Weekly Newsletter Nov. 26-30

Grade 4

Weekly Newsletter

November 26 - November 30, 2018

Language Arts

This week in reading, the students are developing theories about their main characters based on the patterns from the character’s words, actions and thoughts. In writing, the children are drafting their story scenes, focusing on storytelling by using a strategy called Show, Don’t Tell.

Math

This week in math the students will be reviewing unit two and preparing for their final assessment. Our next unit will be following the metric system. The students will be exploring measurements and conversions.

Science

This week students will continue working on their understanding of forces and simple machines. They will be involved in hands-on experiments through creating K’nex and rubber band cars, and explore both potential and kinetic energy.

Announcements

• Scholastic Orders - please see email from Annie Gillis.
• ES Dress Up Days - plan your days in advance click HERE for dates. 
• Water Bottles & Hats - Please check that your child comes to school with their water bottles and hats every morning. Recently, many students seem to be forgetting them at home.

Resources

We are growing realistic fiction readers and writers in grade 4! They are doing this by thinking deeply about the characters. These CHARACTER TRAITS  are useful in describing the character based on their words, thoughts and actions.

To support your child as a reader...GRAB THE BOOK YOUR CHILD IS READING and ASK to describe the character based on his/her thoughts, words, and actions.

To support your child as a writer...ASK your child to explain about the character in the story they are going to write.

Weekly Newsletter Nov. 19-23

Grade 4

Weekly Newsletter

November 19 - November 23, 2018

Language Arts

This week the students will be using the class read aloud to dig deeper into character traits, scene summaries and envisioning the text in order to read intensely. In writing, many children are ready to develop a believable character and plan the story arc with scenes for their story.

Math

This week in math the students will be continuing with division. They will review the concept of partial quotient. The students will also continue to review remainders. They will be working on real world problems and deciding what they should do with the remainder, ie. ignore it, round it or share it.

Science

In Science, we will continue to learn about forces and motion. We will continue to model and describe how applied forces impact motion- even learning about Sir Isaac Newton and his Laws of Motion. Classes will plan investigations by identifying dependent and independent variables.

Announcements

• Tues, Nov 20 - NO SCHOOL (Prophet Muhammad's Birthday) 
• Fri, Nov 23 - Deepavali Cultural Day ES students are encouraged to dress up in traditional Indian attire.
• Scholastic Orders - please see email from Annie Gillis.
• ES Dress Up Days - plan your days in advance click HERE for dates. 
• Water Bottles & Hats - Please check that your child comes to school with their water bottles and hats every morning. Recently, many students seem to be forgetting them at home.

Resources

As we now move on to division in math, we will be having discussions and practice on what to do with the remainders. Here and here are some links for round up, drop it (ignore it) and share it. 

Weekly Newsletter Nov. 12-16

Grade 4

Weekly Newsletter

November 12 - November 16, 2018

Language Arts

In reading this week, the students will be getting into book club groups and use discussions to deepen their understanding of the stories they are reading. In writing, the students will be choosing an idea they have generated and begin planning out their writing using a story arc.

Math

This week in math, the students will be working on division. They will be following the partial quotient method of solving equations. They will also be answering real world word problems with quotients that have remainders.

Science

This week students will be continuing to develop their knowledge of force and motion through various hands on science experiments. They will be looking at controlling variables and how they can impact results. Students will then continue to learn about simple machines.

Announcements

• November 13th & 15th - Biathlon training: If your child is participating in the biathlon, please be sure your child has his/her bathing suit and goggles along with proper sports attire when they arrive to school in the morning.
• Water Bottles & Hats - Please check that your child comes to school with their water bottles and hats every morning. Recently, many students seem to be forgetting them at home.

Resources

Students are learning the Partial Quotients method for division. Have a look at this video to get a better sense of this strategy and how it works. You can also ask your child to show you how they use this strategy to solve problems.

Weekly Newsletter Nov. 5-9

Ms. Julie studies the 4KW models to conduct the Eggsperiment

Grade 4
Weekly Newsletter
November 5 - November 9, 2018

Language Arts

In reading, we will continue analyzing character traits and will use evidence from the text to prove our thinking. In writing, we will identify characteristics of realistic fiction through mentor texts and develop story ideas that stem from personal experiences.

Math

This week the students will be using the area model method to solve real world multiplication problems. It is suggested that the students brush up on their multiplication facts in order to help them solve these word problems.

Science

Students will continue to investigate forces and motion. Why don’t you try to carry out the egg drop experiment at home or design a paper aeroplane that can travel the farthest? Later this week students will begin to investigate forces (gravity, friction, air resistance...) and how they are applied  to begin, change and stop the motion of objects.

Announcements

• November 5th - NO ASAs due to expected heavy holiday afternoon traffic.
• November 6th - NO SCHOOL - Deepavali
• November 9th- International Day Flag Parade. Students should come to school in their national dress or national colors. 
• November 10th - Annual International Festival from 4pm-8pm. 

Resources

To support Science at home, watch this video to help recognize the different types of simple machines.

Help your child complete a simple machine scavenger hunt at home- it is amazing how many simple machines we use!