Grade 4AW Weekly Newsletter June 3-June14, 2019.

Grade 4AW

Weekly Newsletter

June 3 -June 14, 2019

Next week includes an  important holiday. We wish all of our muslim families  A Happy Eid.  To our Malaysian families we wish you Selamat Hari Raya Aidilifitri- Ma’af Zahir dan Batin. This newsletter will take us all the way to the end of the semester and the academic year.

We hope to see many of you there for our Writing Share on Monday from 1:45-2:40.  We will be looking at some group literary essays as well as one that your child did by themselves (with conferring) and we will be asking you to read your own child's work first and give them some feedback in the form of 2 Stars and a Wish, and then move on to some other students too and give them some feedback.

Language Arts 

In the final part of Language Arts  for the year, we finalise our writing on our literary essay unit, showcasing all of our progress during our writing share with parents on Monday, June 3. In reading, we will continue to examine our mentor text Number the Stars, analysing characters and important events and writing our own individual ‘what happened next’ chapters. We will complete the work on our Bookclubs, with groups sharing aspects of the text with the rest of the class through prezi.

Math 


In the final part of our geometry unit, students  will continue to explore angles and  measure them with increasing accuracy using protractors.  Students will use their knowledge of right, straight and whole circle angles to find missing angles.  Students will also look at symmetry- especially line symmetry as another way to classify shapes. This will lead into our end of unit test which will be sent home during the last week of school.

Social Studies

Students have been placed into groups and have learned about a specific country that they will represent in our simulation. They even designed a flag  for their country, based on their research. Now we will look at their country's natural resources and pick a product that they can "trade" with the other nations in our trading simulation. This simulation will call for lots of talking, lots of rule making- for example, is it acceptable to have different prices for different countries (or would that be unfair? ), and lots of negotiation!

Announcements

• May 10th - June 14th: Car riders pick up will now be in the gym
• June 3rd: 4th Grade Writing Share - Parents invited from 1:45- 2:30.
• June 5th & 6th : No School for Hari Raya Aidilfitri
• June 14th: Last day of school- half day -  whole school clap out at 11:30am
• ES Dress Up Days: Plan your days in advance click HERE for dates and details.
• EXTRA BONUS:  Get a head start on the SUMMER READING LIST

Resources

• For more practice at  estimating angles got to Math Playground and look for games alien angles, angles and rocket angles. Here is also a link to Banana Hunt.
• For more practice at  lines of symmetry - see if you can draw the symmetrical shape:  Symmetry Game

Wet n Wild Photos and Writing Share Information

Wet N Wild Day/ Swim Carnival 

and 

The Grade 4 Writing Share

This week is a full week. This newsletter is not a curriculum newsletter (please see last week's letter to read about our curriculum)  but  this letter refers to two events, one that has already happened and one that is coming up:

Wet n Wild Day - this event was phenomenal. Held last Friday the students had so much fun!  Agung Fauzi has taken some spectacular photos of the event. Search through his album HERE
For less professional photos taken by me from this event on my iPhone-  click HERE

A HUGE thank you to all of you who came to volunteer and to support

Grade 4 Writing Share: 

• When ? June 3rd at 1:45-2:40pm
• Where? Grade 4 classrooms and common area
• Who? Parents and relatives

• What? 

Learn a little about the writing process and the different aspects of writing.
Read and give feedback to your own child on their Literary Essay
Give feedback to other students too. ( 2-3 other students)
Use two stars and a wish - two things that they did well, and one thing that they need to improve.
A google survey has been sent to you already- we hope to see as many of you as we can so that you can help our students CELEBRATE their hard work in this new writing unit: Literary Essays.

• 

Grade 4AW Weekly Newsletter May 20-May 31st

Grade 4

Weekly Newsletter

May 20 - May 31, 2019

These next two weeks have lots of holidays  and this posting covers the next two weeks.

Language Arts 
In Language Arts this next fortnight, students will continue to research and compare historical fiction texts, consolidating their knowledge on common themes and symbols seen throughout. We will finish our study on our mentor text, Number the Stars, noticing changes in the characters, setting and theme as the story concludes. We will complete our study of historical fiction book clubs, comparing universal themes and ideas across texts. We continue to refine our writing skills in our Literary Essays, through both peer and teacher conferencing, taking feedback from earlier drafts to refine our work.

Math 
In math we continue our geometry unit and initially will focus on quadrilaterals- looking at the criteria for a quadrilateral. Later, we will also be drawing and identifying shapes based on their angles. We will be sorting shapes based on angles and will be learning how to use a protractor (angle measure) to more accurately measure and classify angles into acute, right, obtuse and reflex angles.

