February-March Fourth Grade News

     It’s hard to believe it, but fourth quarter is already here! Teachers and students have been working hard to prepare students for the upcoming end of grade level state assessments. The fourth grade class has been reading in their basal series learning a variety of reading strategies. Some of these include making inferences, compare and contrast, vocabulary, and sequence of events. In English they have learned all about nouns, verbs, adjectives, and pronouns. In addition to grammar, they’ve been writing in a variety of styles using the four-square approach.

     Math has been a constant as well throughout the year. Number sense, algebraic thinking, geometric concepts, and measurement have been a few of the items taught.  The fourth grade class had a chance to put these skills to good use with the monthly math club sponsored by Mrs. Moody. The final meeting was held in January, and students were able to “cash in” their accumulated money for prizes.

     The fourth grade teachers have also been rotating for science this quarter. Mrs. Moody has been teaching animal adaptations, Mrs. Klein covered matter, force, and motion, and Mr. Bosley introduced geology. These units lasted four weeks, and each teacher taught his/her material to the fourth grade through individual rotations. All of this hard work is in prepares students for more difficult  concepts next year and for the April communication arts and math assessments.

     Fourth grade hasn’t been all hard work and no play. Students have been enjoying the monthly pop & plays through Electronic Bookshelf. If they’ve acquired twelve points in a single month, they receive an extra recess and a pop. The EB Bash will be coming up in May so students must earn eighty points to attend the bash at Power Play in Shawnee, KS. In addition to the bash in May, students will be attending their yearly field trip to Science City at Union Station. Fourth quarter will definitely be a busy time for students and teachers, but they’re up for the challenge!