4th Grade

Jeffers Journal

Week of March 3rd – March 7th

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss! “From there to here, and here to there, funny things are everywhere!” 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 2^nd: Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

March 5^th: Ash Wednesday Mass with Father Ennis @ 8:50AM

March 7^th: Stations of the Cross at 2PM

March 7^th: A Knight Out Event 6pm-9pm

March 10^th: Mass with Father Ennis @ 8:50AM

March 14^th: Happy PI Day!

March 14^th: Penny War Fundraiser

March 14^th: Stations of the Cross at 2PM

March 17^th: Happy St. Patrick’s Day

March 17^th: Mass with Father Ennis @ 8:50AM

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. This week we will be wrapping up our introduction to fractions. The key vocabulary words we have been learning are: numerator, denominator, equivalent fractions and benchmark fractions. To begin the week, we will review how to make equivalent fractions using multiplication and division.  We will also learn how to compare fractions. We will also use the problem solving strategy constructing arguments to solve word problems.  The Topic 8 test will be on Friday, March 7^th.  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, and the different kinds of sentences. What is a contraction? How do you form a contraction with the word not?  We will review what we have learned about verbs and contractions in preparation for a unit test. The theme of the next unit is Adjectives. What is an adjective? Can you identify an adjective and the noun that it describes?
   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: The first lesson of Chapter 8 is Freedom’s Call. Students will learn about why slavery was common in New York. The second lesson of Chapter 8 is New York and the Union. New York is preparing for another war and needs to supply soldiers and supplies to help the Union army.  In Chapter 9, we will learn about industries and inventions.  Why did New York become a business center after the Civil War?  Why did people immigrate to the United States?  How did people help immigrants settle in New York? Would you have wanted to be an immigrant in New York?
4. Science: In the Waves of Sound Unit, students will be investigating the science of sounds. A few weeks ago, we learned about sending messages using visual codes and also sound codes.  The second lesson in the unit is “How far can a whisper travel?” What is the connection between sounds and vibrations? Are you able to understand something when it is whispered in your ear?
5. Religion: The theme of Chapter 11 is the New Commandment. How can you apply the Ten Commandments to your daily life? What is the meaning of the new commandment? Do you think you can live the new commandment every day?  The Chapter 11 test will be on Tuesday, March 4^th.
6. Circle of Grace: The Circle of Grace is love and goodness of God which always surrounds everyone. First, we are going to talk about trust and what it means to trust someone. Next, we are going to talk about the qualities of trusted adults. We are also going to learn about safe and unsafe secrets.  We will spend time talking about the internet and how it influences our circle of grace.
7. 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.
8. Ash Wednesday Mass: Our next Mass with Father Ennis will be held on Wednesday, March 5^th 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.
9. 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, March 14^th!!! Start collecting your change and help our class win a prize!