Weekly Newsletter June 3 -14, 2019

Grade 4

Weekly Newsletter

June 3 -June 14, 2019

Next week  includes an  important holiday. We wish all of our muslim families  A Happy Eid.  To our Muslim, host-nation families we wish you a Happy Raya Aidilifitri- Ma’af Zahir dan Batin. This newsletter will take us all the way to the end of the semester and the academic year.

Language Arts 
In the final part of Language Arts  for the year, we will finalize our writing on our literary essay unit, showcasing all of our progress during our writing share with parents on Monday, June 3. In reading, we will continue to examine our mentor text Number the Stars, analyzing characters and important events and writing our own individual ‘what happened next’ chapters. We will complete the work on our Book Clubs, with groups sharing their text’s theme, major characters and important events with the rest of the class.

Math 
In the final part of our geometry unit, students  will continue to explore angles and  measure them with increasing accuracy using protractors.  Students will use their knowledge of right, straight and whole circle angles to find missing angles.  Students will also look at symmetry- especially line symmetry as another way to classify shapes. This will lead into our end of unit test which will be sent home during the last week of school.

Social Studies
Up until the end of the school year we will be deep into our Trade Simulation. Students have been working hard learning about the resources of their country along with other economic factors.  By the end of simulation, students will have had the opportunity to design a country flag, decide on their trading product, designate ministers, create an advertisement for their product and trade with their neighboring countries. At the end of  the two trading rounds country groups will reflect on the process and its implications.


Announcements
May 10th - June 14th: Car riders pick up will now be in the gym
June 3rd: 4th Grade Writing Share - Parents invited from 1:45- 2:30.
June 5th & 6th : No School for Hari Raya Aidilfitri
June 14th: Last day of school- half day -  whole school clap out at 11:30am



Resources
For more practice at estimating angles go to Math Playground and look for games alien angles, angles and rocket angles. https://www.mathplayground.com/index_geometry.html

Weekly Newsletter May 20 - 31, 2019

Grade 4

Weekly Newsletter

May 20 - May 31, 2019

Language Arts 
In Language Arts this next fortnight, students will continue to research and compare historical fiction texts, consolidating their knowledge on common themes and symbols seen throughout. We will finish our study on our mentor text, Number the Stars, noticing changes in the characters, setting and theme as the story concludes. We will complete our study of historical fiction book clubs, comparing universal themes and ideas across texts. We continue to refine our writing skills in our Literary Essays, through both peer and teacher conferencing, taking feedback from earlier drafts to refine our work.

Math
In math we continue our geometry unit and initially will focus on quadrilaterals- looking at the criteria for a quadrilateral. Later, we will also be drawing and identifying shapes based on their angles. We will be sorting shapes based on angles and will be learning how to use a protractor (angle measure) to more accurately measure and classify angles into acute, right, obtuse and reflex angles.

Social Studies
This week we will be finishing up our lessons to help students understand the targeted vocabulary for the unit and we will begin our Trade and Resource Simulation! This will be an exciting 2 week project where students will work in collaborative groups role playing what factors go into global trade and economies.  The beginning of our project will first focus on learning about an assigned country and its geographical and economic information.


Announcements
May 10th - June 14th: Car riders pick up will now be in the gym
Mon, May 20th:  NO SCHOOL - ISKL Holiday in lieu of Wesak Day
Tues, May 21st:  NO SCHOOL - ISKL Faculty In-Service
Wed, May 22nd:  NO SCHOOL - Nuzul Al Quran
June 3rd: 4th Grade Writing Share - Parents invited from 1:45- 2:30.


