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 _____________________________________________