Your children are off to a great start in fourth grade. With the first few weeks of school under our belts, we are already in the midst of many new and exciting learning endeavors. A cooperative classroom community is emerging. From playing fun get-to-know-you games and projects, to learning about each other during morning meeting, the individuals in 4Ry are working as cohesive group. Our goal is to respect one another and communicate in effective and positive ways so that every member of our community feels valued, safe, and comfortable while they are at school. I have enjoyed getting to know everyone so much. I can tell that fourth grade is going to be a fantastic year!
Important Information!
I believe that a child’s growth and development as a learner is most powerful when she knows that her teacher and parents are working together with her as a team. Please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns that are big or small. Email is the easiest way to reach me (ryanj@doversherborn.org). I check my email several times a day. I can also be reached by phone.
Homework Policy
Expect your child to have homework every Monday-Thursday afternoon. Homework is written down in assignment books everyday. Children should get in the habit of checking their assignment books before they do their homework each afternoon, even if they remember what they were assigned. It will help them to be organized and responsible as their assignments become more complicated.
Fourth graders are expected to do about 40 minutes of homework each night. If it seems that your child is working beyond this amount of time, he should stop what he is doing and write a note to let me know that he worked for the full 40 minutes. He should also have a parent sign the note. We also expect our fourth graders to read for at least 20 minutes each night and practice their math facts for 5 minutes per night (until mastery is achieved).
Math
Currently, the students are exploring geometry as their first math unit of the year. We have reviewed lines, line segments, rays, angles, and the properties of polygons. Multi-digit addition and subtraction are also reviewed as part of this unit.
In unit two, students will practice addition and subtraction of large numbers. The will also learn to read, interpret, and display data using line plots, bar graphs, and line plots.
Soon, children began to practice answering Open Response questions in math. Each week, students will be assigned an MOR problem to work on in school. Our goal is for students to be able to answer multi-step mathematical problems using pictures, numbers, and words to explain their thought processes.
I encourage families to continue to practice multiplication math facts with their children consistently at home. Math fact automaticity will help students to approach mathematical problem solving with greater ease.
Language Arts
As the students familiarize themselves with our classroom library, they practice reading thoughtfully, choosing just right books, and keeping a reader’s notebook.
The children have learned strategies to gather ideas in their Writer’s Notebooks. We are practicing writing in complete sentences and well organized paragraphs. Soon, students will learn to write multi-paragraph, informational compositions about self-selected areas of expertise.
Wordly Wise is a systematic vocabulary program. With this program, the children learn about where words come from, and how they can be used to enhance their oral and written vocabularies. Both vocabulary and spelling are important parts of word study. Soon students will be bringing home spelling or Wordly Wise homework, alternating on a weekly basis.
Science
This week, the students participated in their first guided inquiry process. They have learned how to classify, make detailed observations, and communicate about their wonderings. While it is important to learn scientific content, we want all students to learn how to ask thought provoking questions, write experimental procedures, keep and organize data, and develop scientific claims based on data. Over the next few weeks, as students learn about plant structure/function, survival, growth, and reproduction, they will develop and carry out inquiry-based experiments. This week we will examine seeds and discover the conditions that should be present in order for seeds to germinate.
Science
This week, the students participated in their first guided inquiry process. They have learned how to classify, make detailed observations, and communicate about their wonderings. While it is important to learn scientific content, we want all students to learn how to ask thought provoking questions, write experimental procedures, keep and organize data, and develop scientific claims based on data. Over the next few weeks, as students learn about plant structure/function, survival, growth, and reproduction, they will develop and carry out inquiry-based experiments. This week we will examine seeds and discover the conditions that should be present in order for seeds to germinate.
Notes of Interest
Thanks to all of you who donated tissues and sanitizing wipes. Donations are always appreciated and help keep to us healthy!
Wednesday, September 21st from 6:00 - 6:30– 4th grade Curriculum Night
Tuesday, October 18th – Trip to Broadmoor - Permission slips will be sent home soon!
Specials Schedule
Monday:Technology
Tuesday: Music
Wednesday: Library
Thursday: PE
Friday: Art
*I'd love to hear from you! Because there is never enough time to chat on Curriculum Night, I would love to receive an email from you. If you have time, please send me an email to let me know how your child's fourth grade year is going thus far. If you have any questions or concerns please let me know as well! (ryanj@doversherborn.org) Thank you!
