In Math…    

     The 4th graders will begin the measurement and geometry unit.  We will be learning about measurement tools, U.S. Standard and Metric units, as well as converting measurements using inches, feet, yards, millimeters, centimeters, and meters.  Students will practice measuring with rulers and meter sticks while also finding area and perimeter based on measurements given to them.

     4th graders will also learn rules and patterns of polygons, including lines and angles.  With this information, students will classify and sort shapes based on their attributes.  Some of the shapes students will work with are triangles, quadrilaterals and parallelograms.  Students will learn the difference between acute, obtuse, and right angles, and parallel and perpendicular lines.

In Science…

     The fourth grade scientists will continue to explore magnetism and electricity.  We will be making electrical testers, which will help us sort objects made of various materials.  These electrical testers will allow the students to classify objects into conductors (materials that allow the flow of electricity) and insulators (materials that do not allow the flow of electricity).  Looking ahead, we will be combining electricity and magnetism to make our own electromagnets.

     At home, many students may want to try some of the activities we have done in class, but you may want to review your home safety rules for electricity and magnetism as we do in class:

• Never put any object other than a certified plug into wall sockets or outlets.
• Do not open the case of an electrical appliance that is plugged in.
• Do not bring magnets near computers, videotapes, cell phones, or audio recordings.

In Technology...    

     During the month of March, 4th graders will continue a Research unit on the American Revolution.  Thus far, students have chosen their research topic as well as learned about how to identify reliable Internet sources. 

     Within the next month, students will begin to learn about plagiarism.  They will learn how to; use their reliable sources to gather information about their research topic, put the newly learned information in their own words, and give their sources credit.

     Students should continue to practice their typing skills at home using their Keyboarding Without Tears account.  By the end of the year, students should be typing 15-20 words/minute.

Questions to Ask Your Child While Reading:

• What are the big ideas in your reading?
• Can you identify the main idea?
• Is there anything new you learned?
• What kind of nonfiction text structures are you seeing in your books?
• What do you already know about the topic of the book?
• What connections can you make between your books, or personal experiences?
• How can we use pictures and captions to help us understand the meaning of the text?

Practice at Home:

• Read every night for at least 40 minutes.
• Read nonfiction books.
• Practice multiplication facts every night.
• Read out loud for 10 minutes.
• Do some exercise.
• Eat a healthy dinner
• Get lots of sleep.
• Do your homework.

In Social Studies...

     We will be continue learning about Colonial America.  In this unit, students will read stories from the Colonial time period and compare and contrast lifestyles and types of daily life activities in the New England, Mid-Atlantic, and Southern colonies.  We will discuss the physical geography, social life, and economics.  Students will also study how different groups of people experienced life in colonial America.  Any projects will be done by individual classes.

In Art…

     In March, fourth grade artists will practice making a person in a movement pose.  They will practice with modeling clay using coils and balls.  Their final assignment will be remaking the person out of air-dry clay and painting it.

In Gym…

     Kickball Unit - Beginning the basic skills of kickball utilizing the gross motor skill of running and agility during running the bases.

March 2019

March 9, 16, 23 & 30

ELA Saturday Test Prep

March 14

Parent Teacher Conferences

Half-Day:  Dismissal at 11: 40 am

April 2 & 3

NYS ELA Exam