Social Studies
These few days we recap natural resources and introduce both capital resources and human resources. Capital resources are goods made and used to produce other goods and services. Examples include buildings, machinery, tools and equipment.  Human resources refers to the talents, skills and work of humans.

Announcements

• May 10th - June 14th: Car riders pick up will now be in the gym 
• Mon, May 20th:  NO SCHOOL - ISKL Holiday in lieu of Wesak Day 
• Tues, May 21st:  NO SCHOOL - ISKL Faculty In-Service
• Wed, May 22nd:  NO SCHOOL - Nuzul Al Quran
• Fri, May 24th: Wet ‘n’Wild Day/ Swim Carnival 8:15-9:00
• June 3rd: 4th Grade Writing Share - Parents invited from 1:45- 2:30.
• ES Dress Up Days: Plan your days in advance click HERE for dates and details.
• EXTRA BONUS:  Get a head start on the SUMMER READING LIST 

Resources
Reinforce our Geometry unit in math with the power of song on Numberock. Music makes memories...give it a try...with Closed Caption for the added benefit of visual text support.  https://numberock.com/

Quizlet is a digital studying tool. Open the link below to access digital flashcards that include the vocabulary words covered in our Geometry unit. https://quizlet.com/284437039/iskl-grade-4-geometry-flash-cards/

Again to reinforce our ongoing Geometry unit take a look at the link below. Some teachers use Math Learning Center as a digital math manipulative that helps build a concrete understanding of new concepts. The link is directly connected to the websites applications or apps page. Open the geoboard app and the math vocabulary cards (select geometry) and allow your children to explore and practice new skills.
https://www.mathlearningcenter.org/resources/apps

A few of our historical fictions texts can be found on a website site that all readers can access and enjoy. Take a look at the Storyline Online, a website that has videos of actors reading books aloud while showing illustrations from the story.
https://www.storylineonline.net/ 

4AW Weekly Newsletter May 13-17 2019

Grade 4 AW

Weekly Newsletter

May 13 - May 17, 2019

Language Arts 

In our historical fiction unit, we will continue to read and study our book club texts, examining how character’s perspective is shaped by the times and by his or her role. Students will also examine the main themes and ideas of their historical fiction texts. We continue to dissect our mentor text, Number the Stars, noting character and setting changes.

Students continue to work in partnerships to plan, draft and edit their  literary essays, focusing on adding quotes and other evidence from texts to support their claims. We will look at another exemplar text before students start to plan their own literary essay.

Math 

 This week we start our Geometry unit, in this unit, students draw points, lines, line segments, rays, angles (right, acute, obtuse), and perpendicular and parallel lines. They identify and classify angles, distinguish between parallel and perpendicular lines, and recognise a right triangle as a category for classification. Fourth graders identify differences and similarities among two dimensional figures based on the absence or presence of characteristics such as parallel or perpendicular lines and angles of a specified size. 

This first week we focus on points, lines, rays and line segments and which symbols mathematicians use to represent and label these geometric features. 

Social Studies

 Our focus this week in social studies will be on   a natural resource,  OIL,  and we will use maps to show where this resource can be found around the world. Where are the oil rich nations?  Students will use natural resource maps to select another resource and map it on their maps to see where natural resources can be found around the world.  Students will form groups to focus on the following natural resources: Cotton , Gold, Copper, Tin, Salt, Wheat, Fish, Wood/lumber, Palm Oil, Rubber, Cattle (Meat), and Coal.


Announcements

• May 10th - June 14th: Car riders pick up will now be in the GYM
Tues, May 14: ES Spring Music Concert, 5:30-7:00, Melawati Theater 
• Wed, May 15: Instrument selection is due
• Mon, May 20:  NO SCHOOL - ISKL Holiday in lieu of Wesak Day
• Tues, May 21:  NO SCHOOL - ISKL Faculty In-Service
• Wed, May 22:  NO SCHOOL - Nuzul Al Quran
• ES Dress Up Days: Plan your days in advance click HERE for dates and details.

Resources

If you would like to get a jump start on our next math unit in Geometry take a look at the link below. Some teachers use Math Learning Center as a digital math manipulate that helps build a concrete understanding of new concepts. The link is directly connected to the websites applications or apps page. Open the geoboard app and the math vocabulary cards (select geometry) and allow your children to explore and practice new skills.
https://www.mathlearningcenter.org/resources/apps

A few of our historical fictions texts can be found on a website site that all readers can access and enjoy. Take a look at the Storyline Online, a website that has videos of actors reading books aloud while showing illustrations from the story.
https://www.storylineonline.net/ 

4AW Weekly Newsletter May 6-May 10 2019

Grade 4AW

Weekly Newsletter

May 6 - May 10, 2019

Language Arts 
In our Reading unit, students will  start to explore their Historical Fiction Book Clubs.  Each group has a historical fiction book that they will begin to read. They have already started to research the time and history in which the book was set.  Students will work on unpacking components of historical fiction, making agreements, revisiting tools and self assessing in order to lift their book club conversations.

