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)