Resources
Reinforce our Geometry unit in math with the power of song on Numberock. Music makes memories...give it a try...with Closed Caption for the added benefit of visual text support.  https://numberock.com/

Quizlet is a digital studying tool. Open the link below to access digital flashcards that include the vocabulary words covered in our Geometry unit. https://quizlet.com/284437039/iskl-grade-4-geometry-flash-cards/

Again to reinforce our ongoing Geometry unit take a look at the link below. Some teachers use Math Learning Center as a digital math manipulative that helps build a concrete understanding of new concepts. The link is directly connected to the websites applications or apps page. Open the geoboard app and the math vocabulary cards (select geometry) and allow your children to explore and practice new skills.
https://www.mathlearningcenter.org/resources/apps

A few of our historical fictions texts can be found on a website site that all readers can access and enjoy. Take a look at the Storyline Online, a website that has videos of actors reading books aloud while showing illustrations from the story.
https://www.storylineonline.net/

Weekly Newsletter May 13 -17, 2019

Grade 4

Weekly Newsletter

May 13 - May 17, 2019

Language Arts 
In our historical fiction unit, we will continue to read and study our Book club texts, examining how character’s perspective is shaped by the times and by his or her role. Students will also continue examine the main themes and ideas of their historical fiction texts. We continue to dissect our mentor text, Number the Stars, noting character and setting changes as well as important events.
Students continue to plan, draft and edit their own literary essays, writing purposefully to angle their stories to highlight the way it supports and connects to their thesis, while also focusing on adding quotes and other evidence from texts.

Math 
This week we start our Geometry unit, in this unit, students draw points, lines, line segments, rays, angles (right, acute, obtuse), and perpendicular and parallel lines. They identify and classify angles, distinguish between parallel and perpendicular lines, and recognize a right triangle as a category for classification. Fourth graders identify differences and similarities among two dimensional figures based on the absence or presence of characteristics such as parallel or perpendicular lines and angles of a specified size. This first week we focus on points, lines, rays and line segments and which symbols to use to represent and label these geometric features.

Social Studies
This week students will continue learning about vocabulary such as goods, products, consumers and producers, but through a real products.  Students will read a variety of “How to Make” books on Big Universe and assign vocabulary to the different stages and materials used. We will also introduce the concept of trade through the lens of needs and wants, availability and scarcity.


Announcements

• May 10th - June 14th: Car riders pick up will now be in the gym 
• Tues, May 14th: ES Spring Music Concert, 5:30-7:00, Melawati Theater 
• Wed, May 15th: Instrument selection is due
• Mon, May 20th:  NO SCHOOL - ISKL Holiday in lieu of Wesak Day 
• Tues, May 21st:  NO SCHOOL - ISKL Faculty In-Service
• Wed, May 22nd:  NO SCHOOL - Nuzul Al Quran

Resources
If you would like to get a jump start on our next math unit in Geometry take a look at the link below. Some teachers use Math Learning Center as a digital math manipulate that helps build a concrete understanding of new concepts. The link is directly connected to the websites applications or apps page. Open the geoboard app and the math vocabulary cards (select geometry) and allow your children to explore and practice new skills.
https://www.mathlearningcenter.org/resources/apps

A few of our historical fictions texts can be found on a website site that all readers can access and enjoy. Take a look at the Storyline Online, a website that has videos of actors reading books aloud while showing illustrations from the story.
https://www.storylineonline.net/ 

Weekly Newsletter May 6 - 10, 2019

Grade 4

Weekly Newsletter

May 6 - May 10, 2019

Language Arts 
In our Reading unit, students will continue to explore their Historical Fiction Book Clubs.  Students will work on unpacking components of historical fiction, making inferences, revisiting tools and self assessing in order to lift their book club conversations.
While continuing to read the mentor text, Number the Stars, students will be encouraged to think deeply about passages in the text, finding big ideas in small details and symbolism. Students will also determine themes, developing deeper ideas through conversation with other readers who can contribute to build a richer, more powerful interpretation.
In our Literary Essay unit, students will begin to plan and draft their essays, as well as learn how to use direct quotes to support their claims about text. They will also use lists as evidence to support their claims.


Math 
This week students will compare mixed fractions and decimals. We will be learning ways to convert fractions and decimals into either form making it easier to compare or order.  Students will also begin adding decimals. This will be done numerically and through models.


Social Studies
This week students will be reflecting on their google map of natural resources and start investigating vocabulary like: Needs and Wants, Consumers and Producers etc.  This quizlet is a good resource for kids to practice learning the new vocabulary tied to the unit.  https://quizlet.com/280191208/iskl-grade-4-resources-and-trade-flash-cards/


Announcements

• Friday,  May 10th: Free Dress Day, suggested donation 5RM
• Tuesday,  May 14th: ES Spring Music Concert, 5:30-7:00, Melawati Theater 
• ES Dress Up Days: Plan your days in advance click HERE for dates and details. 