While continuing to read the mentor text,  Number the Stars, students will be encouraged to think deeply about passages in the text,  finding big ideas in small details and symbolism. Students will also determine themes, developing deeper ideas through conversation with other readers who can contribute to build a richer, more powerful interpretation.

In our Literary Essay unit, students will begin to plan and draft their essays, as well as learn how to use direct quotes to support their claims about text. They will also use lists as evidence to support their claims.





Math 
This week in 4AW we continue to model decimals using area models and number lines.  We compare decimals and decimal fractions using the inequality symbols ( >, <, or =) as well as ordering using a number line. Later we will move on to comparing mixed numbers as well as adding decimals.

We are nearly at the end of this decimals unit and so we will also start preparing students for the vocabulary  demands of our final unit on Geometry. In the resources section below there is a Quizlet set that students can access at home and preview some of the  specialist vocabulary that they will need.

Social Studies
This week during morning meeting times we will recapping natural resources and renewable and non-renewable resources. We will also be looking at wants and needs.  We will look at Malaysia's Natural resources in preparation for looking at the rest of the world and their natural resources.

Announcements

• Monday 6th May: Night Of the Notables Dress Rehearsal - Grade 4 to be the audience for the grade 5 performance during school time. Students only.
• Wednesday May 8th: Band and Strings presentation for grade 4 students. Keep an eye out for some information from the music teachers after the presentation and some discussions  with your child about best-matched musical instruments. Students only.
• Friday,  May 10th: Free Dress Day, suggested donation 5RM
• Tuesday,  May 14th: ES Spring Music Concert, 5:30-7:00, Melawati Theater 
• ES Dress Up Days: Plan your days in advance click HERE for dates and details.

Resources
Learn the specialist vocabulary needed for your next math unit, by clicking this link. Parents this may help you too.
Geometry Quizlet Set

4AW Weekly Newsletter April 29- May 3

Grade 4

Weekly Newsletter

April 29 - May 3, 2019

Language Arts 
In our Reading unit, students will be introduced to their Historical Fiction Book Clubs. Book Clubs assist students in developing interpretations in the company of their peers, which provides a sounding board for students to clarify their thinking. Students will begin to track the setting, character, mood and theme of their historical fiction text.

We will also examine, using our mentor text, Number the Stars, how character perspectives are  by their roles. Readers are encouraged to step into characters shoes and conclude that their thoughts and actions are shaped by both their roles and the times in which they lived.
In our literary essay unit, students are discovering how to craft a thesis, honing their skills in discovering a big idea and determining what they really want to say. The students will learn to purposely angle their stories to highlight the way it supports their claim.

Math
This week students will be showing equivalent decimals and fractions. They will be using the area model as well as number lines to decompose decimals and fractions to understand their the place value up to the hundredths place. The students will also use base ten blocks and place value mats to model their work.  The students will be using their toolkit of number lines and area models to order and compare fractions.

Social Studies
This weeks sees us continue our work on products and finding out what resources are needed - in terms of natural, capital and human resources. Later in the week we will be focusing on natural resources and finding out what these are and where in the world these are found using map- starting off here in our host country of Malaysia.


Announcements
Monday, April 29th: MAPS Testing - Grade 4 students will continue taking their MAP tests.
Wednesday May 1st is LABOR day and so there is no school.
ES Dress Up Days: none this week


Resources
Quizlet: there is a lot of vocabulary connected to our Social Studies Unit of Trade and Resources. Here is a quizlet that students can use to learn these new words.

If you are interested in extending your understanding of how to think about and teach  fractions take a look at the link below:
Recovering Traditionalist

4AW Weekly Newsletter April 22-26

Grade 4 AW

Weekly Newsletter

April 22 - April 26, 2019

Language Arts

In Language Arts this week we continue to investigate historical fiction texts, paying particular attention to the mood and atmosphere of the places in which the stories are set. Students examine the blurb of their new mentor text, noting clues about where the story is set and the type of environment the characters are living in. Students will further research the key information taken from the blurb in small groups which will be collated to share with the rest of the class. When the story is taking place, where the story os taking place and more importantly WHAT is going on at that time?

Students will also examine examples of literary essays, noting the important characteristics to be included within the introduction, body and conclusion. They will use their close reading of a historical picture book and plan as a group and draft parts of the essay and put all the parts together to create a final group essay. Student’s attention with be drawn to the ‘big ideas’ or theme of the text, noting the message or lesson that the author is trying to convey.

