4AW Weekly Newsletter Dec 17-21

Grade 4 AW

Weekly Newsletter

December 17 - December 21, 2018

Language Arts
This week in writing we will be doing some blogposts about our class novel, "Tiger Rising" and the character changes that we saw within the novel. Last week, we drafted some writing which included some turning points that students recognised for each character.  We will also start planning another realistic fiction story, ready for when we return in the new year using the story arc or story-boarding.
In reading, many groups will be reflecting on the novels that they have just completed or will complete this week.

Math
In math we are continuing with our work on measurements and converting from smaller to larger measurement units and vice versa. We have started last week on mass and distance and this week we continue with capacity ( mL<-> L). The students are learning some important mathematical prefixes such as kilo-, centi-, milli- which all have meanings.  Many students need revision on subtracting across zeros. We hope to complete this short unit on Thursday along with the assessment. The completed, marked assessment will be sent home in the new year.

Our new math unit in January will be  Fraction Equivalence and Ordering using models to show/ prove that fractions are equivalent or not and using benchmark fractions to compare size. Here is a link to a quizlet vocabulary set that may be a good preview of vocabulary if your child has some times over the vacation to preview these words. As always with quizlet, start with flashcards and learn.

Science
In Science we will continue designing and building  simple machine/ complex machine prototype that answers a real-life situation; the situations are varied and range from dog mobility issues to recycling machines to clearing up the ocean. Using their design, trying to build and realising that they need to make changes and adapt their design is an important part of the  design thinking process.

Announcements

• Thank you Math Games Celebration/ Share: Thank you so much for coming to our share of math games. Many of you asked for copies of the games and in the New Year we will send home links to these games.
• The last day of the semester is Friday, Dec. 21. Please be sure to inform the school and class teacher if you plan on leaving for the holiday before that date.  Thank you to those that have already indicated.
• ES Dress Up Days - plan your days in advance click HERE for dates. 
• Water Bottles & Hats - Please check that your child comes to school with their water bottles and hats every morning. Recently, many students seem to be forgetting them at home.

Resources

Repeat: Grade 4 Camp-In Resources
Most of our class has completed the permission form electronically. It is linked below. Please make sure that you have completed it by the 21st December.

• Camp-In Information Presentation 
• Camp-In Permission Form - completed by Friday 21 December 
• Camp-In Packing List 

Grade 4AW Newsletter Dec 10-14

Grade 4 AW

Weekly Newsletter

December 10 - December 14, 2018

Language Arts
This week, the class will be finishing up the read aloud, The Tiger Rising. Throughout the reading of this book, the children have been reinforcing their skills in growing ideas about characters and understanding how the character really is the heart of the story.  Students will be continuing to read their book club books and use ThinkMarks to show their thinking and to aide their discussions. In writing, students are continuing to draft and will focus on revising, editing  and giving feedback on their realistic fiction stories.

Math
This week the students are continuing their work on measurement. They are working on converting units for length.  They will be introduced to mm, cm, m and km. They will be converting from one unit to another as well as making connections from our previous units and adding and subtracting distances. This week also sees our Math Game Celebration/ Share on Friday at 2pm-2:45. We hope to see you there.

Science
This week in science students will continue to learn about the design cycle through solving a real-life problem for their final project. Through brainstorming, modelling, questioning, and testing, the students will be able to design and improve their prototype machines. Students will also start to learn about failure, and how it is an important part of the design process!

Announcements

• Math Games Celebration/ Share: An invitation to our grade 4 celebration share on Math Games was sent home on Monday 3rd December, the event will take place on 14 December. Please let us know if you will be joining us for this share by returning the slip to your child’s class teacher. In this share  students will teach you some of the games that they have been using this semester.
• The last day of the semester is Friday, Dec. 21. Please be sure to inform the school and class teacher if you plan on leaving for the holiday before that date. 
• ES Dress Up Days - plan your days in advance click HERE for dates. 
• Water Bottles & Hats - Please check that your child comes to school with their water bottles and hats every morning. Recently, many students seem to be forgetting them at home.

Resources
Grade 4 Camp-In Resources

• Camp-In Information Presentation 
• Camp-In Permission Form - completed by Friday 21 December 
• Camp-In Packing List 

Grade 4AW Weekly Newsletter December 3 - December 7, 2018

Grade 4

Weekly Newsletter

December 3 - December 7, 2018

Language Arts
In reading this week, students will be finishing up their first book club book and reflecting on the stories they have read. We have time  (3 weeks) for one more round of book clubs so a new book will be started. This week in writing, students will continue drafting their scenes, focusing on bringing the scenes to life through the strategy called Show, Don’t Tell.  They will add sparkle to their writing by using figurative language such as similes, onomatopoeia and hyperbole as well as making sure that there is a balance of dialogue, description and action.

Math
Math this week  starts with us finishes off work on finding area  and perimeter of rectangles using formulas. This ties in really well to the work that students have been doing on the area model in multiplication. We then move on to measurement where we introduce the different units of measurement in the metric system for capacity, distance and mass and how we convert from larger units to smaller units such as mm., cm., m. and km. for distance.

Science
Science this week see the students continue to learn about simple machines and how simple machines make work easier. Students will also start learning about compound machines and will be introduced to real-life problems where machines have provided solutions. Students will select a real-life scenario and  will have to follow the design cycle to design, build,  test, rebuild and reflect on a prototype machine that will solve a real-life problem. This project will take us to the end of the semester.

Announcements

• Dec. 4th - Parent “Camp-in” Informational Meeting: 8:15-9:15 am in MPR 2 & 3 on the 2nd floor, above the Panther Hut.

• ES Dress Up Days - plan your days in advance click HERE for dates. 

• Water Bottles & Hats - Please check that your child comes to school with their water bottles and hats every morning. Recently, many students seem to be forgetting them at home.

• The last day of the semester is Friday, Dec. 21. Please be sure to inform the school and class teacher if you plan on leaving for the holiday before that date. 

• Math Games Celebration/ Share: An invitation to our grade 4 celebration share on Math Games will be sent home on Monday 3rd December, the event will take place on 14th December in the afternoon. Please let us know if you will be joining us for this share by returning the slip to your child’s class teacher. In this share  students will teach you some of the games that they have been using this semester.

Resources
Below is the design cycle that we will be working through for the next few weeks in science. We start by asking questions; defining the problem and researching, then imagining a solution and planning; creating , building and reflecting and rebuilding etc