4th Grade

Jeffers Journal

Week of May 5th – May 9th

May, the month of sunshine, blooming flowers, and endless possibilities.  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 5^th – May 9^th: Teacher Appreciation Week

May 5^th: Third Week of Easter Mass with Father Ennis @ 8:50AM

May 6^th: Spring Picture Day

May 7^th: New York State Math Test and Nurses Appreciation Day

May 8^th: New York State Math Test & Annie Kids Production

May 9^th: Penny War Fundraiser and Annie Kids Production

May 9^th: Scholastic Book Fair

May 11^th: Happy Mother’s Day

May 23^rd: Memorial Day-No School or CASE

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

 May 30^th: Race for Education

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 13 is Measurement.  We will begin the week reviewing the customary units of length.  The second lesson of the unit is customary units of capacity.  Equivalency with customary units of weight is the focus of the third lesson. The fourth lesson is equivalency with metric units of length.  To wrap up the week, we will learn about metric units of capacity and mass.  Students will learn how to convert from a large unit to a small unit.  They will also review how to find the area and perimeter of figures.  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. To begin the week, students will learn about the subject pronouns I and me. When should you use I?  When is it appropriate to use me? What is a possessive pronoun?
   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: During the third quarter, we learned about World War I. This week, we are going to learn how New Yorkers improved industry, politics, and society in the 20^th  We are also going to explore the economic and social events that followed World War I.  What difficulties were Americans faced with?  In the next lesson, World War II and the American Century, we are going to learn about what drew the United States into World War II. Should we get involved in World War II?
4. Religion: The theme of Chapter 16 is Respecting Others. What is your definition of respect?  How do Christians share God’s forgiveness with others? Can you identify the commandments that require us to respect others and care for the rights of others?  The theme of Chapter 17 is Called By Baptism.  Christians have a responsibility to help those in need. Do you know of a vocation that allows us to serve one another?
5. New York State Math Test: The New York State Math Test will be given on Wednesday, May 7th and Thursday, May 8^th in the morning. This test will include multiple choice questions and also short answer questions. I am confident they will all do a great job!
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 emai
7. Monday of the Third Week of Easter Mass: Our next Mass with Father Ennis will be held on Monday, May 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.
8. Annie Kids Production: Come and see the St. Jude the Apostle School Drama Club production of Annie Kids on Thursday, May 8^th and Friday 9^th at 6:30pm in the gym! The students have been working very hard and are excited to share it with everyone!
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 last day to bring in pennies and/or bills is Friday, May 9th!!! Start collecting your change and help our class win a prize!