Weekly Newsletter: October 29th - November 2nd

Language Arts

This week, we will begin our Realistic Fiction reading and writing units. In Reading, we’ll be reviewing expectations for independent reading and add onto our "thinkmarks" with a focus on character traits and change. In writing, students will examining mentor texts to identify features of realistic fiction writing.


Math

Students will be finding the multiples of a number, using various strategies including skip counting. They will be demonstrating their understanding of factors and multiples of whole numbers. As well, students will be exploring the use of the area model for solving multi-digit multiplication.


Science

We are launching our Force and Motion, Science unit by investigating a phenomena, and asking ourselves how do various forces impact the motion of objects? Our next step is to find out more about applied forces and how they create a balanced or unbalanced force. We will be asking the following questions throughout the unit:

• How do various forces impact the motion of objects?
• ​How can force be applied or changed to make work easier?
• How does the transfer of energy impact the motion of an object?
• How does the design process help us find solutions to our problems?

Announcements

• Wednesday, October 31st will be the elementary Halloween Dress up Day
• (School Policy: NO weapons, NO masks, NO scary costumes)

Resources

The area model for multiplication will be introduced this week, therefore, here are a few resources that may help you help your child and you understand this strategy.

Using the area model (two digit numbers x single digit):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8D35V3jbfA

Multiplying two digit numbers:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVZRD4Fa1OY

Weekly Newsletter: October 22nd - October 26th

Language Arts
This week, we will be finishing up both the nonfiction reading unit and personal essay writing unit. The children are publishing their essays in writing and working closely with partners to revise and edit their writing.

Math
Students will be learning about factor pairs and determining which numbers are prime and which numbers are composite. They will also be playing games that involve multiplication and division in order to solidify their facts.

Social Studies
This week will bring us to the end of our unit on culture and global citizenship. Students will be sharing their presentations, and reflect on how understanding different cultures makes them better global citizens.

Announcements

• October 31st will be the elementary Halloween dress up day, (School Policy: NO weapons, NO masks, NO scary costumes) 

• Nov 9th, Friday - ES International Festival Flag Parade: Students and Parents encouraged to dress up! Students can dress in costume: country of origin, country of self identification (one or more!) , country of citizenship: it’s their choice! Parents are also encouraged to attend , dress up (optional) to celebrate this fantastic morning! Bring your cameras… Each child will receive a mini flag that represents their recorded passport with Admissions. This is the day before our Annual International Festival. 

Resources
As we are studying prime and composite numbers in math here are a few games that will give your child practice at recognizing these numbers. One game is called Fruit Shoot  and another is a helping game about Prime and Composite numbers:

Weekly Newsletter: October 15th - October 19th

Language Arts
In reading this week, students will continue to use nonfiction texts to better understand the major world religions. In writing, students will be revising their essays to make them even better and editing their essays to prepare for publishing.

Math
This week we will begin to explore math thinking connected to our new unit on multiplication and division. The unit will include multiplication and division of larger numbers through the use of concrete strategies. We will make these math ideas visible with models and drawings!

Social Studies
This week students will be working on their slide presentations for four of their cultural universals. By the end of the week students will be paired with another student from another class, and they will begin sharing and comparing cultures.

Announcements

• October 19th will be a FREE DRESS Day. If your child chooses to not wear their uniform on this day, the Red Hats will be collecting a 5 Ringgit donation towards a charity.
• October 31st will be the elementary Halloween Dress up Day, (School Policy: NO weapons, NO masks, NO scary costumes) 

Resources
We will soon be moving into our second math unit on multiplication and division. Our mathematicians will continue to explain their thinking using math vocabulary. Here are many of the words they will need to use...Grade 4 Math Unit 2 Vocabulary Quizlet.

https://quizlet.com/232828524/iskl-grade-4-math-vocabulary-unit-2-flash-cards/

Weekly Newsletter October 8th - October 12th

Language Arts

This week in Reading, the children will be using nonfiction texts to explore different religions around the world. As they read, children will be noticing text structures and using brain frames to compare and contrast different religions. Personal essay writing continues this week as we develop introductions and conclusions for our essays.

Math
Students will also be learning how to solve two step word problems using the standard algorithm for addition and subtraction. They will be gaining an understanding of the relationship between multiplication and division. They will also be given real world problems that involve multiplication and division.

Social Studies
We will begin using the information our students collected on their personal culture to start their personal Cultural Presentation. This may take a couple weeks, especially since students are typing up their work into Google Slides. Students will also continue working on their Identity Posters. Some classes are at different stages with this.

Announcements

• If your child is a bus rider and you are planning to pick your child up after school, be sure to notify the bussing office(busing@iskl.edu.my or +603 4813 5070).
• Friday, October 19th - Free Dress Days for RM 5 Donation to charity
• Wednesday, October 31st - ES Halloween Dress UP Days (School Policy: NO weapons, NO masks, NO scary costumes)

Resources
Most parents stop reading with their child once they become independent readers. However, research suggests that we must continue reading with our children, into middle school. This looks different than when we read books to our children. Consider how you can read with your child. (sourced from Scholastic Parents: https://www.scholastic.com/parents/books-and-reading/raise-a-reader-blog/3-reasons-to-read-your-elementary-schooler-every-night.html)

Time together. The number one reason for reading each night is quality time together. Period. Life gets nuts when kids go to elementary school. Between homework, lessons, classes, and meetings, it's a crazy time. But carving out that small amount of time—even if it's 10-15 minutes, which is just enough time to read one chapter of a book—is totally worth scheduling into your day. I'm betting payoffs for this small, scheduled “date” with your child will be big in the long-term.

Listening to fluent reading. If you choose to do the reading, which I strongly suggest you do, then this time together allows your child to listen to what fluent reading should sound like. You don't need to go crazy with voices and sounds—just read naturally and normally. The more your younger readers hear what fluent reading should sound like, the better! It reminds them how their reading should sound.

Talking about texts. It doesn't need to be an in-depth discussion about characters, plotline, or style, but you may be surprised at how your conversations evolve after you read together for some time. You can begin by just “thinking aloud”—every few pages, share your thoughts about the text out loud, kind of like a built-in commentary. Your child will hear how you think about and process text as you read, and soon it will become habitual for him or her to do the same. Over time, incorporate questions or thought-provoking statements and involve your child.