Dear Fourth Grade Families,
It seems as if the weeks are flying by as we get closer to the holiday break! We will be having a holiday party, Tuesday, December 22nd at 2:30. In case of snow, we will have the holiday party, Wednesday, December 23rd at 11:15. Julie Bruno and Karen Therrien are planning a party, please get in contact with them if you are interested in helping.
In reading this week we have been busy working on our second social issues book. We are working on tracking a theme or multiple themes throughout the book. We also are looking for symbols in our books that help us have a better understanding of the theme. Students have been working in their book clubs to discuss places in their books that they notice the author giving information about the theme.
In writing, we started a new unit, a comparative literary essay. This is challenging work for the students, but it is great to see them rise to the occasion. They chose two short stories that have the same theme and began looking for the elements of theme such as the problem, how the character overcomes the struggle and the lesson the character learns. After identifying the elements of theme we grew a big idea, which is the message the author is trying to teach the world.
In math we began a new unit on fractions. We are looking at equivalent fractions; the numerical fractions may be different but the value is the same. The important aspect of understanding equivalent fractions is that the whole must be equal. ½ is only equivalent to 2/4 if we are talking about the same size whole. For example ½ of a dollar is 50 cents and 2/4 of 10 books is 5 books. If you have a chance to talk to your child about equivalent fractions in their everyday life, it will help them to understand the concept.
Have a great weekend!
It seems as if the weeks are flying by as we get closer to the holiday break! We will be having a holiday party, Tuesday, December 22nd at 2:30. In case of snow, we will have the holiday party, Wednesday, December 23rd at 11:15. Julie Bruno and Karen Therrien are planning a party, please get in contact with them if you are interested in helping.
In reading this week we have been busy working on our second social issues book. We are working on tracking a theme or multiple themes throughout the book. We also are looking for symbols in our books that help us have a better understanding of the theme. Students have been working in their book clubs to discuss places in their books that they notice the author giving information about the theme.
In writing, we started a new unit, a comparative literary essay. This is challenging work for the students, but it is great to see them rise to the occasion. They chose two short stories that have the same theme and began looking for the elements of theme such as the problem, how the character overcomes the struggle and the lesson the character learns. After identifying the elements of theme we grew a big idea, which is the message the author is trying to teach the world.
In math we began a new unit on fractions. We are looking at equivalent fractions; the numerical fractions may be different but the value is the same. The important aspect of understanding equivalent fractions is that the whole must be equal. ½ is only equivalent to 2/4 if we are talking about the same size whole. For example ½ of a dollar is 50 cents and 2/4 of 10 books is 5 books. If you have a chance to talk to your child about equivalent fractions in their everyday life, it will help them to understand the concept.
Have a great weekend!