Weekly Newsletter: June 2nd - June 14th

Next week includes an important holiday. We wish all of our muslim families A Happy Eid. To our Muslim, host-nation families we wish you a Happy Raya Aidilifitri- Ma’af Zahir dan Batin. This newsletter will take us all the way to the end of the semester and the academic year.


Language Arts

In the final part of Language Arts for the year, we will finalize our writing on our literary essay unit, showcasing all of our progress during our writing share with parents on Monday, June 3. In reading, we will continue to examine our mentor text Number the Stars, analyzing characters and important events and writing our own individual ‘what happened next’ chapters. We will complete the work on our Book Clubs, with groups sharing their text’s theme, major characters and important events with the rest of the class.


Math
In the final part of our geometry unit, students will continue to explore angles and measure them with increasing accuracy using protractors. Students will use their knowledge of right, straight and whole circle angles to find missing angles. Students will also look at symmetry- especially line symmetry as another way to classify shapes. This will lead into our end of unit test which will be sent home during the last week of school.

                                                          


Social Studies
Up until the end of the school year we will be deep into our Trade Simulation. Students have been working hard learning about the resources of their country along with other economic factors. By the end of simulation, students will have had the opportunity to design a country flag, decide on their trading product, designate ministers, create an advertisement for their product and trade with their neighboring countries. At the end of the two trading rounds country groups will reflect on the process and its implications.

Announcements

• May 10th - June 14th: Car riders pick up will now be in the gym
• June 3rd: 4th Grade Writing Share - Parents invited from 1:45- 2:30.
• June 5th & 6th: No School for Hari Raya Aidilfitri
• June 14th: Last day of school- half day - whole school clap out at 11:30am
• ES Dress Up Days: Plan your days in advance click HERE for dates and details.
• EXTRA BONUS: Get a head start on the SUMMER READING LIST

Resources
For more practice at estimating angles got to Math Playground and look for games alien angles, angles and rocket angles. Here is also a link to Banana Hunt.

For more practice at lines of symmetry - see if you can draw the symmetrical shape: Symmetry Game

Weekly Newsletter: May 20th - May 31st

These next two weeks are very choppy 

in terms of holidays and teaching days.

Language Arts
In Language Arts students will continue to research and compare historical fiction texts, consolidating their knowledge on common themes and symbols seen throughout. We will finish our study on our mentor text, Number the Stars, noticing changes in the characters, setting and theme as the story concludes. We will complete our study of historical fiction book clubs, comparing universal themes and ideas across texts. We continue to refine our writing skills in our Literary Essays, through both peer and teacher conferencing, taking feedback from earlier drafts to refine our work.

Math
In math we continue our geometry unit and will focus on quadrilaterals - looking at the criteria for a quadrilateral. Later, we will also be drawing and identifying shapes based on their angles. We will be sorting shapes based on angles and will be learning how to use a protractor (angle measure) to more accurately measure and classify angles into acute, right, obtuse, and reflex angles.

Social Studies
We will be finishing up our lessons to help students understand the targeted vocabulary for the unit and we will begin our Trade and Resource Simulation! This will be an exciting 2 week project where students will work in collaborative groups role playing what factors go into global trade and economies. The beginning of our project will first focus on learning about an assigned country and its geographical and economic information.

Announcements

• May 10th - June 14th: Car riders pick up will now be in the gym
• Mon, May 20th: NO SCHOOL - ISKL Holiday in lieu of Wesak Day
• Tues, May 21st: NO SCHOOL - ISKL Faculty In-Service
• Wed, May 22nd: NO SCHOOL - Nuzul Al Quran
• Fri, May 24th: Wet ‘n’Wild Day/ Swim Carnival 8:15-9:00
• June 3rd: 4th Grade Writing Share - Parents invited from 1:45- 2:30.
• ES Dress Up Days: Plan your days in advance click HERE for dates and details.
• EXTRA BONUS: Get a head start on the SUMMER READING LIST

Resources

Reinforce our Geometry unit in math with the power of song on Numberock. Music makes memories...give it a try...with Closed Caption for the added benefit of visual text support. https://numberock.com/

Quizlet is a digital studying tool. Open the link below to access digital flashcards that include the vocabulary words covered in our Geometry unit. https://quizlet.com/284437039/iskl-grade-4-geometry-flash-cards/

Again to reinforce our ongoing Geometry unit take a look at the link below. Some teachers use Math Learning Center as a digital math manipulative that helps build a concrete understanding of new concepts. The link is directly connected to the websites applications or apps page. Open the geoboard app and the math vocabulary cards (select geometry) and allow your children to explore and practice new skills.  https://www.mathlearningcenter.org/resources/apps

