4th Grade

Jeffers Journal

Week of March 31st – April 4th

Happy April! April showers bring May flowers!  Are you ready to board the learning train for another week of excitement and adventure? Please come to school each day with an open mind, positive “I can” attitude, a friendly smile, and eager to be a member of our team! 

Important Dates to Remember:

March 31^st: Fourth Monday of Lent Mass with Father Ennis @ 8:50AM

April 1^st: April Fool’s Day and Our Chick Hatch Day

April 4^th: Stations of the Cross @ 2PM

April 7^th: Fifth Monday of Lent Mass with Father Ennis @ 8:50AM

April 8^th – April 9^th: New York State English Language Arts Test

April 11^th: Stations of the Cross @ 2PM

April 11^th: Third Quarter Ends & Penny War Fundraiser

April 14^th – April 18^th: Easter Recess-No School or CASE

April 20^th-Happy Easter

April 21^st: Easter Recess-No School or CASE

Here’s a breakdown of our learning:

1. Math: Its important children learn math facts for addition/subtraction and multiplication/division with the goal of automatic recall. The theme of Topic 10 is Multiplying Fractions. The key vocabulary words in this topic are: numerator, denominator, unit fraction, and whole number. What is a unit fraction? Last week, students learned that a unit fraction is a fraction that has a one as the numerator.  They used models, repeated addition, and multiplication to help them understand a fraction is a multiple of a unit fraction.  In the second lesson, they learned how to multiply a fraction by a whole number using models. To begin this week, they will continue learning how to multiply a fraction by a whole number. Next, they will solve problems that involve time.  They will review what they learned about multiplying fractions in preparation for the Topic 10 test on Thursday, April 3^rd.  We are going to take a break from fractions and learn about line plots in Topic 11.The first lesson explores how to read a line plot. Each day the students will complete an Exit ticket as a way to check their understanding of the lesson. It is a great way for me to check and see who is ready for the next lesson and who could use a re-teach of the material. We will also play different Math games to review previously learned concepts and skills. Students will also continue to work on their independent lessons in I-Ready Math each day. This is a great way to practice their skills.
2. English Language Arts:
   1. Grammar: Students will learn how to proofread their writing for subject-verb agreement, capital letters, and punctuation using the proofreading symbols.  We will continue to review complete subject, complete predicate, simple subject, simple predicate, different kinds of sentences, and verbs. What is an adverb? An adverb describes a verb by telling how, where, and when an action happens. How can adverbs compare two or more actions? At the end of the week, they will learn the correct way to use good and well.
   2. Vocabulary: Each week students have 12 new vocabulary words and complete different activities each day (sentence completion, synonym/antonym, matching, word meaning, and context clues).
   3. Reading: An important skill we will be practicing is reading articles or passages and answering comprehension questions.
   4. Spelling:  Each week the students will be given a list of words that contain a certain spelling pattern. They will complete activities each day using the words. They will also learn some commonly misspelled words and mnemonic devices to help them remember how to spell them.
3. Science: We are continuing to explore the Animal and Plant Adaptation unit. The focus question for the next lesson is, “Why would a sea turtle eat a plastic bag?” This lesson explores how animals receive information and use their senses to help them process the information in their brain.  The final lesson of the unit focuses on the external and internal structures of plants that help them to survive. The Animal and Plant Adaptation unit test will be on Thursday, April 3^rd. On Friday, we are going to going back to the Sound unit.  How far can a whisper travel? What is the connection between sound and vibrations?  Both of these units are short, but contain a lot of important information.
4. Religion: The theme of Chapter 13 is Sacraments in the Church.  Can you identify the Seven Sacraments? Which ones make up the Sacraments of Initiation?  The theme of Chapter 14 is Penance and Reconciliation.  Have you ever made a selfish choice? What were the consequences of your choice?  What are the Sacraments of Healing? On Friday afternoon, we will be attending Stations of the Cro
5. Google Classroom: Students have been using my Google Classroom to complete assignments and quizzes in English/Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Please check with your son/daughter to show you what they have been doing.  If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to send me an email
6. Fourth Monday of Lent Mass: Our next Mass with Father Ennis will be held on Monday, March 31^st at 8:50. Students will have the opportunity to volunteer to be an altar server and/or a lector for future Masses. If your child signs up to be a lector, he/she will receive their reading in advance to have time to practice both in school and at home.
7. Penny War Fundraiser: We will have a jar to drop pennies or bills in for positive points! The class with the most positive points wins a prize! The next day to bring in pennies and/or bills is Friday, April 11^th!!! Start collecting your change and help our class win a prize!