Thursday, March 26, 2020
Actual Size read aloud
Grab a measuring tape or ruler and measure the size of these animals! Have a great day!
Monday, March 23, 2020
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Literacy Resources
Literacy Resources
Literacy Resources for teachers (and parents)
Kahn Academy
This website has direct video links to many authors reading the first chapter of their books, including JASON REYNOLDS, GRACE LIN, poet NIKKI GRIMES!! Great for kids who need a new book and are interested in “shopping.”
List of free picture book read aloud links
So many authors are located here, reading their own books!
Draw with Mo Willems!
Learn at home with scholastic, daily ELA plans with books and activities
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Weekly Update 3-17-20
March 17, 2020
Hello Fourth Grade Families,
Thank you for your patience during this unprecedented time. We have been working hard as a team to make a plan that all students can access. We will not be moving forward with new curriculum but will be offering ideas for review and enrichment of things we’ve already learned this year.
We will likely use various online platforms to communicate and interact. Please use this link for directions on how to set up your students’ Chromebook, how to login from Clever, and for troubleshooting tips. Also, we have attached different packets for student use. If you need these resources to be printed for your child, packets can be picked up on Friday, March 20 from 9 am - 12 pm. Materials can be picked up in the front vestibule by the office.
Regarding upcoming field trips, we do know that our IMAX field trip on April 2 has been cancelled. We’re sure that the Mackinac Island trip is on your mind, and it’s on our mind as well. It is our every intention to still go to Mackinac, as long as it is safe to do so. We’re going to proceed as if the trip is still happening. If you are able to make the payment for the trip we still encourage you to do so. Should the trip be cancelled we will make full refunds.
Suggested timelines for subject areas:
Reading- 60 min/day
Writing- 30 min/day
Math- 30-60 min/day
Science- 15 min/day
Social Studies- 15 min/day
(science and social studies can be as flexible as you’d like, ex. 30 min every other day)
Extra time exploring Music, Art, and Spanish activities every day
Suggested Reading Activities:
We encourage all students to read for a minimum of 60 minutes per day. Students should record their reading minutes in their Read Around Michigan packet. When you finish your packet, go back to the beginning and start again! Parents can sign the travel log at the top the second time around.
EPIC (free!) (look for an email coming from your classroom teacher soon to connect school account to home account)
Suggested Math Activities:
The next couple of weeks will be all about Multiplication Review. Study your math facts every day. Flashcards, playing cards, and games are a great way to review. We are encouraging a review of two multiplication chapters from earlier in the year - chapters 2 and 3, in addition to the practice of multiplication and division facts regularly. We have attached a work packet. Try to work on math for 30-60 minutes per day.
*Chapter 2 Reteach/Enrich Pages (*can be picked up at the main office)
(Suggested Focus on Lessons: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, & 11)
*Chapter 3 Reteach/Enrich Pages (*can be picked up at the main office)
(Suggested Focus on Lessons: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 7)
Think Central (use Clever portal)
IXL (use Clever portal)
Math Fact Review Resources
*IXL: Levels: D.1, D.2, D.4, D.5, E.1, E.2, E.3, E.4
*IXL: Levels: D.1, D.2, D.4, D.5, E.1, E.2, E.3, E.4
Suggested Writing Activities:
From Mr. Saunders: Here is a menu of options for 4th-grade writers looking to write a half hour a day.
One thing students could do is a journal. These are very interesting times, and as we’ve been writing the last few weeks in writers’ workshops creating historical fiction, good writing connects historical events to people who lived it and what their lives were like. It’s very possible that our students' kids and grandkids will be reading historical fiction about today. One possible idea for writing would be for students to journal what they notice, what life is like, what they are concerned about, or what issues they are experiencing and living through. Obviously, we don’t want writing to be a traumatic experience, and if your student is having a hard time dealing with current events, then, by all means, choose another option from our menu.
A favorite unit from earlier in the year was writing realistic fiction. This creative writing worked through the writing process of:
Generating Ideas
Planning
Drafting
Revising
Editing
I’d encourage students to review this process in drafting new fiction pieces of their own, but they are welcome to write in any genre, not just realistic fiction.
As always, center your pieces on your characters wants and motivations, and provide obstacles for them to overcome. Think about how your ending shows either your character getting what they want, getting what they want and it not being what they expected (like in Fireflies), or not getting what they want but your character learns and grows.
I’ve attached a checklist and a reminder page to help them review this process of writing narrative fiction stories.