Math

This week in math we will continue building on our decimal knowledge by working with decimals that are greater than 1. Students will be using both number lines as well as area models to make the connection between the decimal notation and the fraction notation. This week we will also be using our Base 10 manipulatives to model and draw decimals.

Social Studies

We are launching our unit on Trade and Resources this week.  The big ideas of this unit are: “Where you live impacts how you live” and “Resources impact the economy and trade in regions around the world”.  Student will begin the week tapping into their current knowledge of natural resources and how they connect with products and trade. We will then look more closely at different natural resources and their location.

This week we will also celebrate Earth Week where morning meeting will have an Earth based focus as well as having our Earth Week Assembly.

Announcements

• Tuesday, April 23rd: Blue and Green Earth Day Dress Up  
• Thursday, April 25th: MAPS Testing Grade 4 students will begin taking their MAPS test.
• ES Dress Up Days: Plan your days in advance click HERE for dates and details.

Resources

Big Universe is an online selection of books that our students can access- they have regularly used this as a resources. For our Social Studies unit on Trade and Resources there are a number of book resources that your child could read. To begin with, log on to https://www.biguniverse.com/ and search for tomato ketchup... we will begin by looking at several common place items and see how ketchup is made- and how it ends up on their table.

4AW Weekly Newsletter April 15th-19th

Grade 4AW

Weekly Newsletter

April 15 - April 19, 2019

This week we start two new units in Language Arts as well as starting a new unit in Math.

Language Arts 
This week in reading we will be launching our unit on Historical Fiction. Students will begin by examining the introductions of familiar books in order to analyse the setting, taking note of when and where the story takes places and what this place feels like. Students will be encouraged to be alert for change within the text, identifying clues by the author. We will start with reading shorter picture books as we look for setting - where, when and what is happening at that time as well as characters and broader themes within their books. In writing, the students will be starting our new writing unit " Literary Essay"  which build on their book review work in grade 3 where they will base their 'opinion ' writing on a book and make a claim about a character or theme.


Math 
In math this week we complete our section on multiplying fractions by whole numbers. We will then do a short recap of adding and subtracting fractions as well as using line plots before we start the end of unit test.  Keep an eye out for the tests that will be sent home later this week or early next. Please view, sign, then return.

By the end of the week we should be finished with our fraction unit and will begin our Fractional Decimals unit- building on their place value knowledge and working to tenths and thousandths.


Science
Over the next two weeks, students will be in the science lab to investigate the question:What affects the amount of rock that water can erode? Students will observe two stream tables as the Erosion Model. They will then summarise their understanding by completing two activities in the Earth’s Features Modelling Tool, one showing the effect of the speed of a river on erosion and one showing the effect of the amount of time a river has been flowing. Students also return to Rocky Wonders to read about how water can cause erosion as well as be a natural hazard. Next, students broaden their view, observing a world map to better understand patterns in Earth’s features. Students conclude the unit by returning to the Rocks and Fossils anticipatory chart to reflect on all they have learned. The purpose of this is for students to engage in argumentation as they apply their understanding of erosion.

Announcements

• School Start Time : School starts at 7:50 am. Many students arrive before then and are able to chat to their friends and play in the common area. At 7:50 am sharp classes hold their informative, morning meetings. Please ensure that your child arrives in plenty of time to get to their classroom each morning on time.
• ES Dress Up Days: Plan your days in advance click HERE for dates and details.  (The next Dress Up Day will be Friday, April 19th)
• MAPS Testing: Grade 4 students will begin taking their MAPS test Starting on April 25th.

Resources

Below is a link to our ES Library page filled with incredible reading resources like Big Universe (electronic books with varying reading levels), BookFlix & Trueflix and TumbleBooks which can all support our Grade 4 exploration of historical fiction.

Note: your child’s ISKL username and password is required to access these external resources. Your child should know their login information, If not just drop us an email.

https://iskl.follettdestiny.com/common/servlet/presenthomeform.do?l2m=Home&tm=Home&l2m=Home

Below is a link to Splash Math: Fraction Games for 4th Graders. There are a number of games to play to reinforce fraction concepts. A number of classes are in the process of reviewing fractions to prepare for an end of unit assessment.

Note: a free login is required to play past the demo stage.

https://www.splashmath.com/fraction-games-for-4th-graders

Grade 4AW Newsletter April 8-12

Grade 4 AW

Weekly Newsletter

April 8 - April 12, 2019

Language Arts 
This week we will be launching our Historical Fiction unit. We initially launch the unit using shorter picture books  that are read aloud and introduce how important the setting (especially time), main and secondary characters can impact the story. Knowing more about the  historical context of the  story in terms of what was happening at that time will call for  students  to do  some  guided, mini-research. The purpose of this research is to build on their knowledge of world events  so that they can understand what is happening in their historical fiction novels. In writing this week, we will be doing some work on writing conventions- especially the many, varied jobs of commas. Next week, we launch our Literary Essay unit which we can tie to our historical fiction reading.

