MARCH 4th UPDATE

Week of March 4^th

Well…. We made it to March but it doesn’t look like Spring is around the corner!  As they say… March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb.  Fingers crossed the snow this month does not amount to much and that sun and warm weather arrives by the end.    Below are a few updates for this week.

MORNING ARRIVALS – for those students whom are parent drop off, it is most helpful for your child to arrive in the classroom closer to the 8:45 time.  Many students have been arriving at 9:00 or later.  Although they are not tardy until 9:00, most of their classmates are already in class and unpacked / working or in morning-meeting.   Arriving a little earlier is great practice for next year when your child will have to arrive at Sherwood for an 8:00 start time.

Tuesday March 5^th:  This day is a ½ day for students.  Dismissal will begin at 12:10!

ELA MOCK MCAS - On Friday, a letter went home with your child sharing the fact that the fourth grade will be holding a “MOCK” MCAS.  We will be giving the students one article to read where they will have to answer multiple choice questions as well as plan for and type an open response question using the iPad.  We feel it is important for the students to experience what the ELA Reading MCAS will be like prior to the actual MCAS testing on April 23^rd and 24th, especially given this is their first experience taking MCAS on the iPad.

Please send your child to school with TWO snacks and a water bottle this day for us to “practice” what snack eating will be like during MCAS.

COMPLETION MONEY - The $10.00 and the pink form sent home last week is due by Thursday March 7^th.   Thanks to the many of you whom have already sent your in!  More information about the end of the year celebration will be coming home in the near future.

Scholastic Book Orders:  Book orders are due online or by check by Friday, March 8^th.

MATH – We are completing our lessons this week on Adding and Subtracting Decimals.  This chapter includes some math problem solving using decimals.  Our assessment will be later this week or early next week!

READING / WRITING – We a quite a few different activities happening in these areas.  Some students are working to wrap up their current DRA.   All students have been working on the comprehension skill of Determining Importance by locating FACTS / ASKING QUESTIONS and RESPONDED to the article or story read.  They have learned the importance of merging their thinking while learning new information!  Also, the students have been working on writing point of view responses.  As we wrap that up, we will be moving on to writing responses that continue the story! 

SCIENCE – We are in the middle our “TECH TRIAL” where the students are attempting to use the design process to build prototypes to light lightbulbs and make a motor run.  When we wrap this up we will be moving to our new unit on WAVES.

SOCIAL STUDIES – We have started our study or the Midwest by working on our maps in school.  I will be assigning the map quiz on the states, capital and physical features this week.   Look for the study guide / practice maps to come home.  Know that you can also find them on our Schoology site.

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions / concerns.

~ Kelly Finneran