May 13-17, 2024

*Fourth grade is taking a field trip Thursday to the Lincoln Park Zoo!  This is in connection with our science unit on plant and animal structures.  In addition, most of the students have chosen animals for non fiction research reports in writing.  Students are to bring their backpacks and a bag lunch (they will carry their lunches in their backpacks).

*Thank you so much for all the kindness and generosity you shared during Teacher Appreciation Week!  From treats in the lounge, candy, school supplies (who knew I'd be so happy to see things such as paper towels, Expo Markers, and post-its, but I really am!), to many nice notes and wishes, it has been a wonderful week. I feel lucky to get to be a teacher at Carpenter.

Reading

-Our unit is reading historical fiction.  Students have book clubs, and they are discussing their ideas about their books.  We are focusing on who, what, when, and where, as well as our questions and summaries of our reading.

-Independent reading and goal setting

Written Language

-Students will be writing their non fiction reports.

Math

-Module 6 is Geometry!

-Parallel and Perpendicular lines

-Angles and fractions of a turn

Science

-We have been learning about plant and animal structures.

Social Studies

-We will be studying the Midwest with a focus on Illinois 

Health

-Students are studying the digestive system.

May 6-10, 2024

Reading

-Independent reading and goal setting

-Students will sharing their research on their subtopic of the Titanic.  We are wrapping up our Reading History unit and will be moving on to Historical Fiction this week.  

-Our next 4th grade unit focuses on historical fiction, and we will be using Lois Lowry's Number the Stars as our read aloud.  Number the Stars was the Newbery Medal winner in 1990.  The book will help us explore how historical settings shape book characters, the small details that matter (symbolism), thematic connections to other books, and perspective. While we will discuss generally this historical time period, students do not study the Holocaust in depth until 8th grade. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

-Students will begin reading their historical fiction book group books. 

Language Arts (writing)

-We are continuing our essays on a chosen non-fiction topic.  

-Grammar skills work  

Math

-Word problems with decimals

-Decimal review 

-There is a test on Module 5, decimals and decimal fractions (that means tenths and hundredths) on Wednesday, May 8.

-Module 6 will begin with geometry terms.

-Identifying acute, right, and obtuse angles

Science

 -Learning about plant and animal structures continues this week.

-Examining parts of a flower

-Animal structures that are used for support, movement and protection

Health 

Our health unit is The Digestive System.

Second Step/Social Skills

-Brainstorming problem solving ideas and situations

April 29-May 3 , 2024

*The Book Fair is Wednesday and Thursday!  Also PTO has organized events afternoons or evenings throughout this week.

*MAP testing will be Tuesday and Thursday morning this week.  Please help your fourth grader remember to charge that Chromebook!

Reading

-Independent reading and goal setting

-Book reviews

-Students will complete the Google Slides of their research on their subtopic of the Titanic. 

Language Arts (writing)

-We are continuing our essays on a chosen non-fiction topic.  

-Grammar skills practice  

Math

-Unit 5 is relating decimals and fractions

-Comparing and ordering

-Adding tenths and hundredths together

-Adding mixed number decimals

-Word problems with decimals

-The test on decimals will be the week of May 6.

Science

 -We will be studying plant structures and photosynthesis (how plants make food).

Health 

Our health unit is The Digestive System.

Second Step/Social Skills

-We will continue discussing bullying using the Second Step program:  Recognize, Report, Refuse.

April 22-April 26, 2024

*Screen-Free Week is here, which encourages people to find other activities instead of being on screens.  This seems like a good time to reinforce that any smart watches be set to school mode so students are not being interrupted during their school day. The policy on smart watches is new this year.  (Note:  I am not advocating for a smart watch, I do understand there are reasons for having one through. I do not own one myself.)

*The next newsletter will be sent Monday, 4/29.

*MAP testing is the week of 4/29-5/3.

Reading

-Independent reading and goal setting

-Book reviews

-Reading History continues with our focus on the Titanic.  Students are researching their subtopics.  They will then prepare Google Slides (similar to Powerpoint) to present to their classmates. 

Language Arts (writing)

-We are continuing researching and writing our essays on a chosen non-fiction topic.

-We will begin writing paragraphs for our nonfiction reports. 

-Grammar and editing skill work

Math

-Mixed numbers with tenths (fractions and decimals)

-Hundredths using fractions and decimals

-Expanded form with decimals

Science & Health 

-How can people help prevent hazards from earthquakes and tsunamis? 

-Groups will create a structure and we will test it by placing it on jello to simulate the moving ground of an earthquake. 

Our health unit is the ear.

Second Step/Social Skills

-April Attitudes

April 15-April 19, 2024

*Our Field Trip is on Thursday 4/18 to the Field Museum!  Your fourth grader might be excited and nervous because they may not have taken many field trips at school before. If that describes your child (or yourself), please assure him or her that we have a plan, and we have taken hundreds (thousands?!?) of fourth graders on this very trip. Each child will need to bring a bag lunch.  A Field Museum employee meets us at the busses, and we head in using the school entrance.   

