What a fun week we've had! Just one more week until the break! Woohoo!
Math:
Monday and Tuesday we spent time reviewing for the math benchmark. The kids worked hard to self-monitor and ask for additional practice in the area they felt like they needed it most. The scores overall were VERY good. Some of the best I've seen! Keep in mind that benchmarks have a somewhat different scale. 61% and higher is considered "proficient" by the district. Both class averages were in the 80s! The district average for 4th grade was 57%; so WOW! I will try to get benchmark reports out to you guys this week, if the system is up and working. If not, we may have to wait until report cards.
After Wednesday we took a much needed math break and focused on Science. Next week, we will wrap up our unit of fractions.
Science:
Finally, we got some investigations in! Students investigated the conditions under which evaporation happens by observing, over the course of 24 hours, the rate of evaporation with and without a direct heat source over a cup of water. Students learned that boiling temperatures are not necessary to create water vapor! We also investigated the conditions necessary for water to condense and even produced frost in a cup.
Next week, we'll wrap up the water cycle officially and start exploring weather and weather tools.
Health:
This week we wrapped up our unit on the skeletal system with a matching activity and tied in some health lessons from PE class with a quiz about the dangers of smoking.
SEL:
We are learning about GOSSIPPING right now in SEL. We could use your help in encouraging your children to talk to an adult they trust if they have questions about rumors, instead of their friends and classmates. We are encouraging our kids to use the THINK acronym: Is it True, Helpful, Inspiring,Necessary, and Kind We could use your help in encouraging kind and thoughtful behavior and problem-solving skills! Thanks for you support!
Other News:
Thursday was our first field trip and it was fabulous! The Stateside Theater's production of Peter and the Wolf with Mother Falcon was really excellent. We will be sending home some handouts provided by the theater in Wednesday folders this week. Have a talk with your kiddos about their favorite parts and how this classic story was updated. You should also ask them about the fun game on the bus... it was very memorable.
Friday, all of the 4th grade team of teachers had subs in the classroom as we worked hard in the conference room crunching numbers, reviewing data, grading benchmarks, and planning for the next semester. My sub, Mrs. H, gave a wonderful report on both classes. Hooray!
Next week is spirit week and of course there will be tons going on as we celebrate the upcoming holidays and prepare for the break. Please review your child's agenda for all the details and let me know if you have any questions. Your child is not going to want to miss out on a thing!
Math:
Monday and Tuesday we spent time reviewing for the math benchmark. The kids worked hard to self-monitor and ask for additional practice in the area they felt like they needed it most. The scores overall were VERY good. Some of the best I've seen! Keep in mind that benchmarks have a somewhat different scale. 61% and higher is considered "proficient" by the district. Both class averages were in the 80s! The district average for 4th grade was 57%; so WOW! I will try to get benchmark reports out to you guys this week, if the system is up and working. If not, we may have to wait until report cards.
After Wednesday we took a much needed math break and focused on Science. Next week, we will wrap up our unit of fractions.
Science:
Finally, we got some investigations in! Students investigated the conditions under which evaporation happens by observing, over the course of 24 hours, the rate of evaporation with and without a direct heat source over a cup of water. Students learned that boiling temperatures are not necessary to create water vapor! We also investigated the conditions necessary for water to condense and even produced frost in a cup.
Next week, we'll wrap up the water cycle officially and start exploring weather and weather tools.
Health:
This week we wrapped up our unit on the skeletal system with a matching activity and tied in some health lessons from PE class with a quiz about the dangers of smoking.
SEL:
We are learning about GOSSIPPING right now in SEL. We could use your help in encouraging your children to talk to an adult they trust if they have questions about rumors, instead of their friends and classmates. We are encouraging our kids to use the THINK acronym: Is it True, Helpful, Inspiring,Necessary, and Kind We could use your help in encouraging kind and thoughtful behavior and problem-solving skills! Thanks for you support!
Other News:
Thursday was our first field trip and it was fabulous! The Stateside Theater's production of Peter and the Wolf with Mother Falcon was really excellent. We will be sending home some handouts provided by the theater in Wednesday folders this week. Have a talk with your kiddos about their favorite parts and how this classic story was updated. You should also ask them about the fun game on the bus... it was very memorable.
Friday, all of the 4th grade team of teachers had subs in the classroom as we worked hard in the conference room crunching numbers, reviewing data, grading benchmarks, and planning for the next semester. My sub, Mrs. H, gave a wonderful report on both classes. Hooray!
Next week is spirit week and of course there will be tons going on as we celebrate the upcoming holidays and prepare for the break. Please review your child's agenda for all the details and let me know if you have any questions. Your child is not going to want to miss out on a thing!