READING
We started a new class novel – Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo. Before we started reading it though, we had some group discussions on some of the disabilities or illnesses that people may face. Because of Winn-Dixie addresses a few physical and mental challenges that some people face. I truly love this book and I know the class will as well. Remember to ask your child about what we have read and discussed in the classroom.
Because of Winn-Dixie – A classic tale by Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo, America’s beloved storyteller. One summer’s day, ten-year-old India Opal Buloni goes down to the local supermarket for some groceries – and comes home with a dog. But Winn-Dixie is no ordinary dog. It’s because of Winn-Dixie that Opal begins to make friends. And it’s because of Winn-Dixie that she finally dares to ask her father about her mother, who left when Opal was three. In fact, as Opal admits, just about everything that happens that summer is because of Winn-Dixie. Featuring a new cover illustration by E. B. Lewis and an excerpt of Kate DiCamillo’s newest novel, Raymie Nightingale.
We’ll be covering about 5 chapters per week and then completing a quiz following.
Some of the objectives that we will be covering while reading are:
- Offer observations, make connections, react, speculate, interpret, and raise questions in response to text
- Identify and discuss book themes, characters, plots, and settings
- Connect their experiences with those of the author and/or with characters from the books
- Support predictions, interpretations, conclusions, etc. with examples from text
- Practice key reading skills and strategies (cause-and-effect, problem/solution, compare-and-contrast, summarizing, etc.)
- Monitor their own comprehension
We’re also in the process of making a Bottle Tree on our bulletin board. Feel free to pop by and have a look. Be sure to ask your child about the importance of our tree…how it connects to the book and how we related it to our own lives.
GRAMMAR
– Replace weak adjectives with exact adjectives.
– Unit 4 Adjectives Review
WRITING
Grade 4 has started a new writing unit for Quarter 3 – Opinion Writing. Last week, they finished their pre-assessments to inform me what students know about opinion writing.
This week, we’ll delve right in and discuss the age old question of:
– Should kids eat candy?
We’ll discuss, research, hold a debate, and then write an opinion piece on this topic. Stay tuned…
SPELLING
Study for spelling test on Friday. Spelling words can be found on the homework post.
BIBLE
– Define omnipotent and answer questions about God’s power.
– Examine God’s power as demonstrated in Scripture.
– Complete a dialogue related to God’s powerful love.
– Identify additional attributes of God evidences in Scripture.
– Unit 7 Assessment will be completed after our mid-term break – Wednesday, March 4th
SOCIAL STUDIES
– Discover our African connection – we will finalize our research and brochure on Granny Nanny or Thomas Clarkson. Be sure to ask your child to let you know why we’ve been studying these very important individuals in Social Studies.
– Discover our Indian and Chinese connection.
– Unit 2 Assessment – Our Ancestors