4th Grade News
Week of 9/13/2017-9/29/17
Your monthly source of information for all things 4th grade! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us!
Language Arts—The next few weeks our learning targets in Language Arts focus on structure and development and having writers work through the writing process. Writers will infer and analyze character traits of characters in literature read in class to formulate ideas for a 4-5 paragraph essay. Writers will focus on essay structure including an introduction, body detail paragraphs, and a conclusion. Ask your fourth grader which character traits they chose for the villainous Monsieur Bibot!
Social Studies—Webegan the year by talking about Colorado's five regions. We have focused on migration and some of the different historical people groups of Colorado over the last few weeks. Over the next few weeks, we will shift our focus back to Geography. Students will learn about geographic tools and how they are used to identify, locate, and describe real places in Colorado. This will culminate with a map-making project that combines precision skills and geographical understanding.
Mathematics—Hello parents of Mr. Baken’s math students! Here are the skills we are trying to master before we take the Topic 3 place value test on Wednesday, Sept. 20th. Have your students show you how to log on to Pearson Realize and see the specific pages that support these skills. We are doing a variety of other things in class to support these learning targets. Thanks!
Fourth Grade Learning Targets for Topic 3 (Place Value)
- I can write a large number in standard form.(page 67)
- I can write a large number in expanded form.(page 67)
- I can write a large number in word form.(page 67)
- I can explain when one digit in a number is exactly 10 times greater than another digit in a number.(pages 68-69)
- I can use my understanding of place value to compare larger numbers.(pages 70-75)
- I can order numbers from least to greatest or greatest to least.(pages 76-77)
- I can use my understanding of place value to round large numbers to any place.(pages 78-79)
- I can solve multistep word problems that have to do with place value.(page 80-81)
Science—A major theme in 4th grade science is ecosystems.We have been analyzing our school garden ecosystem and sampling many delicious fruits, vegetables, and herbs.Next, we will explore other ecosystems first-hand including the Animas River corridor. Finally, we will develop (and hopefully carry out) plans to positively impact a local ecosystem.
News from the Music Room:During the months of August and September fourth grade students are learning about different timbres of instruments: Orff Glockenspiels, Orff Xylophones, and Orff Metallophones. Ask your fourth grader which timbre they like best and why. We are also learning to perform in harmony by layering ostinato patterns and performing in canon.
PE Post: Parents, be on the lookout for the monthly P.E. Post! Each month I will include a brief description of the skills and sports we will be playing in P.E. as well as the health topic. For the beginning of school and through September, we will focus on the Six Components of Skill Related Fitness (speed, agility, reaction time, coordination, balance, and power). Ask your child how they used those skills in their P.E. classes. Our first two units will be Frisbee and Flag Football. Thank you and I look forward to teaching your child this year!
Artist Update: Hi all, Welcome to the RVE art room! My name is Ms. M and I am the art teacher for the 2017-2018 school year. It has been such a pleasure getting to know all the students and I can’t wait to see what they create this year.
Since the start of school we have worked on value scales, turning shapes into forms, and how to draw landscapes. This month we will also learn the basics of drawing portraits and the painting center will be opened. Within the next couple weeks students will be able to take all the tools they have learned so far and start working on their first project! Students are doing really well putting forth effort and trying all the new techniques they are learning even though some of them are difficult.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions,
Thank you,
Ms. M