Weekly Newsletter April 29 - May 3, 2019

Grade 4

Weekly Newsletter

April 29 - May 3, 2019

Language Arts 
In our Reading unit, students will be introduced to their Historical Fiction Book Clubs. Book Clubs assist students in developing interpretations in the company of their peers, which provides a sounding board for students to clarify their thinking. Students will begin to track the setting, character, mood and theme of their historical fiction text.
We will also examine, using our mentor text, Number the Stars, how character perspectives are shaped by their roles. Readers are encouraged to step into characters shoes and conclude that their thoughts and actions are shaped by both their roles and the times in which they lived. In our literary essay unit, students are discovering how to craft a thesis, honing their skills in discovering a big idea and determining what they really want to say. The students will learn to purposely angle their stories to highlight the way it supports and connects to their thesis.


Math 
This week students will be comparing and ordering decimal numbers. They will be doing this using symbols and models. Several games will also be played where this skill is practiced. In addition, we will fix mistakes from previous practice sheets ensuring that we have completely understood the basic facts related to decimal numbers.

Social Studies
This week we only have two days of Social Studies and students will begin looking at maps and locations of natural resources. With a partner, they will record this information on a blank map of their own. We will be making connections about where certain resources are located and how that impacts trade. 

Announcements

• Monday, April 29th: MAPS Testing - Grade 4 students will begin taking their math test.

Resources

Below is a link to our ES Library page filled with incredible reading resources like Big Universe (electronic books with varying reading levels), BookFlix & Trueflix and TumbleBooks which can all support our Grade 4 exploration of historical fiction.
Note: your child’s ISKL username and password are required to access these external resources. Please email jgormley@iskl.edu.my to request your child’s login information.
https://iskl.follettdestiny.com/common/servlet/presenthomeform.do?l2m=Home&tm=Home&l2m=Home

Below is a link to Splash Math: Decimal Games for 4th Graders. There are a number of games to play to reinforce decimal concepts.
Note: a free login is required to play past the demo stage.
https://www.splashmath.com/decimal-games-for-4th-graders

If you are interested in extending your understanding of how to think about and teach  fractions take a look at the link below:
http://www.therecoveringtraditionalist.com/teaching-fractions-with-understanding/?inf_contact_key=f45fd6a96cc126d51e93a9504988150bd18a532c4142cb79caf2b269de1401fa

Weekly Newsletter April 22 - 26, 2019

Grade 4

Weekly Newsletter

April 22 - April 26, 2019

Language Arts 
In Language Arts this week we continue to investigate historical fiction texts, paying particular attention to the mood and atmosphere of the places in which the stories are set. Students examine the blurb of their mentor text, Number the Stars, noting clues about where the story is set and the type of environment the characters are living in. Students will further research the key information taken from the blurb in small groups which will be collated to share with the rest of the class.
Students will also examine examples of literary essays, noting the important characteristics to be included within the introduction, body and conclusion. Student’s attention with be drawn to the ‘big ideas’ or theme of the text, noting the message or lesson that the author is trying to convey.

Math
This week the students will be using their understanding of fraction equivalence to investigate decimal numbers on the place value chart expressed in different units. Students will be decomposing fractions and decimals showing equivalency between the tenths place and the hundredths place.

Social Studies
This week students will continue their investigation into natural resources (renewable and non-renewable) and their connection to our physical environment, looking specifically at different landforms. If we have time, we may begin using some mapping skills to see where different natural resources are located.

Announcements

• Tuesday, April 23rd: Blue and Green Earth Day Dress Up  
• Thursday, April 25th: MAPS Testing Grade 4 students will begin taking their MAPS test.
• ES Dress Up Days: Plan your days in advance click HERE for dates and details. 

