Dear Fourth Grade Families,
Here are updates from our current units of study.
Writing:
Where does poetry live (or hide)? We have been exploring this question through
reading and writing poems, and appreciating the power of poetry to bring us together
and express ourselves.
reading and writing poems, and appreciating the power of poetry to bring us together
and express ourselves.
Here are some of their thoughts:
Poetry hides….
...right under your nose
...in pictures
...in watching your pet
...in your heart
...in memories
...in nature
...in a pencil
...in the people you love
Currently we are working with the structure of collecting ideas for a poem that draws
on our senses….image, light, sound, feeling...and looking for questions or powerful
words and phrases that are worth using repetitively. Ask your children to share the
powerful memories they are drawing upon to construct this poem. Also, please look
for ways in which your child uses this structure next week as part of writing homework.
on our senses….image, light, sound, feeling...and looking for questions or powerful
words and phrases that are worth using repetitively. Ask your children to share the
powerful memories they are drawing upon to construct this poem. Also, please look
for ways in which your child uses this structure next week as part of writing homework.
Reading:
We have done a lot of poetry reading, but in addition to reading poetry, students have
formed temporary groups based on their book choices. Each reading group selects their
own book and each group member is given a role or a job to complete. They read a
chapter or two and then get together with their groups with their written notes to guide
both their reading and discussion. This gives students the opportunity to discuss and
reflect on what they read in the story or chapter with their group, and engage in critical
thinking.
formed temporary groups based on their book choices. Each reading group selects their
own book and each group member is given a role or a job to complete. They read a
chapter or two and then get together with their groups with their written notes to guide
both their reading and discussion. This gives students the opportunity to discuss and
reflect on what they read in the story or chapter with their group, and engage in critical
thinking.
Math:
We are just wrapping up Unit 5 (Geometry) and looking ahead to our next unit of study.
Please ask your child to show you her or his assessment, sign it and have it returned to
me. Our next unit will focus on pulling together much of the multiplication, division,
fractions and data work from the earlier in the year. We will explore multiple models to
solve problems, share and explain strategies and apply our skills and concepts in a
variety of contexts. Those of you looking to support our learning at home can find
more details on these models in the Bridges unit overview.
Please ask your child to show you her or his assessment, sign it and have it returned to
me. Our next unit will focus on pulling together much of the multiplication, division,
fractions and data work from the earlier in the year. We will explore multiple models to
solve problems, share and explain strategies and apply our skills and concepts in a
variety of contexts. Those of you looking to support our learning at home can find
more details on these models in the Bridges unit overview.
Peace Games:
Ask your child about what is going on in our nation building efforts. What is the name
of the nation? What type of government? What role are you playing in the government?
What makes you feel qualified for this role?
of the nation? What type of government? What role are you playing in the government?
What makes you feel qualified for this role?
Dates
May 9 - Mt. Hood Climb Service Learning Day; stay tuned for a possible 4th grade field
trip
trip
May 25 - learning celebration at 1:30pm
