I'd like to thank all of you for meeting with me to discuss your child's academic accomplishments during conference week. It was nice to see you and personally communicate to you all that has been happening in fourth grade. Please call, email or write to me with any questions, comments or concerns regarding your child. Communication is key!
We are in the midst of our Revolutionary War unit. They all did a wonderful job on their "Stamp Act" projects in class. They are currently displayed outside our room but will make their way home shortly. We will continue to learn about the challenges we faced as a new nation and the importance of Americans sharing certain democratic beliefs, both personal and civic. Towards the end of these nine weeks we'll begin our unit on Westward Expansion.
We are all simply loving learning about our solar system. We worked hard on making a replica and hanging it in the hall. We've studied how the position and motion of the earth in the solar system helps to determine the sequence of the phases of the moon. We also learned what our solar system is made up of, why a year is 365 days, why a day consists of 24 hours and the reason for the seasons. Our next topics will be stars, star patterns, more about the planets and constellations.
Math is all about fractions and decimals. This can be a tricky concept so we are putting lots of effort into learning it. By the time this nine weeks is through we'll be able to add and subtract fractions with common denominators, simplify fractions, convert improper fractions into mixed numbers, convert mixed numbers into improper fractions, and add and subtract decimal fractions. Soon we'll be learning how to represent and interpret mathematical relationships in quantitative expressions, use standard and metric units of measure to weigh objects and then compare the two, and use line, bar and pictographs to display data. PLEASE continue to practice basic multiplication and division with your child at home. I cannot stress enough the importance of your cld knowing their basic facts.
Our reading lessons have consisted of historical fiction books that are related to our Social Studies unit. Not all children read the same books and most of the work is done in class but be sure to ask them about what they're reading. We're going to be adding some non-fiction Science books to our reading curriculum as well. Please be sure your child is continuing to read at home each night and the books they're choosing are on their level. Since we are reading for information we are also writing for information. Our Social Studies project is one example of this.
Some reminders for the month:
*2/4 Early Release
2/5 Picture Day
2/12 Parent Thinking Map training at 6pm. in the Media Center
2/13 Box contest
2/16 President's Day/No School for children
2/20 2nd Annual Spaghetti Dinner and Teacher Spelling Bee
We are in need of tissues, snacks, and glue sticks.
I'd like to thank Mrs. Delucca in advance for volunteering to be our Junior Achievement teacher. We cannot wait to have her be a part of our class.
On-line CRCT practice tests will be available soon so please take advantage of them. There are nights where they will be assigned as homework as well so keep an eye out.
Enjoy the month and I hope to see you at the spaghetti dinner.
Mrs.Wykes