Resources
Below is a link to our ES Library page filled with incredible reading resources like Big Universe (electronic books with varying reading levels), BookFlix & Trueflix and TumbleBooks which can all support our Grade 4 exploration of historical fiction.
Note: your child’s ISKL username and password are required to access these external resources. Please email jgormley@iskl.edu.my to request your child’s login information.
https://iskl.follettdestiny.com/common/servlet/presenthomeform.do?l2m=Home&tm=Home&l2m=Home

Below is a link to Splash Math: Decimal Games for 4th Graders. There are a number of games to play to reinforce decimal concepts.
Note: a free login is required to play past the demo stage.
https://www.splashmath.com/decimal-games-for-4th-graders


 

Weekly Newsletter April 15 -19, 2019

Grade 4

Weekly Newsletter

April 15 - April 19, 2019

Language Arts 
In Language Arts this week we will be completing our pre-assessment for our new topic Literary Essays. After choosing a familiar text, students will write an initial opinion or argument essay whereby they state their opinion or claim, giving reasons why they feel this way. Students are encouraged to make claims about characters and themes using evidence from the text. The data gathered from this pre-assessment will allow for students needs to be determined for planning for the unit.

We will also start our unit on Historical Fiction. Students will begin by examining the introductions of familiar books in order to analyze the setting, taking note of when and where the story takes places and what this place feels like. Students will be encouraged to be alert for change within the text, identifying clues by the author.

Math 
In math this week the students will be completing the unit on fractions and operations. They will be continuing to use the area model and number lines while multiplying fractions. This aids the students with their conceptual understanding of multiplication of fractions.

Social Science

We are launching our unit on Trade and Resources this week.  The big ideas of this unit are: “Where you live impacts how you live” and “Resources impact the economy and trade in regions around the world”.  Student will begin the week tapping into their current knowledge of natural resources and how they connect with products and trade.  We will then look more closely at different natural resources and their location.

Announcements

• School Start Time: School starts at 7:50 am. Many student arrive before then and are able to chat to their friends and play in the common area. At 7:50 am sharp classes hold their informative morning meetings. Please ensure that your child arrives in plenty of time to get to their classroom each morning ON TIME!
• ES Dress Up Days: Plan your days in advance click HERE for dates and details.  (The next Dress Up Day will be Friday, April 19th)
• MAPS Testing: Grade 4 students will begin taking their MAPS test Starting on April 25th.

Resources
Below is a link to our ES Library page filled with incredible reading resources like Big Universe (electronic books with varying reading levels), BookFlix & Trueflix and TumbleBooks which can all support our Grade 4 exploration of realistic fiction.

Note: your child’s ISKL username and password is required to access these external resources. Please email jgormley@iskl.edu.my to request your child’s login information.

https://iskl.follettdestiny.com/common/servlet/presenthomeform.do?l2m=Home&tm=Home&l2m=Home

Below is a link to Splash Math: Fraction Games for 4th Graders. There are a number of games to play to reinforce fraction concepts. A number of classes are in the process of reviewing fractions to prepare for an end of unit assessment.
Note: a free login is required to play past the demo stage.
https://www.splashmath.com/fraction-games-for-4th-graders

Weekly Newsletter April 8 -12, 2019

Grade 4

Weekly Newsletter

April 8 - April 12, 2019

Language Arts 
In Language Arts, students will spend the next week  completing the end of unit assessment, combining all recent learnings in order to produce a new informational text. Students will choose a nonfiction topic, identify & locate relevant resources, make a plan and select text structures that are most relevant. They will select headings & subheadings, research, take notes and paraphrase key words and ideas within their report. Students will draft their writing and revise using ARMs And CUPs.

Math 
This week in math students will be researching and learning about decimals - our next unit.  Students will be watching videos and learning how to model decimal work using decimats, along with noticing the relationship between decimals and fractions. In addition, we will be revisiting the place value mat, only this time, looking at values past the decimal point.

Science
This week we start our final chapter in science. Students are invited to consider how rock around the world is shaped, broken, worn down, and exposed.  The are introduced to a new question and phenomena: why Desert Rocks Canyon has so much more exposed rock than nearby Keller’s Canyon.  They use the book, Rocky Wonders, to learn about how rock is weathered and eroded over time. Later in the week,  students use the Earth’s Features Sim to explore what factors can cause water to erode different amounts of rock. The purpose of these lessons is to begin to explore what factors affect how much rock a river can erode.


