Classroom News - Week 5

In the Classroom...

Reader's Workshop - This week, readers will continue to make inferences by using text clues and their background knowledge. We will discuss how as readers we determine the meaning of unknown words and phrases.

Writer's Workshop - We are on our way in creating realistic fiction stories. This week, we will focus on the details we include within our stories by learning from real authors. Student writers will learn to use sensory details, descriptive details, and similes to make their stories come to life for their readers.

Math - In math, we will focus on place value in large numbers and organizing data to be displayed visually by creating graphs.

Social Studies - We are in the midst of finishing up our science unit. Students are creating either a commercial, travel brochure, or trip itinerary demonstrating their understanding of the different regions of the United States.

Science - This will be a fun week for fourth graders as we dive into SCIENCE! We will first put our skills to the test as we learn about scientific inquiry. Students will go through the scientific method and complete a lab that will last most of our week!

Two Hour Late Start

Thursday will be our first late start for the year. Instead of 8:40, school will begin at 10:40 am. Breakfast is not served on late start days. The later start time allows us to meet and grow our brains as teachers. This week's late start will focus on the development and implementation of writer's workshop. 

Mid-Term Reports 

It is hard to believe that we have already reached the half way point of our first quarter in fourth grade. Friday afternoon, mid-term reports will be sent home. As we will be meeting very soon for conferences, the mid-term can serve as a vital tool of your child's progress so far in fourth grade. That being said, we have several weeks left of first quarter. After receiving your child's report, please sign and return the bottom half. If you have any questions about your child's progress, I am happy to answer your questions. 

Science Supplies 

As part of an upcoming unit in science, we are in need of cardboard rolls. Paper towel, toilet paper, or wrapping paper rolls will serve our need well. If you can start collecting these at home and send them to school, we would greatly appreciate it!

Thank you for your support and for helping the first part of this quarter such a smooth one. 

Have a great week,
Mrs. T.