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)