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