Q4W6
Hello!
Congratulations! AASA Testing is complete, which means that the rest of the year is smooth sailing… is something the scholars wish I would say. Whereas we have put a bow on state testing, we still have a few key assignments left on our itinerary, including the multi-day long Singapore Math test and a final five-paragraph essay. That being said, the students have tested their mettle and proven that such things are simply tasks to be conquered by these soon-to-be fifth graders. It is important that students remain motivated and dedicated and do not succumb to the end-of-the-year fatigue that can sneak up on students. For that, they may need your help as parents.
News:
History Comprehension Check on April 24th. This will be quizzing students on all the specifics that occurred on the 18th of April in 1775, which should be familiar to students thanks to the 13 stanza long poem that they have mastered.
George Washington Poem Due Monday, April 24th. This is a shorter and fun poem that requires two to recite, so it is important that students are ready so that they enjoy their performance and don’t let their partners down.
Pronoun Quiz on Thursday April 27th. For this it is vital that students understand the role of pronouns, how to identify them, and how to diagram sentences that include them.
Please donate tall plastic bottles! This week 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. Please check in with your homeroom teachers to see if they have the resources for this fun model.
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 speeding through the WOL book, combining multiple chapters into an overarching pronoun unit. The pronoun quiz will be on Thursday, April 27th, and this will cover subject, object, and possessive pronouns.
Literature is continuing with Carry On, Mr. Bowditch, and we will be reading chapters 12-14 throughout the week, using them as an excellent springboard for discussions about encouragement and motivation. Students must have their copy of Carry On, Mr. Bowditch if they do not already.
https://youtu.be/DrAkrgZRb9Y - Celestial Navigation Using a Sextant
https://youtu.be/PBn7iWzrKoI - French Revolution explained
We wrap up our recent poem, George Washington by Stephen Vincent Benet. It will be due April 24th, where students will be reciting in pairs.
In WWE, we are continuing writing practice with more summary writing practice and test prep packets. We will also practice our note taking skill through dictations.
In Latin and Greek Roots, we will learn the following roots:
vivo/victim = live
viv id (adj) lively, animated, spirited
re vive (v) come back to life (re- back, again)
sur vive (v) to live over or beyond a threat of death
vi va cious (adj) attractively lively and animated
vic tim (n) a person harmed, injured, or killed due to an event
bios = life
bi ol o gy (n) study of life
bi og raph y (n) written life story
bi o mass (n) organic matter used as a fuel (especially in a power station for the generation of electricity)
an ti bi ot ic (n) – a medicine that slows or stops the growth of microorganisms
sym bi ot ic (adj) – interaction between two different organisms living closely
For philosophy, we will be spending time on the age-old thought: “Do two wrongs balance out and make an action right?”
Math:
In math, we are continuing to review the entire year’s worth of content. We are going chapter by chapter to review and quiz each subject that we have conquered in the past. This week includes chapter 6-8 of the Singapore Math books.
History:
In history, students will be writing Comprehension Checks about the night of April 18th, 1775 and the following morning with its shot heard ‘round the world. The test is on Monday, 4/24. From there we understand the beginning stages of the war, including the Second Continental Congress and the ideological impact of the “Declaration of Independence” and “Common Sense” by Thomas Paine.
https://youtu.be/RDzwtl5Z2cA - Chapter 13, Second Continental Congress
Science:
In science, we continue learning about the Respiratory System. We will break down its individual components, understand the process of how gas exchange occurs, and picture how functions such as breathing or speaking work. From there each student will be creating a model to better demonstrate how the Diaphragm works to draw and release breath.
Path of Air, Respiratory System - https://youtu.be/hc1YtXc_84A
Gas Exchange - https://youtu.be/kFZpwBOrAKE
Gas Exchange 2 - https://medlineplus.gov/ency/anatomyvideos/000059.htm
Diaphragm - https://youtu.be/hp-gCvW8PRY
Vocal Cords in Action - https://youtu.be/y2okeYVclQo
How the Voicebox Works - https://youtu.be/hj_A2_WGhSs
How Lungs Work- Respiratory System Overview - https://youtu.be/8NUxvJS-_0k
Model of a Lung - https://youtu.be/CBv2BqqAydE
Remember, the blog is updated weekly. Be sure to come back frequently to see any upcoming events or changes in fourth grade.