MATH

"For the things of this world cannot be made known without a knowledge of mathematics." Roger Bacon

Familiarity and proficiency with the basic times tables are an essential building block in math. It opens the door to multi-digit multiplication and demystifies processes like long division and simplifying fractions. It also lays the foundation for algebra.

We have started our unit on fractions! This week we will be relating decimals to fractions as well as decomposing or breaking down fractions, and adding and subtracting fractions.

*Please make sure your child is practicing their basic multiplication facts and fact fluency each night for 15 minutes. This is a major skill that 4th graders are expected to have mastered by the end of the year.

SOCIAL STUDIES

“If you don't know your history, you don't know what you are talking about!” - Barbara Ann Mojica

After spending one and a half years in a Mexican prision Stephen F. Austin has finally been released. Now he is a changed man who is no longer loyal to Mexico and is ready for a revolution. This week students will explore the early battles of the Texas Revolution, from Gonzales and Golaid to the famous Battle of the Alamo!

SCIENCE:

"Science must begin with myths, and with the criticism of myths." - Karl Popper

We will wrap up our unit on renewable and nonrenewable resources, and recycling.

• Every three months, Americans throw enough aluminum in the landfills to build our nation's entire commercial air fleet.

READING:

“Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.” – Margaret Fuller

This week in read, classes will continue exploring the unit on biographies and autobiographies. Students will learn and understand this type of genre is known as literary nonfiction. Students will focus on explaining the author’s purpose and message within a text, explain how the use of text structure contributes to author’s purpose, and recognize characteristics and structures of informational text including the central idea with supporting evidence.

*There is so much to learn - you can support your child by reading with them 30 minutes every night!

WRITING:

“Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.” - Anton Chekhov

We are always continuing to improve our writing. In writing classes we will be focusing on improving out editing and revising skills. Students will focus on using correct word choice, changing "Y" to "ies" in the plural form, and the use of transition words.