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Math
We are continuing to work on various methods of solving multiplication and division -- some pretty interesting approaches compared to the “regular” or “old” way! If the multiple steps of these were a challenge to you, keep on practicing, and as always, please continue to work on those math facts.
We are also examining the metric system of measurement, which we have used extensively in Science throughout the year. The use of place value, conceptual understanding of various measures, and practical uses of measurement are all emphasized in this unit. Can you measure all of the rooms of your house in centimeters? In meters?
Language Arts
We have had meaningful discussions about our Anthology stories throughout this Theme of “Problem Solvers”. Between our vocabulary work, comprehension strategies and reading skills work, we have become very familiar with some wonderful stories! We are wrapping up with one more week of the usual RTI routine before we begin our novel study of By the Great Horn Spoon.
Students should bring in their own copy of GHS by Thursday, March 11th. As a reminder, it is important that students NOT read this book at home before we begin it in class, and that they not read ahead of where we are in class. There are several reading strategies we will be learning about and utilizing while we are reading this book as a class that will be ineffective if it is read ahead of where we are in class. This novel study will help to tie in Reading skills with our upcoming Social Studies content, which works out very well.
Our writing focus has been on Summaries this trimester and we are continuing to discuss and practice the use of summarizing and paraphrasing during our Writing time as well as during content areas such as Science and Social Studies. We have been very happy to see the growth in our students’ writing skills and effort this year.
Science
This winter’s weather has really cooperated with our Chapter 4 Science unit on erosion and deposition, as well as Chapter 5 which touches on flooding and landslides. Students might be coming home with topics to discuss with you, as we learn more about the effects and causes of earthquakes and other natural disasters. By bringing recent world events into our class discussions, we have really been able to make this Science unit more applicable to the lives of our fourth graders.
Next up, we will examine Electricity – how it works, what it is, and everything in between! Don’t be surprised to see your child looking at light switches differently or asking you to buy some batteries to be used in home science experiments!
Social Studies
Our field trip to Mission San Juan Capistrano was an exciting way to help students truly put together all of the mission information with which we had worked to prepare our Mission Reports. The quadrangle, facades, and room for various uses were brought to life by our docents and we were better able to envision the lives of the Natives and Spanish who lived there.
As we move forward into our Social Studies units on the Mexican possession of California and the “Road to Statehood”, we will start to see California’s eventual change into the bustling state that we know it to be. We are also learning many Spanish words and pronunciations, so that has been fun too.
Technology
Fourth graders are continuing to practice keyboarding skills and word processing documents. We reinforce using Spell Check, Grammar Check, and Print Preview before printing a final copy.
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Office: (949) 936-6900 
Fax: (949) 936-6909 
