What are we learning?
ELA: We have begun Benchmark Unit 1, Government in Action, after beginning with establishing and reviewing strategies and routines such as questioning, active listening and annotating.
ELA: We have begun Benchmark Unit 1, Government in Action, after beginning with establishing and reviewing strategies and routines such as questioning, active listening and annotating.
Unit 1 addresses the Essential Question: "How can our government influence the way we live?" Students will be reading a science fiction excerpt entitled "The First Town Meeting" from the novel The People of Sparks, an informational social studies article, "The State Government and Its Citizens," and a realistic fiction excerpt, "Stanley's Release" from the book Holes.
Unit 1 addresses the Essential Question: "How can our government influence the way we live?" Students will be reading a science fiction excerpt entitled "The First Town Meeting" from the novel The People of Sparks, an informational social studies article, "The State Government and Its Citizens," and a realistic fiction excerpt, "Stanley's Release" from the book Holes.
Skills covered within those readings will include summarizing, finding text evidence, interpreting graphic features, determining main idea, using context clues, making inferences and integrating information from two texts.
Skills covered within those readings will include summarizing, finding text evidence, interpreting graphic features, determining main idea, using context clues, making inferences and integrating information from two texts.
Students will be using their Unit 1 consumable book (in their binder) or choose to upload the PDF's of the book from Google Classroom to annotate in the Notability app on their iPad, handouts provided in their binder, as well as assignments and activities assigned to Google Classroom and Seesaw. Students will also need to choose a good fit book to conduct independent reading regularly during their asynchronous time.
Students will be using their Unit 1 consumable book (in their binder) or choose to upload the PDF's of the book from Google Classroom to annotate in the Notability app on their iPad, handouts provided in their binder, as well as assignments and activities assigned to Google Classroom and Seesaw. Students will also need to choose a good fit book to conduct independent reading regularly during their asynchronous time.
For writing, we will conduct some weekly journaling, reader responses, and work towards composing a personal letter discussing a problem the government is helping a community solve.
For writing, we will conduct some weekly journaling, reader responses, and work towards composing a personal letter discussing a problem the government is helping a community solve.
4th Grade Math: We will begin our second, but first "full" year with our "new-ish" math curriculum, Bridges in Mathematics! We will start with Unit 1: Multiplicative Thinking. Topics covered through our Modules include Models for Multiplication & Division, Primes & Composites, Multiplicative Comparisons and Equations and Measurement Experiences. Students can begin working on increasing fluency of basic multiplication facts to help gain a better understanding of these concepts. Please visit your child's Math Google Classroom to find useful math resources coming soon.
4th Grade Math: We will begin our second, but first "full" year with our "new-ish" math curriculum, Bridges in Mathematics! We will start with Unit 1: Multiplicative Thinking. Topics covered through our Modules include Models for Multiplication & Division, Primes & Composites, Multiplicative Comparisons and Equations and Measurement Experiences. Students can begin working on increasing fluency of basic multiplication facts to help gain a better understanding of these concepts. Please visit your child's Math Google Classroom to find useful math resources coming soon.
Students in 4th grade math will be using their 3 dark pink Bridges in Mathematics books (Student Book, Number Corner and Home Connections), a whiteboard, and math manipulatives (provided in class) They will also utilize the Bridges in Mathematics apps provided in class as well as Google Classroom and Seesaw to complete their tasks and assignments.
Students in 4th grade math will be using their 3 dark pink Bridges in Mathematics books (Student Book, Number Corner and Home Connections), a whiteboard, and math manipulatives (provided in class) They will also utilize the Bridges in Mathematics apps provided in class as well as Google Classroom and Seesaw to complete their tasks and assignments.
Feel free to reach out to Mrs. Andorf (aandorf@dg58.org) to find out what students are working on in Accelerated (5th grade) Math Their 3 books have the same titles, but are red in color!
Feel free to reach out to Mrs. Andorf (aandorf@dg58.org) to find out what students are working on in Accelerated (5th grade) Math Their 3 books have the same titles, but are red in color!
Science: Our TCI: Bring Science Alive! curriculum begins with our first unit, "Plant and Animal Structures." It starts by covering plant topics including what structures are used for support and growth, protection, reproduction and how plants respond to their environment. The second part of the unit includes animal topics including what structures are used for circulation, digestion, support, movement, protection, and reproduction as well as how animals sense and respond to their environment.
Science: Our TCI: Bring Science Alive! curriculum begins with our first unit, "Plant and Animal Structures." It starts by covering plant topics including what structures are used for support and growth, protection, reproduction and how plants respond to their environment. The second part of the unit includes animal topics including what structures are used for circulation, digestion, support, movement, protection, and reproduction as well as how animals sense and respond to their environment.
