Reading
Reading: Rump- The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstiltskin.This funny fractured fairytale goes behind the scenes of Rumpelstiltskin. “A most magical feat,” writes Newbery Honor-winner Kirby Larson, “Liesl Shurtliff spins words into gold.”
In a magical kingdom where your name is your destiny, 12-year-old Rump is the butt of everyone’s joke. But when he finds an old spinning wheel, his luck seems to change. Rump discovers he has a gift for spinning straw into gold. His best friend, Red Riding Hood, warns him that magic is dangerous, and she’s right.
With each thread he spins, he weaves himself deeper into a curse. To break the spell, Rump must go on a perilous quest, fighting off pixies, trolls, poison apples, and a wickedly foolish queen. The odds are against him, but with courage and friendship – and a cheeky sense of humor – he just might triumph in the end.
The purpose of this unit is to have students relate to a character in a book to their own life. Rump is the main character who is on a mission to find his destiny. Where he grows up the meaning of your name determines your destiny. Unfortunately, Rump only knows half of his name, which makes others and even himself sometimes see him as a lesser person. Throughout this novel, Rump is learning more about himself and what he is capable of doing. The purpose for 4th graders to read this novel and to be a part of this unit is because students should learn that they are much more capable of what they think they can do. This unit is used to give inspiration to students and help them connect with Rump through the realistic struggles he goes through. Rump being a realistic character allows his struggles to be relatable and allows for his successes to also be realistic to students reading! The lessons of “you’re not alone with your feelings” and “you are much more capable of what you think you are” are important lessons for students to learn at such a young age. This is a time in their life before they enter those dramatic teen years. One of the biggest struggles of teen years is having thoughts of being alone or not being good enough. This unit allows for students to live through Rump’s story and hopefully apply it to their own life when needed! Of course this unit is important because it will get students to read an engaging text, but this unit is important because of the lessons found within and the skills students will use throughout to understand this novel.
Essential Questions:
What is destiny?
How do you find your destiny?
What do you do if there is more than one side to a story?
For a little bit of fun, children can watch the original tale of Rumpelstiltskin on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/4W_53-fIYdI
Some students have been asked to reread the chapters covered in class each day. This is a great way to recap what we’ve covered and practice their listening, fluency, and comprehension skills.
Writing :We’ve begun our final writing topic for the year – Expository Writing – Writing to Inform. This will involve researching topics and writing to inform their readers.
Numeracy: In Numeracy we will be reviewing our study on fractions and going deeper into fractions. We will learn to add and subtract with like and unlike denominators and with mixed numbers.
Science: Students will be wrapping up our study on weather and taking a test this Friday. A study guide will go home as review for vocabulary and some critical thinking questions.
- Continue to work on planet project and please let me know if there are any questions or concerns.
Spelling:No spelling test this week as we complete DRA Assessments
Social Studies:Discover the links between Central America and the Cayman Islands.
NOTE: Unit 4 tests will be next Monday and Thursday.
Homework
Numeracy/Science
- Tuesday: Weather study guide
- Wednesday: Mathletics
- Thursday: Any unfinished numeracy work from class (fractions packet)
Literacy
- Monday: English workbook p. 115
- Tuesday: Read Rump ch. 28 – 29, Update Padlet and English workbook p. 117
- Wednesday: Read Rump ch. 31
- Thursday: Read for 30 minutes and update Padlet
Tests
- Science test all grade 4: Weather
- 4B will have a Bible test on the Trinity.
Reminders
Bible Verse
“God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8