Reading

-Independent reading and goal setting

-Book reviews

-Reading History continues with our focus on the Titanic.  This week, we will continue identifying main idea.  Students will also practice strategies for increasingly difficult texts.

Language Arts (writing)

-We are continuing researching and writing our essays on a chosen non-fiction topic. 

-Grammar and editing skill work

Math

-Unit 4 is wrapping up!  The test will be on Tuesday 4/16, with a review packet that we go over together sent home on Monday, 4/15

-Our next unit is fractions and decimals.  It begins with work with money, which is a great reference for students to understand decimals.

-Relating tenths as fractions and decimals

Science & Health 

-We will discuss mountains and volcanoes.  Students will use maps to look for patterns on where these might occur and why.

-Looking forward to the Field Museum, especially to see the Evolving Planet exhibit! 

Our health unit is the ear.

Second Step/Social Skills

-April Attitudes

April 8-April 12, 2024

*Monday 4/8 is the eclipse! We will view it using glasses after math.  Students will receive directions via video announcements, and they will be supervised during viewing.  

Reading

-Independent reading and goal setting

-Book reviews

-Reading History continues with our focus on the Titanic.  Each student is reading and taking notes on the main idea and supporting details & learning more about a specific topic (such as building of the ship, classes of passengers, etc). 

Language Arts (writing)

-We are continuing researching and writing our essays on a chosen non-fiction topic. 

-Grammar skills work continues

Math

-Line plots

-Multiplying a fraction times a whole number using the Associative Property

-Word problems with fractions

-Multiplying a whole number X a mixed number

-Unit 4 is wrapping up!  The test will be the week of 4/15 (with a review packet that we go over together sent home the day before).

Science & Health 

-The unit called Earth's Changing Surface continues.  Students have been making hypotheses about what certain fossils tell us (such as land or sea).

-We will discuss earthquakes, mountains, and volcanoes.  Students will use maps to look for patterns on where these might occur and why. 

Our health unit is the ear.

Second Step/Social Skills

-April Attitudes

March 18-22, 2024

*No school on Tuesday, March 19.

Reading

-Independent reading and goal setting

-Book reviews will be after Spring Break.

-Reading History is our new unit, and our focus on the Titanic.  This week, we will orient our ideas, learn additional background information, and use text structures to help aid in our comprehension.

Language Arts (writing)

-We will be brainstorming topics for nonfiction research.

-Grammar skills practice and review 

Math

-Changing improper fractions to mixed numbers

-Changing mixed numbers to improper fractions

-Adding fractions when the denominators are different

-Adding mixed numbers 

Science & Health 

-The unit on earth's changing surface continues.  Our focus this week is what fossils can teach us.

Our health unit is teeth.

Second Step/Social Skills

-It's March Manners!

March 4-8, 2024

*No school for students on Friday, March 8 for Records Planning Day

 *IAR testing is coming up after this week.  Students need working headphones and fully charged Chromebooks.  Would you do me a favor and please check in with your child on those?

*Quick tip re: online activity:  it is important that you know the sites and apps your child is using on his/her device(s) and explore the content frequently.  Fourth (and fifth, and sixth, and even seventh through twelfth) graders are forming habits and ideas on what is appropriate online use.  They don't know this without the help of adults.  I know it's not something you experienced when you were growing up, but I hope you'll meet the challenge.  Let me know how I can help!

Reading

-Independent reading, book reviews, and goal setting

-Students will finish their book group books.

-Our reading homework is to read at least 20 minutes, 5 days a week.  

-Students are taking practices for the IAR test.

Language Arts (writing)

-Literary essay drafts and revisions

-Writing conventions skills practice.

-Our next writing unit is writing on a non-fiction topic.

Math

-IAR Practice tests and test taking strategies

-Xtramath

-IXL skill practice

Science

-Students will be continuing to study how earth's surface changes.  We have discussed how water and wind have changed the earth; this week we will discuss how plants and animals contribute to changing earth's surface through weathering, erosion, and deposition. 

Second Step, Social Skills, and Health

-Our health unit is on hygiene.

-Manners Matter!  Carpenter School is emphasizing manners during March.

February 12 - February 16, 2024

*Open House is on Thursday!

Reading

-Independent reading and goal setting

-Book reviews will continue on February 21.

-Our unit is Detail & Synthesis.  Readers will work with their partners, writing about and discussing their books. These book groups are an excellent place to work on the skills of summarizing, predicting,  making predictions, and supporting our ideas with evidence.

-Now that they've read quite a bit of their books, we will start to develop ideas on what the theme(s) might be.  A theme is a life lesson, and we start by thinking how the characters change in the story.

