October 18, 2013
4ANEWSLETTER
Upcoming Dates: -Thursday, 10/24 School store open 12:00-3:30
Dear parents,
We just concluded our first unit "Where we are in place and time". In
-Friday, 10/25 End of tise first unit, students were able to define different systems, identify 1st Quarter cause and effect, and make connections between systems of - Friday, 11/1 House Activity: Quiz Show, Library
civilizations. Students worked hard to showcase their learning of these concepts as we move on to our next unit. To introduce our next unit, “Who We Are”, we looked at pictures and engaged in discussions to gather and organize what we already know about health. We had a gallery walk and used mind maps to unlock any prior knowledge we have about what it is to be healthy. Students came up with five categories of health: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social. As we go through with this unit, we will be learning and reflecting on ways in which we can make choices about our health. Students discussed being balanced, one of the PYP learner profiles. They brainstormed ways that they all can make balanced choices.
1
In math these past two weeks,
students were learning how to apply the math concepts of decimal fractions, fractions, and percent into more complex multi-step problem solving. The students are also solving more sophisticated patterns involving a combination of operations.
In literacy, we are continuing to
practice writing organized paragraphs. Presently, students should be aware that a paragraph has a main idea. This main idea is stated in a topic sentence that is supported with explanations and examples. At the conclusion of the paragraph, the students should be able to express their opinion or share a plan of action. This week we have begun our second unit, Who We Are, and our first inquiry is into the positive and negative causes that influence our health. To expand their knowledge of graphic organizers, students are once again analyzing and sorting information to help them make better sense of a complex issue.
Sophie and Stephanie work together to find the essential information from texts they read about ancient government systems.
News From Grade 4 by 4A Students Editor’s Note: Some content was edited for spelling, punctuation and grammar.
I like to read to my reading buddies because I can read with expression. If I read with expression the kinder will have fun listening to the book. Then they will like to do reading groups with me. Also it is fun when I read with expression. I like reading buddies because they are so cute. Their voices are like cute Teddy Bears. They do everything I say to do like I am the boss. I only hear from them, “this book,” or “go back to that page.” When they say that, they are so cute. I wish I had time to do reading buddies everyday. ~Hanna Buddy reading is fun because I am reading with pre-‐k. I like buddy reading because I can be friends with my buddy. If I become friends to them I could play with that buddy after school or when we meet on the street. Also if I am friends with him I could help him by studying or doing his homework. The second reason is that I don’t need to read by myself because I have a buddy to read with. I am not saying that I like buddy reading because of this, but it’s fun when I read with a buddy. For example, I could talk about the book that my buddy and I read and I could be interested in that book too. I like reading buddies because it feels like I am reading to a younger brother. ~Roy
Art is one of my favorite subjects. I like art because I enjoy using my hands. I really enjoy using my hands when I was making amulets and tablets out of clay. I also like to color and paint. It helps me to control my hands better. Another reason is that it makes me understand art better. Art class makes me understand tips for drawing and creating. I listen to the directions and it helps me understand art better. My art teacher, Mr. G, is good at drawing and making sculptures with clay. I hope that one day I will be better at art than my teacher. ~Tae Kyung
News From Grade 4 by 4A Students Editor’s Note: Some content was edited for spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Do you enjoy music? Well I do. Music is the best subject ever. The Nirst reason is Mr. Cho is very funny. He makes the class laugh by saying words in a weird way. Like he says ‘bacation’ instead of ‘vacation’. And he says weird words like ‘petunia’ which means butt. He also does fun activities like Godling and Pumpkin Patch. In fourth grade we can go on a music collaboration trip to Palos Verdes in California. Before he picks people to go on that trip , we have to pass a voice audition. Mr. Cho makes us sing ‘Fifty, Nifty’ , ‘See Me Beautiful’ ‘Song of Peace’ and voice patterns. I did the audition, but I made a few mistakes in ‘Song of Peace’. I really want to go to Palos Verdes! I could meet my pen pal from last year and I can also go on a trip with just friends (no parents or brothers). I can’t wait until Mr. Cho announces who’s going on the trip. Those are the reasons why music is awesome. ~Mina
I like music because we sometimes move. I like moving around. When we are moving we also play tag with singing music. We sometimes play Pumpkin Patch. Pumpkin Patch is singing a song and hunting for pumpkins. We don’t know what action we will do when we are singing the Fight Song. ~Jeenwoo
My grandfather loves me a lot. I know this because he does everything for me. He gives me lots of money. I don’t know how much it is because my mom takes my money. He doesn’t just give me money he also gives me many gifts. He bought me a pencil case. I like this pencil case because it was he Nirst gift from my grandpa. I also thought the pencil case was cool because it was blue and blue is my favorite color. It also had a lightning bolt on it. I think my grandpa loves me because he is nice to me. ~Woojean
P.E. is the best subject. I think so because we play. We mostly play diamond gams. Diamond games are baseball and kickball. It is really fun because I always win. Sometimes Mr. West lets us choose which diamond game we want to play. When he is really happy, we play Zaber games. We also exercise a lot. We run four laps of the gym and we run a lot in class. It is really fun because I get to be healthy. Also I am used to running a lot. I wish we could have more P.E. ~Alex
What is your favorite subject? Well, I like art too, but music is the best subject ever. The Nirst reason is Mr. Cho. He is very funny. He plays games with us like ‘Pumpkin Patch’ or ‘Godling’. Also he gives us criteria when he calls for us to line up. He says words like ‘Petunia’ which means butt (ha, ha, ha!) Another reason I like music is we have a chance to go to Chadwick P.V. We have a music collaboration trip and 8 to 10 fourth grade students are going. I did the audition but I’m afraid I’ll not be picked because I made a few mistakes. I wish I really could go! My Dad says he would like for me to go and so does my Mom. Mr. Cho is going to tell us who is going soon and that is why I think music is way cool. ~Angie