Q1W4
Hello!
We are well on our way into fourth grade, finding our sea legs to navigate the crashing waves of a tough curriculum and escalating academic demands. I have been very impressed with every student so far, but there are many trails to come as we continue to push them to achieve more each and every day. It is vital that students remain diligent, work intently on complete all assignments to the best of their ability. Progress notes will be around the corner.
NEWS:
-Curriculum Night on 8/21 (WEDNESDAY). This event begins at 6:30 pm and acts as an amazing way to understand the curriculum and expectations laid upon both scholars and parents. This is an event dedicated to parents and will answer any questions you have with fourth grade.
-Principle Elements Quiz 8/22 (THURSDAY). Students will have their first grammar quiz in which they are expected to show mastery of subjects and predicates.
-Maps Comprehension Check 8/22 (THURSDAY). For the first comprehension check of the year, which replaces traditional tests in history and science, the students will be assessed on their knowledge of maps. They will be writing about what maps do, how they have changed, latitude, longitude, coordinates, etc.
-Galileo Testing on 8/23 (FRIDAY). We do take our first standardized test this week so be sure to help your scholar be prepared this Friday to do their best. This test is merely to understand where the students are currently at with the fourth grade curriculum, meaning they'll likely show room to grow.
-First Poem Recital due on 8/23 (FRIDAY). Student will be expected to memorize and recite "Afternoon on a Hill" by this date.
-Scientific Method Comprehension Check 8/28. For our first assessment in science, students will be expected to explain the scientific method in great detail. This includes listing and explaining all of the steps of the scientific method, and defining all of the variables involved. Using an experiment as an example will aid in further demonstrating mastery over the concept.
CURRICULUM:
ELA:
In GRAMMAR, we will utilize our WOL books to further understand principle elements in a sentence. This includes the subject and the predicate, and that will prepare us for our principle elements quiz on Thursday, 8/22.
LITERATURE continues with the reading of Wizard of Oz, so please ensure your student has their copy at school. We will utilize the text to learn about conflict resolution, sequencing events, and making predications.
We continue our COMPOSITION program, practicing summaries and notetaking skills through dedicated writing and dictation. Additionally, we will begin building up the tools required in essay writing, starting with topic sentences.
In LATIN AND GREEK ROOTS, we will be learning our next three roots; bi, tri, and quad. With them we will learn the definition and spelling of the following: bicycle, biped, bifocals, bilingual, biennial, tricycle, triangle, trilogy, triple, tripod, quadrilateral, quadriceps, quadrant, quadruple, and quadruped.
We also begin our first POETRY RECITATION. Students will be memorizing the poem "Afternoon on the Hill" by Edna St. Vincent Millay and will recite it in front of the class THIS FRIDAY on August 23rd.
For PHILOSOPHY, we will discuss the following question: "Are you a fair and just person?"
Math:
In math, we will begin with the next unit, which involves an overview of addition and subtraction. We will continue to practice our multi- digits operations and begin to engage with word problems. These will act as a basis that we will use for the remainder of the year.
History:
In history, we will complete our units on maps, adding an understanding physical maps and taking the assessment, a comprehension check (not a test). It is vital that students are studying all the content that we have discussed thus far; what maps do, how they have changed, latitude, longitude, coordinates, etc.
Science:
We begin to wrap up our unit on the Scientific Method. Students should be able to describe the steps within the scientific method, using examples to fully detail each part. Additionally, they need to be able list the different variables that make up a successful experiment. This is vital as they will be taking the unit assessment, a comprehension check, the following week on Wednesday, 8/28.
Remember, the blog is updated weekly. Be sure to come back frequently to see any upcoming events or changes in fourth grade.