Week of November 27th

Dear 4A Families,

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.  It was such a pleasure meeting with you all last week during conferences. I am inspired and excited for the new trimester to begin. The signs of the season are beginning to appear. Advent does not begin until next week, but we will start preparing this week. As we prepare we are asked to look for ways we can serve others. As a school we are asked to participate in several outreach/service opportunities. I will send out information in the next few days detailing the 4th grade outreach focus for Advent. Thank you in advance for your support.

Religion: As we prepare for Advent our study of the Works of Mercy lines up perfectly with the meaning of the season.  The students will be tested on memorization of the Seven Corporal Works of Mercy on Friday.  We will practice each day in class as well, so just a little extra review at home should be all it will take.  If the students also spell them correctly they will earn extra credit on spelling.  (No points will be taken off for spelling errors).

On Thursday the students will bring home an assignment to complete with some help from you related to the Works of Mercy. The activity is called Cool School News.  At home we would like to to help your child think of a person that regularly lives out the Works of Mercy.  The students will write down information in note form (like the Saint Report) with your assistance.  At school they will turn their notes into a news report about this wonderful person.  The notes are due no later than Wednesday, December 6th.  Full directions will be in your child’s filer on Monday as well as on the link.

Our class work will focus on the specifics of the Works of Mercy in our texts, as well as our Second Step lessons and preparations for reconciliation.

Fr. Oakland came to visit the class before the break and talk about our upcoming reconciliation which will take place for 4A on Tuesday, December 5th at 9:00.  The students should be practicing the Act of Contrition.  We will recite it as a group prior to going into the confessional.  I will also be sending home an examination of conscience for the students to use to prepare for their confessions.

 

Reading/Language Arts: On Monday the students will bring home a large paper and directions for the Charlotte’s Web Quote Poster project. Quote Posters due on or before Dec.14th.  As we read Charlotte’s Web, we’ve practiced selecting and writing down clever quotes. The students are learning to choose quotes that have significant meaning or provide insight into the characters. As they work through this project at home, they can use books or this link of the story online. They can also bring their quote folders home on weekends, but need them here each day in class.

Spelling:  Our spelling list for Unit 10 will be in your child’s filer on Monday.  The test will be Friday as usual.

Science:  This week we will be discussing the different types of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources, as well as the impact of energy consumption. Students will understand how they use energy and how it is transformed from potential to kinetic. As 4th grade engineers we will learn the innovative ways other engineers are conserving energy and how energy can be conserved in our homes.

Social Studies:    Hopefully the students have been reviewing for their NE State test.  This test will take place on Thursday, November 30th.  I have created a new online practice sites for both the locations and abbreviations that can be accessed on this link.  Our classroom work will remained focused on the Native People of Washington State and the early explorers by sea.

Math: We will be moving forward with multiplication and division.  Prior to the break the students were introduced to the Sieve of Eratosthenes and prime numbers before the break.  We will review prime and composite numbers, factors and multiples this week.  Learning and understanding the vocabulary associated with these chapters will also be a priority.  Look for math homework most nights which included Xtramath.

Have a wonderful last few days of November, and start of December on Friday.