Announcements

• WIDA Testing: EAL students have been notified and will be taking the WIDA test this week with Mr. Balsamo.
• ES Dress Up Days: Plan your days in advance click HERE for dates and details.  (The next Dress Up Day will be Friday, April 19th)
• MAPS Testing: Grade 4 students will begin taking their MAPS test Starting on April 25th.

Resources
Here is a link to extend students curiosity about fossils: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/fossil/

Weekly Newsletter Mar. 18 - Apr. 5, 2019

Grade 4

Weekly Newsletter

March 18 - April 5, 2019

This newsletter covers the week before Spring Break and also the week after Spring Break.

Language Arts 
In Language Arts throughout the next couple of weeks we continue to follow our topic across texts, cross-referencing information to ensure accuracy. Students continue to use notes to add any missing information to their writing, documenting sources used in their reference section. Students continually revise their work, adding and deleting parts to ensure that the reader is hooked and that essential paragraph elements are included namely a main idea sentence, details including facts, examples & data as well as an ending. We introduce transitions and figurative language to help the students link their information and to keep the reader interested. The students will work to collate their information into their typed slide show presentation, using ARMS and CUPS to self, peer, and teacher edit their work.

Math 
Students will be reviewing the unit, especially how to interpret line plots with fractions. We will also be reviewing how to add, subtract and multiply fractions and mixed numbers.  When students show that they have mastered their learning, we will go ahead with the unit assessment. 

Science
In the next two weeks in Science, students will discuss and model what they know about the past environments of Desert Rocks National Park and are introduced to the question What is the order of the past environments of Desert Rocks National Park?  They construct ideas about the order in which rock layers form by using relevant models and the Fossil Hunter’s Handbook and then model their understanding. Students then gather and organize evidence for two claims about the order in which layers formed in a rocky outcrop. Next, students read and discuss how scientists use data and ideas about rock layers to make arguments about what caused the dinosaurs to go extinct. Later, students write about which argument is most convincing and why.

Announcements

• March 18th: NO SCHOOL - ISKL Faculty Inservice
• March 25th -March 29th: NO SCHOOL - March Break
• April 1st: Coffee Chat & Resource Fair @ 8:00am - 9:45am  This is a great opportunity for you to learn about the resources that the Student Resource Team (SRT) offers to support all students in their learning and development at ISKL. 

Resources
Below is a link to our ES Library page filled with incredible reading resources including current event links to news sites such as Newsla (news site with the capability to adjust reading level), DOGOnews (news site with the capability to read articles out loud). Support our Grade 4 scientific exploration of the natural world or search articles related to interests, either way, all readers can access and engage in news and information.
https://iskl.follettdestiny.com/common/servlet/presenthomeform.do?l2m=Home&tm=Home&l2m=Home

Below is a link to Splash Math: Fraction Games for 4th Graders. There are a number of games to play that support our unit related to building fractions greater than one whole.
Note: a free login is required to play past the demo stage.
https://www.splashmath.com/fraction-games-for-4th-graders

Weekly Newsletter March 11 - 15, 2019

Grade 4

Weekly Newsletter

March 11 - March 15, 2019

Language Arts 
This week students will be developing their non fiction book chapters and writing informational paragraphs from their notes.  Students will be looking to include relevant transition words and figurative language.  In addition, they will be taught how to "push their thinking" and explain their thinking more clearly by providing examples or establishing their own inferences (based on facts).

Math 
This week in math the students will begin looking at how to multiply fractions with whole numbers. They will practice doing so by using equations, area models and number lines.  We will then go into solving word problems that apply the multiplication skill.

Science
This week students consider data and inferences they can make about fossils, and help construct a scientific argument about what the environment of Desert Rocks National Park was like in the past. They use data from fossils found in the area to help construct their arguments. Students then use what they discussed in their Evidence Circles to write a scientific argument, which serves as a Critical Juncture through which students demonstrate their understanding of the chapter’s content. At the end of the lesson, the whole class briefly reflects on the Chapter 2 Question: What was the environment of Desert Rocks National Park like in the past?

