Fourth Grade B

Dear Fourth Grade Parents,

 

It has been another eventful week in fourth grade!

 

In Reading, we…

• finished our reading of Mayflower 1620: A New Look at a Pilgrim Voyage.  This week we read about the Pilgrims’ first encounters with the Wampanoag and learned more details about the process of settlement.  We also wrote our own “Mayflower Compacts” after reading the original document.

 

• started a new unit on fables, myths, and legends.  We will be reading and analyzing many Wampanoag creation stories excerpted from The Children of the Morning Light: Wampanoag Tales as Told By Manitonquat.

 

• completed our first outside reading projects of the year.  The 4^th graders really put a lot of effort into these projects, which they will present to their classmates on Monday.  We hope they enjoyed the books by Joseph Bruchac as much as we did and that they provided a window into some of the issues facing contemporary American Indian youth.

 

In Math, we…

• continued solving multiplication and division word problems and figuring out how to allocate remainders.  Please know that although the division algorithm may not be new to your child, approaching it in these real-life contexts and having to use logic to allocate remainders is a new application for them.  With practice, they will develop more comfort with and confidence in this new skill.

 

• practiced solving 2 by 1 digit multiplication problems using various strategies.  The 4^th graders are being encouraged to use the strategies that are most comfortable for them.

 

In Writing, we…

• wrote some spooky “web” poems to get us in the Halloween spirit.  Web poems allow children to layer language by using their understanding of the parts of speech.  We then turned our poems into cards to send to children in who will be spending the holiday in the hospital.

 

• had an opportunity to test-drive the smartboard in the library in order to practice outlining our persuasive paragraphs.

 

• identified and corrected some sentence fragments and run-on sentences.

 

In Theme, we…

• continued our write-ups about the Wampanoag and research about the Pilgrims.

 

• were fortunate to have a visit from Sophia’s mom, Elena, to enrich our understanding of the historical and cultural context of Morning Girl.  Elena not only shared her knowledge of Taino and Ciboney/Arawak culture from a Cuban historical perspective, but also treated us to some Cuban refreshments that go back to the Tainos: plantain and yucca chips, guava paste, and malta (a malt non-alcoholic beverage).  Thanks, Elena!

 

We also…

• had lots of fun exploring the sun in our Sunrise groups this morning!  We were all disappointed that the weather did not allow us to go to the beach, but we made up for it in fun activities.  Ask your child all about them!

 

• enjoyed hearing folktales told by storyteller Sherry Norfolk.  The 4^th graders got a kick out of hearing Ms. Norfolk’s many voices!  We hope many of you were able to join her for her evening concerts as well.

 

Notes:

• Conferences are approaching on Wednesday, November 4! 

 

 

 

 

Your conference time is at: ____________________

 

You have not yet signed up for a time.  Please email me to let me know what time is convenient for you.  I currently have openings between 1:00 and 4:00.

 

• Fourth grade conferences will be will be structured as follows: For the first half of the conference, the student will meet with his/her parent(s) and teachers in order to share his/her fall portfolio.  We will also share student-, parent-, and teacher-generated goals and affirmations at this time.  Please fill out the attached “Goals and Affirmations” form prior to your child’s conference so that we can use this time most effectively.  The second half of the conference will be a time for teachers and parents to meet independently to discuss students’ progress this fall.  Thanks!

 

• Feel free to join us for our Halloween party next Friday, October 30 at 2:20!

 

Have a restful weekend!

Kerah & Emily

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