A few of our historical fictions texts can be found on a website site that all readers can access and enjoy. Take a look at the Storyline Online, a website that has videos of actors reading books aloud while showing illustrations from the story.

https://www.storylineonline.net/

Weekly Newsletter - May 13th - May 17th

Language Arts

In our historical fiction unit, we will continue to read and study our book club texts, examining how character’s perspective is shaped by the times and by his or her role. Students will also continue examine the main themes and ideas of their historical fiction texts. We continue to dissect our mentor text, Number the Stars, noting character and setting changes as well as important events.

Students continue to plan, draft and edit their own literary essays, writing purposefully to angle their stories to highlight the way it supports and connects to their thesis, while also focusing on adding quotes and other evidence from texts.


Math

This week we start our Geometry Unit. In this unit, students draw points, lines, line segments, rays, angles (right, acute, obtuse), and perpendicular and parallel lines. They identify and classify angles, distinguish between parallel and perpendicular lines, and recognize a right triangle as a category for classification. Fourth graders identify differences and similarities among two dimensional figures based on the absence or presence of characteristics such as parallel or perpendicular lines and angles of a specified size. This first week we focus on points, lines, rays and line segments and which symbols to use to represent and label these geometric features.


Social Studies

This week students will continue learning about vocabulary such as goods, products, consumers and producers, but through a real products. We will also introduce the concept of trade through the lens of needs and wants, availability and scarcity. They will continue to work on their Natural Resources Map, locating which continents have which natural resources.


Announcements

• May 10th - June 14th: Car riders pick up will now be in the gym
• Tues, May 14th: ES Spring Music Concert, 5:30-7:00, Melawati Theater
• Wed, May 15th: Instrument selection is due
• Mon, May 20th: NO SCHOOL - ISKL Holiday in lieu of Wesak Day
• Tues, May 21st: NO SCHOOL - ISKL Faculty In-Service
• Wed, May 22nd: NO SCHOOL - Nuzul Al Quran
• ES Dress Up Days: Plan your days in advance click HERE for dates and details.

Resources

If you would like to get a jump start on our next math unit in Geometry take a look at the link below. Some teachers use Math Learning Center as a digital math manipulate that helps build a concrete understanding of new concepts. The link is directly connected to the websites applications or apps page. Open the Geoboard app and the math vocabulary cards (select geometry) and allow your children to explore and practice new skills.

https://www.mathlearningcenter.org/resources/apps


A few of our historical fictions texts can be found on a website site that all readers can access and enjoy. Take a look at the Storyline Online, a website that has videos of actors reading books aloud while showing illustrations from the story.

https://www.storylineonline.net/

Weekly Newsletter: May 6th - May 10th

Language Arts

In our Reading unit, students will continue to explore their Historical Fiction Book Clubs. Students will work on unpacking components of historical fiction, making agreements, revisiting tools and self assessing in order to lift their book club conversations.

While continuing to read the mentor text, Number the Stars, students will be encouraged to think deeply about passages in the text, finding big ideas in small details and symbolism. Students will also determine themes, developing deeper ideas through conversation with other readers who can contribute to build a richer, more powerful interpretation.

In our Literary Essay unit, students will begin to plan and draft their essays, as well as learn how to use direct quotes to support their claims about text. They will also use lists as evidence to support their claims.

Math

This week in math, the students will continue to be decomposing decimals to understand more about the numbers. The students will also be using the expanded form to help understand how decimals are composed.

Social Studies

This week students will work on their google map of natural resources and start investigating vocabulary like: Needs and Wants, Consumers and Producers etc. This quizlet is a good resource for kids to practice learning the new vocabulary tied to the unit. https://quizlet.com/280191208/iskl-grade-4-resources-and-trade-flash-cards/

Announcements

• Friday, May 10th: Free Dress Day, suggested donation 5RM
• Tuesday, May 14th: ES Spring Music Concert, 5:30-7:00, Melawati Theater
• ES Dress Up Days: Plan your days in advance click HERE for dates and details.

Resources

Below is a link to our ES Library page filled with incredible reading resources like Big Universe (electronic books with varying reading levels), BookFlix & Trueflix and TumbleBooks which can all support our Grade 4 exploration of historical fiction.

Note: your child’s ISKL username and password are required to access these external resources. Please email jgormley@iskl.edu.my to request your child’s login information.

https://iskl.follettdestiny.com/common/servlet/presenthomeform.do?l2m=Home&tm=Home&l2m=Home

Below is a link to Splash Math: Decimal Games for 4th Graders. There are a number of games to play to reinforce decimal concepts.

