Dear Fourth Grade Families,

The class immersed themselves in the world of fractions this week. Using paper strips and circles, we created fractions. The students noticed the larger the denominator, the smaller the piece, while a larger numerator meant more pieces! We began our first Key To workbook, Fractions 1. The students enjoyed the novelty of a workbook and had fun completing several pages a day. Our spelling list this week also focuses on mathematical words about fractions. This week, we will spend more time exploring equivalent fractions, learn to add and subtract fractions with like denominators, and begin to simplify fractions as well.

This month, in recognition of Black History month, we are hearing a story a day about a well-known Black person beginning in ancient times. We heard about Hatshepsut, Nefertiti, Tutankhamun (King Tut), and Mansa Musa. We looked at a map of the world, and a closer look at the continent of Africa and its many countries. Each student chose a biography book for children to read this week. Books can be read by the student, with a family member, or to the student. These books are for informative fun, and no additional work is required at school. Please make sure the book returns to school each Monday as the students will choose another book to read this week and each week for the month of February.

Thank you to all who joined us this past Saturday for our All School Meeting! The soups were delicious. It was a wonderful opportunity to see how much the school has developed over the past school year and to look forward to growing together.

Reminders:

As a reminder, candy, highly processed snacks, and other sugary snacks and foods should not be brought to school. If you need any clarification, please refer to our Parent Handbook.
Conferences are next week, on Wednesday 2/16 through Friday 2/18. All three of these days will be early dismissal for all students, from 12:15-12:30 pm. You can sign up here. Meeting in person allows parents to see their child’s work more readily. However, any time slot can become a Zoom conference, if preferred. Please let me know if you need a virtual conference.
Mid-winter break is 2/21-2/25. There will be no school during this week.

With gratitude,

Melissa