May 20 to May 24, 2024

                             

Welcome to the last 5 day week of the 2023-2024 school year.  This week, students will participate in a water lesson with a Hennepin County Environment and Energy Conservation Specialist on Monday.  Students will also have a talent development lesson with Sarah Vogler, our Talent and Gifted teacher. On Tuesday, students will have a special music lesson to learn about orchestra instruments that they can choose to play in 5th grade.

Dates to remember are as follows:
May 29 - Social Studies test on the 50 states location.
May 30- Social Studies test on the 50 states and capitals
May 30 - Rush Creek Sport Olympic day, 9:45 to 10:45 for 4th Grade
June 3 - 4th Grade Egg Drop at 10:00

Other learning for the week includes the following: 

READING:

-We will complete Unit 8 in Benchmark and review tall tales and comprehension strategies including author´s purpose.  The test on this unit is scheduled for Friday, May 24.  

- Word Work this week will focus on words with ´w´ influencing the vowel patterns. We will analyze and work on these words throughout the week, and the spelling test will be on Friday, May 24.

*Remember to read for 20 to 40 minutes each day at home for daily reading homework.   Students who reach the 40 book challenge by Friday, May 31, will receive a special reward certificate at the end of the year.

WRITING:
Students are working very well on their Google slide shows for their state research.  We will work in class to complete state research packets and slide shows by the end of the week.  Starting this week, students will present their slide shows to the class.

MATH:

-The focus of this week's lessons continues to develop concepts on fractions including equivalent fractions and comparing fractions with unlike denominators.  Students will also review multiplication strategies for larger numbers.

- Students will explore Concept Quest math enrichment problems on Wednesday with Mrs. Wilder.

*Math HOMEWORK:
Homework will be assigned on Monday, May 20 and due on Wednesday, May 22.

Homework will again be assigned on Wednesday, May 22, and due on Friday, May 24.

Science/Social Studies

Students received packets for the final test on the United States and Capitals.  Students can also connect with CLEVER online to access sites to study the states and capitals.  Study sites are also linked on this Blog.
May 29 - Test on state locations, all 50 states.
May 30 - Test on state capitals, all 50 states.

ART:  Students will create a self-portrait with sunglasses to show and share what they are looking forward to during summer vacation.

May 13 to May 17, 2024

Students did such an amazing performance with their recorder concert! This week, fourth graders will get to be audience members for 5th grade band and orchestra performances. On Monday, students will attend the 5th grade orchestra concert, and on Friday, they'll attend the 5th grade band concert.  

We are looking forward to spending time with the Elm Creek naturalist on Tuesday for our spring science lesson with Three River Parks.

Other learning activities for the week include the following:

READING:

-  Students will begin reading tall tales as they work on comprehension strategies including using author's purpose to summarize stories. Watch for Unit 7 reading tests coming home in Wednesday folders.

- For Word Work this week, we will continue our study of the Latin root ¨flex/flect¨ as we did not have time to study this root completely during last week´s lessons due to extra time with state research.
*The quiz on ¨flex/flect¨ is now scheduled for Thursday, May 16.

*Remember to read for 20 to 40 minutes each day at home for daily reading homework. We have a special bulletin board to post photos of students who have reached their 40 book challenge. At the end of the school year, students who have made the 40 book challenge will receive a special certificate for their achievement.

WRITING: Students continue to work on state research packets by finding facts and information about their chosen state. They are adding illustrations and maps to their research packets as part of their work..
Students will be begin creating a Google slide presentation on their selected state towards the end of this week.

MATH:

-The focus of this week's lessons continues to develop concepts on fractions including equivalent fractions and comparing fractions with unlike denominators. 
* Unit 6 tests will be coming home in the Wednesday folders this week.

- Students will explore Concept Quest math enrichment problems on Wednesday with Mrs. Wilder.

*Math HOMEWORK:
Homework will be assigned on Monday, May 13 and due on Wednesday, May 15.

Homework will again be assigned on Wednesday, May 15, and due on May 17.

Science/Social Studies
We have completed our study of all regions of the United States.
*On May 29 students will be tested on the location of all 50 states, and on May 30, students will be tested on the capitals of all 50 states. Students who receive 90% or better on these tests will receive a special certificate for their excellent achievement. Study packets for these tests will come home this week.

As the Rush Creek field day this year is an Olympic theme and our class has been assigned Australia, we will spend time learning Australian facts and information.

Students are learning about influential Asian Americans as part of Asian American/Pacific Islander month as part of our morning meeting time. 

Science: Reminder from last week.
*The annual 4th grade egg drop is scheduled for Monday, June 3, at 10:00 am. We look forward to the Maple Grove Fire Department bringing a firetruck to Rush Creek to assist with this event. Students will bring information home regarding the expectations for the egg drop on Wednesday, May 15.
*Parents are welcome to attend the egg drop as well, so mark your calendars!

May 7 to May 10, 2024

                             

I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful three day weekend! I know students are looking forward to their music program this week, and we also have band, orchestra, and jazz concerts to look forward to during the month of May.

The annual 4th grade egg drop is scheduled for Monday, June 3, at 10:00 am. We look forward to the Maple Grove Fire Department bringing a firetruck to Rush Creek to assist with this event. Students will bring information home regarding the expectations for the egg drop on Wednesday, May 15.
*Parents are welcome to attend the egg drop as well, so mark your calendars!

Here is a glimpse of our week!

READING:

-  We are starting state research, and students will choose a state to research while using online resources to read about and take notes on the state they choose.  Students will also read in small groups by participating in a readers´ theater as they work on reading fluency. The Unit 7 reading test that focuses on drawing conclusions and fairy tales will take place towards the end of the week.

- For Word Work this week, students will work on a new Latin root.  Students will work on activities throughout the week, and the final quiz will be on Friday, May 10.

- We continue to read daily for our 40 book challenge.   Students should reach their goal by the end of May!

*Remember to read for 20 to 40 minutes each day at home for daily reading homework. 

WRITING:
Besides our state research, students will also work on completing their upper case cursive packets. We look forward to sharing our poetry booklets with our buddies on Wednesday as we meet for buddy class activities.

- Students will explore Concept Quest math enrichment problems on Wednesday with Mrs. Wilder.

*Math HOMEWORK:
We will complete Unit 6 in math this week, and we will have the math test on Thursday.  On Tuesday and Wednesday, students will review strategies to multiply and divide larger numbers.

*As this is a 4 day week, homework will be assigned on Tuesday, May 7, and due on Friday, May 10.

SOCIAL STUDIES

The test for this unit is  now scheduled for Thursday, May 9.  Students received a packet with state information to assist them with studying at home.  Also, there are links in CLEVER to assist students in studying the states, capitals, and abbreviations of the Western Region.  We'll spend time in class during the week to review for the test on the Western Region.

ART:  We are working on Mother's Day surprises during this week's art lessons.