FOURTH GRADE NEWS
MAY 5th, 2016
What's Up in 4th Grade!
STAAR Math and Reading is on May 9th and 10th respectively. Our kids are ready to show off their skills and we know they will rock it. We are very proud of them!
Please note that the PTA Carnival has been postponed until Saturday, May 14th from 2- 4 PM due to bad weather. We would love for you to visit with your family and friends.
Thank you so very much to those who have donated items for the parachute project. However, we are still needing supplies for that unit. Please contact Mrs. Mukherjee or Mrs. Estep for more details.
Please scroll down to find a flyer for the seventeenth annual basketball clinic for boys and girls entering 1st–9th grades in the fall of 2016. Clinics are designed to include competitive drills, various competitions for prizes, and plenty of scrimmaging. The Plano West basketball staff is focused on building a strong foundation for future development of all athletes. Teams are welcome, but players must sign up individually. Fun! Fun! Fun!
Please encourage your children to bring their own device to school. We will need them during Language Arts during the next six weeks for our Project Based Learning.
Make sure that your child is reading 20 minutes every night and recording it in their planner. A parent signature is also required to ensure this process.
Please take a moment to see the links below for parenting classes offered in May. The last parenting class will be held on May 16th at Skaggs. Parents with middle school students will highly benefit from this class as it will make the transition an easier process. Scroll down to learn more from the flyer attached below.
Language Arts
"Taking the Lead" is our non- fiction Time For Kids selection and we are going to be engaged in understanding how people can come up with a strategy to improve people's lives in their community.
In writing, students will use research based facts to create open ended problem statements, and come up with a list of solutions as part of their project based learning.
There is no spelling test next week.
Math
The Math STAAR test is on Monday. We have been thoroughly reviewing all concepts taught in 4th grade over the past two weeks, and your child is ready to SHINE! After STAAR testing is over, we will start our "Step up to 5th Grade" unit.
Science and Social Studies
Students will be finishing their nightly observations of the moon. Our class will be using the Engineering Design Process to plan, and create a parachute that carries a load within a specific range of speed. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @SkaggsMrsEstep and @SkaggsMukherjee for pictures of our design process. On Friday, May 13th students will be assessed on their understanding of our aerospace unit.
Key vocabulary for this unit: orbits, planet, revolve, rotate, solar system, model, Moon, stars, patterns, Sun, seasons, shadows, atmosphere, parachute, suspension lines, canopy, celestial body, moon phases,
Science Test: Friday, May 13.
From the Teachers
- Reading Logs: 4th grade participates in our Skaggs reading program, The Skaggs Scribe. We require that every student read at least 20 minutes per night and record their time in their planner. Please sign your child's agenda every Friday and students will enter their time on a Google Form where they could win prizes. They may enter this information at school or at home. This is the website students will use to record their minutes: 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
5/9 - Math STAAR
5/10 - Reading STAAR
5/11- National Nurse Appreciation Day
5/13 Science Test
5/14 PTA Carnival from 2:00-4:00