October News

In many ways, it seems like we were just returning to a steamy, hot classroom from summer vacation.  Yet, when I look at what has been accomplished, it's clear that kids have become true fourth graders already.  

ELA: Students began switching for ELA.  New routines were established as students became familiar at times with a new teacher, as well as with new reading groups and routines, reading homework, and vocabulary expectations.

Math: Fourth graders completed Topic 1, which was an overview of the ways multiplication and division are related.  We are finishing up a focus on identifying and extending patterns in Topic 2, and will soon begin Topic 3.  Topic 3 looks at comparing and ordering whole numbers based on an understanding of place value.

Writing: Our personal narrative writing was kicked off with oral story telling- an exciting activity for the kids in class!  We have moved from brainstorming our ideas to planning and writing our first essays of the year.  Most students are in the process or revising and editing these this week, with final publication copies coming soon.  Our focus has been on adding personal details and sensory details that make their essays interesting.

Grammar: The structure of sentences has been our focus thus far.  We have spent time identifying and fixing run on sentences and fragments as well as using the correct punctuation to match a particular sentence type.

Science: With Mr. Daley, students have learned about the various states of matter.  They have performed experiments and attended a special presentation by Mr. Musselman from the Burlington Science Center.  Next after matter is force, motion, and energy.  This unit culminates with kids building and launching their own rocket- always a 4th grade highlight!

Social Studies: We have completed our study of map skills and have begun learning about immigration.  This unit begins with an overview of the five major groups that helped to settle the United States.  We then discuss why people choose to immigrate in more current times.  Part of this study will include a field trip to the Lowell Mills later this month for a tour called Yankees and Immigrants.

Instruments/chorus: Some students have begun taking instrument lessons during school to be part of our band.  Students are instructed to check with their teacher to see what they missed while at their lesson and to ensure that they make up the work at home.  All students are part of the 4th grade chorus.  Work has already started on the winter concert for December!

In addition to all of this, kids have learned the expectations of their behavior in school in terms kindness, responsibility, safety, and respectfulness.  We have completed the i-ready assessment for ELA and the Symphony assessment for math benchmarking purposes.  We have begun going to library and borrowing books, and last but certainly not least..... we started book buddies!  If you haven't heard already about your child's book buddy, I encourage you to ask him/her.  Our first grade reading partners are always an entertaining way of learning to be a leader and a role model for younger students.