Note: a free login is required to play past the demo stage.

https://www.splashmath.com/decimal-games-for-4th-graders


https://www.splashmath.com/decimal-games-for-4th-graders

Weekly Newsletter: April 29th - May 3rd

Language Arts

In our Reading unit, students will be introduced to their Historical Fiction Book Clubs. Book Clubs assist students in developing interpretations in the company of their peers, which provides a sounding board for students to clarify their thinking. Students will begin to track the setting, character, mood and theme of their historical fiction text.

We will also examine, using our mentor text, Number the Stars, how character perspectives are shaped by their roles. Readers are encouraged to step into characters shoes and conclude that their thoughts and actions are shaped by both their roles and the times in which they lived. In our literary essay unit, students are discovering how to craft a thesis, honing their skills in discovering a big idea and determining what they really want to say. The students will learn to purposely angle their stories to highlight the way it supports and connects to their thesis.


Math

This week students will continue to show equivalent decimals and fractions. They will be using the area model as well as number lines to decompose decimals and fractions to understand their the place value up to the hundredths place. The students will also use base ten blocks and place value mats to model their work.


Social Studies

This week students will continue their investigation into natural resources (renewable and non-renewable) and their connection to our physical environment, looking specifically at different landforms. If we have time, we may begin using some mapping skills to see where different natural resources are located.


Announcements

• Monday, April 29th: MAPS Testing - Grade 4 students will begin taking their math test.
• ES Dress Up Days: Plan your days in advance click HERE for dates and details.

Resources

Below is a link to our ES Library page filled with incredible reading resources like Big Universe (electronic books with varying reading levels), BookFlix & Trueflix and TumbleBooks which can all support our Grade 4 exploration of historical fiction.

Note: your child’s ISKL username and password are required to access these external resources. Please email jgormley@iskl.edu.my to request your child’s login information.

https://iskl.follettdestiny.com/common/servlet/presenthomeform.do?l2m=Home&tm=Home&l2m=Home


Below is a link to Splash Math: Decimal Games for 4th Graders. There are a number of games to play to reinforce decimal concepts.

Note: a free login is required to play past the demo stage.

https://www.splashmath.com/decimal-games-for-4th-graders


https://www.splashmath.com/decimal-games-for-4th-graders


If you are interested in extending your understanding of how to think about and teach fractions take a look at the link below:


http://www.therecoveringtraditionalist.com/teaching-fractions-with-understanding/?inf_contact_key=f45fd6a96cc126d51e93a9504988150bd18a532c4142cb79caf2b269de1401fa

Weekly Newsletter: April 22nd - April 26th

Language Arts

In Language Arts this week we continue to investigate historical fiction texts, paying particular attention to the mood and atmosphere of the places in which the stories are set. Students examine the blurb of their mentor text, Number the Stars, noting clues about where the story is set and the type of environment the characters are living in. Students will further research the key information taken from the blurb in small groups which will be collated to share with the rest of the class.

Students will also examine examples of literary essays, noting the important characteristics to be included within the introduction, body and conclusion. Student’s attention with be drawn to the ‘big ideas’ or theme of the text, noting the message or lesson that the author is trying to convey.

Math

This week in math, the students will continue with decimals. They will be working with the area model and base ten blocks to decompose numbers up to the hundredths place. The students will show a number using a model to explain what they know about that decimal. We will be exploring decimals in real life situations by blending the metric system into equations in which they will need to solve.

Social Studies

We are launching our unit on Trade and Resources this week. The big ideas of this unit are: “Where you live impacts how you live” and “Resources impact the economy and trade in regions around the world”. Student will begin the week tapping into their current knowledge of natural resources and how they connect with products and trade. We will then look more closely at different natural resources and their location.

Announcements

• Tuesday, April 23rd: Blue and Green Earth Day Dress Up
• Thursday, April 25th: MAPS Testing Grade 4 students will begin taking their MAPS test.
• ES Dress Up Days: Plan your days in advance click HERE for dates and details.

Resources

Below is a link to our ES Library page filled with incredible reading resources like Big Universe (electronic books with varying reading levels), BookFlix & Trueflix and TumbleBooks which can all support our Grade 4 exploration of historical fiction.

