Homework this week:
Throughout the year students have been gathering and storing all their work in binders and notebooks. We have intended to share our progress and work through our websites but just got busy with other tasks. Finally,with the help of a speedy new scanner and some diligence from students, the work is finally being posted on websites. The point of posting is sharing, so students are leaving comments on classmate's blogs.
The quality of comments are important! The expectations is to leave a compliment AND a suggestion or question. The comments are always meaningful with kind language and include specific details. We have been working on elaborating and using more complex sentences. We also talked about using proper grammar, no texting language. If you can help support your student with these expectations that would be appreciated!
Photo Gallery updated:
Homework
Genius hour
Dates to remember:
April 4th - Progress reports will be sent home
April 7th - Singing performance by 4th graders at Monday Morning Meeting (this is the culmination project from the 3 week music program)
April 22nd - Talent show (whole school event organized by 4th graders and proceeds put towards Islandwood trip next year) - Details and time to be announced
May 9th (Fri.) -Class slumber party (details to follow).
April 29th, May 1st, 6th and 8th - MSP dates
June 23rd-27th (9:30-3:30) - Art and Adventure Camp with Ms. Meg and Ms. Hunter (details to follow)
Clubs for 4th graders (sign up ASAP):
Chess club
Exploring Science Club with Isadora, Xalli's mom
4th and 5th grades - Tuesday mornings 8:15 to 9:25 am - April 1 to June 10 - $110.00 - 10 sessions
The club is desinged to sparkle student's curiosity about science. We will learn about Puget Sound, watersheds and storm water; which are part of the water cycle in urban areas. But what about rural or natural areas?
We will also explore the playground and look at it in a different way. Students will investigate their own questions driven by their interets, and share their findings on the last session. They will learn how to ask researchable questions with ice. This activity supports the learning of 5th grade students, as the topic is part of the MSP.
The club connects science to other subjects, such as writing, reading, math, art, social sciences and communication. Students will use these skills to create a contract, research their questions and present their findings.
The exploring science club uses the project base learning approach. It aligns with the next generation science standards for 4th and 5th grades. For example, students will engage in arguments from evidence, determine cause and effect, develop and use models, identify patterns, study natural resources and natural hazards, learn the influence of engineering, technology, and science on society and the natural world, and will obtain, summarize and communicate information to explain phenomena.
At the end of each session, we will reflect on what we did that day. Reflections emphasize the concepts learned and gives a self perspective of the topic.
Register at http://qaeclubs.weebly.com/ by March 31st. If you have any questions or want more information, please email [email protected]
Our persuasive essay unit began last week. First, students worked towards developing opinions, which they were not short on ideas! Then, they worked towards creating a thesis statement. Next, they learned to push their thinking by free writing all their thoughts about the topic. They also collected relevant examples, stories, ideas and factual information. This week they are drafting with a specific format to follow.
The focus this week has been continuing to read non-fiction articles and books slower with a focus on thinking and learning. They show evidence of understanding by taking notes. Students have focused on picking out the most important information and getting the gist. Eventually students will be taking the organized notes and writing summaries.
Math:
Students are using fraction knowledge to determine decimal notation with key denominators of 2, 4, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100. They will be converting fractions to decimals and visa versa by showing understanding through models, determining lengths or locating the on a number line.
Social and Emotional Learning:
CharacterWorks has begun! This is a unique program created just for our 4th grade bunch. Beaven Walters, the instructor, will be teaching lessons on communication for the next month and then moving towards progress on the musical. Beaven is wonderful and the students are so excited for this opportunity to begin! See Beaven's letter about the program below.
Dear 4th Grade Families,
Starting this week, your children will be starting a program called CharacterWorks, which is part of QAE’s Social and Emotional growth curriculum funded by the Parent Association. The program encourages students in their social and emotional growth by utilizing the performing arts as a primary tool. I am excited to be bringing CharacterWorks into the 4th grade at QAE for the third year.
My name is Beaven Walters and I am the creator of the CharacterWorks program. I began my professional career as an elementary classroom teacher for seven years (BA in Education with Music and English minors from W.S.U.) in Idaho and Washington state public schools. It was there that I became hooked on teaching various curriculums through the arts. As a classically trained singer and actor, I have also been active in the performing arts in local regional theatres around Seattle. In 2011, I became certified as a Parenting Coach for Families with a specialization in Parenting the School-age Child through the Academy of Coaching Parents International and opened my parent coach practice, Polaris Parenting. As a parenting coach, I love helping families navigate the obstacles they face in today’s increasingly challenging world. It is with these combined passions that I incorporate elements of character education, performing arts, and parental support into the CharacterWorks program.
This year, the 4th grade will be focusing on the topic of social skills. We will be looking at topics such as effective communication, communication through conflict, communication in various situations that are unusual (ordering at a restaurant, speaking to an adult, introducing yourself to a new peer, etc.), “Think before you speak, text, or type” and body language. We will also explore these topics and more through a musical play we will be presenting called, “How to Interact with Human Beings.” The program will culminate in two performances of the musical on June 5th (one performance during the school day and one performance for families in the evening.) Mark your calendars now!!!!
In addition to the classroom lessons and play rehearsals with the children, I will also be holding a parent talk night at 7:00-8:30 on Wednesday, May 14 on the topic of Social Skills and your child. This facilitated discussion will give you a chance to discuss this hot parenting topic with your parenting community and explore current research on child development and parenting. Additionally, you will hear more about the musical play and how you can get involved and help out. The location of the parent talk will either be the school or at a parent volunteer’s home. If you are interested in hosting the talk at your home, please let Ms. Hunter or me know as soon as possible so we can make the announcement.
I look forward to working with you and your children in the coming weeks in the CharacterWorks program.
Many thanks,
Beaven Walters
CharacterWorks Founder
[email protected]
http://www.polaris-parenting.com
PBL:
The planning for the World Peace Game is much more intense that I initially figured because I am working off another teacher's experience, which is missing many aspects. The game is extremely complicated with many unknown factors. However, I am still looking forward to it!
My husband has graciously agreed to design and construct our 4x4x6 foot board. I will send a list of materials that will be needed soon (thanks in advance). I am hoping you have some things laying around the house.
Genius Hour:
This idea was termed at Google. Google's work strategy allows employees to spend 20% of their time on projects of exploration. Google employees have created very successful projects, like gmail, with this time. The freedom has been successful in business and now it is making it's way into the classroom.
I have decided to try it out because I know that this class will jump on board and create incredible projects. I am introducing it Wed. and we students will begin planning. There are a couple key elements that will be required. The exploration begins with passion and a driving question. Then, planning and taking action on a project that will be presented in the end. In a way, it's like a mini PBL project!
I plan to give students Wed. afternoons to make progress. Instrumental music takes place at this time so some students will unfortunately have less time to work on it. Students will be able to work on the project at home once the first steps are approved.
Check out the link for more info on genius hour.
More things to remember:
Yoga: Tuesday mornings with Ms. Skoog in the gym from 9:05-9:25. Parents are invited to join.
Homework club: Still taking place Mon, Tues., Thrus. and Fri. until 4:30 in and a 3rd, 4th or 5th grade classroom in the treehouse (upstairs).