California (Gold Rush and the development of mining towns).
SS4G2 Describe how physical systems affect human systems.
b. Describe physical barriers that hindered and physical gateways that benefited territorial expansion from 1801 to 1861.
Westward Ho!
4th Grade Project-Based Learning Unit
Finish the first semester strong!
Grades Reminder
Grading Scale
A 90-100%
B 80-89%
C 70-79%
F 69% or below
Grading Weight
40% Tests, Performance Assessments, In- school Projects, End of Unit Writing.
25% Classwork/Seatwork
30% Quizzes, At-Home Projects, Oral Presentations.
5% Homework