This week!

Good afternoon,

In the Classroom

Reader's Workshop - We will soon begin Discovery Groups in Reader's Workshop. Students have selected a time in history to study. As we learn about informational text, students will use their own books and topic to personally explore. My hope is that we will wrap all of our learning up into an electronic project towards the end of the year. I am excited!

Writer's Workshop - The writers now have a very solid understanding of how to write a literary essay. We will continue to explore this genre of writing this quarter and work to really explore the books we have read in fourth grade.

Math - Our next unit will explore reflections and lines of symmetry. This is always a fun unit for the kids!

Science - We are reviewing units of measurement. Ask your child about Gallon Kingdom!

Social Studies - Work is underway for the upcoming Famous Missourian presentations. Dates will be sent out soon as to when the presentations will be held.

Kindergarten Enrollment
This Thursday from 4:30-6 pm will be our kindergarten enrollment for students entering kindergarten next year. You can visit the district's website to fill out the necessary paperwork which will save you time on Thursday night. Please bring with you a copy of your child's immunization record.

Art Fair/Grandparents' Night
Be sure your family is aware of our upcoming Art Fair that is tailored specifically for our grandparents, but parents are of course welcome! Come view you child's art work from 5-7:30 pm. Cookies will be served.

MAP Testing
Just a reminder, we will soon be testing for the Missouri Assessment Program! We will test on April 23, 24, 29, 30, and May 1st between 9:30-12:00.

Classroom News

In the Classroom...

This week will mark the end of our third quarter in fourth grade. We are busy wrapping up learning in a few curricular areas as well as launching into our final units in others. We have a lot of work to do the last couple of months.

Reader's Workshop
We will begin wrapping up our learning this quarter before moving on into a new unit. This unit's focus has been fun making connections to visual presentations and dramas. Our Tom Sawyer production provided the perfect connection to this standard.

Writer's Workshop
Our final writing piece for this year will ask for fourth graders to write about what they read. We will be responding to books by asking questions of ourselves as readers and responding as writers. Students will develop opinions and points of view about their text and topics and develop literary essays. This will be a great way to wrap up our learning from reading and writing this year.

Math
We are exploring area and perimeter, but still focusing on developing mastery in basic multiplication and division facts. Any support with this at home would be fantastic and much appreciated!

Science
Scientists are learning about rocks and minerals this week as well as using inquiry skills as we do some experimenting.

Social Studies
The famous Missourian projects are about to begin! This is always a highlight of fourth grade and your child will be sharing some information about this fun-culminating project very soon.

Looking Ahead

3/19 - Pictures at 9:00 am (orders were not taken, proofs will be sent home)
3/20 - McTeacher Night at the Grain Valley McDonald's - 4-8 pm
3/21 - End of Third Quarter

3/28 - Grade Cards Go Home

4/8 - Grandparent's Night/Art Show

4/17 - Advanced MAP Luncheon (Students have been notified)

4/18-4/21 - No School: Easter Break
4/23-4/24 - Communication Arts MAP Testing 10:30-12:00
4/29-4/30-5/1 - Math MAP Testing 10:30-12:00