Language Arts (writing)

-Students are working on a unit called The Literary Essay.  It is writing essays based on texts.  Students are continuing to find evidence in the text & explain it to support their ideas.

-We will use some writing time for floats this week.  

Math

-In fourth grade, it is very important that kids get concrete pictures for themselves about the sizes of different fractions.  Anytime you can work common fractions such as halves or fourths into daily activity, please take the opportunity to use these fraction terms.  (Otherwise, it can get very abstract and confusing for kids when we ask for more complex fraction work.)  An example where this might fit could be cooking.

-Finding equivalent fractions using division

-Mixed numbers
-Comparing fractions using benchmarks such as 0, 1/2 and 1.

-Comparing fractions with common denominators

Social Studies 

-Southern states:  students are finishing up their research about their assigned Sourthern state.  The information includes some geography, symbols, a map, etc.

-Students will be creating their floats with their Southern state group.  They are using cereal boxes to build their floats.

Second Step/Social Skills

-We have been discussing "roasting" which fourth graders say is trading insults with someone back and forth. This is happening outside class in places such as lunch recess, etc.  We addressed that even though someone might be trying to be funny, it is hurtful to say insulting things about another person.  Please do what you can to reinforce this outside of school.

January 29 - February 2, 2024

Reading

-Independent reading and goal setting

-Book reviews

-Our unit is Detail & Synthesis.  Readers will work with their partners, writing about and discussing their books. These book groups are an excellent place to work on the skills of summarizing, predicting,  supporting ideas with evidence, and deciding what is important. 

Language Arts (writing)

-Students are working on a unit called The Literary Essay.  It is writing essays based on texts.  This week, students will use & explain text to support their ideas.  

Math

-Welcome fractions! 

-In fourth grade, it is very important that kids get concrete pictures for themselves about the sizes of different fractions.  Anytime you can work common fractions such as halves or fourths into daily activity, please take the opportunity to use these fraction terms.  (Otherwise, it can get very abstract and confusing for kids when we ask for more complex fraction work.)  An example where this might fit could be cooking.

Social Studies 

-Southern states:  students are researching information about their assigned Sourthern state.  The information includes some geography, symbols, a map, etc.

-Students will begin planning and creating their floats with their Southern state group after they finish their research.  

Health 

-Our health topic is be cool, keep clean.

Second Step/Social Skills

-We are discussing situations where someone is being bullied and options to handling that.  In addition, I have reminded students if they are online at home, and a person seems to be bothering them or making them uneasy, to get a parent.  I'm reminding parents (you) in this newsletter as well. Knowing where students are going online, and with whom & how they are communicating online, is a safety issue.  

This Week in 135

January 22-26, 2024 

*It's been awhile!  Happy 2024!

*After a break and mini-break, often kids will need help getting back in their routine.  Will you help with this please? 

Particularly if you can reinforce these items it would help a lot:  Chromebook charged, reading at least 20 minutes 5 days a week, read the directions of your math homework (!) and be sure to have your winter items, including a pair of shoes for school if you are wearing boots.  Thank you for helping with getting us back in the flow of learning and preparing for school.

Reading

-Independent reading and goal setting

-Book reviews

-Vocabulary Greek and Latin common roots

-Our unit is Detail and Synthesis.  Students will be reading the same book as a partner and meeting to discuss ideas.  We are focusing on noticing the things we do well as readers, and noticing some areas where we may want to improve.

Language Arts (writing)

-Students are beginning a unit called Literary Essay. This unit has strategies and practice for elaborating on ideas from a text.  

-This week we will develop a thesis from the text and looking for evidence that supports the thesis.

Math

-Will you ask your fourth grader how he or she is doing on Xtramath?  I recommend they have 4 facts (that they have recently missed on notecards,) and do short reviews of these over a few days. 

-Division with remainders

-Word problems with remainders:  what do we do with the remainders?

-Review of Module 3

-There will be a test on Module 3 on Friday, January 26.  Skills will include division, multiplication, finding and explaining errors, and word problems. Students will have a review packet that we have gone over together Thursday.   

Health 

-We will finish our health topic on using common sense and problem solving skills to help keep us and others safe.  

Social Studies

-We are studying the Northeast and moving to a map of the Southern states later this week.

Second Step/Social Skills

-Jump on January

This week in 135

December 18-22, 2023

 *The Holiday Sing for fourth grade is Thursday morning.

*Wishing you a fantastic holiday & a wonderful, fun end of 2023! 

Reading

-Independent reading, goal setting

-Students are finishing their posters showing their research from hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, or tsunamis.

-Students will read and summarize a non-fiction text.

-Author Book Break online

Language Arts (writing)

-Students will finish their essay drafts.

