The Weekly Update #5
September 12th, 2026
Weekly Update
Dear Families,
This week felt good to have a little more routine, even though we still had a few schedule changes. The kids seem to be getting back into school.
Please help NRE with your Fun Run donation:
Homework:
Reading: Packets are given every Friday and due the following Friday.
Independent Reading: Students should read at least 10-20 minutes an evening or 60 minutes a week. The kids have selected books from the library. Reading together or having your child read aloud to you is still a really great practice in 4th grade. Student reading logs are due every Friday.
Math: Math practice is typically given 3-4 times a week, and is due the next day. If a student is late or forgets the homework, please encourage him/her to turn it in. I DO accept late work.
A HUGE THANK YOU to our PTO! On October 22nd students will get to view live animals and learn about their adaptations and habitat. Even though PTO has paid for the program parents MUST still give permission on My School Bucks to participate. So please click on the provided link to sign your child up: Nature Educators Animal Program
Here is a brief look at our learning targets and what we did this past week:
Learning Targets:
I can read fluently and comprehend nonfiction texts.
I can sequence a story and understand sequence nonfiction text structures.
I can write in complete sentences consistently.
I can accurately add, subtract, multiply and apply place value.
I can learn about map grids and how to use a map index.
I can learn and understand about our changing Earth and how humans respond to it.
I can learn and understand about plate tectonics and its effect on Earth.
Social Skills: Students learned more about our brains, its parts, and how they work. This week we focused on neurons. We learned that through practice we can build and strengthen our brain.
We also learned about active listening, courage, kindness, and respect.
Reading: This week we continued with "Scholastic News" practicing our nonfiction reading, use of text features. and the nonfiction reading strategy called SQ3R (Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review). This is a great way to help kids understand, remember, and use nonfiction reading information more effectively.
We also focused on sequencing this week. We discussed strategies to sequence a text. We practiced these strategies with nonfiction and fiction texts. We learned about key time phrases and text features like timelines. We will continue to build on these skills next week.
Writing: We continued to learn about written responses to questions and how to construct sentences. We focused on sentence structures and types of sentences. We are also working on constructing paragraph reading responses that are organized.
Math: Students worked on addition and subtraction skills. In fourth grade, we work on these skills with much larger numbers. Students learned how to use rounding and estimation to check their work and determine whether or not our answers were reasonable.
Here are some ways you can help your child in math at home:
1. Have your child count and use money.
2. Have your child use an analog clock at home.
3. Have your child practice multiplication facts.
4. Encourage consistent homework completion.
Social Studies: Students worked on using a coordinate map grid. We worked to find 20 different cities in Colorado using a map index and a map grid. The kids had a lot of fun doing this with one another.
This week we also discussed the Meeker Classic Sheepdog Trials. This is a yearly event in Meeker, Colorado. We are hosting this competition this weekend. Colorado ranks 3rd in the nation for overall sheep ranching. At the Meeker Classic, border collie dogs compete to herd sheep through an obstacle course. I showed the kids a quick video of this and encouraged them to take a look at this, this weekend. Here is a link to the live stream if you are interested in this Colorado event. I love this event and watch it every year! Meeker Classic Sheepdog Trials
Science: We introduced the concept of plate tectonics this week. We did a model of different plate movements with graham crackers and marshmallow cream. The kids had a lot of fun with this! We will complete our lab report next week and continue to do more with this concept next week.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and enjoy our beautiful state!
Best wishes,
Hope Crawley
Reminders:
September 18 - Fun Run Prize Day
September 21 - Professional Development Day/ No School
September 23 - SAC Meeting
September 25 - Multicultural Night
September 28 - October 02 - Book Fair