Note: your child’s ISKL username and password are required to access these external resources. Please email jgormley@iskl.edu.my to request your child’s login information.

https://iskl.follettdestiny.com/common/servlet/presenthomeform.do?l2m=Home&tm=Home&l2m=Home

Below is a link to Splash Math: Decimal Games for 4th Graders. There are a number of games to play to reinforce decimal concepts.

Note: a free login is required to play past the demo stage.

https://www.splashmath.com/decimal-games-for-4th-graders

Weekly Newsletter: April 15th - April19th

Language Arts
In Language Arts this week we will be completing our pre-assessment for our new topic Literary Essays. After choosing a familiar text, students will write an initial opinion or argument essay whereby they state their opinion or claim, giving reasons why they feel this way. Students are encouraged to make claims about characters and themes using evidence from the text. The data gathered from this pre-assessment will allow for students needs to be determined for planning for the unit.

We will also start our unit on Historical Fiction. Students will begin by examining the introductions of familiar books in order to analyze the setting, taking note of when and where the story takes places and what this place feels like. Students will be encouraged to be alert for change within the text, identifying clues by the author.

Math
In math the students will be exploring decimal numbers via their relationship to decimal fractions, expressing a given quantity in both fraction and decimal forms. Utilizing the understanding of fractions, the students will apply the same reasoning to decimal numbers, building a solid foundation for Grade 5 work with decimal operations. Previously referred to as whole numbers, all numbers written in the base ten number system with place value units that are powers of 10 are referred to as decimal numbers, a set which now includes tenths and hundredths.

Science
Over the next two weeks, students will be in the science lab to investigate the question "What affects the amount of rock that water can erode?" Students will observe two stream tables as the Erosion Model. They will then summarize their understanding by completing two activities in the Earth’s Features Modeling Tool, one showing the effect of the speed of a river on erosion and one showing the effect of the amount of time a river has been flowing. Students also return to Rocky Wonders to read about how water can cause erosion as well as be a natural hazard. Next, students broaden their view, observing a world map to better understand patterns in Earth’s features. Students conclude the unit by returning to the Rocks and Fossils anticipatory chart to reflect on all they have learned. The purpose of this is for students to engage in argumentation as they apply their understanding of erosion.

Announcements

School Start Time: School starts at 7:50 am. Many student arrive before then and are able to chat to their friends and play in the common area. At 7:50 am sharp classes hold their informative morning meetings. Please ensure that your child arrives in plenty of time to get to their classroom each morning ON TIME!

ES Dress Up Days: Plan your days in advance click HERE for dates and details. (The next Dress Up Day will be Friday, April 19th)

MAPS Testing: Grade 4 students will begin taking their MAPS test Starting on April 25th.


Resources
Below is a link to our ES Library page filled with incredible reading resources like Big Universe (electronic books with varying reading levels), BookFlix & Trueflix and TumbleBooks which can all support our Grade 4 exploration of realistic fiction.

Note: your child’s ISKL username and password is required to access these external resources. Please email jgormley@iskl.edu.my to request your child’s login information.

https://iskl.follettdestiny.com/common/servlet/presenthomeform.do?l2m=Home&tm=Home&l2m=Home



Below is a link to Splash Math: Fraction Games for 4th Graders. There are a number of games to play to reinforce fraction concepts. A number of classes are in the process of reviewing fractions to prepare for an end of unit assessment.

Note: a free login is required to play past the demo stage.



https://www.splashmath.com/fraction-games-for-4th-graders

Weekly Newsletter: April 9th - April 13th

Language Arts 

In Language Arts, students will spend the next week completing the end of unit assessment, combining all recent learnings in order to produce a new informational text. Students will choose a nonfiction topic, identify & locate relevant resources, make a plan and select text structures that are most relevant. They will select headings & subheadings, research, take notes and paraphrase key words and ideas within their report. Students will draft their writing and revise using ARMs And CUPs.

Math

This week in math the students will be reviewing unit 6 (Operations with Fractions) and then will be taking the assessment. Our next unit will be converting fractions into decimals.

Science

This week students will consider how rocks around the world are shaped, broken, worn down, and exposed. They will be introduced to a new question and phenomena: Why Desert Rocks Canyon has so much more exposed rock than nearby Keller’s Canyon. They will use the book "Rocky Wonders" to learn about how rock is weathered and eroded over time.

Announcements

• WIDA Testing: EAL students have been notified and will be taking the WIDA test this week with Mr. Balsamo.
• ES Dress Up Days: Plan your days in advance click HERE for dates and details. (The next Dress Up Day will be Friday, April 19th)
• MAPS Testing: Grade 4 students will begin taking their MAPS test Starting on April 25th.