Finally, students are also welcome to write in a nonfiction genre, such as opinion or informational. This could include writing a how-to, an all-about, a book/movie review, or an article. We’ve just spent the last 5 months writing essays and researching the Revolutionary War, so I understand if they are interested in taking a break from those genres.
Typically we write on paper with pen or pencil, but if your student chooses to write on Google Docs while at home, they are welcome to share their writing with Mr. Saunders through his email!
Suggested Science Activities:
We will continue to use Seesaw as a way to share our science learning with each other. An official Seesaw activity will be assigned for each project, but you can also find the instructions here. If you are unable to access Seesaw from home, you could have a parent email me a picture or video. Or, just tell me all about it when we are back to school! Let your creativity shine!
Week 1- Use items around your home to create an instrument that makes a sound. Post your instrument to Seesaw so your classmates can see and ask you questions. Make sure to tell us the materials you used, demonstrate how to change the pitch, and explain why you think this works. If you don’t have the materials handy to do this, draw a plan and detail the materials you would use.
Week 2- Rube Goldberg explorations! Have your parents help you find a video of a Rube Goldberg device. Brainstorm and plan how you could build a device like this on a small scale in your home. Post your plan, do some trials, and share what you’ve learned with the class! We would all love to see a video of your Rube Goldberg device in action.
Suggested Social Studies Activities:
With the interruption in our schedule, all 4th graders are encouraged to learn the location of the 50 states. Puzzles, games, and flashcards are excellent ways to support this learning. A packet is attached with maps to print out for review. Also, here are a few additional sites to explore with your child.
Social Studies Review of our work so far this year:
Factile (No Account Required -- just click links below)
This resource allows students to review social studies concepts in a “Jeopardy” style format. Students will select the number of players, mascot, and begin clicking on different categories to review past and present material.
Students are also encouraged to explore digital citizenship activities. An excellent resource is the iCivics website. There are many interactive activities that can be found there. Students are encouraged to play Executive Command and Win the White House which will take them through the election process.
Additional Online Resources:
Art Enrichment
Check out Mrs. denDulk’s art link here. So many great ideas for your child to do at home.
Music Enrichment
Coming soon!!! We will update you as soon as we have this information.
Spanish Enrichment
Sra. Chavez has many wonderful activities to support Spanish learning. Check out her link here.
We appreciate your support and willingness to provide some sort of educational consistency for your student. Developing routines is an important part of the structure of school and will help your family as you figure out the best way to make this learning at home work.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Stay healthy and safe,
Mrs. Goodman, Mr. Saunders, and Mrs. Tinholt
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
Weekly Update 3-10-20
Hello Fourth Grade Families,
I hope you're having a nice week! The kids are doing a great job cruising around Michigan. Thanks for supporting your student by signing their tour guide packet. The prize winners were THRILLED to have so many new and awesome prizes to pick from on Friday. Thanks again to all who donated new prizes.
Just a reminder- I am looking for a few parents to help make pancakes for the class on Lumberjack Day next Wednesday morning (3/18). We will plan to eat right away at 8:30 so you're welcome to stop in on your way to work, as early as 8 am to help make the pancakes! I would appreciate your help very much! I currently have one parent and I could use a few more. I will provide the griddle, pancake mix, syrup, butter, and milk. It would be helpful if a volunteer has an extra griddle we could borrow for the celebration. Let me know!
Today we will visit the Book Fair at 2:30. Your child is welcome to shop during recess or after school tomorrow or Thursday. Thank you to the families who have donated new books to our classroom, it is such an exciting thing!
You should have received an email with Mackinac Payment information. We think there was a problem with the original link from the email. If the link does not work for you, please try this one:
https://www.schoolpay.com/
Please let me or Mrs. Allen know if your family requires assistance in paying for this trip.
I hope you're having a nice week! The kids are doing a great job cruising around Michigan. Thanks for supporting your student by signing their tour guide packet. The prize winners were THRILLED to have so many new and awesome prizes to pick from on Friday. Thanks again to all who donated new prizes.
Just a reminder- I am looking for a few parents to help make pancakes for the class on Lumberjack Day next Wednesday morning (3/18). We will plan to eat right away at 8:30 so you're welcome to stop in on your way to work, as early as 8 am to help make the pancakes! I would appreciate your help very much! I currently have one parent and I could use a few more. I will provide the griddle, pancake mix, syrup, butter, and milk. It would be helpful if a volunteer has an extra griddle we could borrow for the celebration. Let me know!
