This Week in Fourth Grade

Students are settling nicely into the fourth grade routine!

Science
We began our unit on Flight, Force, and Motion this week with a lively discussion about flying. Students learned about two of the forces that influence flight: gravity and drag.

Math
We continued working on place value concepts, focusing on the relationship between neighboring digits in large numbers, comparing numbers using greater-than and less-than symbols, and rounding.

ELA
We began a vocabulary unit and practiced identifying declarative, interrogative, and exclamatory sentences. In our guided reading groups, we started reading Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner.

Fun on Friday!
Our ELA class did such a wonderful job working quietly and collaboratively on their vocabulary assignment today! We ended our day with a "write around."  Working in groups of three, students co-wrote a creative story with a beginning, middle, and end. They each had four minutes to write and had to include a parakeet and a pickle! We had many laughs as the students read their stories aloud.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Mrs. Kyle

This Week in Fourth Grade

Students did a great job switching classes for math and ELA this week!

Social Studies
We explored our classroom atlases and learned about cardinal and intermediate directions, reading a map key, and latitude and longitude.

Math
We talked about the growth mindset -- When we struggle and make mistakes, our brains grow! -- and began a unit on place value. Students practiced reading and writing numbers in the hundred thousands using numerals, number words, and expanded form.

ELA
In reading, students practiced making connections to the text. They are really enjoying our read-aloud book, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing! Working in teams, they brainstormed character traits for the six characters we've met so far.

Fun on Friday!
Our homeroom plays Silent Ball at the end of the day on Fridays. The hand-eye coordination in room 236 is most impressive! :)

Mrs. Kyle

A Great First Week!

What a busy first week in room 236! Students shared about themselves, explored the classroom, and learned about fourth grade expectations. They set goals for the year and applied for classroom jobs. We are learning how to be good partners and team members, and I'm impressed with the kindness and helpfulness I've seen around the classroom!

We launched our science unit on Flight and Force this week by designing, constructing, and dropping paper parachutes. Ask your students what they observed about the qualities of a successful parachute!

Please help students remember to bring in their "Me In a Bag" materials on Monday.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Mrs. Kyle

Hello fourth grade families,

We visited Washington, DC this summer
and saw the White House!

Welcome to a brand new school year at Memorial! My name is Mrs. Kyle and I am delighted to be your teacher for the first few months of school. I will use this blog to keep you updated on what we've been learning until Mrs. Harlow returns after the Thanksgiving break.

It's normal to feel a little nervous starting a new school year with a new teacher, so I thought I would introduce myself before we meet next week. I've spent the past two years teaching K-5 students in a learning center setting in Winchester. I'm not just a teacher, I'm a mom, too! I have two children -- my younger one is a fourth grader this year. When I'm not in school, I love to read, hike, and play tennis.

I'm looking forward to meeting my new students on Tuesday! Have a wonderful holiday weekend,

Mrs. Kyle

:: Concert Attire ::

Students have been working very hard on this Spring Concert, this Wednesday 5/10!  Here is a little reminder of what the music teachers asked students to wear during school as well as for the evening show.  I have also included the times for band, strings, and chorus students.  I am so excited to see their hard work pay off tomorrow!

• Concert Attire:  

Morning - The students may wear regular school clothes in the daytime - but please no t-shirts with logos or words.

Evening - Our concert is all about opera and music from classical composers.  We would like the students to be as fancy as possible, while still being comfortable.  Below are some ideas:

• Girls:  Fun/fancy dresses, skirts, or nice pants.
• Boys:  Suits and ties/bowties, dress pants with polo shirts, or even tuxedo t-shirts!
• Mrs. Niu and Mrs. Rzasa will likely be wearing gowns with opera gloves and costume jewelry.  Have fun with your outfit choice!

• Call Time:

Please make sure that your child arrives to the school no later than 6:40 p.m. Band students will report to the music room, string students will report to the lesson room, and chorus students who do not play an instrument will report to the Art Room at 6:50pm.

:: Bake Sale Update ::

Hi parents and students of room 236,

Unfortunately, we will not be having the Bake Sale during the Spring Concert.  I was told by several students that an email went out to their parents from my blog post yesterday. I hope this clarifies any confusion and greatly appreciate all of your support. These kids are lucky to have great parents like you!

~ Mrs. Harlow

ELA: Writer's Notebook Assignment

Me Collage / Writer’s Notebook

Since writing is a direct reflection of the author, everyone in my ELA class will be personalizing their writer’s notebooks with pictures, words, or other items that are special to each student.

Each writer’s notebook can include the following:

• pictures
• stickers
• flat awards (achievement certificates)
• drawings
• magazine/newspaper cut outs

The students are to glue or tape each item carefully so that the items do not fall off.  Make sure that these items are not valuable since they will not be returned to the original state it was once in.

If there are any questions, feel free to email me at jharlow@bpsk12.org