Math 
This week sees the final bend in our Operations with Fractions unit. In math lessons this week, the students will be learning how to multiply fractions by whole numbers. The students will use visual models to show their thinking. They will initially use blocks to model the fraction equation, then move onto using visual models to show their understanding.


Science

This week we start our final chapter in science. Students are invited to consider how rock around the world is shaped, broken, worn down, and exposed.  The are introduced to a new question and phenomena: why Desert Rocks Canyon has so much more exposed rock than nearby Keller’s Canyon?  They use the book, Rocky Wonders, to learn about how rock is weathered and eroded over time. Later in the week,  students use the Earth’s Features Sim to explore what factors can cause water to erode different amounts of rock. The purpose of these lessons is to begin to explore what factors affect how much rock a river can erode.


Announcements

• WIDA Testing: EAL students have been notified and will be taking the WIDA test this week with Mr. Balsamo.
• ES Dress Up Days: Plan your days in advance click HERE for dates and details.  (The next Dress Up Day will be Friday, April 19th)
• MAPS Testing: Grade 4 students will begin taking their MAPS test Starting on April 25th.

Resources

Here is a link to extend students curiosity about fossils:
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/fossil/

4AW Weekly Newsletter March 18- April 5

Grade 4

Weekly Newsletter

March 18 - April 5, 2019

This newsletter covers the week before Spring Break and also the week after Spring Break.

Language Arts

In Language Arts throughout the next couple of weeks we continue to follow our topic across texts, cross-referencing information to ensure accuracy. Students continue to use notes to add any missing information to their writing, documenting sources used in their reference section. Students continually revise their work, adding and deleting parts to ensure that the reader is hooked and that essential paragraph elements are included namely a main idea sentence, details including facts, examples & data as well as an ending. We introduce transitions and figurative language to help the students link their information and to keep the reader interested. The students will work to collate their information into their typed slide show presentation, using ARMS and CUPS to self, peer, and teacher edit their work.

Math 
In the next two weeks, the students will be continuing the unit on fraction operations. They will continue to work on using visual models to add and subtract fractions. They will also be introduced to mixed numbers and improper fractions. Another area of focus with be an introduction to be using line plots to display and answer questions about fraction data.

Science
In the next two weeks in Science, students will discuss and model what they know about the past environments of Desert Rocks National Park and are introduced to the question What is the order of the past environments of Desert Rocks National Park?  They construct ideas about the order in which rock layers form by using relevant models and the Fossil Hunter’s Handbook and then model their understanding. Students then gather and organize evidence for two claims about the order in which layers formed in a rocky outcrop. Next, students read and discuss how scientists use data and ideas about rock layers to make arguments about what caused the dinosaurs to go extinct. Later, students write about which argument is most convincing and why.

Announcements
March 18th: NO SCHOOL - ISKL Faculty Inservice
March 25th -March 29th: NO SCHOOL - March Break
April 1st: Coffee Chat & Resource Fair @ 8:00am - 9:45am  This is a great opportunity for you to learn about the resources that the Student Resource Team (SRT) offers to support all students in their learning and development at ISKL. In addition to learning about speech and language therapy, educational psychology, and counseling available at ISKL, parents will learn about additional supports that can be accessed outside of school to support their child and family.  Coffee and snacks will be provided. RSVP Required.  Registration Link 
ES Dress Up Days: plan your days in advance click HERE for dates and details.

Resources
Below is a link to our ES Library page filled with incredible reading resources including current event links to news sites such as Newsla (news site with the capability to adjust reading level), DOGOnews (news site with the capability to read articles out loud). Support our Grade 4 scientific exploration of the natural world or search articles related to interests, either way, all readers can access and engage in news and information.


Below is a link to Splash Math: Fraction Games for 4th Graders. There are a number of games to play that support our unit related to building fractions greater than one whole.
Note: a free login is required to play past the demo stage.
https://www.splashmath.com/fraction-games-for-4th-graders

Inclusive Schools Week Events and Dress up Days

Inclusive Schools Week at ISKL

April 1-5, 2019,  Inclusive Schools Week. #kaleidoscopeoffriends. The ISKL Community School-wide will celebrate the progress that we have made in providing a supportive and quality education to an increasingly diverse student population. The week will also provide an important opportunity for educators, students and parents to discuss what else needs to be done in order to ensure that ISKL continues to successfully educate all children. Events will be planned to engage the students, teachers, and parents. 

