Fabulous Fourth Grade

Math-Next week in math we will begin learning strategies to multiply 2-digit by 2-digit factors.

Science-For the next 2 weeks, we will be writing a 4 paragraph explanatory essay on Keystone species.

Social Studies- We are finishing up our unit on European Exploration. We will finish up learning about the interactions between they Europeans and the indigenous peoples and we will learn about the Transatlantic Trade. Thursday we will do a culminating activity in replace of a test.

Reading-Unit 1: Student will learn about the return of wolves in Yellowstone and the role of keystone species in an ecosystem. In this unit, students will learn how to explain ideas in a scientific text and how to summarize a text. Students will use language to explain how keystone species affect ecosystems and inform others by describing cause and effect relationships and sequencing events.

MAP testing dates have been set. 4th grade will test on Thursday, May 6th-Tuesday, May12th. Testing is usually complete by lunch time. It would be a big help if you could look ahead, mark your calendars, and make sure there are no doctor, dentist, ortho, etc appointments in the AM of that week. If you do, please consider rescheduling for the afternoon or another week as students will have to be pulled to make up the sessions they missed. Also, students who come to school late will not be able to come to the classroom until their class is done testing that day, which will also cause the student to have to be pulled for makeup testing.

We highly encourage students to be at school these days to help with limiting make up tests. However, if you know your child will miss one or more of these days and it cannot be avoided, please let us know in advance. Archery Nationals are this same week and sometimes cause a conflict for our students. Students can be pulled the week prior to testing to help with make up testing scheduling. The week following testing has many fun events that we don't want your child to miss out on.

Thanks for your help!

Papers in the colored class folders should stay in those folders. This is where we keep papers that we are still working on or may need for reference throughout the unit. The only folder that papers can be taken out at home are the papers in the Take Home Folder. We are working really hard with your children on putting papers in the correct folders and not shoving them in the backpacks.

Please check with your children regarding their computer mice. The following things have been observed this week:

*batteries from last year no longer work - no new batteries sent in

*The dongle is missing that plugs into the computer

It would be great if you could see if your child has a working mouse. Students can store extra batteries in their lockers.

Students are able to have a snack each day. We ask that they are healthy, not candy, and not messy. Oranges are a great snack, but if your child would like one for snack, we ask that it is pre-peeled and in a ziplock bag. Students are able to eat their snack at 9:30 each morning.

This year, water needs to be in sealed containers. Rule of thumb, if it can fall onto the floor and spill, it isn't school appropriate. If it falls and nothing spills, you are good to go. We are hoping to cut down on the amount of water spills this year. Thank you for your help with this.

Reminder to put names on water bottles. With students switching classes, they get left behind a lot. Lost and found usually has many water bottles, so adding names assures it gets back to its rightful owner.

We love birthdays and celebrating your children! If you would like to send in treats to celebrate your child:

*Please contact us to let us know you will be sending something in so we can schedule around it.

*If you want to send in a Cookie cake, it must come in pre-cut. Plastic knives aren't the best at cutting some of them and it is really hard to make equal size pieces, which is hard for kids in regards to fairness.

We appreciate your understanding with this.

We also realize that families take vacations during the school year. We are of the mindset, take the trip while you can! However, it is hard to say for sure what your child will miss. We have plans made, but sometimes we alter those plans or plans need to be moved to the next day to give more time. If students are not grasping a concept, we will spend another day on it that we didn't plan for initially. For these reasons, we would suggest to check Google Classroom for those assignments. We will also work with your child on what they missed when they return. However, please let us know about any planned vacations so we are aware your child will be out.

Teachers have had a few reach out wanting our class wishlists. We do update these periodically. If you would like to take a look, we would greatly appreciate it. Thanks

November

November 6 ~ Volleyball for Veterans

November 25-27 ~ Thanksgiving Break

Mrs. Dixon ~ Science ~ hdixon@blairoaks.org

Mrs. Luebbert ~ Social Studies ~ kluebbert@blairoaks.org

Mrs. Weider ~ Math ~ jweider@blairoaks.org

Website: www.blairoaks.k12.mo.us
Location: 6124 Falcon Lane, Jefferson City, MO, USA
Phone: (573)634-2808