4th Grade MP3 Campus
Monthly Progress
Monthly Progress
Math
Activities: We are off to a great start in math. We spent our first few days of class getting to know each other a bit and brainstorming goals and expectations for a successful year as mathematicians. We spent our second week completing the math portion of the iReady fall diagnostic so that students have a resource to focus on skills that might be needing some extra practice. Then we turned our focus to visual representations of numbers and the patterns that are evident. We broke down the numbers from 1-35 and looked for repeated shapes as well as other patterns that jumped out at us. One big idea that we noticed was prime versus composite since all of the prime numbers were a single layer circle made of smaller circles while the composite numbers were made of the factors (for example 12 was squares of four circles arranged in a triangular shape). This vocabulary was introduced but more importantly students started to apply it to the next task which was playing a Connect 4 type game where they had to find numbers that each factor would fit into using the visual cards.
Teacher Tip: Fact fluency plays a big role in mathematical success. You may want to note if there are any addition and subtraction as well as multiplication and division fact families your student still needs to work on. As a fourth grader they are expected to be fluent with basic facts for all 4 operations. We recently completed a five-minute timing for multiplication facts, ask your student how they felt and how many problems they were able to complete.
Teacher Info: Mrs. Kurashige, skurashige@meridian.wednet.edu
Writing
Topics: class routines, getting to know each other, draft book rules, story topics, story writing, dictation, iReady assessment
Activities: We are off to a great start in Writers Workshop. We are getting to know each other and are learning our classroom routines through an art activity, games, and even a fun pop quiz! We jumped into our narrative writing unit, discussed where good story ideas come from (using Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney as a mentor text), and we each created a list of possible story topics. Then we reviewed the characteristics of a narrative. We also took time to take the Reading portion of the iReady Assessment.
Teacher Tips:
1.) How is your student’s handwriting? If their handwriting is hard to read, now is a great time to build in daily handwriting practice. Even 10 minutes a day can help your child become a more comfortable and confident writer! If you need a handwriting practice resource, please reach out to your SLPC. If your student has mastered handwriting, please know I am sending out a recommended typing resource next month! However, you can definitely email me if you can’t wait until next month! :)
2.) Now that we have wrapped up the iReady Assessment, it is a great time to try the iReady Instructional Activities. These lessons are fun and interactive to keep your student engaged as they learn. iReady recommends engaging in personalized learning activities about 3 times per week for approximately 15 minutes. Your student can access the personalized instruction through the waffle just like they did to take the iReady assessment.
Teacher Info: Mrs. Giesen, jgiesen@meridian.wednet.edu
Reading
Topics: routines, getting acquainted, Meridian mindsets, primary documents, reading for information, listening for details
Activities: Week 1 began with get-to-know-you games and a review of classroom routines. After discussing the four Meridian Mindsets—open-mindedness, caring, courage, and trustworthiness—students reflected on their own strengths and chose one mindset to focus on developing throughout the year. (If you did not receive an email with your child’s responses, please let me know.) With an emphasis on mechanics of writing, we are using the first 5-10 minutes of class to focus on making capitalization, punctuation, word usage and spelling corrections to three sentences printed in their daily oral language booklets. When students come in the morning, they immediately set themselves to work. After taking attendance and saying the pledge, we go over them together. It's been an excellent quick way to practice these skills together.
Our launch into reading began by integrating reading and listening skills with our social studies study of the Constitution, in conjunction with Constitution Day on September 17. Along with nearly 50,000 students from 47 states, Washington, D.C., and U.S. military bases in England, Japan, and Guam, we participated in the 2026 Nationwide Constitution Day Mock Trial! The event gave students an opportunity to learn more about the three branches of government, with a special focus on the judicial system. They also learned about the Constitution, why it was written, and how our system of government works. After listening to evidence presented by a defense attorney and prosecuting attorney, students served as the jury in a case involving a third grader accused of running in the hallway during school hours. After considering the evidence, the student was found innocent!
We concluded our month with the reading of Shhh . . . We’re Writing the Constitution and a Constitution-themed escape room challenge. Students read informational articles, answered questions, and solved puzzles about the Constitution, its beginnings, and its importance. It was a fun way to bring together reading, listening, critical thinking, and social studies while deepening their understanding of this important document. The integration of social studies made this a different kind of start to the year but we will move to a novel study next.
Teacher Tip: The POWER of 20 minutes! Reading just 20 minutes a day helps kids grow vocabulary, strengthen comprehension and build confidence. This can be independent reading, reading aloud to a parent or sibling, listening to an audiobook or sharing a story together. Making reading a daily habit helps kids learn and enjoy books!
Teacher Info: Mrs. Elgersma, gelgersma@meridian.wednet.edu
Science
Topics: Routines and expectations, character traits of a great scientist and a great teammate, What is Energy?, the observable effects of energy release and energy changing forms
Activities: Students began the year considering what makes a great scientist and set an intention to develop one of those qualities in themselves. As we learned our classroom routines, we especially focused on how we are safe, respectful and responsible with our materials and as teammates in exploration and discovery. We looked at 6 examples of energy changing form and the resultant, observable action or effect; turning on a flashlight, powering a motor with a solar cell or a battery, turning on a tone generator, rubbing our hands together and burning a candle. You can look at your student’s digital science journal through Google Classroom to see a summary of their findings. We have considered how important clear communication is in the scientific process through use of students’ paper science notebooks in class and their digital science journals. Students are learning to use Google Slides, through which they are also working on keyboarding and correct use of punctuation and capitalization.
Reflection Questions: Look around your home to find examples of different forms of energy and how their release, or use, causes something to happen (an observable effect or action).
Teacher Info: Ms. Beaudin, ebeaudin@meridian.wednet.edu
Robotics and Engineering
Topics: Working with a partner, careers in robotics, barcode programming
Activities: Fourth-grade students are learning about careers as robotics technicians and engineers, as well as the many places robots work, including homes, hospitals, factories, and space. Students shared with the class what kind of robot they would build and a robot that cleans their room was a popular choice! They reviewed the parts of Edison robots, including the sensors, and used barcode programming to practice clap-controlled driving, avoiding obstacles, driving in a line, following a torch, and bouncing within borders. Students also explored how infrared light helps robot sensors detect objects. Students were given tape to construct a zigzag path. They discovered that Edison would continue moving if their zigzag was connected to a line or another shape. They are working collaboratively by taking turns, sharing ideas, and solving problems with a partner.
Reflection Questions: What kind of robot would you like to build? Why? How could a robot help in your school?
Teacher Info: Mrs. Graham, bngraham@meridian.wednet.edu