Dear Families,

I hope this finds you all well! 

In class, we have been working on the following:

• Reading:  We have been working on choosing “just right” books for independent reading and discussing the qualities of “just right” books. Research shows the importance of reading books on the appropriate level. Books that are too hard do not give students the same benefits as “just right” and “easy” books. We have been consuming narrative texts. While reading these stories together, we have been tracking our thoughts and sharing them as we read.  We have also been consuming essays and debating some of the topics from the essays that we have read.
• Writing: We have been working on writing Stories From My Life (SFML), which are short, autobiographical stories. Students are working to make sure that their stories stay on topic and follow the story arc. 

·         Math:  We are finishing up working on estimation, factors, and multiples. We will be working on two by two digit multiplication and long division for the next few weeks. Please make sure your child is practicing their multiplication and division math facts nightly. It is so important for them to know these.

• Social Studies:  We are finishing regions and will learn the symbols of Texas. After concluding regions and symbols, we will move on to Native American tribes present in early Texas.

·         Science: We are finishing up the matter unit and will start energy   

           and forces next week. This year our new program called, Stemscopes, allows    

           students to watch videos, play games, and read about science topics. Check out 

           http://bit.ly/sbisdsci. Your child has his/her password in their agendas. Please   

           feel free to go on the site and look at posted assignments.

Reminders: 

21  End of 1^st 9 weeks

21  4^th Grade Field Trip-Taste of Texas

23  Early Dismissal-Parent Conferences

24  Early Dismissal-Parent Conferences

25  Carnival

27  Report cards go home that were not picked up at conference

   29  Boosterthon Pep Rally

31   Provine Retake/Make-up

Thanks so much,

Fourth Grade Teachers

Frostwood Arrival and Dismissal Times

Arrival- no earlier than 7:40

If your student is involved in a before school activity such as Green Tigers, Chess Club, TAPS, Patrols or has an appointment with a teacher for tutorials the student may be arriving as early as 7:00am.  This early arrival location happens only at the front door on Memorial.

Bus

Car Rider – at the front door facing Memorial.  Cars must drive, waiting in a queue until you pull up to the marked drop off area.

Gessner- Daycare buses and 1 daycare car, bike riders, walkers, and parent walk up.  There are 6 cars that are the Auction purchased “First In Line” families.  This location also accommodates our special needs student arrival.  Parent walk up from the neighborhood or parent’s car parked in an appropriate parking place.

Plantation- bike riders, walkers and parent walk up from the neighborhood or parent’s car parked in an appropriate parking place.

Dismissal- begins no earlier than 3:00

1.      Bus

2.       Car Rider – at the front door facing Memorial.  Cars must drive, waiting in a queue until you pull up to one of the marked pickup zones.

3.      Gessner – Daycare buses and 1 daycare car; bike riders, walkers, and parent walk up.  There are 6 cars that are the “First In Line” cars. (These are purchased privileges through the annual auction.) The last category is Special Needs students parent pickup.

4.      Plantation- bike riders, walkers and parent walk up from the neighborhood or parent’s car is parked in an appropriate parking place.

(Hint to those student walkers and bike riders living northwest of Gessner:  Students walking or riding without parents should cross Gessner at Beauregard with Mrs. Evelyn, continuing up Beauregard to Plantation, turning towards the school.  They will park bikes in the Plantation Racks and enter the Building at the Plantation Door closes to Memorial.  There is a staff member stationed to begin opening the door at 7:40 until 8:00.  In the afternoon they will go to this same Plantation Door for dismissal monitored by staff.

Dear Families,  

              We have had a great start to the new school year!  In class, we have been very busy in all subjects. Here is an update to keep you informed of what your child has been learning in 4^th grade.

·         Reading: We are working on reading strategies, “tracking our thinking” when reading, summaries vs. retellings, as well as “actively reading.” DRA testing will begin soon.

·         Writing: We are working on pre-writing, story mapping, author’s purpose, genre, questioning strategies, and writer’s audience. We have created a topics list of ideas that we are interested in and will begin creating pieces of writing using our feelings and past experiences.

·         Math: We have been working on place value, charts, patterns, problem solving, math facts, number lines, odd/even numbers, comparing and ordering numbers and rounding.

·         Social Studies: We will begin learning about our great state of Texas with a focus on the four main regions. We will study resources, animals, landmarks, major cities and rivers.

·         Science: We have been working on the Scientific Investigating and Reasoning Skills. WE are currently studying the unit on Matter and Energy.   Science Matters!!

Important Dates:

September 17^th: 4^th Grade Curriculum Night

September 19:  1^st nine weeks progress reports go home

September 22: Author visit and book fair begins

September 24:  Individual Picture Day

September 24: Book Fair Family Night

September 25: Donuts with Dads

Thank you for all of your support.   We are looking forward to a fun and exciting year!                                                                                                                                    

Sincerely,

The Fourth Grade Teachers

Thinking about Math!

Light Energy

Creating in math!

Battle Red! I love my class!

Heat Transfer from MIT

Heat Transfer

Circuits

How Circuits Work!