-Students will learn how to punctuate dialogue and practice this skill.  There's so much to remember with capitals, quotes, commas, punctuation, and new paragraphs too!

Math

-Using an area model to solve a 2-digit X 2-digit multiplication problem.

-Fact practice

Social Studies 

-Our unit is the Norheast

-Studying physical features, some historical events, and the major economic industries of the Northeast

Health, Second Step/Social Skills

-"Remember December" reviews social skills we have emphasized in fourth grade.

This week in 135

December 11-15, 2023

Reading

-Independent reading & goal setting:  Please remember students should be reading at least 20 minutes a day, 5 days a week.

-Nonfiction:  each extreme weather group is preparing their part of a poster display to share what they have learned with another group.

-Learning progression rubric for non-fiction

-Revisit text strategies such as compare & contrast,  cause & effect

-Vocabulary work

Language Arts (writing)

-Students will continue building and revising their persuasive drafts.  

-Revision using a checklist

-Peer edit

-Skill work for sentences:  sentence fragments 

Math

-Division with partial quotients

-Multiplication using strategies we know on more challenging problems

Social Studies

-The Northeast state region of the United States

-Map of the Northeast

-Northeast physical features and history

Health, Second Step/Social Skills

-Our health unit is focusing on using problem solving skills to make safe decisions.

-Cougar Dens will be Wednesday.

-"Remember December" reviews social skills we have emphasized in fourth grade.

This week in 135

December 4-8, 2023

 *MAP testing will be this week (for reading and math).  

Reading

-Independent reading, goal setting, and book reviews

-Nonfiction:  each extreme weather group is preparing their part of a poster display to share what they have learned with another group.

-Vocabulary work

Language Arts (writing)

-Students will continue building and revising their persuasive drafts.  We will also write conclusions this week.

-Skill work for sentences

Math

-Module 3 here we come!

-Multiplying and dividing by tens and hundreds

-Using place value models to divide, and relating place value to division with partial products

Social Studies

-Aspects of social studies continues with history.

-The Northeast state region of the United States

-It is computer science week, so students will have Hour of Code and do computer coding during a social studies class.

Health, Second Step/Social Skills

-Our health unit is focusing on using problem solving skills to make safe decisions.

-"Remember December" reviews social skills we have emphasized in fourth grade.

This week in 135

November 27-December 1, 2023

 *Please help your fourth grader with locating and remembering the additional clothing for winter & snow: boots, gloves, hats (hoods are ok), and snowpants.

Reading

-Independent reading, goal setting, and book reviews

-Nonfiction:  each extreme weather group is preparing to share what they have learned with another group.

Language Arts (writing)

-Students will continue writing their persuasive drafts.  We will also write introductions and conclusions this week.

Math

-Finding factors of a number

-Finding multiples of a number

-Continuing to work on prime and composite numbers

-Module 2 review

-The Module 2 test will be Friday, December 1.  Students will have a study guide to review on Thursday.  (In addition, we are reviewing concepts in class throughout the week.)

Social Studies

-We are reading about the four aspects of social sciences:  economics, political science, history, and geography. 

Health, Second Step/Social Skills

-Our health unit is focusing on No Smoking.

-"Remember December" reviews social skills we have emphasized in fourth grade.

This week in 135

November 13-17, 2023

 *I hope your family has a wonderful Thanksgiving Week together! I am grateful to be a part of the Carpenter community.

Reading

-Independent reading and goal setting

-Nonfiction:  Each extreme weather group is researching a natural disaster or extreme weather event.  They will prepare to share what they have learned with their classmates.

-Book reviews continue this week. 

Language Arts (writing)

-Each student will be writing a persuasive essay.  We will work to add support to each of our reasons, then use those to compose paragraphs.

Math

-Students will solve comparison problems using addition and multiplication.

-Students will learn what factor pairs are.  They will use factors to decide if numbers are prime or composite.

-Students will learn what multiples are and find multiples of numbers.

Social Studies

-We are wrapping up our government unit after our quiz on the three branches of government. 

-The Constitution can be changed, these are called amendments.  Students will play a game this week helping to familiarize them with amendments, particularly the Bill of Rights.

Health, Second Step/Social Skills

-Our health unit is focusing on No Smoking.

-It is "know how you feel" November, where we check in with ourselves and name how we are feeling.

November 6-10, 2023

 *Thank you to our room parents and the PTO for all the special activities at the end of October!  

*Please be sure any watch-like device on your child's wrist does not get notifications or have access to apps during the school day.  We want our young people to be able to learn with as few distractions as possible.  (Of course telling the time is ok, or something such as a location finder.) Any questions, please email me. 

Reading

-Independent reading and goal setting

-Book reviews

-Non-fiction:  Students are reading and taking notes on non-fiction passages.

-Students will begin reading about a weather event this week to use what we've learned so far with our non-fiction reading strategies.

