Countdown to the end of the year: only 34 days! We have a lot of learning and fun packed into those days, too! Be sure to check out the calendar below.
In reading this week we looked for passages in our books that somehow we know are important, even though the author doesn’t write them in bold letters or say, “Look here, reader!” We know that they connect to other parts of the book and will lead us to finding the theme. We then talked about how authors lodge big ideas in small details and objects, such as Rob’s suitcase in Tiger Rising or the Star of David necklace in Number the Stars. The repetition of those details can then lead you to creating a theory that you use like a lens to read the book and find parts that fit your idea. You read things differently from then on, while being open to new ideas and changing your theories. Our book clubs around our own historical fiction novels are getting really in depth!
In writing this week we read our short stories again, looking for character traits. We pushed our thinking with prompts like: that makes me realize…, in other words…, and maybe that means… Finally we took those thoughts and created a thesis about the main character, along with reasons and support from the story. We begin drafting next week.
In math we learned metric units for capacity and mass. We reviewed area and perimeter formulas and put those into new situations. We took the practice test and reviewed this week. The final paper test is on Monday.
In social studies we talked about the products we will be making for Market Day. There was a sheet that explained everything involved in this project. The plan for products is due on Friday. The part that is giving students the most trouble is figuring out the price per item. A good rule of thumb is to double what it costs to make the item, and then go up to the next quarter. For example: if you spent $7.85 on materials to make 14 items, the cost to make each item is $0.56. Double and go up, and the cost per item should be $1.25 or $1.50. Your child will need help with this part. We want to be sure to make a profit, but not price the product too high.
We also learned about the concepts of supply and demand and took a short vocabulary quiz on economic terms.
Important Dates:
Tuesday, April 24– Link Up Concert – (hot or cold lunch)
Friday, April 27 – 3D movies at Cinema Carousel (cold lunch needed) see note on 4/23/18
Tuesday, May 8 – Front Porch Night – more info to come
Friday, May 11 – Market Day – Product plans due 04/27/18
Tuesday – Thursday, May 15-17 – MSTEP testing
Friday, May 18 – tour the Intermediate building
Tuesday – Friday, May 22-25 – i-Ready testing
Thursday, May 31– Chicago trip
Friday, June 1 – Bocce Ball and Rockets Day
Tuesday, June 5 – Camp Pendalouan Trip
Wednesday, June 6 – 4th Grade Celebration
Thursday and Friday, June 7 and 8 – 1/2 Days
Friday, June 8 – last day of school