Weekly Newsletter Dec.17 - 21, 2018

Grade 4

Weekly Newsletter

December 17 - December 21, 2018

Language Arts
This week, the class will be finishing up the review of The Tiger Rising. They have been examining how the characters have changed throughout the story, examining the main themes as well as pondering what could happen next. In writing, students are completing the draft of their stories. They will also look at  where to begin new paragraphs when typing up their stories online.  When we return, the focus will be on editing and revising our stories with a partner. 

Math
This week we are concluding our unit on Measurement by doing some review work and multi-step problem solving. We will also be assessing students on their knowledge through the unit assessment. 

Science
In Science we will continue designing and building  simple machine/ complex machine prototype that answers a real-life situation; the situations are varied and range from dog mobility issues to recycling machines to clearing up the ocean. Using their design, trying to build and realising that they need to make changes and adapt their design is an important part of the design thinking process.

Announcements

• December 21st - Last day of first semester: Please be sure to inform the school and your classroom teacher if you plan on leaving for the holiday before that date. 
• 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

Here are some of the digital links from our "Gaming with Math" games:

24

Trap It

Nasty Game


Grade 4 Camp-In Resources

Camp-In Information Presentation 

Camp-In Permission Form - completed by Friday 21 December

Camp-In Packing List

Weekly Newsletter Dec. 10 - 14, 2018

Grade 4

Weekly Newsletter

December 10 - December 14, 2018

Language Arts
This week, the class will be finishing up the read aloud, The Tiger Rising. Throughout the reading of this book, the children have been reinforcing their skills in growing ideas about characters and understanding how the character really is the heart of the story. In writing, students are continuing to draft and will focus on developing the problem and solution scenes in their realistic fiction stories.

Math
This week the students are continuing their work on measurement. They are working on converting units for length, mass, and capacity. They will be introduced to area and perimeter and make connections from our previous unit. The students will also be finishing this week by solving word problems based upon this unit.

Science
This week in science students will continue to learn about the design cycle through solving a real-life problem for their final project. Through brainstorming, modeling, questioning, and testing, the students will be able to design and improve their prototype machines. Students will also start to learn about failure, and how it is an important part of the design process!

Announcements

• December 13th - Christmas Around the World: The fourth graders will have the opportunity to learn about various Christmas traditions from around the world (2:00-2:45). Feel free to join us if you have the time. (Be sure to tell the bussing office if you will be taking your child home afterwards.)  Wear red or green in celebration of the event.

• December 14th - Math Games Celebration/Share: During this sharing time,  students will teach you some of the games that they have been using this semester.

• December 21st - Last day of first semester: Please be sure to inform the school and your classroom teacher if you plan on leaving for the holiday before that date. 

• 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
Grade 4 Camp-In Resources

Camp-In Information Presentation 

Camp-In Permission Form - completed by Friday 21 December

Camp-In Packing List

Weekly Newsletter: Dec 3 - 7, 2018

Grade 4

Weekly Newsletter

December 3 - December 7, 2018

Language Arts
In reading this week, students will be finishing up their first book club book and reflecting on the stories they have read. This week in writing, students will continue drafting their scenes, focusing on bringing the scenes to life through the strategy called Show, Don’t Tell.

Math
The students will be delving into measurement and using the metric system. They will be learning the names of the units for capacity, mass, and length. They will also be looking at real world situations which involve measurement. In addition, they will be given the opportunity to convert units of measurement

Science
Science this week see the students continue to learn about simple machines and how simple machines make work easier. Students will also start learning about compound machines and will be introduced to real-life problems where machines have provided solutions. Students will select a real-life scenario and  will have to follow the design cycle to design, build, and reflect on a prototype machine that will solve a real-life problem. This project will take us to the end of the semester.

Announcements

• Dec. 4th - Parent “Camp-in” Informational Meeting: 8:15-9:15 am in MPR 2 & 3 on the 2nd floor, above the Panther Hut.

• 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.

• The last day of the semester is Friday, Dec. 21. Please be sure to inform the school and class teacher if you plan on leaving for the holiday before that date. 

• Math Games Celebration/ Share: An invitation to our grade 4 celebration share on Math Games will be sent home on Monday 3rd December, the event will take place on 14 December. Please let us know if you will be joining us for this share by returning the slip to your child’s class teacher. In this share  students will teach you some of the games that they have been using this semester.

Resources
Below is the design cycle that we will be working through for the next few weeks in science. We start by asking questions: defining the problem and researching, then imagining a solution and planning, creating, reflecting and rebuilding etc.