Language Arts (writing)

-We will be starting a new unit: learning to write essays with supports.  These include a thesis and 3 reasons.  We will be learning about the structure of these essays and doing some brainstorming this week.

Math

 -Divide by breaking apart numbers into easier compatible numbers.

-Converting measurments of length

-Finding perimeter of a rectangle

-Solving problems with area and perimeter

-Problem solving 

Social Studies 

-Students have been learning about the branches of government.  There will be a quiz on Thursday, November 9.    They will have their page to study from starting Monday.

-We are learning about the Judicial Branch through discussing amendments.

Health 

-Manners Matter!  Please, please, please cover your mouth and nose with your elbow when you cough or sneeze.
-Know How You Feel November focuses on checking in, identifying our emotions and how strong an emotion feels at the moment.  

November 4-11, 2022

 *Parent Teacher Conferences have wrapped up for October!  Thanks for meeting with me to talk about your child!

*Fall Fest and parade is Tuesday afternoon.  Please follow Mr. Balduf's directions regarding costumes.

Reading

-Independent reading and goal setting

-Book reviews start again November 8.  

-Non-fiction:  Students are reading and taking notes on non-fiction passages.

-Students will be working on strategies for new vocabulary words:  look in the word and around the word.

-Students will practice writing a summary using their notes.

Language Arts (writing)

-Students will finish and share their scary house stories.

-Sentence skill work

-We will be starting a new unit: learning to write essays with supports.  These include a thesis and 3 reasons.  We will be learning about the structure of these essays and doing some brainstorming later this week.

Math

-Divide using area models

-Divide using place value strategies

Social Studies 

-The Judicial Branch

-How can the Constitution can be changed? Amendments

Health 

-No Smoking!  Students will learn why smoking and vaping is dangerous.

-Mrs. Campbell will present to our class this week.

-Manners Matter!  Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow when you cough or sneeze.  

This Week in Room 135                    

October 23-October 27, 2023

 Weekly Newsletter

*It's just about time for Fall Fest and Halloween parade!  Kids love this day because of the changes in schedule and all the fun. Please check Mr. Balduf's emails, and follow Mr. Balduf's information regarding costumes.

*As the weather has changed, more students seem to have coughs or colds.  I am finding people need to be reminded to cover their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing.  Can you help reinforce this too please?

*Parent Teacher Conferences continue this week on 10/24 and 10/26.  

Reading

-Our next book reviews are:  Clara, Dino, Tate, Jimmy:  Nov. 8; 

Harper, Antonia, Luca, Leon:  Nov. 15; 

Teodora, Angela, Luc, Colin:  November 29; 

Liliana, Noah, Lincoln, Maks:  Dec. 6

-Independent reading and goal setting continues, with most students reading more than 100 pages a week!  Let's keep that volume strong.

-Our Units of Study is studying non-fiction.  This week, students will learn about different text structures (such as cause and effect) and we'll tackle common difficulties that arise when we read non-fiction text.

-Vocabulary work for non-fiction, and also we'll be working in our Vocabulary from Classical Roots book. 

Language Arts (writing)

-We are working on our scary house stories.  Students have been focusing on describing the setting and building suspense.  This week we will bring the problem to a strong, satisfying conclusion.

Math

-Using multiplication strategies for larger numbers, including writing equations and using the distributive property for multiplication

-Solving word problems using multiplication

-Divide using area models

-These are math strategies you most likely have not seen before.  Remember there is sample work that shows examples of similar problems.  I will teach them the "regular" way to multiply, but we are focusing on meaning of multiplication first.

-Please reinforce practicting math facts at home.  Knowing facts automatically helps when solving more difficult problems.

Social Studies 

-Students are continuing to learn about the branches of government. They will play a game called Executive Command to enforce the ideas of the Executive Branch.

-Judicial Branch

Health 

-Red Ribbon Week

Second Step/Social Skills

-Our unit is focusing on initiating conversations.

-Manners matter!  As I mentioned above, the manner we are focusing on is covering your mouth and nose with your elbow when you cough or sneeze.

This week in 135

October 16-20, 2023

*October weather goes up and down significantly.  Please have your fourth grader wear another layer to school when, like today, the weather starts in the 50s.  They are outside for recess and for lunch, and it is cold and windy sometimes.

Reading

-Independent reading and goal setting.  Each fourth grader should be reading 20 minutes or more, 5 days a week.

-Our next unit is non-fiction.  Students are previewing texts and making connections to think about what they already know about a topic.  We will also begin to talk about different ways a text might be structured, such as cause & effect.

-Book reviews continue.  Thanks to the first group that presented this past Wednesday!

Language Arts (writing)

-We are writing a short piece that builds suspense.  Our focus this week will be describing setting, brainstorming, and using a story arc to develop the problem of the story.

