FABULOUS FOURTH GRADEL. DuPignac, M. Giusto, J. Kriegsman, M. Tung, S. Utic

January 2019

ReadingUnit of Study: The Arts

Students will- Distinguish between fact and opinion.- Summarize non-fiction text in your own

words.

How to help at home: - Practice retelling the key ideas of

each part of a non-fiction text- By discussing their opinions on

different topics.

WritingUnit of Study: Personal and Persuasive Essays

Students will- Learn the structure of essay format - Form thesis statements and support

it using different types of reasons.- Focus on form and content by

gathering a variety of evidence to support their opinions.

How to help at home:- Encourage your child to discuss

their opinions using supporting details.

- Make sure their supporting details are strong valid reasons to support their opinions.

Math: Unit of Study: Factors, Multiples, and Patterns

Students will- Use strategies to determine factors of

different numbers.- Identify prime and composite numbers.

How to help at home: - Continue to review basic facts in all

operations.- Review each night’s strategies and ask

your child to show you an example.o Ex: Use grid paper to show all

possible arrangements of 12. (See page 305 in your child’s workbook.)

Social Studies:Unit of Study: Colonial and Revolutionary Periods

Essential Question: What motivates people to explore and colonize other lands?

Big Ideas:We will explore European exploration and the colonization of the region that became New York State, by beginning an exploration project.

Ways to help at home:- Have a discussion with your child about

what they are reading in their Social Studies class.

- Explore different resources, such as the internet and library, to help your child look for additional explorers we are studying.

Sanford HarmonyEssential Question: How can we identify and cope with our emotions?We will:

- Track how we are feeling through the month and identify patterns.

- Share strategies for coping with difficult emotions.

PS 221 North Hills SchoolLittle Neck, NY 11362

Principal: Patricia BullardAssistant Principal: Karen Strauzer

FABULOUS FOURTH GRADE NEWSLETTER PAGE 2During the month of April, students will be taking their NYS Math test. We will continue reviewing key mathematical

We’re on the Web! See us at:

PS221Q.org

MUSIC – MRS. GLEMBOSKIIn 4th Grade Music, we will begin learning the Ukulele! Your child will be learning the parts of the instrument, how string instruments work, and the basic techniques of how to hold, strum and pluck the instrument. Check out YouTube for some amazing Ukulele songs such as “Somewhere Over The Rainbow-Ukulele!” As always with online searches, please monitor your child and review any material before presenting it. Please visit our music website at: http://mrsglemboskismusicroom.weebly.com/

COMPUTERS-MR. CANIANO

This month, our fourth graders will be using Microsoft Excel to help them stay within their “budget.” The students will use Excel’s autosum feature to make sure they budget their “money” wisely and have enough funds to buy all their holiday items. In addition, we will continue to work with Scratch for coding. Finally, please have your child continue to practice their typing. Usernames and passwords for their Typing.com accounts were sent home last month.

Science – Mrs Rothenberg

Unit Question - Why is an increase in light affecting the health of Tokay geckos in a Philippine rain forest?

Our fourth graders have transformed into conservation biologists! By working as conservation biologists, students will figure out why a population of Tokay geckos has decreased since the installation of new highway lights in the rain forest. Students will use their understanding of vision, light, and information processing to figure out why an increase in light in the geckos’ habitat is affecting the population. Chapter 1: How does a Tokay gecko get information about its environment? Chapter 2: How does light allow a Tokay gecko to see its prey? Chapter 3: How does a Tokay gecko know that it is looking at its prey?

ART-Ms. PecoraroStudents will continue to draw and paint their abstract artworks inspired by artist Alexander Calder. Last month we pressed the pause button on this project to create a fun project for the holidays…now we will carry on!

Supporting the Arts at Home:Happy New Year! Winter is here and it is often too cold to go outside and play. This is the perfect time to encourage your child to create and/or begin keeping a sketchbook! Here is a link to help you create a simple homemade sketchbook: http://www.kinderart.com/crafts/sketchbook.shtml

SAVE THE DATE: Family Art Night is scheduled for Thursday January 24, 2019. We look forward to you joining us!!

Looking Ahead:School reopens 1/2/2019Multicultural Fair 1/15/2019No School 1/21/2019 (Martin Luther King Jr Day)