1. For the week of September 26th, 2016
Newsletter
Fourth Grade
For the week of September 26th, 2016
Iowa Testing: Monday, September 26-Thursday, September 29
Our learners will take the IOWA Standardized Test beginning on Monday. Testing begins at 8:00 AM each morning. Please be sure your learner is in class by 7:50 a.m. Once testing begins, learners can only enter the room during “stretch breaks”. If your learner misses a section due to tardiness, there will be limited opportunity for a makeup session. If your learner misses more than two sessions of testing, we may not be able to offer make-up sessions. Please make sure your learner gets a restful sleep and a nutritious breakfast. We also ask that learners bring 1-2 chapter books to read between testing sessions.
Did you know that peppermint is believed to increase cognitive function and stimulate the brain? We will provide learners with a breath mint before testing each day this week. Please let us know if your child cannot receive one.
From Music Instructor Mrs. Goodwin
Learners were introduced to a study of music theory beginning with music notation and time signature, and have received a copy of their instrument primer: It’s Recorder Time. We also continued review of instrument families through discussion, worksheets, and a team activity to hone their listening skills.
This coming week 4th grade will start instruction on the recorder. All learners need a soprano recorder, which can be purchased at Amazon.com or Westmusic.com. For more information, subscribe to 4th Grade Music on stedschool.org.
Lift of to Literacy
Learners are invited to read 60 additional books at home! Learners record books on the reading log sent home last week, and participants with a completed reading log are entered in a raffle for a basket of books; classes with 100% participation earn a popsicle party! Click
Upcoming Events
Sept
Iowa Assessments- all learners bring a chapter book to read
Friday, September 30
August/September birthday celebration
Sacramento Trip Registration due to World Strides. Need program envelope? stedschool.org
Wednesday, Oct. 5
Jeans for Jesus
Friday, Oct. 7
Minimum Day-11:50
Friday, Oct. 14
Family Movie Night
“Zootopia”. For more information, visit

2. Religion/SS: Sandland
ELA: Silva
STEM: Driscoll
Religion
Thank you parents for signing up for your child’s Saint Presentations in October. There’s still a few unfilled slots, so please let me know if you didn’t receive a Sign-Up Genius invitation, and I will be happy to resend it. I am really hoping your child is inspired and encouraged by their saint’s life, and I look forward to seeing their presentations!
This past week, the children really enjoyed designing prayer spaces in their homes, and many came back telling me how they had already arranged their prayer space- check out the photos on the last page!
This coming week, learners continue to explore God’s loving Plan for all humans by learning about their own beautiful nature- with a body, emotions, an intellect, will and an eternal soul! They will also learn more about the Divine Nature of God- His perfect Goodness, Wisdom, Might, and Love! What great news for us His children!! (Due to IOWA testing, there will be no test this week.)
Reading
Last week learners were introduced to the structures, routines and habits of a highly effective reading workshop. We talked about being “active listeners” and having “plugged-in” body language. We used the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears as inspiration for choosing a “Just Right Book.”
We explored the theme of friendship and kindness with the anchor texts, Enemy Pie and Chrysanthemum. Together we created paper hearts and learned that a crumbled and torn heart cannot be easily mended.
Learners are continuing to make huge strides in fluency. Ask them to share their celebrations. They’re so proud and ready to be challenged.
Math
Last week we focused on adding and subtracting multi digit numbers in chapter 1. Learners had the opportunity to not only answer the problems using the standard algorithms, but to also explain their answers and the regrouping process using place value. The learners are getting very comfortable using math terminology to explain the intricacies of the algorithms they are utilizing!
This week will be a review week for the learners to prepare to the chapter 1 math assessment. Learners will have many opportunities to apply the math concepts they have learned from chapter 1.
**The chapter 1 assessment will be on Wednesday, October 4. The date was changed due to ITBS testing this week.
Simple Solutions:
Lesson 9- Wed. Sept, 28
There is no quiz this week due to ITBS testing.

3. Religion/SS ELA STEM Religion (continued)
In light of recent incidents of aggression and exclusion at school, we will apply this week’s knowledge of our human dignity in a lesson on the rights and dignity of each person, and how we can treat each person with respect by our words and actions. We encourage you parents to discuss with your child ways to solve problems that protect each person’s respect.
Social Studies
Learners loved discovering the wonders of California, whether its two volcanos, highest waterfall in North America or the tallest mountain peak in the continental U.S.! Thank you to all those who’ve sent in photos- the learners love sharing their stories of visiting various parts of California- we’ll share more photos this coming week! We’ll also learn about one of the most attractive aspects of California- its weather, climate and vegetation!
Learners will take notes on the lessons to practice the skill of summarizing, and main idea and detail. These notes will be used to study for their upcoming test.
And, finally, after much anticipation, our classroom library is open. Learners are slowly choosing their books. This week I will begin learner conferences to monitor their choices and help them find that just right book.
Writing
Learners are continuing to examine the nifty fifty words from our first Working With Words unit. By learning how to spell and read these fifty words, they will be able to learn and spell 350 total words! That’s amazing! Last week they stretched their brains and applied their knowledge of prefixes and suffixes by creating their own neologisms (newly coined words). Ask them to share theirs with you or tell you about some neologisms that are now part of our everyday vernacular.
This week we will be brainstorming seeds for writing. Students can still take their notebooks home to decorate. Notebooks should be completed by Friday, Sept. 30 and brought to school each day.
Please keep the photos coming for our Behind Every Great Book bulletin board. It looks awesome!
Science
Last week, learners collaborated to create posters portraying engineering and the engineering design process. The posters are a creative representation of how STEM affects our daily lives! .
This week, we will continue going over the many different forms of technology. Learners will use the engineering design process and technology to look at the ways technology changes over time to solve problems. Learners will complete activities in their STEM interactive notebooks throughout the week.

4. Snapshots
from the week...