Math

-Using multiplication strategies for larger numbers, including writing equations and using the distributive property for multiplication

-Solving word problems using multiplication

-Divide using area models

-These are math materials you most likely have not seen before last year.  If you were in class, you would know how to do the problems.  =)  Since that is not happening, remember there is sample work that can help because it has examples and explanations too.

Social Studies 

-We are learning about the three branches of government.  Our focus this week is the Legislative Branch:  who is in that branch and what are the jobs of the Legislative Branch?

Health 

-Our health topic this month relates to drug and their effects on the body.  Medicines are drugs too.

Second Step/Social Skills

-Our unit is focusing on coversation and complements.

-Manners matter! 

This Week in Room 135                    

October 10-13, 2023

 Weekly Newsletter

*There is no school on Monday, 10/9.

-Thank you for supporting the track a thon!  Go to the PTO sign in area for more information on donating to PTO's biggest fundraiser of the year.

-Mr. Balduf included a sign up for Parent Teacher Conferences in his newsletter last week!  Here's the newsletter if you missed it.  Conferences are in October (17, 24, or 26th). 

Reading

-Our book reviews for October start this week (Wednesday 10/11).  Students were assigned this Wednesday or next Wednesday as their due date. 

-Independent reading and goal setting continues, with most students reading more than 100 pages a week!  Let's keep that volume strong.

-Students will begin completing Thinkmarks sharing what they are thinking about their reading.  We will go over different ideas about what students might write.

-Good readers make connections to the texts they read.  They notice when texts remind them of something.

-Our next unit in reading will be reading non-fiction. We will focus on the topic of extreme weather events (such as a tornado).

Language Arts (writing)

-Revision of fiction using a checklist

-Peer editing 

Math

-Metric measurement using units with grams and liters

We are starting Module 2! That means a new math book and Module 1 will go home. 

-Meaning of multiplication with larger numbers

-Meaning of division

-Area of rectangles

Social Studies/Science 

-Wrapping up our science unit on energy.

-The branches of government is our Social Studies unit.

-Legislative Branch is up first!  This is the branch that makes the laws for the USA.

Health 

-Medicine 

Second Step/Social Skills

-Our unit is focusing on understanding different perspectives.

-Manners matter!  Students are greeting people and saying goodbye.

This week in 135

October 2-6, 2023

*Please help your child remember to charge his or her Chromebook each day.  I recommend having them hook it up to their charger right when they get home and take it off their shoulder.

*Track-a-Thon was so fun!  We are so lucky to be at Carpenter with such a great PTO; please support PTO for all they do!

Reading

-Students will be building interpretations of their books, including coming up with a theme (life lesson) and giving examples to support the theme.

-Book reviews will start on 10/11.  Please encourage your fourth grader to ask questions about any confusions as we prepare for this.  The book needs to be one a student has read and finished in fourth grade.

Language Arts (writing)

-Students will be finishing their first narrative stories and using a checklist to help them revise and edit their work.

Math

-Problem solving

-There is a math test on Friday, October 6.  Concepts on the test include:  Using place value, rounding, estimating sums and differences, adding and subtracting whole numbers, and problem solving with these topics.

Science or Social Studies 

-Students are taking what they have learned about electricity and making circuits.  We are lighting a lightbulb, using an on/off switch, making a buzzer work, and identifying the path the electrons take.

-We will learn about how power plants work and types of electricity generators.

Health 

-We will finish reading about community safety this week.

Second Step/Social Skills

-Our unit is focusing on understanding and accepting people's similarities and differences.

-Manners matter! 

September 18-22, 2023

*Picture day is Friday!

Reading

-In reading, students are working on building interpretations of text. Our focus will be on characters. We use the text to support our ideas.

-Independent reading and goal setting

-Book reviews:  we talked about choices,  and Monday we will assign the dates (they start in October.  Please encourage your fourth grader to ASK me questions after they get the assignment!)  The book needs to be read and finished in fourth grade. 

Language Arts (writing)

-Using Show don't tell to describe what is happening in a scene

-Capitalization rule practice

-Realistic fiction piece

-Focusing on the setting to write our piece

-Cursive

-Typing practice

Math

-Rounding to various places

-Addition 

-Word problems using addition

Social Studies or Science 

-Students have been studying energy.  This week we will learn how that works as electricity!

Health

-Our health topic this month is community safety.

Second Step/Social Skills

-Our first Cougar Den of the year is Wednesday!

-So kind September

-Manners matter:  the manners we are highlighting are greeting people & saying goodbye.  

This Week in Room 135

September 11-15, 2023

 Weekly Newsletter

*Our class schedule is posted on Schoology in AM Attendance.  It is also linked here for your reference.

*It is Safety Week, and we will have a variety of drills  (such as a fire drill) one each day.

*Reading is at least 20 minutes each night M-Th and one day over the weekend.

