Mrs. Sadowsky's 4th Grade Class

Last Updated 6:40 pm on 3/29/26

My Classroom

Curriculum News

Language Arts:

This week we are focusing on using nonfiction text to identify main idea and key details as well as to answer comprehension questions. The specific texts are the science readers “Patterns in Communication” and “Sound on the Move.” Additionally, we will be working with two of our Studies Weekly magazines.

There is no new spelling and grammar this week. Instead, look for a Scholastic News magazine and packet to come home on Monday. Both the magazine and the packet are due on Friday. Please encourage your child to highlight the parts of text that help them to answer the questions.

In writing, students are putting the finishing touches on their Land Grant Petition essays. This includes reading to edit and revise their work with partners.

Math:

This week we will wrap up Topic A of Module 5 on Monday and take the Topic A Quiz on Tuesday. We will then continue Module 5 with Topic B. In Topic B, students decompose tenths into hundredths by using tape diagrams, number lines, and area models. They recognize hundredths as a fractional unit and write hundredths in fraction form and decimal form. Students see that the decomposition of 1 tenth as 10 hundredths and the composition of 10 hundredths as 1 tenth follows the same pattern as other place value units, and they recognize that hundredths is also a place value unit. Students use their knowledge of equivalent fractions and place value units to understand 10100=110 and, for example, 0.21 is the same amount as 21 hundredths or 2 tenths 1 hundredth. Students record mixed numbers of ones, tenths, and hundredths in fraction form, decimal form, and unit form and express mixed numbers with units of tenths and hundredths in expanded form. They will take the Topic B Quiz on Friday, April 3.

History/Social Studies:

Students will start this week with Studies Weekly Week 19: Early Settlers. They will learn more about the changes to California during Mexican rule in the first half of the 1800s. Students will learn more about the Russian and American explorers who created settlements as well as routes to California. Students will work with partners to complete the Week 19 test as a classwork grade.

We will then be on Studies Weekly Week 20: The Mexican-American War and the Bear Flag Revolt. Students have been learning about reasons why many people wanted to settle in California in the early 1800’s. Now they will learn how this movement of people led to two major events in California’s history; the Mexican-American War and the Bear Flag Revolt. This leads us to California becoming a part of the United States and sets the scene for the California Gold Rush.

Science:

This week we will further explore our Amplify Science unit: Waves, Energy, and Information. Students will read part of “Patterns in Communication” to learn more about how sound travels. They will also read “Sound on the Move” to look more closely at the source of sounds and the recipients as well as what materials sound travels through on its path. Students will then do some investigations in our SIM to take a close look at how sound particles move, amplitude, and wavelength.

Music:

Students should continue to practice playing their recorders at home. We have our Music lesson this Friday, so students need to make sure they have their recorders in class on this day.

Second Step:

This week students are in Lesson 18: Making a Plan. This lesson introduces problem-solving challenges that require more complicated solutions as a way to help students build planning skills. Planning is a critical part of the development of students’ executive functioning. The ability to think through and plan out a good approach to handling a challenge helps students cope with interpersonal problems. In addition, planning skills are important tools for coping with complicated academic challenges. As students mature, they are assigned more complex academic tasks that require the ability to plan. The planning model students learn in this lesson can be applied effectively in academic and interpersonal contexts. Look for Home Link 18 to come home Monday due Friday.