Q1W2
Confidence:
One of the most powerful lessons we can help our children learn is that true confidence doesn’t come from getting everything right the first time—it comes from struggling, trying again, and growing through the process. When students are given the space to make mistakes and reflect on them, they begin to develop resilience and a sense of ownership over their learning. They discover that setbacks are not failures, but rather opportunities to understand more deeply, build problem-solving skills, and learn persistence.
As parents and teachers, it’s natural to want to shield our children from discomfort or disappointment. But gently allowing them to experience those moments—while offering support, encouragement, and perspective—helps them grow into more capable, confident learners. When we celebrate effort over perfection and view mistakes as valuable steps in the learning journey, we teach our children that their abilities are not fixed, but ever-expanding. Confidence built this way is lasting and authentic, because it’s rooted in real experience and earned success.
NEWS:
-Picture day on 8/12. Be sure to send in scholar looking their best on this day, as these picture are the ones that will find their way into the yearbook (unless scholars are ordered retakes later on in the year).
-Unit 1 Math Test on 8/14. Their first math test will be on number sense, comparing size of numbers, rounding, etc. Be sure students are prepared on the date provided.
-Curriculum Night on 8/20. 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.
-Galileo Testing on 8/21. We do take our first standardized test, so be sure to help your scholar be prepared 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 on 8/22. Student will be expected to memorize and recite "Afternoon on a Hill" by this date.
-Wednesday, October 1st is the first Kingdoms Day. During school hours, everyone will gather in their respective Kingdom Classrooms for a brief team assembly. (If you're new to the school, you should have received a Welcome letter with your student's name.) **Please wear the Kingdom shirt on this day.
CURRICULUM:
ELA:
In GRAMMAR, we will begin utilizing our WOL book in order to investigate the different types of sentences as well as begin to learn how to diagram language. We will also be taking notes to review key parts of speech.
LITERATURE continues with the reading of Wizard of Oz chapters 1-7, so please ensure your student has their copy at school. We will utilize the text to practice understanding order of events and characterization.
We begin our COMPOSITION program, which will spend a great deal of time practicing their writing. This week we will focus on summary construction, dictation, and learn how to identify different types of sentences.
In LATIN AND GREEK ROOTS, we will be learning our next three roots; unus, mono, and poly. With them we will learn the definition and spelling of the following: unison, union, united, universe, unicorn, monochrome, monocle, monotone, monosyllabic, polychromatic, polyglot, polygon, polysyllabic, and polyhedron.
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 on August 22nd.
For PHILOSOPHY, we will introduce study strategies, idioms, analogies, and further discuss their poem for recitation.
Math:
In math, we are continuing to solidify our number sense. Will will primarily do this through rounding and review which will prepare the student for their first Math Test on Thursday 8/14.
Use Khan Academy to review Ch. 1 Math Concepts
History:
In history, we start to finalize our understanding of maps in preparation for the unit test in the following week. Students will have mastered learning latitude/longitude, reading different components on maps, and utilizing coordinates to describe location.
Science:
This week, students will explore how energy and speed are connected by conducting experiments and reading about real-life examples. They will observe how energy can be transferred, including through sound, and how this relates to the law of conservation of energy.
Energy Transfer and Transformation
How Sound Travels Through Different Mediums
Remember, the blog is updated weekly. Be sure to come back frequently to see any upcoming events or changes in fourth grade.