Announcements

• March 11th - March 15th: ES Library Book Week! 
• March 13th: Book Swap - Students bring in their coupons to choose new/used books                         (10 coupons maximum)  
• March 15th: Red Hat Book Character Dress Up Day
• March 15th: Author visit-Matt Smith (Comic book illustrator and ISKL Alumni!)
• March 18th: NO SCHOOL - ISKL Faculty Inservice
• March 25th -March 29th: NO SCHOOL - March Break 
• ES Dress Up Days: plan your days in advance click HERE for dates and details. 

Resources
Here is a video and a game to reinforce how to decompose fractions:
Video:
https://learnzillion.com/lesson_plans/8474-decompose-fractions-into-unit-fractions/
Game: https://www.classk12.com/grade-4-math/fractions-operations-nf/decomposing-a-fraction-using-visual-fraction-models-eg-38-18-28-2-18-1-1-18/4055
To further support our exploration of non-fiction text log on to Newsela, which is an online news website that has the capability of breaking down the text into different reading levels that all readers can access.  https://newsela.com/ (focus on Science)

Weekly Newsletter March 4 - 8, 2019

Grade 4

Weekly Newsletter

March 4 - March 8, 2019

Language Arts 
In Language Arts this week, students will begin looking at mentor texts to guide their informational writing.  We will be using the notes the students collected to formulate a multi paragraph informational writing piece.  We will most likely finish the introduction this week.

Math 
This week the students will be working on decomposing mixed fractions using an area model. They will then be adding and subtracting mixed fractions with common denominators. The students will continue to use drawings to help make deeper connections while adding and subtracting fractions.

Science
Due to our preparations for our Student-led Conferences this week we have limited science lesson times. However, we will be learning about different rock layers. We will also be using our inference skills about fossils in preparation for writing a scientific argument. The argument will be based on a claim about what past environments used to be like, using evidence from rocks and fossils.

Announcements

• March 7th & March 8th - Student Led Conferences (SLC): Be sure to sign up for a time slot on POWERSCHOOL. If you are unable to attend, please contact your child’s teacher so that an alternative date can be set up.
• ES Dress Up Days: plan your days in advance click HERE for dates and details. 

Resources
To further support our exploration of non-fiction text log on to Newsela, which is an online news website that has the capability of breaking down the text into different reading levels that all readers can access.  https://newsela.com/ (focus on Science)

Weekly Newsletter Feb 25 - March 1, 2019

Grade 4

Weekly Newsletter

February 25 - March 1, 2019

Language Arts 
This week in language arts students are beginning to explore possible non fiction topics that can be used as part of their research for their own projects. Students will continue to learn how to deconstruct non fiction texts, note taking according to the author’s text structure.

Math
This week we are starting our new unit on operations with fractions.  This unit is initially focused on adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators. The students will continue to use the area model to decompose fraction sums.

Science
This week students read about, consider details of, and model sedimentary rock formation in different environments. Students add a new layer to their Sedimentary Rock Formation Models, showing two different kinds of sedimentary rock, to apply what they learned about what makes sedimentary rock different and how different rock forms in different environments. Students will reflect on what they’ve learned by returning to the Rocks and Fossils anticipatory chart and engaging in a short reflective writing activity in response to the question How do rocks provide information about what an environment was like in the past?  Students will then begin to apply their understanding about what rock layers suggest about previous environmental changes.

Announcements

• March 7th & March 8th - Student Led Conferences (SLC): Be sure to sign up for a time slot on POWERSCHOOL. If you are unable to attend, please contact your child’s teacher so that an alternative date can be set up.
• ES Dress Up Days: plan your days in advance click HERE for dates and details. 

Resources
To further support our exploration of non-fiction text log on to Newla, which is an online news website that has the capability of breaking down the text into different reading levels that all readers can access.  https://newsela.com/ (focus on Science)

Weekly Newsletter Feb 18 - 22, 2019

Grade 4

Weekly Newsletter

February 18 - February 22, 2019

Language Arts 
This week in Language Arts we will continue to examine text structures. We will examine further the features of each type and analyse a variety of examples to determine which type of text structure they are. Students  will find evidence within the text to support their thinking. We will also continue to learn about different forms of note taking that allow us to gather important information from texts and begin to start this process.

