Greetings! Recently, we reached the midpoint of the school year. It seems like the year is just flying by. We have many exciting things to look forward to in the coming months, so let’s hope the weather continues on this mild trend! To keep us supplied for our busy days ahead, I wanted to let you know that despite your generous donations at the beginning of the year, pencils have become scarce in our classroom. Also, please check with your child to see if s/he needs anything, including perhaps a new homework folder.

Room 13 has just finished studying the forces that shape our landscape. We have been investigating glaciers and will soon be learning about running water, wind, and even earthquakes as agents of change and erosion. Next, we will be exploring water, the water cycle, and ocean currents. Please help your child by making sure s/he reviews at least once a week. Even casual conversation about what your child has learned each day can go a long way to helping him/her to understand. Explaining to another person what they are learning is a perfect way to review new concepts! As I have mentioned in the past, waiting until a test is announced is probably not the best strategy. When a learner reviews a little at a time, it makes studying much easier. Remember to use the SQ3R method. You can also use the website that was developed by the publishers of our textbook. Just click on the link below:

In Social Studies, we have just about finished our study of the Northeast. Next, we will turn our attention to the geography and natural resources of the Midwest. Again, you can best help your child with this unit by reviewing on a regular basis, having casual conversations about what s/he is learning, and by visiting the website that is supported by the publisher. Just click on the picture of our book!

In Language Arts, the children are preparing for their long composition that will take place on March 20th. The students are continuing to expand their writing skills and have examined long compositions from earlier years. They have learned the scoring system and will practice writing from a writing prompt. Soon, the entire fourth grade will have a practice writing prompt so that the children will know what to expect on that day. As readers, they are continuing to enjoy our classroom library and are choosing books for independent reading. We have finished our third round of Literature Circles. They really love their meetings! They are beginning to make important connections to what they read: text to text, text to world, or text to self. Your child should be able to explain this to you. We have also been working on a unit of poetry. Ask your child about stanzas, verses, meter, rhyme, rhythm, free verse, poet's purpose, mood, figurative language, and theme. These are all terms that your child should be able to explain and use to analyze a poem.

We have finishd unit on geometry. Students learned to measure and estimate using many different units of measurement. They studied perimeter and area and learned to deconstruct shapes to find the area of polygons. Now, we have turned our attention to addition and subtraction. Many students would benefit from additional practice at home with multiplication facts. You can click on the math link on my homepage and follow the link to factdash.

Have a wonderful Valentines' Day! Let me know through e-mail, by phone, or a note if there is anything I can do to help make this a good year for your child. Thank-you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Malone