Week 3

Good morning,

 

Last week many of the routines were established in fourth grade and your kids were introduced to most of the journals they will be using this year.  The class seems to be very receptive and positive, and I look forward to a great year. Back-to-School Night is tomorrow evening and I look forward to meeting each one of you.

In mathematics, you children continue to study place value.  This week they begin by exploring different ways to estimate, and then practice solving multistep number stories involving addition and subtraction. They will be introduced to the US traditional addition method and end the week working in partnerships “Cracking the Muffin Code,” their first Open Response of the year.

In Reading & Writing Workshop you kids continue to set-up routines for the year.  They will continue to practice reading responses in their notebooks as they study characters.  They will also be put into a reading “partnership” to delve more deeply into realistic fiction.   This week they will focus on retelling and be synthesizing information to “cement” understanding, as well as practice envisionment to picture what the author is trying to convey.  Your kids begin using their journals this week in writing. They will begin gathering ideas for fictional stories and will take a closer look at “small moments” in their own lives.

In Social Studies, your kids continue to study civics, especially rules & laws, as well as civic virtues.  They have been synthesizing the information learned and writing a “graphic novel” page to show their understanding.  It is due later this week. They will also be introduced to Earth Science: Processes That Shape the Earth. For the remainder of the year, social studies and science will be studied alternatively. Sometimes both in the same week, yet other times alternating weeks.

That about covers this week.  I will attempt to keep you in the loop regarding dates and events that are upcoming in this weekly newsletter. Here are some upcoming events:

         August 20:    ASA’s begin for the first semester

         August 21:    Back-to-School Night (6:00-8:00 PM)

         August 31:    First Fabulous Friday Assembly (8 AM)

Confucius once said, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” The fourth-grade journey has begun, and each one of your children will show growth and success one step or day at a time.

Have a great week,

Mr. J