March Newsletter 2013

ELA

Reading:

Ø  We got a little carried away in our study of Historical Fiction so we will begin mythology this month. J  We will determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to significant characters found in mythology (e.g., Herculean). Exploring all of the gods and goddesses should be really fun!

Writing:

Ø  We’ll finish persuasive writing and begin writing essays using resources from two text (fiction and nonfiction).

Grammar:

Ø  Greek and Latin roots or affixes

Spelling Patterns: All tests are Thursdays!!!

Ø  List 19 – changing y to i

Ø  List 20- suffixes

Ø  List 21 – words with er or and ar

Math

Concepts:

o   Quadrilaterals in geometry

o   Congruent and Symmetrical figures

o   Different triangles

o   Measurement

o   Customary and metric

o   Perimeter and area

 

Vocabulary:

o   See notebook for important vocab

Assessments:

o   Each unit of study will have a pre and posttest.  You will see how much your child has grown with each concept!

 

We will be having the geometry math test 3.15.13

Science / Social Studies

We will finish learning about electricity and test on 3.8.13.  Our labs have been extremely interesting as we are taking the WISE approach to learning. During each lab students have a chance to Wonder (predict and questions), Investigate, Synthesize their learning and express their new knowledge. By discovering the wonders themselves the information is that much more ingrained.

We will also begin our animal study late in the month.

In between electricity and animals we’ll travel back in time to NYS as an English colony. Students love this chapter as they can really begin to see NYS as they know it today.

 

Reminders  

ü     Fin Friday ~ wear green

ü 3.10.13  Daylight savings time begins

ü 3.15.13 Geometry test

ü 3.22.13 No school ~ Superintendents Conference Day for staff

ü 3.29.13  to 4.5.13  ~ No School ~ Start of Spring Break

ü 4.16.13 to 4.18.13 NYS ELA tests

ü 4.24.13 to 4.26.13 NYS Math tests

Check out pictures of our Art Sale on the Class Pictures Link!

Art Show invite Due

As you know our class art show is Friday morning (3.1.13) in the library.  If you or anyone you know would like to come support our mission of helping Heifer International, please RSVP by tomorrow.

Heifer International Website

Check out our cause!

http://www.heifer.org/

Library Event

This Saturday February 9th, the Clifton Park-Halfmoon library will host "The Paper Crane Project" at the Clifton Park Center - Food Court from 10:00-2:00
Students can participate in the Paper Crane Project during the Town of Clifton Park's Winterfest. Create a one-of-a-kind folded paper crane and other animal origami to be sent to the Children's Peace Monument in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Before the origami are mailed, we will display the creations at the Library and around the community including at Shensational.

PTA fundraiser

The PTA spring fundraiser ends on February 11^th.  The delivery date will be the week of March 18^th.

January Newsletter 2013

ELA

Reading:

Ø  This month we’ll focus on the genre of historical fiction.  In reading groups we’ll be reading novels within this exciting genre.  We’ll also begin our ELA test preparations by reviewing concepts already taught.

Writing:

Ø  The focus will be on dialogue within stories.  We’ll explore how word choice can make all the difference and how to use quotation marks. .

Grammar:

Ø  Run-on vs. fragment sentences and quotations.

Spelling Patterns: All tests are Thursdays!!!

Ø  List 13 – possessive nouns using apostrophes

Ø  List 14- commonly misspelled words

• List 15 – words with ei, ie, and eight

Math

Concepts:

o   Review equivalent, mixed, and improper fractions

o   Review comparing and ordering fractions.

o   Begin fractions within a number line, simplest form, decomposing fractions and adding mixed numbers with like denominators.  

Vocabulary:

o   See notebook for important vocab

Assessments:

o   Each unit of study will have a pre and posttest.  You will see how much your child has grown with each concept!

o   Math fact tests will be 1/9 and 1/23: these tests are graded and are so important to your students math understanding.

Social Studies

Concepts:

We’ll be taking an in-depth looking into both how Europeans explored what is now NYS and how the Dutch settled this area. It’s amazing how much history is in our how backyard!

While we study we’ll pair our text book with both fiction and non-fiction sources of information.  

There will be homework, quizzes and tests along with this unit so make sure to check your student’s agenda each day.

Reminders

ü 1-18 The fourth grade class with present a choral poem with the topic of Martin Luther King Jr. All are welcome!

ü 1-21 Martin Luther King Jr. Day – No School

ü 1-25 Half day dismissal at 11:00

ü 1-29 Quarter 2 Grade Book Closes

ü 1-31 Book orders due