May Newsletter

Dear Families,

We hope that this finds you all well!  In class, we will be working on the following:

·       Reading:  We will conduct DRA testing to assess your child’s end-of-year independent reading level. For the remainder of the school year, we will continue to read novels and Time for Kids to strengthen the students’ comprehension skills.

• Writing:  Students will focus on reading and critiquing narratives and essays using class-generated criteria charts.

·       Math:  We recently completed a review of all of the concepts that were introduced throughout 4^th grade to prepare for the STAAR test. We will continue to review over concepts from the school year. A preview of some fifth grade math skills will be taught as well! We will complete a few fun projects that will have the students use different math skills.

·       Science:  Our fourth grade scientists just finished learning about mixtures and solutions- how to separate them and how scientists incorporate this information every day in their labs. We also learned about the four major forms of energy. Ask your child about the center of gravity games we played! They were real balancing acts!  Until the end of the year, we will concentrate on electricity: how it travels and makes different types of circuits. Finally, we will investigate ecosystems and their importance in our ever-changing world! GO GREEN!

·       Social Studies:  We will learn about the Republic of Texas and Texas becoming a state. We will evaluate the reasons why some Texans wanted to remain an independent nation versus Texans who wanted to join the U.S. Students will be responsible for learning the locations of 40 of the 50 United States and labeling them on a map. 

Reminders

·       May 3: International Festival

·       May 20: 4^th grade Portfolio Share- 8:15-9:00 am

·       May 23: Field Day

·       May 26: Memorial Day- school holiday

·       June 5: Last day of school-early dismissal

April Newsletter

Dear Families,

Spring is officially here!  In class, we have been working on the following:

• Reading: Students continue to read for deeper meaning during independent reading and in book clubs.  We will be working on STAAR objectives and strategies for tackling Reading STAAR questions.
• Writing:  Students have been writing stories from their lives and essays. 
• Math:  We recently completed units on geometry and probability.  We are currently reviewing all of the concepts that have been introduced throughout the year in order to prepare for the upcoming STAAR test.  Please help your child by reminding them to show his/her work and use strategies on the math homework. 

·       Science:  Our fourth grade scientists just finished learning about mixtures and solutions- how to separate them and how scientists incorporate this information every day in their labs. We also learned about the four major forms of energy. Ask your child about the center of gravity games we played! They were real balancing acts!  Until the end of the year, we will concentrate on electricity: how it travels and makes different types of circuits. Finally, we will investigate ecosystems and their importance in our ever-changing world! GO GREEN!

• Social Studies: After finishing the Texas Revolution, we will learn about the Republic of Texas and Texas becoming a state.  We will also be evaluating the reasons that some Texans wanted to remain an independent nation versus Texans who wanted to join the U.S.

Reminders: 

• April 11^th: Ride, Bike or Scoot to school
• April 14^th & 15^th: Talk with Mrs. Musgrove during Health Fitness
• April 16^th: Earth Day Parade
• April 18^th: HOLIDAY

• April 22^nd: 4^th Grade Math STAAR Test
• April 23^rd: 4^th Grade Reading STAAR Test
• April 28^th – 30^th : GREAT with Officer Miller
• April 29^th: International Day Parade

·       April 30^th: Progress Reports go home

·       May 3^rd: Running for the Arts

·       May 3^rd: International Festival

Thanks so much,

4th Grade Teachers

Types of Erosion

Can you figure out the different types of erosion that are happening in our science lab today? 

Why is erosion important to us?

Studying Potential and Kinetic Energy

Which ball will produce the most potential energy?

Jack Matters!

Jack's Matter Prezi

Matter by Clara

Matter by Clara

Matter

Matter Prezi

Thank You Thames Family!!!

Thank you Thames family for  donating Einstein's new home! Now he does not want to come out of it!!He is such a proud owner!!

Conductors and Insulators

 Click on the link below to see what materials make the best conductors! Have fun! :)
Conductors and Insulators

Red Wiggler Worms

 Mrs. Wheeler, a teacher from Alexander Smith Academy spoke to our fourth graders about red wiggler worms, composting and how they enrich our soil!  Earlier that morning, she spoke to out Green Tigers!                                                 Thank you for coming to Frostwood  Mrs. Wheeler! :)

                                                    Worm castings! They make the  compost rich!

                                             Worms love worm tea!! :)

    
                                                  Mrs. Wheeler grinds her leftovers to make worm food.

                                She puts shredded paper to put in her worm world  for bedding,!
                                                                                                    Hannah

                                              A red wiggler!  It feels very slimy and gross.
                                                          Wells

                                                   They feel like a mini massage on your hand.
                                                                                          Dakota

                                                 Baby red wigglers! Be gentle with them!

Erosion

Building our Worm World

This week in class we studied about soil and worms.Did you know that worms can turn rotten leaves into soil?
Worms also mix around soil so it can breath to keep plants healthy!
By:Renee

I got soil and worms from my backyard and because of that,  I got to put the worms in and see them move around!!!   -Thomas

More Pictures From George Ranch