Grade 4/ Mrs. Di Marcello’s Class Week of December 3rd: Newsletter

Thank you for meeting with me on Thursday to discuss your child’s academic’s performance. Together, we will continue to work on the goals we have set and discussed for your child regarding their academic achievement.

On Friday, the students discussed the importance of meeting their goals and being responsible working independently at home during Reading and written assignments without procrastinating-demonstrating quality and effort in all work.

This week students finished their final performance task comparing and contrasting the Algonquians and the Iroquois using graphic organizers, references, and key notes. Students will continue their Native American oral presentations on Monday.

This week students continued reading, The One and Only Ivan focusing on details and figurative language.

In Science/Stem, students began their new unit in Forces and Motion.

Students ended the week with a beautiful school liturgy.

Looking forward to our Christmas Pageant on Friday, December 14th!

Mrs. DiMarcello’s Grade 4 Newsletter: Week of 11/26

In Mathematics, students are reviewing the different ways to multiply using the algorithm method, the partial products, mental math, and the use of models. Students also used diagrams to understand and interpret two digit word problems by organizing the positional relationships of the information in the problem, which allows them to visual the ideas, and clarify their ideas about the problems.

In English Language Arts, students continued reading, The One and Only Ivan by analyzing figurative language, and describing in their own words why the author chose to make these particular comparisons within the novel.

In Religion, students started the week with a beautiful world-wide Prayer Service kicking off the season of Advent. Students paired up with Grade 2 to make Holiday cards for the children in St. Jude’s Hospital.

In Social Studies, students are continuing working on their writing pieces comparing and contrasting the Algonquians and the Iroquois.

In Stem/Science, students planted Daffodils outside on the school grounds. We thank, Mrs. Patricia Yoon from the Douglaston Gardening Club who donated 500 bulbs for the program, Daffodil Project.

As a reminder, Parent/Teacher Conferences is December 6^th. Be sure to schedule your appointment on Sign-up Genius.

Students Native American Projects are due December 7^th. Students must give a two minute presentation explaining the Native Americans way of life, culture and home.

The goals for fourth grade students include demonstrating increased responsibility for learning, managing time well, setting appropriate achievement goals, and beginning to understand their own learning styles. Fourth graders, as lifelong learners and problem solvers, are expected to be active and critical thinkers while working cooperatively with their peers.

EFFORT and PERSEVERANCE whether learning comes easily or with difficulty for students, achievement is earned through effort and perseverance. For this reason, these important habits of mind are encouraged. LEARNING STYLE Fourth grade teachers engage in ongoing assessment of each child’s learning needs. They also respond to individuals’ unique learning styles and developmental timelines. Teachers will often tailor student or group assignments to match particular strengths and needs of students. PORTFOLIOS Fourth graders use portfolio systems in which a variety of their projects and assignments are saved. As they look back through their own work, they are encouraged to reflect on their progress and to set goals for themselves in future tasks. Through this model, students begin to experience ownership and take responsibility for their learning.

We wanted to ensure and make clear that during the school day; Grade 4 Teachers are working together, collaborating, and producing useful assessment information and lessons addressing the needs of all students in the designated classroom. We address different classroom styles of teaching incorporating our own creativity.  At times we may be pacing at different lessons because of scheduling, but we are teaching the skills and standards that students need to know and always have the student’s best interest at heart.

Mrs. Di Marcello’s Newsletter/ 4-2 Week of 11/19

November 19-21, 2018
Mrs. Di Marcello’s Class/ 4-2

In English Language Arts students continued reading, The One and Only Ivan. Students paid close attention identifying different pieces of figurative languages, analyzing major characters, and discussing major quotes in the novel. Students compared and contrasted Stella’s version of Jambo’s story to the 1986 news video conference regarding the true story of the boy who fell in the gorilla’s domain in the zoo. Have a discussion with your child to the discoveries the world found that day.

In Mathematics, students continued with Chapter 3, using partial products to multiply a two digit by a two-digit number. Students are also using the standard algorithm to multiply two to four digit numbers. Review the strategies that we are using in class using the standard algorithm.

In Social Studies, students continue to, gather detailed information from articles, record information by comparing and contrasting the Algonquians and the Iroquois life, cultures, and customs.

In Writing, students are supported and encouraged to incorporate language and vocabulary to allow their work to be supported by details and evidence daily. Continue to pay close attention to grammar and punctuation.

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

4-2 Newsletter/ Mrs. DiMarcello Week of 11/13

In Mathematics, students had the opportunity to use different methods when multiplying a 2-digit number by tens. They saw that they can use their knowledge of place value to multiply 3 tens instead of 30, for example. Students saw that they were able to rename numbers and group factors in different ways to multiply.
In English Language Arts, students started their second novel, “The One and Only Ivan.” Throughout this unit students will continue making claims and supporting those claims providing evidence from the novel. This week students asked and answered questions to demonstrate their understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers and identified the setting. Students also described certain characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explained how their actions contributed to the main character.
My goal is to have the students to really look at the characters and how their actions will impact others for the positively or negatively. I want the students to see how the story parts (character, setting, plot etc.) interact in order to create a message for the reader to take with them in their future.
As a reminder, students should be reading every night for forty minutes and testing weekly on AR. My last email discussed the importance of reading with strategies and suggestions. Moving forward, in addition to student’s personal reading time at home, a second book will be assigned to your child occasionally and he/she will be tested on the book weekly. Today, a short novel was sent home and your child will be tested on this short novel next Wednesday. The text being sent home is no more than approximately 100 pages in which your child will be able to finish and build on his/her fluency and vocabulary.
In Social Studies we are comparing and contrasting the Iroquois and the Algonquians by explaining how they lived by comparing their food, shelter, clothing, beliefs, and tribes.
Today, a Social Studies projected was distributed with directions and is due on December 7th.
In Science we wrapped up our chapter on Animals Adaptions and discussed animal instincts and hibernation.
In Religion, students wrapped up Chapter 3 by discussing how we are called to love and respect God. Students used their reference workbook to take an open book quiz.
Please take a few minutes to review the goals of Fourth Grade below. These goals are part of your child’s report card grade. Report Cards are not only based on assessments. A portion is based on classwork, working independently, finishing tasks independently, effort, and time management. All of these take a major role in your child’s academic progress.
As discussed at Meet the Teacher night, the goals for fourth grade students include demonstrating increased responsibility for learning, managing time well, setting appropriate achievement goals, and beginning to understand their own learning styles. Fourth graders, as lifelong learners and problem solvers, are expected to be active and critical thinkers while working cooperatively with their peers.
EFFORT and PERSEVERANCE: Whether learning comes easily or with difficulty for students, achievement is earned through effort and perseverance. For this reason, these important habits of mind are encouraged.
LEARNING STYLE Fourth grade teachers engage in ongoing assessment of each child’s learning needs. They also respond to individuals’ unique learning styles and developmental timelines. Teachers will often tailor student or group assignments to match particular strengths and needs of students. 
WRITING PORTFOLIOS Fourth graders use portfolio systems in which a variety of their projects and assignments are saved. As they look back through their own work, they are encouraged to reflect on their progress and to set goals for themselves in future tasks. Through this model, students begin to experience ownership and take responsibility for their learning.