4th Grade Update – September 20, 2019

Hello Families!  Our first few weeks have been productive and busy in 4^th grade.

Please be sure to check the Homework and Wish List links for additional information and classroom needs. There are also helpful and fun websites for 4^th graders to visit to help enhance their learning, including the link to Reflex math.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.  My email is annettecrimmins@dogrschools.org.

Math:

We have finished chapter 1 on place value, addition, and subtraction and are moving on to chapter 2, multiplying by 1-digit numbers.  I have already noticed that many of the 4^th graders do not know their basic multiplication facts.  This is key for success in math for the rest of this year and beyond.  Please encourage your child to practice their multiplication facts daily in any form that he/she wishes…flash cards, Reflex math, etc.

Language Arts:

We will soon be starting to read the novel, Because of Winn Dixie, by Kate DiCamillo, as well as our weekly Scholastic News magazine.  Reading fiction and non-fiction helps us develop the important skills needed to be successful readers and learners.

Vocabulary:

We are on unit 2.  Each unit spans a two-week period, with the spelling test on the first Friday of the two weeks, and the vocabulary test on the second Friday.  Vocabulary homework is due the Thursday of the week that we have the vocabulary test. The spelling test for unit 2 will be Friday, Sept.20, and the vocabulary test for unit 2 will be on Friday, September 27, with the homework due on Thursday, Sept. 26.  Your child should be studying the spelling words and working on the vocabulary homework a little at a time each night, so he/she completes it on time and is prepared for each Friday’s test.

Read Aloud:

We finished our first read-aloud novel, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, by Kate DiCamillo, and have started Echo, by Pam Munoz Ryan.  Read aloud time is one of the students’ favorite times of the day.  Studies have shown that it is very important for children to hear expressive and fluent oral reading to help enhance their vocabulary and to help them become expressive readers as well.

Science: Mrs. Day works with us in the science lab two days each week as we get some hands-on experience with our science concepts.  We have explored the following skills questions so far: What questions do scientists ask? How do scientists use tools? How do scientists answer their questions? The 4^th graders love spending time in the lab!

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Social Studies:

We have begun our study of the United States and its regions.  We have started working through chapter 1, learning about our vast and varied country and its many natural resources and landforms.

Religion: Along with planning our first Mass this past week, we have studied two new virtues, Prayerfulness and Perseverance.  We are currently working on Unit 1 in our religion books: “God is All Good.”  We will continue to explore sacred art, what it means to be holy, God’s goodness in creation, and what it means to be made in God’s image and likeness.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers as we work together to make this year one of the best!! 😀