Our Teachers

2018-2019

PS 230 4th Grade Team

Front Row (L to R) - Mrs. Grant, Ms. Kim, Mr. Kelly, Ms. Shed, Ms. Lauro, Ms. Pikman, Ms. Birshtein,  Ms. Litsakis 

click on a teacher's name to view profile

 

 Quote of the Month:

"I am not what happened to me.  I am what I choose to become."

- Carl Jung

 

Student of the month characteristics for JANUARY:
Resilience - the ability to become strong, healthy or successful again after something bad happens

      One students from each class that successfully models the below will be chosen for student of the month for January:

  • Student understands the value of honesty and truth.
  • Student can respond adaptively to adversity.
  • Student can self-regulate his/ her emotions.

 

 4th Grade Archives

 4th Grade News - October 2018

4th Grade News - November 2018

Monthly Newsletter

4th Grade News - January 2019

What are we learning this month?

In Reading …
     Students will be reading Historical Nonfiction for informational purposes through the social studies curriculum.  Students will continue learning about text structures and enhance their note-taking strategies for nonfiction reading, while also learning about the specific skills needed for historical nonfiction reading.  This work will support them in their Colonial American study.

     As students are reading at home, please encourage them to think about the cause and effect or chronology structures.  Students should focus on making connections between events in history.

In Writing…
     We are continuing to work on our persuasive essays.  Students  will read articles on various controversial topics and be asked to take a stance.  Students will then write an opinion essay identifying a thesis statement, and at least three reasons to support their claim.  Each reason must include evidence from the articles to support their opinions.  4th graders are using graphic organizers to help plan out their essays.  Students are being taught that persuasive essays are written using the following format:  a strong introduction, body paragraphs, and a
conclusion. 

     You can help your child at home by talking to them about their topic and taking them to the library to do some research.  In addition, you can have some discussions or debates about any topic at home. Encourage your children to use transition words such as, “My first reason…, for example, in fact… and in conclusion….” to discuss their opinions.

STEM - Math

In Math…    

     4th graders will  learn about fractions.  Students will learn to draw diagrams to represent several different types of fractions.  Students will then learn to identify equivalent fractions and explain how they are equivalent by drawing diagrams.  Students will be responsible for decomposing a fraction into a sum of fractions with the same denominator in more than one way.  For example students will be able to represent that 3/8 = 1/8 + 1/8 + 1/8 ; 3/8 = 1/8 + 2/8 ; 2 1/8 = 1 + 1 + 1/8 = 8/8 + 8/8 + 1/8.

    Students will then go on to measure and classify shapes:2D,geometry and measurement.  Students will be learning about measurement tools, US Standard and Metric units.  Students will learn how to convert measurements using inches, feet, yards, millimeters, centimeters, & meters.  They will practice measuring with rulers and meter sticks while also finding area and perimeter based on measurements given to them.

STEM - Science

In Science…

     The 4th grade scientists have completed Unit 1—Food Chains & Webs & have taken their Unit 1 assessment.  Please make sure you sign & return the assessment after you review it with your child. We are exploring Magnetism & Electricity, which is our Unit 2 study.  We will investigate magnets, build electric circuits powered by D-cells (flashlight batteries), & explore electro-magnetism. I will stress safety in our study of magnetism & electricity.  
     At home, please review safety rules for magnetism and electricity as well.

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

We are looking forward to many weeks of exciting investigations!

STEM - Technology

In Technology...    

     During the month of January, 4th graders will begin a unit on Research.  Students will choose a topic related to the American Revolution that they want to learn more about.  By the end of the month students will develop research questions and start to seek answers using reliable sources.

     Students are welcome to do additional research on their topic at home and bring in their findings!

     Math websites that help practice what we are teaching:

www.firstinmath.com

https://xtramath.org/#/home/index

     Reading websites:  

myon.com

     Useful websites for Social Studies:

www.pbskids.org

www.history.org

www.mrnussbaum.com

Schoolhouse Rock videos on YouTube

Things to Keep in Mind

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...

     The fourth graders will be studying Colonial America.  Students will be comparing and contrasting life in the New England, Mid-Atlantic, and Southern Colonies.  We will discuss the physical geography, social life, and economics.  Students will also learn how different groups of people experienced life in colonial America.  Any projects will be done by individual classes.

In Art…

     4th grade artist are finishing up their 3 page pop-up book. They've learned how to create three different pop-ups. By putting their pages together they will create a short story.

In Gym…

     Students will continue learning and practicing Skills of Soccer such as Sportsmanship, Positioning, Goalkeeping, Passing, and Foot/Eye Coordination.  Students will also learn and practice Etiquette, Rules, & Skills for the Soccer Field.

Upcoming Dates & Important Events

January 2019

 

1/2

Back to School!  Happy New Year!

1/10

BCT Performance 6:00 pm

1/21

No School

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

1/7 - 1/22

PTA Read-a-Thon