4th Grade

Jeffers Journal

Week of May 26th – May 30th

“On Memorial Day, we remember those who died for our country.” 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:

May 26^th: Memorial Day-No School or CASE

May 27^th – May 30^th: I-Ready ELA Diagnostic

 May 30^th: Race for Education at LaSalle

June 2^nd: Mass with Father Ennis @ 8:50AM

June 2^nd-June 5^th: I-Ready Math Diagnostic

June 6^th: End of the Year Field Trip to Ellis Island

June 16^th: End of the School Year Mass with Father Ennis @ 8:50AM

June 18^th: Last Day of the School Year

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. In Topic 15, the students will be exploring Geometry. The key vocabulary words in this topic are: points, line segments, rays, lines, angle, right angle, acute angle, and also straight angle.  In the first lesson, they will identify points, lines, line segments, and also rays.  Next, they will learn how to find the number of degrees of a fraction of a circle. They will understand that a circle measures 360 degrees. The third lesson invites them to use unit angles to measure other angles.  The final lesson of the topic allows them to use a protractor to draw and measure angles.  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, verbs, and adverbs.
   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. Social Studies: This week we are going learn about the responsibilities of our National Government. Are the responsibilities similar or different from our State Government? Students are also going to explore the process of how a bill becomes a law. The first lesson of Topic 12 focuses on our state motto which is “Out of many, one.” What does that mean? Where do most New Yorkers live? The second lesson of Chapter 12 explores how New Yorkers spend their leisure time. What do you like to do in your free time? Do you watch any professional sports?
4. Science: We are going back to the laboratory this week! We are going to begin our final Science unit of the school year which is Energizing Everything! This unit is everyone’s favorite! The first lesson of the unit is “How is your body similar to a car?” This lesson explores the differences between potential and kinetic energy. It also shows students how your body needs “energy” to move around. The second lesson “What makes roller coasters go so fast?” explores gravitational energy.  In this lesson students will explore height energy and also energy transfer.  Each lesson has a hands-on activity and also a lesson quiz to complete.
5. Religion: The Theme of Chapter 18 is The Eucharist. How do people learn about God and the world?  Is there a connection between the Last Supper and the Eucharist? Why is the Eucharist central to our faith?
6. 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.
7. Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter Mass: Our next Mass with Father Ennis will be held on Monday, June 2^nd 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.