April 9-12
Reading
This week, students spent time continuing their Think Notes in an independent book of their choosing, as well as listening intensely to our new read-a-loud book, Number The Stars. During read-a-loud, we focused on identifying Narrative writing techniques such as flashback and flash forward, inner thinking, multiple points of view, description, metaphors, tone, and symbolism. We also looked at how Authors aim to show these approaches by showing empathy, mood, suspense, prediction, and theme.
Writing
This week, students continued to work on gathering research in support of their opinion writing topic...should people eat insects? Students read multiple articles that provided information for, and against the topic, and focused on their note taking skills. As a class, we went over some tips that would help students gather notes more efficiently. Some of the things we talked about were making bullet points/numbers, not writing complete sentences, including key facts, names, and dates, using headings to sort information, drawing pictures, citing sources, using graphic organizers, and putting ideas in our own words. While although students were given multiple strategies to help them, the most important thing we talked about was doing whatever works BEST for themselves.
Inquiry
This week, students began learning about specific types of Natural Disasters by using a jigsaw reading strategy that taught them all the different ways in which our Earth changes. Students then explored different layers of the Earth using an egg, and studied plate tectonics using wax paper, frosting, and a graham cracker. Both experiments allowed students to gain a greater understanding of how and why Earthquakes happen. Each student ended the week by outlining plate tectonics and earthquakes of the past on a map of the World, and through this plotting exercise, students will learn about Earth's "Ring of Fire."
STAR Party
Next week, 4th grade students will have the pleasure of welcoming one of our community members from the Rose City Astronomers Outreach program. We are very fortunate to have our guest join us for a presentation at school on Thursday (4/19), as well as hosting a STAR astronomy party on Friday night (4/20) at West TV. The main focus of both topics will include the Moon, Jupiter, and other astro-objects seen through a telescope. As always, families are welcome to join in the party on Friday, but it is not required. Please check back for more information as the week progresses, and we have an exact time of when we will be meeting after dark!
Volunteer Celebration
This years Volunteer Appreciation reception will be on Thursday, April 19th at 2pm in the school cafeteria! If you have volunteered in any way this school year, we welcome you to join us for the celebration. We really "donut" know what we would do without all of you, so thank you in advance for all your time and effort into making our year as successful as it was!
Upcoming Dates
Reading
This week, students spent time continuing their Think Notes in an independent book of their choosing, as well as listening intensely to our new read-a-loud book, Number The Stars. During read-a-loud, we focused on identifying Narrative writing techniques such as flashback and flash forward, inner thinking, multiple points of view, description, metaphors, tone, and symbolism. We also looked at how Authors aim to show these approaches by showing empathy, mood, suspense, prediction, and theme.
Writing
This week, students continued to work on gathering research in support of their opinion writing topic...should people eat insects? Students read multiple articles that provided information for, and against the topic, and focused on their note taking skills. As a class, we went over some tips that would help students gather notes more efficiently. Some of the things we talked about were making bullet points/numbers, not writing complete sentences, including key facts, names, and dates, using headings to sort information, drawing pictures, citing sources, using graphic organizers, and putting ideas in our own words. While although students were given multiple strategies to help them, the most important thing we talked about was doing whatever works BEST for themselves.
Inquiry
This week, students began learning about specific types of Natural Disasters by using a jigsaw reading strategy that taught them all the different ways in which our Earth changes. Students then explored different layers of the Earth using an egg, and studied plate tectonics using wax paper, frosting, and a graham cracker. Both experiments allowed students to gain a greater understanding of how and why Earthquakes happen. Each student ended the week by outlining plate tectonics and earthquakes of the past on a map of the World, and through this plotting exercise, students will learn about Earth's "Ring of Fire."
STAR Party
Next week, 4th grade students will have the pleasure of welcoming one of our community members from the Rose City Astronomers Outreach program. We are very fortunate to have our guest join us for a presentation at school on Thursday (4/19), as well as hosting a STAR astronomy party on Friday night (4/20) at West TV. The main focus of both topics will include the Moon, Jupiter, and other astro-objects seen through a telescope. As always, families are welcome to join in the party on Friday, but it is not required. Please check back for more information as the week progresses, and we have an exact time of when we will be meeting after dark!
Volunteer Celebration
This years Volunteer Appreciation reception will be on Thursday, April 19th at 2pm in the school cafeteria! If you have volunteered in any way this school year, we welcome you to join us for the celebration. We really "donut" know what we would do without all of you, so thank you in advance for all your time and effort into making our year as successful as it was!
Upcoming Dates
- Tuesday, March 17th- Reading Logs due/Vocabulary Test
- Thursday, April 19th-Volunteer Appreciation Celebration: 2pm
- Friday, April 20th- STAR party: Location- West Tualatin View, Time-TBD
- Wednesday, April 25th- Continent Club
- Monday, April 30th- SBAC Testing Begins