Greetings Families,
It is hard to believe that we are already one-third of the way through the first quarter. Time is really flying.
First, I want to make sure you are aware of an important event. This Wednesday is our 3-5 Curriculum Night. Here is the invitation that was in the newsletter.
It is hard to believe that we are already one-third of the way through the first quarter. Time is really flying.
First, I want to make sure you are aware of an important event. This Wednesday is our 3-5 Curriculum Night. Here is the invitation that was in the newsletter.
3-5 Curriculum Night
You are cordially invited to attend our 3rd-5th grade Curriculum Night, taking place on Wednesday, August 28th. The event starts at 6:00 pm in the Arete gymnasium, with opening remarks from Mr. Gillingham, Mrs. Vaughan, and our Specialists. From 6:30 to 7:30 pm, parents will hear from their child's teachers in their classroom.
Due to limited seating, this is a parent-only event. Overflow parking will be available at The Wedgewood Center located just east of the school.
This night is important because it is a time for me to share information with you about class procedures, homework expectations, the curriculum in general, and information about Spalding, grammar, and math in particular. I sent out an Evite earlier, and ten people have already confirmed!
Now, let me go over the lessons for the week.
Lessons
Grammar/Writing: Students will be introduced to writing as a part of our curriculum this week. There is, however, a grammar test on Monday. They took home a practice test on Friday for homework.
History: In history, students will look at the role of the Church during the Middle Ages. Then, their attention will turn from western Europe, which has suffered a gradual collapse after the fall of the Roman Empire, to eastern Europe with the Eastern Roman Empire, which is more commonly called the Byzantine Empire. Students will learn about the city of Constantinople and Justinian this week. There is an open-notes, open-reader test on Wednesday. There is an optional study guide in the packet that students can do to prepare for the test.
Literature: Students will continue their journey with Irene and Curdie as they read through chapter fourteen this week.
Math: Having tested and retested factors last week, this week they will look at multiples. They will be assessed on multiples on Friday. Though it might be getting old, as I say it each week, multiplication facts memorization is vitally important for students to be successful in fourth grade. Many of the errors students made last week on the factors test had less to do with them not understanding factors conceptually and more to do with them not knowing their multiplication facts.
I actually discovered another website that you might have your child use to practice facts. The website is Arcademics (Arcade + Academics = Fun Learning). It's pretty cool. At the top, you can select the grade or the subject. It has more than just math!
Poetry: The poem for memorization over the next two weeks is a short one: "Afternoon on a Hill," by Edna St. Vincent Millay. Students should work toward memorizing this poem nightly. They shoudl spend a minute or two with this poem each night. The minutes spent reading the poem count toward the 20 minutes of nightly ready. Students will be expected to recite the poem during week six.
Greek and Latin Roots: This week, students will be taught roots 11-13. In addition to learning the new roots, students will also be assessed on the first ten roots. The expectation is that he/she memorize the root, whether it is Greek or Latin and the meaning. They are not required to memorize an English derivative, but it may help with memorization. You can find a Quizlet here. I'll also embed it below.
Science: Students have transitioned to their study of electricity in science. Last week, they looked at static electricity. This week, they will learn about conductors and insulators, electric current, and circuits.
There is also a quiz this week. We will review for the quiz a few times in class, but if you would like to review at home, here are the questions with the answers.
Spalding: Students will learn ten news words this week and will continue to learn the rules of English.
Schedule
Monday: Grammar Test - Focused on Adverbs and Adjectives
Tuesday: Science Quiz - Electricity
Wednesday: History Test - Middle Ages (Chapters 1-4) [Open-Notes]
Wednesday: Greek and Latin Roots Review Check
Wednesday: Curriculum Night from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Friday: Spalding Test
I hope you have a great week!
Best,
Michael Naaktgeboren
Now, let me go over the lessons for the week.
Lessons
Grammar/Writing: Students will be introduced to writing as a part of our curriculum this week. There is, however, a grammar test on Monday. They took home a practice test on Friday for homework.
History: In history, students will look at the role of the Church during the Middle Ages. Then, their attention will turn from western Europe, which has suffered a gradual collapse after the fall of the Roman Empire, to eastern Europe with the Eastern Roman Empire, which is more commonly called the Byzantine Empire. Students will learn about the city of Constantinople and Justinian this week. There is an open-notes, open-reader test on Wednesday. There is an optional study guide in the packet that students can do to prepare for the test.
Literature: Students will continue their journey with Irene and Curdie as they read through chapter fourteen this week.
Math: Having tested and retested factors last week, this week they will look at multiples. They will be assessed on multiples on Friday. Though it might be getting old, as I say it each week, multiplication facts memorization is vitally important for students to be successful in fourth grade. Many of the errors students made last week on the factors test had less to do with them not understanding factors conceptually and more to do with them not knowing their multiplication facts.
I actually discovered another website that you might have your child use to practice facts. The website is Arcademics (Arcade + Academics = Fun Learning). It's pretty cool. At the top, you can select the grade or the subject. It has more than just math!
Poetry: The poem for memorization over the next two weeks is a short one: "Afternoon on a Hill," by Edna St. Vincent Millay. Students should work toward memorizing this poem nightly. They shoudl spend a minute or two with this poem each night. The minutes spent reading the poem count toward the 20 minutes of nightly ready. Students will be expected to recite the poem during week six.
I will be the gladdest thing
Under the sun!
I will touch a hundred flowers
And not pick one.
I will look at cliffs and clouds
With quiet eyes,
Watch the wind bow down the grass,
And the grass rise.
And when lights begin to show
Up from the town,
I will mark which must be mine,
And then start down!
Schedule
Monday: Grammar Test - Focused on Adverbs and Adjectives
Tuesday: Science Quiz - Electricity
Wednesday: History Test - Middle Ages (Chapters 1-4) [Open-Notes]
Wednesday: Greek and Latin Roots Review Check
Wednesday: Curriculum Night from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Friday: Spalding Test
I hope you have a great week!
Best,
Michael Naaktgeboren