February 22nd

Hello Parents

Another exciting few weeks in the life of a grade four student! It is hard to believe they are two thirds of the way through fourth grade!
As readers, students have continued to expand their skills as historical fiction readers. As well as reading independently, students have been meeting as book club members to share their thinking. As a member of a book, students are expected to:

• come prepared to the meeting with notes on their thinking and a quote from the book they would like to discuss
• take turns speaking and "piggyback" on other's ideas
• ask questions of the group
• be an active contributing member
• stay on topic
• try to include other

Most importantly - support their thinking with examples and evidence from the text

After they had completed their meeting, students were asked to complete an evaluation of their meeting and set goals for next time.

Here is a short clip of a few of the meetings.

Freedom Crossing from marriott on Vimeo.

As writers, we have been developing plans to write literary essays. This is similar to the personal essay format, which students have recently finished, but is focused on their thinking around a powerful book they have read. Students have completed mini-lessons on:

• planning their thoughts
• writing gists
• composing statements with support
• writing closing paragraphs.

In math, students have started a four week unit on measurement where they will study length, area,volume and mass. There is a large amount of vocabulary so students will be using word study time to increase their understanding of these words.With each of these mini units students will be expected to :

• determine and use the appropriate unit of measure 
• be comfortable with both the metric and US customary units
• solve word problems involving measurement

As scientist, we have started our investigation of sound. Our focus questions for this unit are:

1. How is sound produced?

2. What are the characteristics of sound?

3. What variable affect sound?

Students have really enjoyed completing various experiments to make these discoveries.

Sound and Measurement Learning on PhotoPeach

Our student led conferences will be coming up soon. Please reserve the night of March 14th between 6:30 - 8:00 to come and celebrate your child's learning. 

Until next time,

Theresa