4-2/DiMarcello Newsletter Week of 12/2

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.

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.

In Mathematics, students are estimating quotients in division. Students are also practicing fact family in multiplication and division. It is recommended reviewing these skills every night at home.

Fact family: It is a set of four related multiplication and division facts that use the same three numbers.

For example: The fact family for 3, 8 and 24 is a set of four multiplication and division facts. Two are multiplication facts, whereas the other two are division facts.

In Science, students are discussing the Three Laws of Motions and are gathering facts about Sir Isaac Newton as an independent research using the IPads.

In Social Studies, students are in their final writing stages compiling their information regarding the Native Americans. Be sure to include your index card that was distributed for your presentation on December 16th with your projects.

In Religion, students are discussing the Advent season as we prepare for Jesus. On Friday, students were given as assignment to send an email with the supervision of a parent/adult to a relative or family friend writing about the importance of Advent, what it means, and how he/she can prepare for it. When the recipient replies to your child, kindly print the email document to be posted on our Communication Prayer Board. Do not forward me the email.  This assignment is due Friday, December 13^th. Bring your printed EMAIL to school.

DiMarcello/4-2 Newsletter: Week of 11/18

In English Language Arts, students started their second novel, “The One and Only Ivan.” Throughout the 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 and referring explicitly to the text to record their answers. 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.

A goal is to have students really observe the characters and how their actions will impact others positively or negatively. I want my students to see how the story parts (character, setting, plot etc.) interact in order to create a message for the reader to make further connections.

In Social Studies, students continue to use graphic organizers, resources, and internet sources comparing and contrasting the Iroquois and Algonquians.

In Science/Stem, students started their unit on Forces and Motion. Students discussed that pushing and pulling are examples of forces that can speed things up or slow things down.

In Religion, students discussed that a good conscience leads to be truthful and fair. It guides us to make decisions that are based on our actions and teachings of Jesus.

In Mathematics, students started working with division by dividing two-digit numbers and estimating quotients.  Students need to memorize their multiplication tables. It is imperative that students review the tables each night to assist them with word problems and increase fluency.

Reading is very important. Students must read and understand the content he/she is reading. This is why effort is critical when completing reading responses. Reading will also students support their understanding of mathematical word problems.

Newsletter Week of 11/1 (4-2) Mrs. DiMarcello’s Class

In Mathematics, students had the opportunity to continue to review and use different methods when multiplying a 2 to 4-digit numbers. Students spent a lot of time this week solving for word problems involving two and three steps.

In English Language Arts, students finished their novel and are working on writing their final performance task. Students are using graphic organizers, incorporating vocabulary, character traits, quotes, and evidence from the text to depict and discuss an event in the novel.

As a reminder, students should be reading every night for forty minutes and testing weekly on AR. My last email had a discussion regarding the importance of reading with strategies and suggestions.

In Social Studies we are comparing and contrasting the Iroquois and the Algonquians Native Americans by explaining how they lived by comparing their food, shelter, clothing, beliefs, and tribes.

In Religion, students wrapped up chapter 3 by discussing how we are called to love and respect God.

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.

4-2/Di Marcello Newsletter Week of 11/4

In Mathematics students continue to multiply two digits by two digit numbers using algorithm, partial product, and area model. Students continue to read and interpret two and three step word problems involving multiplication.

In English Language Arts, students continue to read and analyze the events in the novel, “Because of Winn Dixie” by making claims and supporting those claims with specific textual evidence.

In Science, students are wrapping up the function and parts of a flower. The Science assessment has been changed to next Thursday.

In Social Studies, students are researching and reading about the Algonquian way of life and culture by taking notes, using articles, and internet sources.

In Religion, students discussed that we are called to value and respect all people. As children of God it is important to remember that every person is created in God’s image. Students discussed that we should always think about the words we choose to live by and say.

Have a great weekend!