Math
This week, we will conclude our unit on Equivalent Fractions and Ordering. Some classes will still be comparing and ordering fractions, while others will be administering the unit assessment. In the assessment, students will need to justify their thinking through math vocabulary and visual models.

Science
Students revisit the mystery in Desert Rocks Canyon and are introduced to the Chapter 2 Question: What was the environment of Desert Rocks National Park like in the past? Students then read Through the Eyes of a Geologist, which takes students on a journey back in time, highlighting how the environments in specific places have changed over millions of years. Students are also introduced to Fossil Hunter’s Handbook, the reference book they will use in the unit, and use it to identify the mystery fossil found in Desert Rocks Canyon. 

Announcements

• Thursday, February 21st - Grand Opening Celebration: Students will  be able to witness the ribbon cutting ceremony on the Zurich Field ( leave classes at 2pm) event at 2:10pm. Please be sure they have their hats as they will be outside on the field.
• Friday, February 22nd - Chinese New Year Celebration: ISKL will be celebrating CNY in the elementary gym. We encourage your child to dress up in Chinese clothing for the event.
• March 7th & March 8th - Student Led Conferences (SLC): Parents will be able to sign up for the conferences on POWER SCHOOL. If you are unable to attend, please contact your child’s teacher so that an alternative date can be set up.

Resources

Here is a collection of 5 different Subitizing* Fraction Games you can play at home. The games came from www.BuildingMathMinds.com.
Here is the link:

*Subitizing: is the ability to instantaneously recognize the number of objects in a small group without the need to count them (example: rolling dice).

Weekly Newsletter Feb. 7 - 15, 2019

Grade 4

Weekly Newsletter

February 7 - February 15, 2019

Language Arts
This week as we delve into our unit, Research Reading, we continue to examine the different strategies involved in identifying the main idea in nonfiction texts. We will also continue to learn important ways to differentiate between important vs interesting information. In time, we will begin to examine different non fiction text structures, and students will learn strategies to assist them in  determining the best ways to gather information and take notes.

Math
This week we will continue to use the area model to show fractions and introduce number lines as an additional visual model to help students better understand how to order and compare fractions.

Science
In the next few lessons students will make a Class Sedimentary Rock  Model.  They learn how sedimentary rock layers form. Students will also learn that as scientists learn more and investigate more, they answer some questions but might generate even more questions. They learn about  scientific arguments and how they include a claim that is supported by evidence. As we start the next chapter of our science unit, students will learn about how geologists use observations of, and ideas about, rocks and fossils to make inferences about past environments. They learn that inferences can be made based on what you observe combined with scientific ideas and that science theories are based on a body of evidence and many tests.

Announcements

• Legal Guardianship - If for some reason you have to be out of the country, please advise your child’s teacher as to who will be the legal guardian of your child.
• 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.
• March 7th & March 8th - Student Led Conferences (SLC) will be held just before spring break. Please contact your child’s teacher if you are not able to attend on either one of these days so that an alternative date can be set up.

Resources

Here is a collection of 5 different Subitizing* Fraction Games you can play at home. The games came from www.BuildingMathMinds.com.
Here is the link

*Subitizing: is the ability to instantaneously recognize the number of objects in a small group without the need to count them (example: rolling dice).

Weekly Newsletter Jan. 28 - Feb. 1, 2019

Grade 4

Weekly Newsletter

January 28 - February 1, 2019

Language Arts
In Language arts this week, the children will complete their final assessment on their Realistic Fiction writing unit, using all of the tools they have learned throughout the unit. We are winding up our second novel studies this week as well.  Students may still have to read until next week, but "in class" targeted lessons for Realistic Fiction will end.

Math
This week in math the students will continue to deepen their understanding with equivalent fractions. They will be using images and number lines to help visually and conceptually understand how different fractions can be equal. The students will then move on with comparing fractions using visual representations.

Science
This week in science, students will gather information from images of fossils, the online simulation, and a book to help them answer the question: How do fossils form? The purpose of these lessons is for students to construct and reflect on their understanding of how fossils form. Then, students will use the Simulation to gather information about sedimentary rock formation. They observe rocks forming and record their observations about how this process happens. In doing so, students begin to make sense of the role of water and sediment in rock formation.

