Fun in Fourth Grade
A Newsletter About Our Fantastic 4th Grade "Chastain-ians"
Heartfelt Thanks & Shout Outs
Congratulations to Isaac H. for reaching his one million word goal and Arda A. for meeting his two million word goal! I'm so proud of you both for your perseverance! I also want to wish Felicity C. good luck competing in the WCS spelling bee on Tuesday, Dec. 8th! You are going to do a fantastic job!
Thank you so much, Christa Cobb, for teaching our students knots in preparation for Age of Sail! Your time and support is so appreciated!
Age of Sail Update
- Thanks to all families who placed orders for Age of Sail sweatshirts. We expect them to arrive just before the Winter Break.
- We are replenishing our galley supplies. Clean tin cans (approx. 14 oz.) are needed as cups while we are aboard the Balclutha. If you have any to donate, please send them with your child to school. Thank you!
- Paperwork for Age of Sail lads and tall sailors went home during the week before break. Thanks to those of you who have already turned it in! Please make sure I have all paperwork by December 11th.
Holiday Brunch on Thursday, December 17th at 11:15 a.m.
Curriculum Updates
English Language Arts
- This week students will work on Spelling City List #29. Activities should be completed by that Friday. We will test on this list in class on Friday, December 11. No spelling list during the week of 12/14.
- During the next two weeks, students will be learning vocabulary needed for our Age of Sail adventure using Spelling City activities. They will have until Wednesday, December 16th to complete these and we will test on this day.
- We continue our examination of different text structures of informational texts by exploring compare and contrast articles.
- Students are learning more about the specific meanings of suffixes in class.
This week, we launch our patterning and algebraic problem solving unit. IXL strands that support our study of these concepts include:
- 4th Grade: F.9, L.1-L.5, G.1-G.6, and H.1, H.2
- 5th Grade: S.1-S.5 and U.1-U.8
If all goes according to plan, students will test on this unit on Thursday, Nov. 17th.
Science
This week we continue our life science unit with an emphasis on the systems of animals and humans that enable survival and growth. The essential questions explored this week include, "What purpose does the brain serve in human and animal survival? How do senses help humans and animals to survive?" We will be wrapping up this unit with a study guide and after reviewing in class, we will test on Thursday, Nov. 17th.
Social Studies
Students are learning about the exploration of California and the ensuing mission period that followed. They will be learning about Spain's motivations for colonizing in California and the impact this had on the Native Americans in our state.
Age of Sail
Students will be preparing for their voyage aboard the Balclutha during the coming weeks by learning how to tie square, bowline and cleat hitch knots with Mrs. Cobb, singing sea chanteys, and practicing working together as a team.
Art
Check out Ms. Jackson's website to see what's currently happening in art.
Upcoming Dates
- Dec. 8 from 6 to 7 p.m.: WCS Spelling Bee in the Cafeteria
- Dec.11: Barnes & Noble Family Night
- Dec. 11: Age of Sail Paperwork Due
- Dec. 17: Holiday Brunch in class at 11:15 a.m.
- Dec. 17: Minimum Day
- Dec. 18-Jan.3: Winter Break
- January 7 & 8: Age of Sail field lesson for Chastain-ians
Warmly,
Heather Chastain