There will be three dress-up days:

March 21, 2019, Down Syndrome Awareness Day- Wear Mismatched Socks Day !

• This day is World Down Syndrome Awareness Day. #WorldDownSyndromeDay. The ISKL ES community is encouraged to wear mismatched socks to raise awareness and highlight that our differences are what make us great.

April 2, 2019, Autism Awareness Day  - Wear Blue for Autism Awareness

• April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day. #LightItUpBlue The ISKL ES community is encouraged to support the Autism Speaks Light it up Blue Campaign by wearing blue to increase understanding and acceptance of Autism.
 

April 5, 2019, Diversity Day- wear clothes that show their uniqueness

• As Inclusive Schools Week wraps up, ES students are encouraged to dress in clothes that highlight them as unique individuals. #kaleidoscopeoffriends

• For Parents: There will be a Coffee Chat & Resource Fair happening on April 1st. RSVP is required Click Here for the invitation.  

April 1, 2019: Coffee Chat & Resource Fair. To kick off Inclusive Schools Week there will be a Coffee Chat and Resource Fair in the Community Room from 8:15 - 9:45 am.  This is a great opportunity for your parents to learn about the resources that the Student Resource Team (SRT) offers to support students in their learning and development at ISKL. In addition to learning about speech and language therapy, educational psychology, and counselling available at ISKL, parents will also have the opportunity to learn about additional supports that can be accessed outside of school to support their child and family.  Coffee and snacks will be provided. Parents need to RSVP - Click Here.

4AW Weekly Newsletter March 11-15

Grade 4

Weekly Newsletter

March 11 - March 15, 2019

Language Arts 
This week we will be examining author’s perspectives in non fictions texts. Students will review their main idea statement based on the perspective of their chosen texts. They will continue to put their ordered notes into paragraphs while also identifying ‘gaps’ in their research. They will do this through looking back at what has been done and what still needs to be done in order to move forward in the research process. Students will also be learning how to quote websites, books or people and include this in their article.

Math 
This week in math the students will begin to decompose fractions by using connecting blocks, the area model as well a number line. The students will be adding fractions with like denominators, writing word problems to match. Student will also be subtracting fractions with like denominators and writing word problems that match too. They will be using models to help cement their ideas with addition and subtraction.  They will be using both unit fractions and sum of fractions to add and subtract.


Science
This week students consider data and inferences they can make about fossils, and help construct a scientific argument about what the environment of Desert Rocks National Park was like in the past. They use data from fossils found in the area to help construct their arguments. Students then use what they discussed in their Evidence Circles to write a scientific argument. At the end of the lesson, the whole class briefly reflects on the Chapter 2 Question: What was the environment of Desert Rocks National Park like in the past?

Announcements
March 11th - March 15th: ES Library Book Week!
March 13th: Book Swap - Students bring in their coupons to choose new/used books                        (10 coupons maximum) 
March 15th: Red Hat Book Character Dress Up Day
March 15th: Cartoonist/Author visit - Matt Smith
March 18th: NO SCHOOL - ISKL Faculty Inservice
March 25th -March 29th: NO SCHOOL - March Break
ES Dress Up Days: plan your days in advance click HERE for dates and details.

Resources
Here is a video and a game to reinforce how to decompose fractions
Here is a game to reinforce fraction skills too. Game
To further support our exploration of non-fiction text log on to Newsela, which is an online news website that has the capability of breaking down the text into different reading levels that all readers can access.  (focus on Science)

4AW Weekly Newsletter March 4-8

Grade 4

Weekly Newsletter

March 4 - March 8, 2019

Student Led Conferences are this week. Thanks to you all for working with our new system and signing up through powerschool.  During the conference your chid will be teaching you some of the strategies or games in the different content areas such as Math, Writing and Science/Reading. Your child will also have a time at a station where they can share with you their reflections- honestly- on Semester 1 goals and set new goals. 

Your child will do most of the talking. This is not a time for 1:1 parent teacher conferences as many of you will be in the classroom with 3 other families. I will be in the classroom and will join in some sharing. I would like to request that mobile phones are turned off- so that your full attention can be given to your child. I look forward to seeing you all soon.

Language Arts
In Language Arts this week, students are continuing to gather different types of visual material, such as diagrams, data and charts to add to their collection of information on their non fiction research topic. Students are continuing to synthesize, - using the notes from different sources that students have collected to begin drafting our non fiction texts, ensuring that information is grouped into sections and paragraphs. This week we will be focusing on conclusions.

Math
This week the students will continue with working on decomposing fractions using a number line and the area model. They will then be adding and subtracting fractions with common denominators. The students will continue to use drawings to help make deeper connections while adding and subtracting fractions.

