There has been an abundance of energy in 4th grade lately and we aren’t surprised with so many zig zags in our schedule and warmer weather. This past week, students spent two days taking NECAP Science testing. This is a New England assessment program designed to evaluate our science curriculum. We focused on many different science and engineering topics this year and overall our students felt confident to show off all of their science smarts. On Wednesday we completed the inquiry task where our students were able to devise and carry out a task to solve a real science problem which is a comfortable and successful process for all of us at this point.
4th grade mathematicians also reflected on their progress with geometry concepts in Unit 5.This coming week, we look forward to using all of our math skills to research for and design a dream playground at WCS as we begin our final math exploration.
Besides science testing, student scientists have also been putting together all of their learning on weathering and erosion in LucidChart mind maps, and have begun to work on a collaborative whole class presentation of their learning. This week they will share their learning and showcase their Google slide with their class.
We also were able to spend a wonderful length of time outside reading independently on Thursday. Research shows us more and more about how valuable this independent reading time is and how it is the most helpful activity to help us become stronger readers. We have seen growth in reading levels and in reading interest over the last two years in part due to this expectation and emphasis on independent reading.
We’ve started a final read aloud book called The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall. The novel is a “summer tale of four sisters, two rabbits and one very interesting boy” and it seems that it is completely winning over most of us, teachers included! It’s a fun and engaging story of summer adventure that we haven’t wanted to put down since we started on Thursday.
On Friday we had our final Four Winds session on Bees and their structure and adaptations which help them to live. These small animals are crucial to our planet. Mrs. Eaton was dressed as a bee herself and at the end we were able to enjoy a honey treat. We all want to extend a huge thank you to our parent volunteers who have worked hard to provide these opportunities for our students.
We are preparing activities for our last week of school including a Spring Staycation day and a Moving Up ceremony for our 4th graders. Keep an eye out for information coming soon in the Friday folder.
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