Resources

Here is a link to extend students curiosity about fossils: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/fossil/

Weekly Newsletter March 18 - April 5, 2019

This newsletter covers the week before Spring Break 

and also the week after Spring Break.

Language Arts
Throughout the next couple of weeks, in Language Arts, we continue to follow our topic across texts, cross-referencing information to ensure accuracy. Students continue to use notes to add any missing information to their writing, documenting sources used in their reference section. Students continually revise their work, adding and deleting parts to ensure that the reader is hooked and that essential paragraph elements are included namely a main idea sentence, details including facts, examples & data as well as an ending. We introduce transitions and figurative language to help the students link their information and to keep the reader interested. The students will work to collate their information into their typed slide show presentation, using ARMS and CUPS to self, peer, and teacher edit their work.

Math
In the next two weeks, the students will be continuing the unit on fraction operations. They will continue to work on using visual models to add and subtract fractions. They will also be introduced to mixed numbers and improper fractions. Another area of focus with be an introduction to be using line plots to display and answer questions about fraction data.


Science
In the next two weeks in Science, students will discuss and model what they know about the past environments of Desert Rocks National Park and are introduced to the question What is the order of the past environments of Desert Rocks National Park? They construct ideas about the order in which rock layers form by using relevant models and the Fossil Hunter’s Handbook and then model their understanding. Students then gather and organize evidence for two claims about the order in which layers formed in a rocky outcrop. Next, students read and discuss how scientists use data and ideas about rock layers to make arguments about what caused the dinosaurs to go extinct. Later, students write about which argument is most convincing and why.


Announcements

• March 18th: NO SCHOOL - ISKL Faculty Inservice
• March 25th -March 29th: NO SCHOOL - March Break
• April 1st: Coffee Chat & Resource Fair @ 8:00am - 9:45am This is a great opportunity for you to learn about the resources that the Student Resource Team (SRT) offers to support all students in their learning and development at ISKL. In addition to learning about speech and language therapy, educational psychology, and counseling available at ISKL, parents will learn about additional supports that can be accessed outside of school to support their child and family. Coffee and snacks will be provided. RSVP Required. Registration Link

• ES Dress Up Days: plan your days in advance click HERE for dates and details.

Resources
Below is a link to our ES Library page filled with incredible reading resources including current event links to news sites such as Newsla (news site with the capability to adjust reading level), DOGOnews (news site with the capability to read articles out loud). Support our Grade 4 scientific exploration of the natural world or search articles related to interests, either way, all readers can access and engage in news and information.

https://iskl.follettdestiny.com/common/servlet/presenthomeform.do?l2m=Home&tm=Home&l2m=Home

Below is a link to Splash Math: Fraction Games for 4th Graders. There are a number of games to play that support our unit related to building fractions greater than one whole.

Note: a free login is required to play past the demo stage.

https://www.splashmath.com/fraction-games-for-4th-graders

Weekly Newsletter - March 11th - March 15th

Language Arts
This week we will be examining the author’s perspectives in nonfiction texts. Students will review their main idea statement based on the perspective of their chosen texts. They will continue to put their ordered notes into paragraphs while also identifying ‘gaps’ in their research. They will do this by looking back at what has been done and what still needs to be done in order to move forward in the research process.


Math
This week in math, the students will begin to examine improper fractions by using Unifix cubes, the area model, as well a number line. The students will continue working out word problems by adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators. They will be using models to help cement their ideas.


Science
This week students consider data and inferences they can make about fossils, and help construct a scientific argument about what the environment of Desert Rocks National Park was like in the past. They use data from fossils found in the area to help construct their arguments. Students then use what they discussed in their Evidence Circles to write a scientific argument, which serves as a Critical Juncture through which students demonstrate their understanding of the chapter’s content. At the end of the lesson, the whole class briefly reflects on Chapter 2 Question: What was the environment of Desert Rocks National Park like in the past?

Announcements

• March 11th - March 15th: ES Library Book Week!
• March 13th: Book Swap - Students bring in their coupons to choose new/used books (10 coupons maximum) 
• March 15th: Red Hat Book Character Dress Up Day
• March 15th: Author visit-Matt Smith (Comic book illustrator and ISKL Alumni!)
• March 18th: NO SCHOOL - ISKL Faculty Inservice
• March 25th -March 29th: NO SCHOOL - March Break 
• ES Dress Up Days: plan your days in advance click HERE for dates and details. 