Science
Due to our preparations for our Student-led Conferences this week we have limited science lesson times. However, we will be learning about different rock layers. We will also be using our inference skills about fossils in preparation for writing a scientific argument. The argument will be based on a claim about what past environments used to be like, using evidence from rocks and fossils.

Announcements
March 7th & March 8th - Student Led Conferences (SLC): Thank you for signing up for a time slot on POWERSCHOOL. If you are unable to attend, please contact your child’s teacher so that an alternative date can be set up.

Resources
To further support our exploration of non-fiction text log on to Newsela, which is an online news website that has the capability of breaking down the text into different reading levels that all readers can access.  https://newsela.com/text-sets/#/science (focus on Science)

Walk A Day in My Shoes- A Global Literacy Project

 Dear Parents,

              4AW have the fantastic opportunity to participate in A Global Literacy Project  called Walk A Day in My Shoes. More information about it is included below. 

Lane Clarke - an Associate Professor from USA will visit our classroom on March 14/15th. She is launching the  project in many places around the world. Before she comes to us here in Kuala Lumpur she is visiting  Maine, Paris, Romania and Morocco. 

A hard copy of this letter will be sent home too- as it also have a permission slip at the end that we need to have returned as to the privacy settings you would like on the end product- the video. 

Thank you for your support in  developing these cross-cultural understandings.
Mr. Ward

Walk a Day in My Shoes: A Global Literacy Project

Dear Parents,

Your child's classroom has a wonderful opportunity to participate in a global literacy project called “Walk a Day in My Shoes”. In this project your child will be creating their own iMovie about a day in their life and these will be shared with other students in classrooms in different countries. The children will get to watch other children’s stories and learn about what their lives are like in their country as well.  The goal of this  project is to provide an opportunity for teachers to cultivate cross-cultural understanding between elementary age students.

Since this is a digital project stories will be shared online and I wanted to give you the opportunity to express you preference for how these stories will be shared. I will be using a Youtube channel to share these stories with other students and I am going to ask that the students when they are creating their stories do not show faces, and will only use first names however there are different options for levels of involvement and I want to respect your comfort level with this project.

Please see the below choices and return to your child’s teacher if you have a preference. I look forward to working with your child’s teacher and class on this project.  Please feel free to contact me if you have questions.

Sincerely,

Lane W. Clarke
Associate Professor, University of New England, Biddeford, Maine, USA
globalinmyshoes@gmail.com

Website for this project- https://www.globalinmyshoes.com/
Youtube channel link-https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPz_tgFkSbJK2-7--VZ_6KQ


_________________________________________________________________________________

I am fine with my child’s story shared on the Youtube Channel as part of this project

I am fine with my child’s story shared on the Youtube Channel but only on private setting

I do not want my child’s story to be shared with other students.

Child’s Name _________________________________________________

Parent’s Signature _____________________________________________

4AW Class Newsletter Feb 25- March 1

Grade 4

Weekly Newsletter

February 25 - March 1, 2019

Language Arts 
This week in language arts students are continuing to research and learn more about their selected non fiction topic for their own projects. Students will continue to learn how to deconstruct non fiction texts, learning about note taking and how to recognise different text structures. br />
Math
This week we are moving on to our new, but related, unit of operations with fractions. We start with adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators and then unlike denominators. The students will continue to use visual models to decompose and show equivalency with fractions.

Science
This week students read about, consider details of, and model sedimentary rock formation in different environments. Students add a new layer to their Sedimentary Rock Formation Models, showing two different kinds of sedimentary rock, to apply what they learned about what makes sedimentary rock different and how different rock forms in different environments. Students will reflect on what they’ve learned by returning to the Rocks and Fossils anticipatory chart and engaging in a short reflective writing activity in response to the question: How do rocks provide information about what an environment was like in the past?  Students will then begin to apply their understanding about what rock layers suggest about previous environmental changes.

Announcements
March 7th & March 8th - Student Led Conferences (SLC): Be sure to sign up for a time slot on POWERSCHOOL. If you are unable to attend, please contact your child’s teacher so that an alternative date can be set up.
ES Dress Up Days: plan your days in advance -see Christian's email for the dates.

Resources
To further support our exploration of non-fiction text log on to Newsela, which is an online news website that has the capability of breaking down the text into different reading levels that all readers can access.  https://newsela.com/ (focus on Science)

4AW Class Newsletter Feb 18- 21

Grade 4

Weekly Newsletter

February 18 - February 22, 2019

This week is a busy and exciting week. We have the Grand Opening of the school as well as Chinese New Year assemblies and celebration and even a visiting author!

