Q4W2
Hello!
AASA Testing is now only a week and a half away! That is both a terrifying and exciting practice; whereas the test looms ominously ahead of the scholars, it acts as a chance for them to prove their growth throughout the year. Until then, we are still grinding through a plethora of practice to ensure that these scholars who enter that testing environment are at their best and brightest. In many ways the fourth quarter can let academic fatigue creep in, but it is imperative that we do our best to persevere through this home stretch. Just be wary because, again, if you blink you’ll miss it.
News:
13 Colonies Quiz on Monday, 3/27. Students should know the names of the 13 original colonies, their spellings, and where those states are located on the map.
AASA Testing Dates: April 6th, 14th, and 21st. Please do not schedule any absences for these dates. These are important tests in which we spend a lot of time preparing.
Please donate tall plastic bottles! In the first weeks of the fourth quarter, each student will be making lung models using such bottles. They should not be too wide, easy to cut through, and tall. A perfect example is a 16 oz “SmartWater” bottle.
NO SMART WATCHES! Fitbits are fine. If there are any questions about what constitutes a smart watch, let us know. Students can keep them powered off in their backpack for after school use, but not on them. This is for many reasons, one of which being that certain tests can be completely invalidated by the presence of such a device.
Curriculum:
ELA:
In grammar, we are going over general practice with more daily grams in order to ensure we are well rounded for the upcoming AASA tests. We also practice further mastery of quotation marks as well as the distinction between action and linking verbs. We explore tricky examples that really test the student’s knowledge of the latter.
Literature is beginning anew with Carry On, Mr. Bowditch, but first the scholars will need their copy to participate. Students must have their copy of Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Monday, 3/27. We will be reading chapters 1-4 throughout the week, using them as an excellent springboard for discussion.
For our poem, “Paul Revere’s Ride,” the 12th stanza must be mastered by Friday, March 31st. It is important to note that Paul Revere’s Ride is our only poetry recital for this quarter, meaning it has a tremendous impact on ELA grade, so please ensure that your scholar is studying it every week.
In WWE, we are continuing writing practice with more essay writing and test prepping. The AASA Writing Test is rapidly approaching and we need to take the steps to be prepared.
In Latin and Greek Roots, we will learn the roots inter- and intra-. The students will need to know how to spell the following words: international, interject, interlude, intermission, interfere, intramural, intrapersonal, intradermal, intracardiac, and intravenous.
For philosophy, we will spend the time practicing writing, as this is the last full week before the AASA Writing Test.
Math:
In math, we are learning further conversions between measurements, including the steps it takes from going from a large unit to a smaller one. We discuss measurements relating to mass, volume, distance, and additionally time.
Fraction of a Whole Khan Academy Video
History:
In history, we test the student’s knowledge of the 13 colonies on Monday. We also set the stage for the American Revolution by discussing the pretenses for the war. War doesn’t just appear, and so we analyze how the relationship between the colonists and British began to deteriorate beginning with the 7 Years War, Proclamation Line, and Stamp Act.
Science:
In science, we will be continuing our unit on the circulatory system. Breaking it down into the pathways that blood takes, including the specific types of blood vessels, the chambers of the heart, and the quick stop in the lungs. We also address blood pressure and pulse.
Gas Exchange (Diffusion)
Remember, the blog is updated weekly. Be sure to come back frequently to see any upcoming events or changes in fourth grade.