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/