 Reading

-Book Reviews will be discussed this week.  Students will learn about the format choices and get their book review dates.  Book reviews need to be on books read and finished in fourth grade.

-Independent reading and goal setting

-When we read intensely, we make a movie in our minds.  Every reader has their mind wander to other places; we will work on noticing when that happens and refocus on the story.

-We are working on developing ideas about characters using the text.  

Language Arts (writing)

-Students are writing story arcs.

-We will practice adding description in our writing so we "show" the story instead of telling about the story. 

-Capitalization practice

-Cursive  practice

-Typing Club

Math

-Students are practicing math facts and working through facts.  

-Place value

-Rounding to various places

Science

-Our unit is energy.

-We are learning about what happens when two objects collide.

-This week the focus continues on energy transfer and the ways it produces sound, light and heat.

Second Step and Health 

-Empathy and respect

-So kind September

Our health topic is community safety.

-Manners matter:  we are focusing on greeting people and saying goodbye.

September 4-8, 2023

*If you were not able to be here on Parent Night, your fourth grader has a few things for you in his/her take home folder. 

*Have a wonderful three day weekend!

*Reading is at least 20 minutes each night M-Th, and one day over the weekend.

*For cursive and keyboarding skills: we will work on both of these this year. Typically, I aim for at least once a week for each in class, although sometimes it may be more (for example more keyboarding practice before they type their first story). 

Reading

-Reading is thinking!  Students have been working on reading intensely.  We will talk about making a movie in your mind when you read, and noticing when your movie pauses or turns off.

-Independent reading 

-Goal setting:  we do not have a reading log in room 135.  Instead, your child will set a reading goal. 

-Developing ideas about characters that are based on clues from the text

Language Arts (writing)

-We are making a list of small moments that might be a good story idea.

-Students will pick a small moment, start to think of a story idea, and begin a rough draft.

-Cursive practice

Math

-We created notecards for four facts this past week.  Students are working to learn/review their facts 4 at a time based on their Xtramath classwork. When they are ready, we will add 4 more facts to the pile.

-The fourth graders and I noticed that some fourth graders have difficulty counting coins.  Will you ask your child about this please (penny, nickel, dime, quarter, half dollar)?  To practice, they can count a handful of coins.

-Place value:  what are the places up to the millions?

-How do you read and write numbers up to millions?  We will work on these skills this week, including standard form, word form, and expanded form.

Social Studies or Science 

-We rotate social studies and science units.

-Our first science unit is Energy.  We are reading and discussing energy of motion and various ways objects interact and transfer energy.

Health and Second Step 

-Students will learn about empathy and respect.

-Manners matter:  we will be focusing on greeting people & saying goodbye.

May and June, 2023

*This spring certainly sped by!  I hope your child enjoyed fourth grade and has shared some interesting and fun information with you about what we do in class.

*Summer reading:  my suggestion is to get ready and started on summer reading now.  Since school library books were turned in, I recommend going to the Park Ridge Public Library in the next few days. 

Keep reading going during the summer by making it a regular part of your family's day, the way getting dressed is a regular part of the day.  Be VERY diligent about making this happen for the first two weeks, and you will find it becomes less of an issue for a reluctant reader because it is a regular habit.  (It doesn't have to be long, no need to require an hour; a reluctant reader will battle you on that.  20-30 minutes is good.)  Even if your child listens to books on a device and follows along, that would still count as summer reading.   If you have a reluctant reader, listen to an audio book when you are in the car.  Reading aloud to your child is another great way to get reading in, and it continues to have so many benefits for kids at this level!

I will work to get kids motivated by their summer reading lists, but it will be up to parents and family members to schedule the time to read. Please work with your fourth grader to be sure he or she has a book to read.

*Looking for reading and writing resources to use over the summer?  Here is a link.  

Reading

-Our unit is reading historical fiction.  Students have book clubs and they are discussing their ideas about their books.  We are focusing on who, what, when, and where, as well as our questions and summaries of our reading.

-Independent reading and goal setting

Written Language

-Students will be finishing their non fiction reports and turning these into e-books using Book Creator.

-Next up:  writing poetry.

Math

-Our topics for May are angle measurement and then patterns of geometric figures. 

Science

-We will be studying plant and animals structures.

Health

-Students are studying exercise and its benefits.

-Next we will read about listening to our gut and using common sense in our issue after exercise.

Second Step & Manners Matter

-We have brainstormed about what to do when we are a bystander of negative behaviors, and what options we have to help situations.

May 8-12 , 2023

Reading

-Independent reading and goal setting

-Book reviews

-Students will sharing their research on their subtopic of the Titanic.  We are wrapping up our Reading History unit and will be moving on to Historical Fiction this week.  

