Passionate Researchers

The fourth graders have officially finished Because of Winn-Dixie! This week, we have been exploring theme in the text as we have come to a close with reading. In this theme unit, students were able to infer many impressive themes based on the plot of the text. We thought about how we could use mentor texts to help us come up with themes, we thought about why Kate DiCamillo may have chosen certain themes to write about, and we even thought about how we could creatively illuminate themes that we have read.

Theme cartoons and poems

To conclude this unit, students created a comic strip or poem about plot and theme in Winn-Dixie using metaphors, creative illustrations, and strong sentences about the plot to show what they know about theme in Winn-Dixie. Many of the themes students inferred were about friendship, loss, inclusion, and loneliness. Comic strips and poems about themes in Winn-Dixie We have also been working away on our passion projects. Students have finished their research on the topics that they are most passionate about and are now in the process of creating their projects. The passion project breakfast is from 8am-8:45am on Friday, 4/13. We hope that you are all able to make it to this event!

 In math, we have started a new unit on geometry. Students have been using pattern blocks and rotations on a clock to help them think about angle measurements in a variety of ways. Through this hands-on approach to teaching geometry, students have been able to work towards

Using familiar tools to measure angles

conceptualizing the concept of measuring in degrees. As we continue this unit, students will explore protractors, how to measure the circumference of a circle, and more! Pattern blocks are a great tool to help students identify angle measurements.

 This Friday, many of our fourth graders participated in Jump Rope for Heart. Thank you to all who helped to make this event a success. Both Williston Central and Allen Brook raised $20,000 for the cause! To celebrate this enormous success, a teacher was slimed and the whole group got to cheer on. 

Next week, the Williston Safety Committee will be hosting an open house/meet and greet for families at 7:45am-8:30am in the WCS dining room. This is an opportunity to become more informed about school safety and the efforts that are in place to ensure school safety. We hope that you are able to attend this event!