4th Grade Class Newsletter
ELA/ALL Block
Module 2: Researching to Build Knowledge and Teach Others
In this eight-week module, students explore animal defense mechanisms. They build proficiency in writing an informative piece, examining the defense mechanisms of one specific animal about which they build expertise. Students also build proficiency in writing a narrative piece about this animal.
In Unit 1, they build background knowledge on general animal defenses through close readings of several informational texts. Students read closely to practice drawing inferences as they begin their research and use a research notebook to make observations and synthesize information. Students will continue to use the research notebook, using the millipede as a whole class model. They begin to research an expert group animal in preparation to write about this animal in Units 2 and 3, again using the research notebook.
In Unit 2, students continue to build expertise about their animal and its defense mechanisms, writing the first part of the final performance task—an informative piece describing their animal’s physical characteristics, habitat, predators, and defense mechanisms. With their new knowledge about animal defenses from Unit 1, students read informational texts closely, using the same research notebook to synthesize information about their animal.
In Unit 3, students apply their research from Units 1 and 2 to write a narrative piece about their animal that incorporates their research. This narrative takes the format of a choose-your-own-adventure. For their performance task, students plan, draft, and revise the introduction and one choice ending of the narrative with the support of both peer and teacher feedback. The second choice ending is planned, written, and revised on demand for the end of unit assessment. This performance task centers on CCSS ELA RI.4.9, W.4.2, W.4.3, W.4.4, W.4.6, W.4.7, W.4.8, and W.4.9b.
Guiding Questions and Big Ideas
How do animals’ bodies and behaviors help them survive?
To protect themselves from predators, animals use different defense mechanisms.
How can writers use knowledge from their research to inform and entertain?
Writers use scientific knowledge and research to inform and entertain.
EL ALL Block:
This year students will receive a 60 min block of reading rotations. The unit overview gives a description of each of the rotations. This week we will focus on learning the protocols of each rotation. The full rotation will not be in effect until Unit 3 of this module.
Social Studies
During the first quarter, students will learn about the three regions of North Carolina and what makes each unique. Students will build on and develop map skills as they learn how to use a map to locate physical attributes of the different regions in North Carolina.
🌗 Science (Qtr 1) 🌗
Over the course of the first quarter, students will be exploring the science standard
ESS.4.1: Understand the causes of day and night and the phases of the moon.
To help us observe and understand these patterns, we will begin a Moon Observation Calendar next week. More details will be included in this week’s Thursday Folder.
Below are extra resources you can view/use at home to support in-class learning.
ReadWorks Article: Sun, Moon & Planets
Moon Phases Passage with Questions & Answers
Thursday Folders
Thursday folders will be sent home each week, please make sure to look through them and return to school on Friday’s.
Computers
Students will be leaving their computers at school this year, unless there is a specific assignment/reason for bringing them home.
Snack
Please pack a small snack and water bottle with your child each day.