Language Arts:
This week we started a new Treasures unit titled, Working Together. This week’s
selection was the classic, A Cricket in Times Square. As we read we thought about the
theme or message of the story. This is a new skill for students. Finding the theme in a
story can be difficult. We define (in fourth grade) the theme of the story as “the overall
message or idea of the story.”
As you are reading or watching movies with your kids, think about how you can start to
discuss theme. For example, we noticed as we were reading our selection that the theme
was that of “friendship.” This is an easy theme to connect to in kid’s movies or even
television shows.
UNIT 3 ASSESSMENT RESULTS are in the Friday Folder. Room 208’s
improvements are SUPER IMPRESSIVE! 94% of 4th graders in Room 208 earned
Proficient or Advanced Proficient. Congrats! This assessment combined with the openended written response assessments will give us some great data to discuss at our
upcoming conference.
Math:
This week we continued with LONG DIVISION and dove into dividing 3 and 4 digit
dividends using a number bond and an area model. I was not able to introduce the, “Split
the Bill” project to the students this week. We will have to wait until we get back from
our week break.
We ended our week with a project using graphs and Fibonacci numbers. Students created
a “Fibonacci Heart.” They are super cool and will be on display in the hallway outside
our room.
Social Studies:
Your students Explorer Fan Decks are coming along!
Valentine’s Presents:
I have kept your Valentine’s present on purpose. Students have so much to take home and
I did not want their present to you to get crushed. They will go home when we return
from our break.
Classroom Expectations:
This week was a rough one for the kiddos (and me). It was difficult for all the students
(and teacher) to remain Above the Line all day. The excitement of Valentine’s Day
combined with the anticipation of vacations and warmer weather made it a most
interesting week. I am so excited that we were able to enjoy our party together today.
I have been talking with the students about “hormones.” If you were to walk into our
room after lunch now (as compared to the fall), you would notice some new smells…a
little stinky. I have been talking with the students about the importance of cleaning up,
taking showers, brushing teeth, washing hair, etc. It is clear that our sweet fourth graders
are growing before our eyes. Now may be a good time at home to reiterate the
importance of taking care of one’s self. I will try to get that dialogue going in class so
that kids are not embarrassed to talk with you about it.
Fourth Grade Musical Performance: “Go West”
The fourth grade would like to invite you all to our Gold Rush performance on Tuesday,
March 3, 2015 from 2:00-2:45 pm. You will get a chance to see your child square dance
and hear her/him sing some songs from the 1800s.
All parents, grandparents, and significant others are invited. There will be chairs set up
in the auditorium.
For the Gold Rush performance your child will need to dress in forty-niner attire. Boys
should wear jeans, flannel shirts, or other button up shirts. Please no graphic t-shirt,
sweat pants, or sport shorts. Boys may wear a hat, but during the performance they will
need to keep it in the classroom so it doesn't obscure anyone's face as the students sing on
stage. Bandanas worn around the neck are also something the boys may wear.
Girls may dress similarly to that of the boys, or they may wear a skirt with a button-up
blouse. The blouse may have a small print or can be plain, but once again no silk-screen
shirts, glitter, or other shiny embellishments. The skirt and blouse don't need to match or
a simple apron may be worn over the outfit. Girls, too, may wear bandanas around the
neck.
The outfit will need to be worn to school on Monday, March 2, for our dress rehearsal (a
change of clothes may be brought), as well as Tuesday, March 3.
Amazing Quest:
The Amazing Quest is a tradition at Solana Pacific. The students heard about this
“Scavenger hunt on steroids” (as described to them) at a Wednesday assembly. I have
attached a link for your information. Your students should be able to give you more
information about this. Some families have signed up.
http://www.theamazingquest.com/sp2015reg.html
Announcements:
o Sandpiper Sprint- February 27 from 9:00-10:15 ish (time TBD)
o 4th Grade Musical March 3, 2015 2:00 pm
Thank you for your continued support!
Marcie Dart