Curriculum Update
Math
We are well on our way into the first unit in our new math program. You children may be coming home talking about happy counting, application problems that include reading, drawing and writing. These are all new parts of the Eureka math program the school has implemented this year.
The program includes three books that your children will be using:
Classwork book- used for classwork
Homework book-students bring home to complete homework-there are examples included as well to support your child's learning
Fluency Workbook-this book is kept in class and students use it for math fluency practice
Unique Brazil
We have started working on our Social Studies unit-Unique Brazil. Throughout this unit we will be
covering the five themes of geography-location, place, human environment interaction, movement
and regions. At the end of these lessons, students will be given a region of Brazil to research using
these five aspects of geography.
covering the five themes of geography-location, place, human environment interaction, movement
and regions. At the end of these lessons, students will be given a region of Brazil to research using
these five aspects of geography.
The following questions will be used to teach these lessons and guide your child's research.
Location -- Where are things located? A location can be specific (for example, it can be stated as
coordinates of longitude and latitude or as a distance from another place).
coordinates of longitude and latitude or as a distance from another place).
Place -- What makes a place different from other places? Differences might be defined in terms of climate, physical features, or the people who live there and their traditions.
Human-environment interaction -- What are the relationships among people and places? How have people changed the environment to better suit their needs?
Movement -- What are the patterns of movement of people, products, and information? A study of movement includes learning about major modes of transportation used by people, an area's major exports and imports, and the ways in which people communicate (move ideas).
Regions -- How can Earth be divided into regions for study? Regions can be defined by a number of characteristics including area, language, political divisions, religions, and vegetation (for example, grassland, marshland, desert, rain forest).
Literacy
All classes have been assigned library time during the 8 day cycle. Our LS Library is a wonderful place for your child to get books and many new ones have been ordered this school year. Each class has also had the chance to preview these books at a Book Cafe.
Reading and Writing
The first week and a half of school was spent talking about our Literacy Life. Writer's Notebooks were
decorated and your child reflected on what reading and writing means to them as a learner.
decorated and your child reflected on what reading and writing means to them as a learner.
Realistic fiction starts off this year and your children are excited about it! They will be given the chance
to use a small moment from their own life and add imagination and interesting characters to produce a
final written piece that they are proud of. Our mentor text in reading is the book The Tiger Rising by
Kate Di Camillo. This book provides excellent examples that model development of complex characters.
to use a small moment from their own life and add imagination and interesting characters to produce a
final written piece that they are proud of. Our mentor text in reading is the book The Tiger Rising by
Kate Di Camillo. This book provides excellent examples that model development of complex characters.
Take some time to ask your child about the work they are doing in Readers and Writer's Workshop.
You can use the following questions to guide you when your child reads at home.
You can use the following questions to guide you when your child reads at home.
4th Grade Olympics
Last Friday the four grade had the chance to participate in our beginning of the year Olympics. Students were placed into groups and asked to participate in each of the following activities:
They had one minute to compete each activity. Ask your child which one was their favorite?
Human Chain-Teams joined hands in a tangled web and untangle themselves without disconnecting their hands.
Cookie Face-Teams placed a cookie on their forehead, and the goal is to get the cookie into their mouth using only your facial muscles. No hands!
Defy Gravity-Teams kept all three balloons in the air at the same time.
Beans & Chopsticks-Teams transferred beans from one plate to the other only using chopsticks!
Stack It Up-Teams stacked 24 plastic cups as tall as they possibly can without falling.
Homework Reminders
Math
- Assigned on Monday and due on Wednesday
- Assigned again on Wednesday and due on Friday
**Please note that each class may be at a different lesson so homework may vary in different classes each week. However, your child should be receiving math homework on Monday and Wednesday**
Reading
Your child should be reading at least twenty minutes per night. Some teachers allow students to
double up their time on one night if they have commitments on a particular night. Please check with
your child's teacher to see if this is allowed. Students are asked to log their reading. This is done
either electronically on Biblionasium or with a paper reading log. Your child's teacher will communicate
which method they are using.
double up their time on one night if they have commitments on a particular night. Please check with
your child's teacher to see if this is allowed. Students are asked to log their reading. This is done
either electronically on Biblionasium or with a paper reading log. Your child's teacher will communicate
which method they are using.
Eagle Way
Our first Eagle's Nest assembly started last week. At that time all students were introduced to the
LS faculty and time was spent reviewing the Eagle Way. The Eagle Way is the common set of
expectations that are followed throughout the Lower School. This consistency is necessary as your
child moves and interacts throughout their day.
LS faculty and time was spent reviewing the Eagle Way. The Eagle Way is the common set of
expectations that are followed throughout the Lower School. This consistency is necessary as your
child moves and interacts throughout their day.
Back to School Night
Back to School Night takes place this Thursday, August 29th at 6:00. During that time you will learn more about the Grade four curriculum in detail.
We look forward to seeing you then!
We look forward to seeing you then!
Birthdays
September Birthday will take place on Friday, September 13th at 12:45 in the LS playground where there will be a table labeled with your child’s class. If your child’s birthday is during that month please bring a small treat for each student in their class. Feel free to come at 12:30 to set up. Please remember to bring plates, forks, and a lighter if you have candles.
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