Announcements

• Legal Guardianship - If for some reason you have to be out of the country, please advise your child’s teacher as to who will be the legal guardian of your child.
• 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.
• March 7th & March 8th - Student Led Conferences (SLC) will be held just before spring break. Please contact your child’s teacher if you are not able to attend on either one of these days, so that an alternative date can be set up.

Resources

Here is a video explaining a game called Race To 1 that you can create at home to help reinforce the concept of fractions. It is a game primarily for teaching addition and subtraction of fractions but it can be modified to simply build fractions and conceptual understanding. 

Here is a website resource, The Math Learning Center, where students can build and manipulate fractions. Open the link and select fractions. When building fractions we encourage only using rectangles as it will reinforce what we are doing in the classroom.

Weekly Newsletter Jan. 21 - 25, 2019

Grade 4

Weekly Newsletter

January 21 - January 25, 2019

Language Arts
In Reading this week we are completing our units on realistic fiction. Students are completing reading their Book Club realistic fiction stories, using thinkmarks to identify important & surprising parts.
In writing this week we are completing peer editing in CUPS (Capitalization, Usage, Punctuation & Spelling, as well as revising with ARMS (Add sentences and words, Remove unneeded sentences and words, Move a sentence or word placement and Substitute words or sentences for others). By the end of the week we will begin our post-assessment. Students will need a new story idea for that task.

Math
This week we begin our unit on equivalent fractions. They will learn how to model fractions correctly and will also learn that fractions of different sizes are not equivalent.

Science
This week students will continue being Geologist and making inferences about changes in rock formations over time through digital simulations.  Students will also be reading some non-fiction books on rocks and fossils to help deepen their understanding.

Announcements

• January 25th: FREE Dress day -  If your child chooses to not wear their uniform they can make their 5 RM donation to one of the Red Hats
• Camp Lost Property - There are some leftover items from camp that have been forgotten by students. Please remind your child to check the table in the grade four common area for lost or missing items.
• 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 is a video  explaining a game called Race To 1 that you can create at home to help reinforce the concept of fractions. It is a game primarily for teaching addition and subtraction of fractions but it can be modified to simply build fractions and conceptual understanding.

Here is a website resource, The Math Learning Center, where students can build and manipulate fractions. Open the link and select fractions. When building fractions we encourage only using rectangles as it will reinforce what we are doing in the classroom.

Weekly Newsletter January 14 - 18, 2019

Grade 4

Weekly Newsletter

January 14 - January 18, 2019

Language Arts
After the break we will continue with our realistic fiction reading and writing units. Book clubs will continue as well and many children will begin a second book with their book club group. In writing, the focus will shift from drafting and revising to editing.

Math
Our new math unit being launched this week will be  Fraction Equivalence and Ordering. This unit is where students will be using models to show/ prove that fractions are equivalent or not and using benchmark fractions to compare size. Here is a link to a quizlet  vocabulary set that may be a good preview/recap of vocabulary. As always with quizlet, start with 'flashcards' and 'learn'. This week we will be assessing the students previous understandings of fraction ordering and equivalence using a pre-assessment. We will use this information to plan work for students within the class to target key knowledge or skills that they need through the coming weeks as we teach this unit.

Science
We will begin the first lesson of our new Science Unit this week. It will basically introduce the unit to the students and assess what they already know about Earth Changes. In the role of geologists, students will begin to  investigate how a dinosaur fossil found in the fictional Desert Rocks National Park formed. This investigation serves as the anchor phenomenon for the unit. Students will make inferences about the history of the park based on the fossil itself and the rock layers in which it is embedded. Investigating how the fossil formed and how the Earth has changed.

Announcements

• CAMP-IN - Be sure that your child has a Home Snack and Home Lunch for Thursday.  It is also recommended that your child gathers up all that they will need for their sleepover on Thursday night. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact your child’s classroom teacher.
• 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

Our Camp-In takes place this Thursday 17 January into Friday 18 January.
Below is the information you and your child need for a successful experience.

Camp-In Information Presentation 

Camp-In Permission Form 

Camp-In Packing List