Fourth Grade

Wendy Gardiner

     As we approach Spring Break, our fourth grade is full of energy and enthusiasm for what they have already accomplished in this new trimester.  A special dance is being practiced for Grandparents' Day under Mrs. Turner's supervision.  They are learning the choreography very quickly!

     At the conclusion of our Revolutionary War studies, the students had the opportunity to listen to music which was played with instruments of that time period.  They were appreciative of the number one "hit" of the day, "Chester", and enjoyed hearing versions of "Donald MacClean of Lewis", "Johann Has Gone", "Jefferson and Liberty", "The Doubtful Shepherd", and even "Yankee Doodle", which did not become very popular until the Civil War.  This music was their inspiration in writing letters from home or from "the front" during war time.  Each student chose a significant figure that we had studied and included appropriate similes and metaphors in their writing.  Please come to our 4th grade bulletin board in the hallway to see the imaginative results.  Many of the letters have a very emotional element which demonstrates the stress and struggles of family life during the Revolution.

     You may have already heard about our "hovercrafts" which were modeled during science class as a study of forces and different influences on friction.  The students applied the Scientific Method in setting up this "lab" and designed their own "flyers" to test several variables.  The results were quite revealing and challenged the 4th grade to evaluate results and determine a realistic Conclusion.  Their science notebooks should be excellent references in completing Science Projects that will be due Monday, April 16th.

     We have been using multiplication facts more and more as the year progresses, and each of the students knows that it is his/her responsibility to review these facts at home whenever possible.  Occasionally, we have a Minute Math test to check progress, but I have made it very clear that this is a personal achievement and will not be graded or posted in the class room. The children have already recognized that their success in knowing these facts is directly linked to success in daily work and tests.  Please help support your child in this endeavor!

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THINGS TO REMEMBER

SPRING BREAK - MARCH 26 - 30TH

SCIENCE PROJECTS - DUE MON., APRIL. 16th

8th