Fourth Grade

Ms. Okvist, Mrs. Ansman, Ms. Stone,

Ms. Varghese, Ms. Desuss

ELA

In ELA, students explored how technology can influence the way people live and respond to challenges. Through reading The Moon Over Stars and Telephone Mix-Up, they examined how characters’ actions and decisions were shaped by the tools and inventions around them. Students practiced identifying point of view and setting, noticing how the “when” and “where” of a story affected how characters responded to changes in their world. They also looked for cause-and-effect relationships to understand how technology impacted the events in each story. These activities helped students strengthen their thinking skills by making connections between the stories and their own experiences with technology. Students also practiced self-management skills by organizing their ideas, reflecting on their understanding, and explaining their reasoning in discussions and writing. Through these lessons, they gained a deeper appreciation for how people adapt and respond when faced with new tools and situations.

MATH

This month in math, students explored how fractions change when we add or subtract them, noticing how one adjustment can affect the whole problem. They practiced combining fractions with like and unlike denominators, using whiteboards to test strategies, make corrections, and visualize their thinking. By seeing how numbers shift and respond to each other, students deepened their understanding of number relationships and equivalence. These hands-on exercises helped them build flexible thinking skills, as they decided the best approach for each problem. Students also strengthened their self-management skills by checking their work, staying organized, and learning from mistakes. Through practice and discussion, they gained confidence in handling fractions and in explaining their reasoning clearly. This unit has been a great way for students to see how small changes can influence outcomes and guide their problem-solving.

SCIENCE

This month in science, students explored how energy moves and transforms, focusing on the relationship between potential and kinetic energy. Through hands-on investigations, they examined how stored energy becomes motion and how motion can transfer energy to other objects. During our collision lab, students measured the distance objects traveled after impact, observing how variables such as height, force, and friction influenced the outcome. These experiments helped students see how systems respond when energy is introduced or transferred. We also discussed how friction can slow motion and affect the amount of energy that continues through a system. Throughout this unit, students strengthened their thinking skills by making predictions, analyzing data, and drawing evidence-based conclusions. Their curiosity and careful observations allowed them to deepen their understanding of how energy interactions shape movement and change.

SOCIAL STUDIES

In social studies, students learned about the structure of the federal government and the important roles of the three branches. They explored how the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches each have specific responsibilities that help our country function smoothly. Through discussions and activities, students examined how checks and balances ensure that no one branch has too much power. They discovered how each branch responds to the actions of the others to keep the system fair and balanced. Students also learned how laws are created, carried out, and interpreted, building a clearer understanding of how our government runs. Throughout the unit, they strengthened their thinking skills by asking questions, making connections, and explaining how different parts of a system work together. It has been wonderful to see their growing awareness of how government structures support and guide our nation.

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