4AW Weekly Newsletter Jan 28 - Feb 1st 2019

Grade 4 AW

Weekly Newsletter

January 28 - February 1, 2019

A belated "Happy Australia Day" to all those that celebrate! This is a short yet exciting week at ISKL. We are hosting the IASAS Rugby and Touch tournaments. We have adopted a school team from one of the visiting  IASAS school teams- we will be cheering on The International School Bangkok Girls Touch Team on Thursday. We hope that they will visit our classroom too.  We break for a short vacation on Friday to start our Chinese New Year/ Lunar New Year celebration. Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Language Arts

In Language arts this week, the children will complete their final assessment on their Realistic Fiction writing unit, using all of the tools they have learned throughout the unit. We begin our new reading unit this week, Reading for Research. We will begin by revising previous concepts taught this year including identifying the main idea within non fiction texts. In the first bend of the unit, students will work towards learning multiple strategies in order to identify the main idea and supporting details. They will also learn to differentiate between interesting versus important information.

Math

This week in math the students will continue to deepen their understanding with equivalent fractions. They will be using images and number lines to help visually and conceptually understand how different fractions can be equal. The students will then move on with comparing fractions using visual representations.

Science

This week in science, students will gather information from images of fossils, the online simulation, and a book to help them answer the question: How do fossils form? The purpose of these lessons is for students to construct and reflect on their understanding of how fossils form. Then, students will use the Simulation to gather information about sedimentary rock formation. They observe rocks forming and record their observations about how this process happens. In doing so, students begin to make sense of the role of water and sediment in rock formation.

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 video explaining a game called Race To 1 that you can create at home to help reinforce the concept of fractions. It is a game primarily for teaching addition and subtraction of fractions but it can be modified to simply build fractions and conceptual understanding.

Here is a website resource, The Math Learning Center, where students can build and manipulate fractions. Open the link and select fractions. When building fractions we encourage only using rectangles as it will reinforce what we are doing in the classroom.

Grade 4AW Weekly Newsletter Jan 21-25

Grade 4 AW

Weekly Newsletter

January 21 - January 25, 2019

Language Arts
In Reading this week we will be launching our non-fiction reading unit " Reading for Research". In this unit student will be  starting the unit by revisiting some our previous work on identifying the main idea and details and throughout the whole unit students will be answering these questions: What strategies can you use to locate and define key ideas and details in informational texts? How does understanding Non-Fiction craft and structure help me better understand an informational text? How do readers use their research to develop their own ideas across texts?

In writing this week we are completing our drafts of our second realistic fiction story and will move on to peer editing using CUPS (Capitalization, Usage, Punctuation & Spelling), as well as revising with ARMS (Add sentences and words, Remove unneeded sentences and words, Move a sentence or word placement and Substitute words or sentences for others). We will be both giving and receiving feedback from peers and teachers in order to get our realistic fiction stories to the publishing stage.

Math
This week we begin teaching our unit on equivalent fractions and ordering. We start with building and drawing fractions with different fractional parts. We move on to recognising that when we compare fractions with a visual model we have to have the same size whole. This week also sees us look at the effect of changing the whole on fractional parts. Throughout this whole unit we use visual models, like the area model or fraction/ number lines to show and prove their thinking.

Science
As we launch our science unit, students are introduced to the unit and to their roles as geologists exploring a fossil that was discovered in a rocky outcrop in Desert Rocks National Park. They learn that a geologist is a scientist who studies the materials and processes that form the solid part of Earth. They learn that rocks and fossils can provide clues about the way Earth changes over time. They reflect on what they understand and don’t understand, allowing them to prepare for learning new things. Students also learn about observations and inferences and make inferences about the found fossil and are introduced to some simulations.

Announcements
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.
Camp Lost Property - There are some leftover items from camp that have been forgotten by students. Please remind your child to check the table in the grade four common area for lost or missing items.
January 25th: FREE Dress day -  If your child chooses to not wear their uniform they can make their 5 RM donation to one of the Red Hats

Resources
Here is a video explaining a game called Race To 1 that you can create at home to help reinforce the concept of fractions. It is a game primarily for teaching addition and subtraction of fractions but it can be modified to simply build fractions and conceptual understanding.

Here is a website resource,  The Math Learning Center where students can build and manipulate fractions. Open the link and select fractions. When building fractions we encourage only using rectangles as it will reinforce what we are doing in the classroom.

