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
