Valentine’s Day Party:
On the afternoon of February 14th, the fourth graders will be exchanging
Valentine cards with their classmates. Please help your children make a simple
card for each child in their class. There will be treats to celebrate at our party so
please do not send sweet treats. We will also schedule making cards as part of
next week’s homework.
Valentine cards with their classmates. Please help your children make a simple
card for each child in their class. There will be treats to celebrate at our party so
please do not send sweet treats. We will also schedule making cards as part of
next week’s homework.
Math:
Next week, students will bring home their fraction and decimal End of Unit
assessments. Please review these with your child and sign them so they can
be brought back to school. Please take a look at our next math unit on
addition, subtraction, and measurement here: Unit 4
assessments. Please review these with your child and sign them so they can
be brought back to school. Please take a look at our next math unit on
addition, subtraction, and measurement here: Unit 4
Social Studies:
We have now turned our focus to global resources, and reading 'A Long Walk to Water' has opened our eyes to the struggles of people to get even a drink of clean water, and the effect of such conditions on families, especially girls. Learning about the work of 'Potters for Peace' from Michael Standley, our Upper School Ceramics teacher, gave us insight into water needs in Nicaragua The children were shocked to hear that every year 1.7 million people, mainly children under the age of five, die from diarrhea caused by unsafe water. Potters for Peace Water Filter Project produces ceramic water filters made from local materials that are low-tech and low-cost. These global connections led us to discussing using our power for good to bring about positive changes in the world. On Tuesday and Wednesday of last week, the children worked with Emily Stone, the drama and performance teacher who worked with third graders last year to produce the Portland performance. She delved into concepts from our work in social studies thus far, using drama to share stories of water from multiple perspectives. The children enjoyed their time with Ms. Stone.
International Fair News:
In class this week, students began thinking about their project choices
for the International Fair on March 22nd at 9:15 AM. For homework,
students have been asked to share their initial ideas (these may change)
and to continue to consider their lines of inquiry. If they haven’t already
done so, please ask your children to share their ideas and talk about their
project goals at home. We want to honor student interests while ensuring
that their topic choices are appropriate, relevant, and engaging. We hope
students will push beyond a simple research project, to see multiple
perspectives, cause and effect, future innovation, and if applicable, an
action or call for change.
for the International Fair on March 22nd at 9:15 AM. For homework,
students have been asked to share their initial ideas (these may change)
and to continue to consider their lines of inquiry. If they haven’t already
done so, please ask your children to share their ideas and talk about their
project goals at home. We want to honor student interests while ensuring
that their topic choices are appropriate, relevant, and engaging. We hope
students will push beyond a simple research project, to see multiple
perspectives, cause and effect, future innovation, and if applicable, an
action or call for change.
An example would be a student who wants to learn about how trash harms
ocean life. She will start with her initial inquiry questions of who, what,
where, why, when and how. As she finds out more, she will follow new
lines of inquiry.
ocean life. She will start with her initial inquiry questions of who, what,
where, why, when and how. As she finds out more, she will follow new
lines of inquiry.
Our focus is to help her to move beyond finding information and retelling
it in her project. We might help her to consider the innovations happening
with packaging design and encourage her to collect samples and make
designs of her own. We will also look for community and local connections
that she can use to talk/email/write to real people who are exploring this
issue or working towards these goals. We may guide her to consider how
people can use their power for good to make better choices about the
packaging they buy, or how they reuse or recycle their waste.
it in her project. We might help her to consider the innovations happening
with packaging design and encourage her to collect samples and make
designs of her own. We will also look for community and local connections
that she can use to talk/email/write to real people who are exploring this
issue or working towards these goals. We may guide her to consider how
people can use their power for good to make better choices about the
packaging they buy, or how they reuse or recycle their waste.
The intention behind this culminating project is to give students a platform
to share their thinking about our work in social studies. Projects may be
inspired by something students have explored in class, or can be an offshoot
of our work around water and the environment. We are excited about this
opportunity and eager for you to see what they will do.
to share their thinking about our work in social studies. Projects may be
inspired by something students have explored in class, or can be an offshoot
of our work around water and the environment. We are excited about this
opportunity and eager for you to see what they will do.
Please check the blog for more details and updates. For those of you
planning ahead, please consider joining us on March 22 at 9:15-10:30 AM
for this event. Let us know if you have questions about the project.
planning ahead, please consider joining us on March 22 at 9:15-10:30 AM
for this event. Let us know if you have questions about the project.
