4th Grade April Newsletter 2009

P.S. 238 Greetings Parents Happy spring! So much of the year has already passed us by, yet we are still going strong. Fourth graders are working to prepare for the New York Elementary Level Science Examination (ELSE). The test will consist of two parts; written and performance. You can help your children prepare for the written test by assisting them in studying their vocabulary flashcards. You can also make sure they are doing their science H.W. every evening. The performance portion of the test is an accumulation of the lab work they have done this year. Since students learn more efficiently when they know the goals of the lesson, students are beginning to set their own learning goals. Students are responsible for monitoring the attainment of each goal. You are encouraged to look at, discuss and assist your child in reaching their academic goals. Mrs. Ratner

The Anne Sullivan School 1633 East 8th Street Brooklyn, NY 11223 Ap r il 2009 Vo l u m e 1 , I s s u e 1

Reader’s Workshop This month, we will begin our author study by reading 4 or more books written by the same author. Students will also be working on our class reading goal. Our goal is to clarify information as we read. This month, we are working to achieve our goal by engaging in active listening during science and social studies. This means that students will be jotting down key words while they are listening to sentences. After the reading, students will use the key words in order to write a summary.

Writer’s Workshop This month we will be completing our Report of Information and switch genres to write a Response to Literature. Students will summarize the stories they read for their author study. They will also evaluate the work, support their evaluations, and make connections.

Science and Social Studies

Aside from reviewing our science skills in small groups based on individual needs, we are also This Month’s Events acquiring new science knowledge. This month we will be learning about the affects of erosion, April 9…First day of Spring Vacation. School is weathering of landforms and the water cycle. closed. In Social Studies…we will continue to learn about This month weRevolution will be completing Everyday Math the American April 20...School Re-opens units 8 and 9. In unit 8, students will be reviewing areaEveryday and perimeter. Mathematics In unit 9, we will be converting April 30…Written portion of the Science fractions to decimals and percents; multiplying Examination. (the performance portion of the decimals and dividing decimals. Science Examination will be in early May)