Students will be accessing their science textbook through the TCI app in Clever. They can choose to take their notes within the app, or in a Interactive Notebook. Students will also use Google Classroom to utilize more science resources and complete activities on Seesaw.
Students will be accessing their science textbook through the TCI app in Clever. They can choose to take their notes within the app, or in a Interactive Notebook. Students will also use Google Classroom to utilize more science resources and complete activities on Seesaw.
Previewing and reviewing the text and completing notes regularly will help to gain understanding of the science concepts presented each day as well as taking an active role in our in-class science investigations. Students will also have the opportunity to conduct simple investigations at home if they choose to do so for a more first-hand science experience.
Previewing and reviewing the text and completing notes regularly will help to gain understanding of the science concepts presented each day as well as taking an active role in our in-class science investigations. Students will also have the opportunity to conduct simple investigations at home if they choose to do so for a more first-hand science experience.
Social Studies: We will be piloting two potential new social studies curricula this year in fourth grade, our first being "Impact Social Studies: Regions of the United States." Students will be utilizing their Research Companion (textbook), Inquiry Journal (workbook) and Explorer Magazine to explore this social studies curriculum for the first trimester as well as some online components. Second trimester we will explore the "myWorld Social Studies: Regions" curriculum. A letter was sent home to parents the first week of school explaining the details of our social studies pilot. Click HERE to view that letter again if you wish. More to come soon!
Social Studies: We will be piloting two potential new social studies curricula this year in fourth grade, our first being "Impact Social Studies: Regions of the United States." Students will be utilizing their Research Companion (textbook), Inquiry Journal (workbook) and Explorer Magazine to explore this social studies curriculum for the first trimester as well as some online components. Second trimester we will explore the "myWorld Social Studies: Regions" curriculum. A letter was sent home to parents the first week of school explaining the details of our social studies pilot. Click HERE to view that letter again if you wish. More to come soon!
Social Emotional Learning (SEL): Our SEL instruction during this initial phase of the year pairs building community with the fourth graders and with discussion of topics including mental health, self care, managing emotions, worries, making mistakes, growth mindset and conflicts. Extended conversations of these topics with loved ones at home can help students navigate this challenging time for them. We will also utilize the Second Step SEL curriculum to deliver useful lessons to help your fourth grader face the year ahead of them and beyond. In addition, our ORANGE FROG INITIATIVE will include SEL lessons to promote happiness and positivity among the staff and students to create an environment that leads to success. Please know I am always available should you need to discuss any emotional or social concerns you may have about your fourth grader.
Social Emotional Learning (SEL): Our SEL instruction during this initial phase of the year pairs building community with the fourth graders and with discussion of topics including mental health, self care, managing emotions, worries, making mistakes, growth mindset and conflicts. Extended conversations of these topics with loved ones at home can help students navigate this challenging time for them. We will also utilize the Second Step SEL curriculum to deliver useful lessons to help your fourth grader face the year ahead of them and beyond. In addition, our ORANGE FROG INITIATIVE will include SEL lessons to promote happiness and positivity among the staff and students to create an environment that leads to success. Please know I am always available should you need to discuss any emotional or social concerns you may have about your fourth grader.
Technology: The fourth graders have become quite tech-savvy from their past experience with Remote Learning and our flexibility learning differently with the restrictions in place over the past year and a half. I am impressed with the ease of iPad use the students show with the utilization of many apps. Students will continue to have the opportunity to showcase their technological skills and knowledge. Though we are back to in-person learning, will be still be periodically creating, communicating and learning virtually using the tools they have learned. I am excited to see what the students produce using all the technological skills they have refined and mastered during the pandemic. Apps fourth graders will be using are (but not limited to): Google Drive/Docs/Slides, Seesaw, Google Classroom, TCI, Benchmark, Notability, MobyMax, IXL, Chatterkid, Flipgrid, and ClassKick. If you should have any issues with your child's iPad, please contact the Technology Help Desk using this LINK.
Technology: The fourth graders have become quite tech-savvy from their past experience with Remote Learning and our flexibility learning differently with the restrictions in place over the past year and a half. I am impressed with the ease of iPad use the students show with the utilization of many apps. Students will continue to have the opportunity to showcase their technological skills and knowledge. Though we are back to in-person learning, will be still be periodically creating, communicating and learning virtually using the tools they have learned. I am excited to see what the students produce using all the technological skills they have refined and mastered during the pandemic. Apps fourth graders will be using are (but not limited to): Google Drive/Docs/Slides, Seesaw, Google Classroom, TCI, Benchmark, Notability, MobyMax, IXL, Chatterkid, Flipgrid, and ClassKick. If you should have any issues with your child's iPad, please contact the Technology Help Desk using this LINK.
Reach out if you have any questions!
Reach out if you have any questions!