A very busy 3rd Quarter

We started the new year with a project that all the students enjoy, called "Write-Clicks".  This program integrates technology with English Language Arts skills as well as Social Studies content.  Each student has access to their own iPad.  They learned to cut and paste between two documents, to paraphrase the author's words and to cite an author.

Students learning their way around the app Comic Life 

The Dual Language teachers organized the Three King's Day/Día de los 3 Reyes in January.  Three of our own, Christopher, Abigail and Sydney had the honor of being the narrators of the play!  

The Fourth Grade choir sang songs in English and Spanish. Everyone had a part in the celebration.  Afterwards we shared some Puerto Rican dishes for our luncheon.

In Science we went into great depth in our study of buoyancy.  The students collaborated in hands-on projects and experiments.  We explored why objects seem to weigh less under water.  We compared the weights of objects in salt water vs. fresh water.

From there, we shifted gears to the study of erosion, weathering, rocks and minerals.  The students did an impressive job of acting as geologists and classifying a group of minerals into their own categories acording to texture, luster, weight, shape, color, etc.  We even found a rock so porous, it floated!

A rock that floats!

This group of geologists categorized their rocks into igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic.

In Social Studies we spanned from life in the 13 Colonies to the events that lead up to the Revolutionary War.




In Math, we are currently on Module #5 which is all about fractions.  You can brush up with your child by talking about equivilant fractions, i.e. 4/8=1/2.

Students using fraction manipulatives.

We illustrated the benchmark fractions in order to make comparing fractions easier.  

As you know, April is all about the State Assessments.  We have been practicing the skills and strategies that the children need to know all year, so you need not stress out over the tests.  Students do their best when they are well-rested and calm.  I am confident that everyone will shine like the star that they are!

When testing is over there will be some exciting field trips coming up.  I sent home a letter with dates, but if somehow it never managed to make it home, just go to my home page and you can find the list of events there.





Enjoy the Spring break with your families!

Best,
Mrs. Driscoll

Thank you for donating candy for our classroom basket!