Spring Creek Cardinals
4th Grade Newsletter
MARCH 2018 EDITION
If you would like to be a chaperone for our last field trip to Austin, please fill out this form.
MATH Update
Math in March
We will be starting to learn about finding area and perimeter. Soon after, the focus will move to measurement, including customary and metric units of length, volume of liquids and mass. We will not only look at different units of measurement, but the students will learn how to convert between those units. For example, how many quarts will be contained in 7 gallons of milk? Or, how many inches are found in 3 yards of ribbon. The conversion of units of time and money will also be part of our lessons. Once we have a good grasp on finding measurements, we will begin learning about geometry. Our study of geometry includes learning the difference between a parallel line and a perpendicular line. Another important area in geometry includes knowing the difference between acute angles, obtuse angles and right angles. Then the students will apply the understanding of the lines and angles to help to identify and classify various 2D shapes based on their parallel or perpendicular sides and the angles in each corner. These topics will continue on into April.
READING/WRITING Update
Wow, how the year is flying! Your child is really growing as a reader and a writer. If you have invisibility as your superpower, I suggest you sneak in my room to hear the discussion students are having about books. Students are starting new book clubs after Spring Break. They really like the opportunity to discuss with others the books they are reading. (Or if you want to volunteer to assist in the classroom during reading time, let me know and you are welcome to attend in traditional Clark Kent attire.)
We will continue to work on grammar and word study on Fridays. Throughout the year I confer with students about their essay writing. Their essay skills are solid, and I am noticing students brighten as they hear the great things they are already doing as a writer. Students are also eager to hear tips about ways to improve their writing and applying these tips. We will continue to write, revise, and edit just like we have done all year. Students will be C.S.I. (Comma Splice Investigators) in March. With their detective’s notebook, students will examine the "crime" scene in order to detect the comma errors in sentences.
Poetry Fridays are a favorite this year. I think it is loved due to the freedom and creativity poetry allows. Students analyze published authors poems, read poems, share poems on an “open mic,” type poems on the blog, write poems collaboratively, and so much more! Following is a recent poem by one of my students. Read more of your students poetry at
http://mrsdungansclass.weebly.com/poetry
PARENT OPPORTUNITIES:
Help facilitate a book club discussion. Time commitment 20-30 minutes.
Attend Awards Assembly or if you can’t make it, email me something you are celebrating. I will share it with students in class.
Read a favorite chapter book with your child(ren) before bed every night.
Leave a comment on our poetry blog.
Take down two bulletin boards in the hall.
Save the date for Awards Assembly! Friday, March 23 at 10:30. Then plan to stay for lunch with your students. It is a fun way to celebrate all the good things going on in our lives both at school and at home.
SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES Update
In Social Studies:
During the next three weeks we will look at Texas during the Civil war. How the Texas frontier developed with ranching cattle and the impact railroads had on life in Texas. Students will also begin looking at the free enterprise system in Texas.
**WEEKLY QUIZZES** - encourage your student to participate in class and review the key vocabulary that is on the webpage. If you see that your student is scoring below an 80 each week on their weekly quiz, please check with me and see when they can come in for tutorials so we can make sure they are understanding what we are covering in class.
In Science,
We will be looking at the different types of resources we have on Earth, the patterns of the moon and sun and move on to the water cycle and the weather.
As a reminder, Encourage your child to review the vocabulary on the website.
What is happening this month:
March 1 - Second Grade Program @ 2pm
March 2 - Dr. Seuss Day/DEAR Day
March 8 - Future Family Welcome Night
March 12-16 - Spring Break
March 23 - Awards Assembly at 10:30 in the cafeteria
Coming up - Mark your calendar
APRIL 17 - Field trip to Austin
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