Monday, February 4, 2019

February News



Reading


This month we will start a new unit entitled Historical Fiction Book Clubs. The kids will be reading an assigned text in their book club with a focus on either the American Revolution, The Great Depression, Pioneer Life, or Segregation and Civil Rights. These books all contain a very powerful message and will teach the kids about incredibly significant times in our country's history. While reading their text and working in book clubs the kids will learn how to infer about character traits, analyze characters' perspective, analyze parts of the story in relation to the whole, and determine theme. I will facilitate as the kids engage in book talks and share their thinking with each other.


Writing

As we begin a new month, we will also begin a new unit in writing. This unit will focus on literary essays. (There is a strong link between this unit and our reading unit.) We will be reading a variety of short texts and devising theories about the characters in the text. The kids will learn how to fine-tune and revise their theories, identity evidence from the text to support their theories, evaluate the validity and strength of the evidence, and synthesize their thinking as they craft a literary essay.


Math


In February we will begin our math unit on measurement and shapes.  In this unit the kids will learn about the US Standard System of Measurement as well as the Metric System.  They will learn how to convert from one unit of measurement to the other, calculate perimeter and area, classify polygons, measure angles, and how to accurately use measurement tools. Learning will be differentiated through small group instruction as well as extension activities that will challenge all students.

These are links to videos and activities that will help you support your child at home as we begin our investigation of Measurement and Geometry. 


Useful Links:


angles and degrees

measuring with protractors















Young AmeriTowne

Students are learning about the Free Enterprise and Economics.  Over the next few weeks we will be discussing choices and decisions, supply and demand, banking, checking accounts, how government works, how to write a deposit slip/check, how to fill out a job application, and how to interview.  These are just some of the concepts we will explore. The fourth grade will be attending Young AmeriTowne on Friday, March 29th.


Technology

This month as Mrs. Fleet and I co-teach, we will support the kids as they learn how to use multiple
digital resources while comparing/contrasting various themes and problems/solutions in the text.
We will guide them as they craft short, constructed responses based on their analysis of the text and
support their thinking with strong evidence. As you can see, this month and the next will provide the
kids with multiple opportunities to polish their skills as readers who think critically and who can articulate
their thoughts in writing.