Resources

Here is a video and a game to reinforce how to decompose fractions:

https://learnzillion.com/lesson_plans/8474-decompose-fractions-into-unit-fractions/

Game: https://www.classk12.com/grade-4-math/fractions-operations-nf/decomposing-a-fraction-using-visual-fraction-models-eg-38-18-28-2-18-1-1-18/4055

To further support our exploration of non-fiction text log on to Newsela, which is an online news website that has the capability of breaking down the text into different reading levels that all readers can access. https://newsela.com/ (focus on Science)

Weekly Newsletter: March 4th - March 8th

Language Arts
In Language Arts this week, students are continuing to gather information on their non fiction research topic. Students are continuing to synthesize, which is taking notes from a wide variety of non fiction sources in order to ensure that all information gathered is aligned. We are using the notes we have collected to begin drafting our non fiction texts, ensuring that information is grouped into sections and paragraphs.

Math
This week the students will be working on decomposing fractions using a number line and the area model. They will then be adding and subtracting fractions with common denominators. The students will continue to use drawings to help make deeper connections while adding and subtracting fractions.

Science
Due to our preparations for our Student-led Conferences this week we have limited science lesson times. However, we will be learning about different rock layers. We will also be using our inference skills about fossils in preparation for writing a scientific argument. The argument will be based on a claim about what past environments used to be like, using evidence from rocks and fossils.

Announcements

• March 7th & March 8th - Student Led Conferences (SLC): Be sure to sign up for a time slot on POWERSCHOOL. If you are unable to attend, please contact your child’s teacher so that an alternative date can be set up.
• ES Dress Up Days: plan your days in advance click HERE for dates and details.

Resources

To further support our exploration of non-fiction text log on to Newsela, which is an online news website that has the capability of breaking down the text into different reading levels that all readers can access. https://newsela.com/ (focus on Science)

Weekly Newsletter - February 25th - March 1st

Language Arts
This week in language arts students are beginning to explore possible non fiction topics that can be used as part of their research for their own projects. Students will continue to learn how to deconstruct non fiction texts, note taking according to the author’s text structure.

Math
We will begin our next math unit: Operations with Fractions. The students will be using models to add and subtract fractions with like denominators and will use visual models to decompose fractions. They will be decomposing fractions into a sum of fractions in more than one way.

Science
This week students read about, consider details of, and model sedimentary rock formation in different environments. Students add a new layer to their Sedimentary Rock Formation Models, showing two different kinds of sedimentary rock, to apply what they learned about what makes sedimentary rock different and how different rock forms in different environments. Students will reflect on what they’ve learned by returning to the Rocks and Fossils anticipatory chart and engaging in a short reflective writing activity in response to the question How do rocks provide information about what an environment was like in the past? Students will then begin to apply their understanding about what rock layers suggest about previous environmental changes.

Announcements

• March 7th & March 8th - Student Led Conferences (SLC): Be sure to sign up for a time slot on POWERSCHOOL. If you are unable to attend, please contact your child’s teacher so that an alternative date can be set up.
• ES Dress Up Days: plan your days in advance click HERE for dates and details

Resources
To further support our exploration of non-fiction text log on to Newla, which is an online news website that has the capability of breaking down the text into different reading levels that all readers can access. https://newsela.com/ (focus on Science)

Weekly Newsletter: February 18th - February 22nd

Language Arts 

This week in Language Arts we will continue to examine text structures. We will examine further the features of each type and analyse a variety of examples to determine which type of text structure they are. Students will find evidence within the text to support their thinking. We will also continue to learn about different forms of note taking that allow us to gather important information from texts and begin to start this process.

Math

This week in math sees us at the final bend in this unit on Equivalent Fractions and Ordering. Students will continue to use visual models (area models and number lines) as well as their knowledge of fractions to look at whether fractions are close to zero, close to ½ or close to 1 whole. These benchmark or landmark fractions will help them with comparing and ordering fractions as well as identifying equivalent fractions. They will be taking the Unit Assessment this week. Our next unit will be adding and subtracting fractions.

Science

Students revisit the mystery in Desert Rocks Canyon and are introduced to the Chapter 2 Question: What was the environment of Desert Rocks National Park like in the past? Students then read Through the Eyes of a Geologist, which takes students on a journey back in time, highlighting how the environments in specific places have changed over millions of years. Students are also introduced to Fossil Hunter’s Handbook, the reference book they will use in the unit, and use it to identify the mystery fossil found in Desert Rocks Canyon.


