Language Arts:
This week we continued the Treasures unit titled, Working Together. This we worked
with a couple of non-fiction pieces of text about ants. As students read they identified
main ideas and supporting details. The comprehension skill used was the skill of
description. This was a great support for students as they prepare to organize a mission
report.
When given a piece of non-fiction text and a heading, students are able to identify
supporting details pretty easily. The difficult part of this strategy will be when we ask the
students to identify main idea and supporting details without a heading or when a student
is asked to write a main idea (topic sentence) and supporting details.
Next week we will take a break from centers so that the students can research, organize,
and write their mission report. Our goal is to have these reports pretty close to done (by
the end of the week). Students were assigned their mission and they picked a partner
yesterday to work (on research) with. They can work and share research with their
partner, but they will turn in their own reports.
I will assign chapters 7 and 8 in By the Great Horn Spoon (read and answer questions).
Friendly reminder…if your student forgets their book at school, the recordings are on
EDMODO.
Math:
This week we worked with factors, and prime and composite numbers. We ended our
week with a mid-year 4th grade assessment. It was a quick re-check on their multi-digit
multiplication and long division.
Next week we will continue working with factors and prime factorization. On Friday I
will assess their understanding of factoring.
We will also take a break from Math Centers so that we can concentrate on completing
our “Split the Bill” projects. I do not want to lose momentum on this project, and we have
had to cut our work short (due to 4th grade musical preparation).
Social Studies:
Earlier in the week, I introduced the directions and rubric for the Mission Report. As
stated above, we will spend a great deal of time on this in class next week. At this
moment, I do not have an official due date. However, I will assign one as soon when I
feel there has been enough time for research and teaching (of the writing).
MAPS Testing:
Students finished their MATH MAPS today (in the afternoon). I hope their scores reflect
their hard work this year (and that the kiddos were not affected by their big Digital Dash).
Below is a link for parents to reference if they have further questions:
http://www.nwea.org/sites/www.nwea.org/files/resources/ParentToolkit.pdf
GOLD RUSH DAY:
The fourth grade would like to invite you all to our Gold Rush performance on Friday,
February 14th. You will get a chance to see your child square dance and hear her/him
sing some songs from the 1800s.
The day starts off with an all school assembly in the amphitheater from 8:35-9:00. After
the assembly, the fourth grade students will make their way to the upper media center for
the Gold Rush Performance. Seating is at a premium for the performance. All parents,
grandparents, and significant others are invited. Do know that some people will arrive at
school early to save seats in the upper media center? If you do watch the assembly you
might want someone to save your seat in the upper media center. If that isn't possible,
and you don't get a great seat to take those fantastic photos, we will have someone on the
Solana Highlands staff recording the performance. If you are interested in purchasing the
recording see Mrs. Lefkowitz, our school librarian. Siblings at Solana Highlands are
not invited.
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-shirts,
sweat pants, or sport shorts, since those aren't from the era. 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, February 10th for our dress
rehearsal (a change of clothes may be brought), as well as Friday, February 14th. On
the 14th will be our Gold Rush Day so your child will need to remain dressed up for the
entire day. There will be more information regarding volunteers for Gold Rush day next
week.
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Announcements:
Congrats to Jenny Han. She will be recognized for the character pillar of
RESPONSIBILITY. She will be honored at our assembly on Friday.
Monday, February 11, 2014 at 8:30am 4th Grade Musical Dress Rehearsal for
third grade----PARENTS ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO ATTEND!
Valentine’s Party will be held on TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014 from
1:15ish-2:30 pm. More information to come…Below is a class list
4th Grade Musical and Gold Rush Day Friday, February 14, 2014.
Class List:
Dart Class List
Jerry
2013-2014
Joelle
Abigail
Judd
Kyle
Alex
Kylie
Axel
Maggie
Berta
Miles
Dag
Nikki
Daniel K.
Jenny
Danny P.
Samantha
David
Sarah
Gage
Sydney
Isabella
Zack
Jack
Dana
Jade
Thank you for your continued support!
Marcie Dart