Today we will visit the Book Fair at 2:30. Your child is welcome to shop during recess or after school tomorrow or Thursday. Thank you to the families who have donated new books to our classroom, it is such an exciting thing!
You should have received an email with Mackinac Payment information. We think there was a problem with the original link from the email. If the link does not work for you, please try this one:
https://www.schoolpay.com/
Please let me or Mrs. Allen know if your family requires assistance in paying for this trip.
THIS WEEK:
Homework and Special Events for the week of March 9-13th
Monday- Math 9.1 relate tenths and decimals, Read Around Michigan (no library this week due to book fair, bring money to shop tomorrow!)
*Sports jersey/hat day
Tuesday-Math 9.2 relate hundredths and decimals, Read Around Michigan
*Book fair shopping at 2:30
Wednesday-Math 9.3 equivalent fractions and decimals, Read Around Michigan
*Hot cocoa and read day
Thursday- Math 9.4 relate fractions, decimals, and money, Read Around Michigan
Friday-Math 9.5 problem solving with money, Read Around Michigan
*Book character dress up day
Weekend- Read Around Michigan minutes!
NEXT WEEK:
Homework and Special Events for the week of March 16-19th
Monday- Math 9.6 , Read Around Michigan (bring library books tomorrow!)
Tuesday-Math 9.7, Read Around Michigan
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Wednesday-Math Chapter 9 Review, Read Around Michigan
*Lumberjack day, dress and pancakes for breakfast
Thursday- Study guide and Chapter Review for Chapter 9 math, Read Around Michigan
Friday-Chapter 9 Math Test, Read Around Michigan
*Game day (bring a game to school to play with reading buddy)
Weekend- Read Around Michigan minutes!
Friday, March 6, 2020
Homework & Read Around Michigan
Homework and Special Events for the week of March 9-13th
Monday- Math 9.1 relate tenths and decimals, Read Around Michigan (no library this week due to book fair, bring money to shop tomorrow!)
*Sports jersey/hat day
Tuesday-Math 9.2 relate hundredths and decimals, Read Around Michigan
*Book fair shopping at 2:30
Wednesday-Math 9.3 equivalent fractions and decimals, Read Around Michigan
*Hot cocoa and read day
Thursday- Math 9.4 relate fractions, decimals, and money, Read Around Michigan
Friday-Math 9.5 problem solving with money, Read Around Michigan
*Book character dress up day
Weekend- Read Around Michigan minutes!
Read Around Michigan
Students are doing a great job reading! Look at the progress the cars are making as they read around Michigan! Thanks to all who've sent in awesome prizes. This is helping motivate our readers!
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Weekly Update 3-2-20
Hello Fourth Grade Families,
March is off to a fantastic start and we are encouraging children to READ, READ, and READ some more! Here are a couple of important events that are coming up to celebrate this theme.
Our March is Reading Month project is off to a great start. You should have received information on the Read Around Michigan program last week. We will be reading a lot this month and counting minutes like miles. Students will record reading minutes in their tour booklets (bring back and forth to school each day) and can turn in their tour booklets for tickets and for special classroom activities. One of our special activity that many students are looking forward to will be Wednesday, 3/18. Our reading minutes will take us to Hartwick Pines State Park which is home to a lumbering camp. We will have a lumberjack day at school which includes making pancakes at 8:30 am. We could use a few parent volunteers at that time. If you are able to help out, please send me an email or note. In addition, every Friday we will have a drawing from the tickets collected. We already have some awesome prizes in our treasure box.Thanks to all who've donated. Additional prize donations are always appreciated. The more we have, the more I can give!!
The book fair arrives next week at Wealthy Elementary! Our class will be shopping on Tuesday, 3/10 at 2:30 pm. Your child is welcome to bring money to purchase books or they can use that time to make a list of books that they would like to purchase/read. During our time, I will allow 4th graders to buy only books. All other items like pencils, pens, posters, etc… can be purchased at other times during the week with your permission.
This week we are starting a new unit in Reading - Historical Fiction book clubs. Your child will be engaging in a variety of text within an assigned book club.
Lastly, the final celebration for our month of reading is a field trip to the IMAX movie on Thursday, April 2 to see A Beautiful Planet. The cost of this trip is covered by the activity fund money collected at the beginning of the year. We will need drivers and chaperones. If you are able to join us, please email me with the number of students that can ride in your car. This is such an incredible movie that parents and students always enjoy.
Thank you and have a great week!
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