Announcements

• Thursday, February 21st - Grand Opening Celebration: Students will be able to witness the ribbon cutting ceremony on the Zurich Field ( leave classes at 2pm) event at 2:10pm. Please be sure they have their hats as they will be outside on the field.
• Friday, February 22nd - Chinese New Year Celebration: ISKL will be celebrating CNY in the elementary gym. We encourage your child to dress up in Chinese clothing for the event.
• March 7th & March 8th - Student Led Conferences (SLC): Parents will be able to sign up for the conferences on POWER SCHOOL. If you are unable to attend, please contact your child’s teacher so that an alternative date can be set up.

Resources

Here is a collection of 5 different Subitizing* Fraction Games you can play at home. The games came from www.BuildingMathMinds.com.

Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1gnauE0rjvJFx6cG7_-7lyBSEixBS1xSXbZAzrZylv6U/edit#slide=id.p

*Subitizing: is the ability to instantaneously recognize the number of objects in a small group without the need to count them (example: rolling dice).

Weekly Newsletter : January 7th - January 15th

Language Arts
This week as we delve into our unit, Research Reading, we continue to examine the different strategies involved in identifying the main idea in nonfiction texts. We will also continue to learn important ways to differentiate between important vs interesting information. We will revisit familiar tools such as our Research Reading Mat, which allows us to focus on questions we may have from reading the non fiction text. We will also begin to examine different non fiction text structures. Students will learn strategies to assist them in determining the best ways to gather information from text features and pictures and examine ways to generate relevant questions about the text and goal set for the unit. We will also learn, as researchers, how to take effective notes from non fiction texts.


Math

This week we will continue to use the area model to show fractions and introduce number lines as an additional visual model to help students better understand how to order and compare fractions.


Science

In the next few lessons students will make a Class Sedimentary Rock Model. They learn how sedimentary rock layers form. Students will also learn that as scientists learn more and investigate more, they answer some questions but might generate even more questions. They learn about scientific arguments and how they include a claim that is supported by evidence. As we start the next chapter of our science unit, students will learn about how geologists use observations of, and ideas about, rocks and fossils to make inferences about past environments. They learn that inferences can be made based on what you observe combined with scientific ideas and that science theories are based on a body of evidence and many tests.


Announcements

• Legal Guardianship - If for some reason you have to be out of the country, please advise your child’s teacher as to who will be the legal guardian of your child.
• Water Bottles & Hats - Please check that your child comes to school with their water bottles and hats every morning. Recently, many students seem to be forgetting them at home.
• March 7th & March 8th - Student Led Conferences (SLC) will be held just before spring break. Please contact your child’s teacher if you are not able to attend on either one of these days so that an alternative date can be set up.

Resources

Here is a collection of 5 different Subitizing* Fraction Games you can play at home. The games came from www.BuildingMathMinds.com.

Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1gnauE0rjvJFx6cG7_-7lyBSEixBS1xSXbZAzrZylv6U/edit#slide=id.p

*Subitizing: is the ability to instantaneously recognize the number of objects in a small group without the need to count them (example: rolling dice).

Weekly Newsletter: January 27th - January 31st

Language Arts

In language arts this week, the children will complete their final assessment on their Realistic Fiction writing unit, using all of the tools they have learned throughout the unit. We begin our new reading unit this week, Reading for Research. We will begin by revising previous concepts taught this year including identifying the main idea within non fiction texts. In the first bend of the unit, students will work towards learning multiple strategies in order to identify the main idea and supporting details. They will also learn to differentiate between interesting versus important information.

Math

This week in math the students will continue to deepen their understanding with equivalent fractions. They will be using images and number lines to help visually and conceptually understand how different fractions can be equal. The students will then move on with comparing fractions using visual representations.

Science

This week in science, students will gather information from images of fossils from an online simulation and a book in order to help them answer the question: How do fossils form? The purpose of these lessons is for students to construct and reflect on their understanding of how fossils form. Then, students will use the Simulation to gather information about sedimentary rock formation. They observe rocks forming and record their observations about how this process happens. In doing so, students begin to make sense of the role of water and sediment in rock formation.

Announcements

• Legal Guardianship - If for some reason you have to be out of the country, please advise your child’s teacher as to who will be the legal guardian of your child.
• Water Bottles & Hats - Please check that your child comes to school with their water bottles and hats every morning. Recently, many students seem to be forgetting them at home.
• March 7th & March 8th - Student Led Conferences (SLC) will be held just before spring break. Please contact your child’s teacher if you are not able to attend on either one of these days, so that an alternative date can be set up.

Resources

Here is a video explaining a game called Race To 1 that you can create at home to help reinforce the concept of fractions. It is a game primarily for teaching addition and subtraction of fractions but it can be modified to simply build fractions and conceptual understanding.