4AW Weekly Newsletter January 14-18, 2019

Grade 4 AW

Weekly Newsletter

January 14th - January 18th, 2019

Welcome back to a new year 2019! I hope that all of you had a grrrreat (!) vacation and that you  are looking forward to the grade 4 Camp-In experience that happens on Thursday (earlier arrival at 7am) and continues all day ...and night ...until Friday at the end of school. Included in this newsletter is a link to the packing list in the resources section. See below.

Language Arts
In writing we will be continuing our unit of realistic faction writing where students will be planning, rehearsing and drafting their stories - making their characters come alive by using a balance of description, action, thinking and dialog.

In reading, the  students will be  independently reading stories and looking at how the authors tell us more about the characters by what the characters say, do and think and how other characters in the story respond/react. We will also be starting a new class read aloud.

Math
Our new math unit being launched this week will be  Fraction Equivalence and Ordering, where students will be 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 will be a good preview of vocabulary. As always with quizlet, start with 'flashcards' and 'learn'. This week we will be assessing the students previous understandings of fraction ordering and equivalence using a pre-assessment. We will use this information to group students within the class to target key knowledge or skills that they need through the coming weeks as we teach this unit.

This week we will also be sending home the post assessment for the unit on  Measurement and  Conversion unit. This will be sent home, please look at it with your child. This will need your signature and should be sent back to school by the end of the week.

Science
Science will not start this week as it is such a short week due to our Camp-In Experience on Thursday and Friday.  Here is a preview of the unit  on Earth Changes that we will be starting to teach next week just to whet your appetites:

In the role of geologists, students investigate how a dinosaur fossil found in the fictional Desert Rocks National Park formed. This investigation serves as the anchor phenomenon for the unit. Students will make inferences about the history of the park based on the fossil itself and the rock layers in which it is embedded. Investigating how the fossil formed and how the Earth has changed.

Announcements

• CAMP-IN - Be sure that your child has a Home Snack and Home Lunch for Thursday.  It is also recommended that your child gathers up all that they will need for their sleepover on Thursday night. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact your child’s classroom teacher. Camp-In Packing List 
• 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.
• ES Dress Up Days - plan your days in advance click HERE for dates. 

Resources
Repeat: Grade 4 Camp-In Resources

• Camp-In Information Presentation 
• Camp-In Permission Form - should be completed already. 
• Camp-In Packing List 

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

4AW Weekly Newsletter Nov 26-30 2018

Grade 4

Weekly Newsletter

November 26 - November 30, 2018

Thanks to all of you who came and supported the Christmas tree making in grade 4 on Friday. many Thanks- the students can't wait to see the tree and their decorations.

The students had a great time at the Deepavali Celebration on Friday. Check out the linked photos on our photos page.

Language Arts
This week in reading, the students are developing theories about their main characters based on the patterns from the character’s words, actions and thoughts and using these as evidence. In writing, the children are drafting their story scenes, focusing on storytelling by using a strategy called Show, Don’t Tell. 

Math
This week sees the end of our multiplication and division unit.  Look out for math tests in your child's pouch later this week. Please sign and return.  Most students have mastered the area model and partial quotients model but some have not yet. As this is a year long benchmark we will be revisiting these strategies through our OCR (Ongoing Cumulative Review)a at the start of each lesson and focusing on keeping skills sharp as well as supporting those students that need more time and practice to get there.

This week sees us start our new math unit about Measurement and Conversion. We will be looking at prefixes of Kilo- Milli- Centi-  in measuring liquids (liters), distance (meters) and weight (grams). We will start with some vocabulary and then some hands on measuring activities to introduce the students to  the units we use to measure.

Science
This week students will continue working on their understanding of forces and  simple machines. They will be involved in hands-on experiments through creating K’Nex Cars and powering them through rubber band energy, to explore both potential and kinetic energy.  Check out their group cars on the photos page.

Announcements
Scholastic Orders - please see email from Annie Gillis.
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
We are growing realistic fiction readers and writers in grade 4!
They are doing this by thinking deeply about the characters.  These CHARACTER TRAITS  are useful in describing the character based on their words, thoughts and actions.

To support your child as a reader...GRAB THE BOOK YOUR CHILD IS READING and ASK to describe the character based on his/her thoughts, words, and actions.

To support your child as a writer...ASK your child to explain about the character in the story they are going to write.