Language Arts 
This week in Language Arts we will continue to examine text structures. We will examine further the features of each type and analyse a variety of examples to determine which type of text structure they are. Students  will find evidence within the text to support their thinking. We will also continue to learn about different forms of note taking that allow us to gather important information from texts and begin to start this process.

This week- to tie in with our work on Non Fiction reading and writing we have the amazing opportunity to listen and learn from Richard Sobol, a traveling photographer and photo-journalist who has written many non fiction books.

Math
This week in math sees us at the final bend in this unit on Equivalent Fractions and Ordering. Students will continue to use visual models (area models and number lines) as well as their knowledge of fractions to look at whether fractions are close to zero, close to ½ or close to 1 whole.   These benchmark or landmark fractions will help them with comparing and ordering fractions as well as identifying equivalent fractions.

Science
Students revisit the mystery in Desert Rocks Canyon and are introduced to the Chapter 2 Question: What was the environment of Desert Rocks National Park like in the past? Students then read Through the Eyes of a Geologist, which takes students on a journey back in time, highlighting how the environments in specific places have changed over millions of years. Students are also introduced to Fossil Hunter’s Handbook, the reference book they will use in the unit, and use it to identify the mystery fossil found in Desert Rocks Canyon.

Announcements
Thursday, February 21st - Grand Opening Celebration: Students will  be able to witness the ribbon cutting ceremony on the Zurich Field ( leave classes at 2pm) event at 2:10pm. Please be sure they have their hats as they will be outside on the field.

Friday, February 22nd - Chinese New Year Celebration: ISKL will be celebrating CNY in the elementary gym. We encourage your child to dress up in Chinese clothing for the event.

Thur Feb 28, ES Scholastic orders due, online ordering, no cash, credit card payment and delivered to school...see flyer in your child's backpack for details. click HERE to order online.
March 7th & March 8th - Student Led Conferences (SLC): Parents will be able to sign up for the conferences on POWER SCHOOL. If you are unable to attend, please contact your child’s teacher so that an alternative date can be set up.


Resources

Here is a collection of 5 different Subitizing* Fraction Games you can play at home. The games came from www.BuildingMathMinds.com 

*Subitizing: is the ability to instantaneously recognize the number of objects in a small group without the need to count them (example: rolling dice).

4AW Weekly Newsletter Feb 7-15, 2019

Grade 4

Weekly Newsletter

February 7 - February 15, 2019

As we return from our Lunar New Year celebrations I wish all of you who celebrate Gong Xi Fa Cai! This newsletter will span the rest of this short week and all of next week too.

Language Arts
This week as we delve into our unit, Research Reading, we continue to examine the different strategies involved in identifying the main idea in nonfiction texts. We will also continue to learn important ways to differentiate between important vs interesting information. We will  revisit familiar tools such as our Research Reading Mat, which allows us to focus on questions we may have from reading the non fiction text. We will also begin to examine different non fiction text

structures. Students  will learn strategies to assist them in  determining the best ways to gather information from text features and pictures and examine ways to generate relevant questions about the text and goal set for the unit. We will also learn, as researchers, how to take effective notes from non fiction texts.

This week we have the pleasure of hearing Matt Holm, our visiting author/ illustrator, present about characters and stories. Matt is the author of many children's books alongside his sister, Jennifer. Matt is the main illustrator of the books BabyMouse and Squish.

Here is his website: http://www.matthewholm.net/


Math
This week we will continue to use the area model to show fractions and introduce number lines  as an additional visual model to help students better understand how to order and compare fractions.  We will also start to look at landmark fractions so that students can compare if the fraction is less than 1/2 , exactly 1/2, more than 1/2 or more than a whole.

Science
In the next few lessons students will make a Class Sedimentary Rock Model.  They learn how sedimentary rock layers form. Students will also learn that as scientists learn and investigate more, they answer some questions but might generate even more questions. They learn about  scientific arguments and how they include a claim that is supported by evidence. As we start the next chapter of our science unit, students will learn about how geologists use observations of, and ideas about, rocks and fossils to make inferences about past environments. They learn that inferences can be made based on what you observe combined with scientific ideas and that science theories are based on a body of evidence and many tests.

Announcements
Legal Guardianship - If for some reason you have to be out of the country, please advise your child’s teacher as to who will be the legal guardian of your child.

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.

March 7th & March 8th - Student Led Conferences (SLC) will be held just before spring break. Please contact your child’s teacher if you are not able to attend on either one of these days so that an alternative date can be set up.


Resources
Here is a collection of 5 different Subitizing* Fraction Games you can play at home. The games came from www.BuildingMathMinds.com 

*Subitizing: is the ability to instantaneously recognize the number of objects in a small group without the need to count them (example: rolling dice).