Here is a website resource, The Math Learning Center, where students can build and manipulate fractions. Open the link and select fractions. When building fractions we encourage only using rectangles as it will reinforce what we are doing in the classroom.

Weekly Newsletter: January 21 - January 25, 2019

Language Arts

In Reading this week we will begin looking at informational reading. We will be looking at how informational is presented and what type of text structures make up an informational text.

In writing this week we are completing peer editing in CUPS (Capitalization, Usage, Punctuation & Spelling, as well as revising with ARMS (Add sentences and words, Remove unneeded sentences and words, Move a sentence or word placement and Substitute words or sentences for others). We have been both giving and receiving feedback from peers and teachers in order to get our realistic fiction stories to the publishing stage.

Math

This week we continue our unit on equivalent fractions. They will then move on to show what fractions will look like when we model them during our class work. Students will begin to compare two fractions with different numerators and denominators.

Science

As we launch our science unit, students are introduced to the unit and to their roles as geologists exploring a fossil that was discovered in a rocky outcrop in Desert Rocks National Park. They learn that a geologist is a scientist who studies the materials and processes that form the solid part of Earth. They learn that rocks and fossils can provide clues about the way Earth changes over time. They reflect on what they understand and don’t understand, allowing them to prepare for learning new things. Students also learn about observations and inferences and make inferences about the found fossil and are introduced to some simulations.

Announcements

January 25th: FREE Dress day - If your child chooses to not wear their uniform they can make their 5 RM donation to one of the Red Hats

Camp Lost Property - There are some leftover items from camp that have been forgotten by students. Please remind your child to check the table in the grade four common area for lost or missing items.

Water Bottles & Hats - Please check that your child comes to school with their water bottles and hats every morning. Recently, many students seem to be forgetting them at home.


Resources

Here is a video explaining the game, Race to1 that you can create at home to help reinforce the concept of fractions. It is a game primarily for teaching addition and subtraction of fractions, but it can be modified to simply build fractions and conceptual understanding.

Here is a website resource, The Math Learning Center,  where students can build and manipulate fractions. Open the link and select fractions. When building fractions we encourage only using rectangles as it will reinforce what we are doing in the classroom.

Weekly Newsletter: January 14th - January 18th

Language Arts

We will continue with our realistic fiction reading and writing units. Book clubs will continue as some of the groups need to finish up their second book with their book club group. In writing, the students will continue revising their second story and will begin to edit before publication.

Math

Our new math unit being launched this week will be Fraction Equivalence and Ordering. In this unit students will be using models to show/prove whether fractions are equivalent or not and they will be using benchmark fractions to compare the size of the fractions. Here is a link to a quizlet vocabulary set that may be a good preview/recap of the vocabulary. As always with quizlet, start with 'flashcards' and 'learn'. This week we will be assessing the students previous understandings of fraction ordering and equivalence using a pre-assessment. We will use this information to plan work for students within the class to target key knowledge or skills that they need through the coming weeks as we teach this unit.


Science

Science will not start this week as it is such a short week due to our Camp-In experience on Thursday and Friday. Here is a preview of the unit on Earth Changes that we will be starting to teach next week to whet your appetites:

Next week, in the role of geologists, students will begin to investigate how a dinosaur fossil found in the fictional Desert Rocks National Park formed. This investigation serves as the anchor phenomenon for the unit. Students will make inferences about the history of the park based on the fossil itself and the rock layers in which it is embedded. Investigating how the fossil formed and how the Earth has changed.

Announcements

• ES Dress Up Days - plan your days in advance click HERE for dates. 
• CAMP-IN - Be sure that your child has a Home Snack and Home Lunch for Thursday. It is also recommended that your child gathers up all that they will need for his or her sleepover on Thursday night. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact your child’s classroom teacher.
• Water Bottles & Hats - Please check that your child comes to school with their water bottles and hats every morning. Recently, many students seem to be forgetting them at home.

Resources

Our Camp-In takes place this Thursday 17 January into Friday 18 January. Below is the information you and your child will need for a successful experience.

Camp-In Information Presentation https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1q9z0mHsWOHI76Dq5aZkAzNr3HLdmyV2AN4GarYEK9W4/edit

Camp-In Permission Form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScP8pXGZV9w5H3QmDfxpeNhCwTA6M0EbahaKO3hDGC4k_W_6A/viewform

Camp-In Packing List https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vQj5uinxjxuh9aAvspJ_GF_JhDU57-ZV0zkRcj6_NUI/edit