-Our next 4th grade unit focuses on historical fiction and we will be using Lois Lowry's Number the Stars as our read aloud.  Number the Stars was the Newbery Medal winner in 1990.  The book will help us explore how historical settings shape book characters, the small details that matter (symbolism), thematic connections to other books, and perspective. While we will discuss generally this historical time period, we do not study the Holocaust in depth until 8th grade. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Language Arts (writing)

-We are continuing our essays on a chosen non-fiction topic.  

-Grammar skills work  

Math

-Unit 5 is relating decimals and fractions

-Comparing and ordering

-Adding tenths and hundredths together

-Adding mixed number decimals

-Word problems with decimals

-Decimal review 

-Test on Decimals on Friday May 12.

Social Studies

 -We will be studying the Western states.

Health 

Our health unit is The Digestive System.

Second Step/Social Skills

-We will continue discussing bullying using the Second Step program:  Recognize, Report, Refuse.

May 1-May 5, 2023

*We will be taking MAP tests this week on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.  Please help your fourth grader remember to charge his/her Chromebook. 

April 24-April 28 , 2023

*It's Screen Free Week this week!  Everyone is encouraged to get off their TVs and devices (examples:  Chromebooks, computers, iPads, smartphones) outside of school hours and focus on other things.  Suggestions:  go outside, game night, read (*Fourth graders are NOT too old to be read to!) complete a craft, and draw are popular ideas.

*Field Trip is on Thursday 4/27 to the Field Museum!  Your fourth grader might be excited and nervous because they may not have taken a field trip at school before, or probably not in many years! If that describes your child, please assure him or her that we have a plan, and we have taken hundreds (maybe thousands?!?) of fourth graders on this very trip.

Reading

-Independent reading and goal setting

-Book reviews

-Students will complete slides sharing their research on their subtopic of the Titanic.  We are wrapping up our Reading History unit and will be moving on to Historical Fiction after this week.  

-Our next 4th grade unit focuses on historical fiction and we will be using Lois Lowry's Number the Stars as our read aloud.  Number the Stars was the Newbery Medal winner in 1990.  The book will help us explore how historical settings shape book characters, the small details that matter (symbolism), thematic connections to other books, and perspective. While we will discuss generally this historical time period, we do not study the Holocaust in depth until 8th grade. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Language Arts (writing)

-We are continuing our essays on a chosen non-fiction topic.  This week we will also add "lives" and "eats" paragraphs. 

-Grammar skills work  

Math

-Unit 5 is relating decimals and fractions

-Counting Money

-Tenths

-Hundredths 

Social Studies

 -We will be studying the Southern states, focusing on the Southeast and Gulf states this week.

Health 

Our health unit is The Digestive System.

Second Step/Social Skills

-We will continue discussing bullying using the Second Step program:  Recognize, Report, Refuse.

April 17-April 21, 2023

*Please turn in permission slip for the Field Museum field trip on 4/27.

Reading

-Independent reading and goal setting

-Book reviews

-Reading History continues with our focus on the Titanic.  This week, we will continue identifying main idea.  Students will also practice strategies for increasingly difficult texts.

Language Arts (writing)

-We are continuing researching and writing our essays on a chosen non-fiction topic. 

-Grammar skills work on run-on sentences

Math

-Multiplying a fraction times a whole number using the Associative Property

-Word problems with fractions

-Multiplying a whole number X a mixed number

-Unit 4 is wrapping up!  The test will be on Friday 4/21, with a review packet that we go over together sent home on Thursday, 4/20.

Science & Health 

-The unit on waves continues.  Our Focus this week is the ways that waves travel through earth.

Our health unit is The Digestive System.

Second Step/Social Skills

-We will be talking about bullying: strategies for when you are the target & what to do if you see bullying behavior.

(No School on Friday, April 11 = no newsletter)

*No School on April 4 and April 11.  

March 3-10, 2023

**IAR testing is coming up after this week.  Students need working headphones and fully charged Chromebooks.  Would you do me a favor and please check in with your child on those?

*Quick tip re: online activity:  it is important that you know the sites and apps your child is using on his/her device(s) and explore the content frequently.  Fourth (and fifth, and sixth, and seventh through twelfth..) graders are forming habits and ideas on what is appropriate online use.  They don't know this without the help of adults.  I know it's not something you experienced when you were growing up, but I hope you'll meet the challenge.  Let me know how I can help!

*No school for students on Friday 3/10 for Records Planning Day.

Reading

-Independent reading, book reviews, and goal setting

-Students will finish their book group books.

-Our reading homework is to read at least 20 minutes, 5 days a week.  

-Students are taking practices for the IAR test.

Language Arts (writing)

-We are finishing punctuating dialogue by writing a conversation between 2 characters.

-Writing conventions skills practice.

-Our next writing unit is called "Up the Ladder" and it is  writing on a non-fiction topic.

Math

-IAR Practice tests and test taking strategies

-Xtramath