4th Grade May Newsletter

P.S. 238 Greetings Parents As we approach the end of the year we will spend time reviewing previously learned skills. Students will work in groups in order to produce projects such as big books, crossword puzzles, games and dictionaries. As the weather continues to get more beautiful students will be taking some hands on projects outside. We will be watching butterflies go thru their stages of development and then set them free. We will also be going outside to launch a rocket as we learn about space.

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

Reader’s Workshop This month, we will continue our author study of Chris Van Allsburg by reading and discussing books written by him. 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.

Students continue to work on their personal and Writer’s Workshop class learning goals. Please continue to assist This month we will be writing a Response to them at home. Literature. Students will summarize the stories they read for their author study. They will also evaluate the work, support their evaluations, and Mrs. Ratner make connections.

Science and Social Studies This Month’s Events May 1 and Week of May 4…Performance Portion of the Science Examination May 4…Trip to See Disney Earth May 5,6 and 7…NYSESLAT Testing (ESL Students Only) May 12…Trip to Petco May 14…Trip to Brooklyn Botanical Garden May 25…Memorial Day, School is Closed

Students will be taking previously learned skills to the next level by creating project based learning projects. They will also be learning about our solar system. In Social Studies…students will be learning about life after the American Revolution. ThisEveryday month we will be completing Everyday Math Mathematics units 9 and 10. In unit 9, we will be converting fractions to decimals and percents; multiplying decimals and dividing decimals. In unit 10, students will be learning about reflections and symmetry by engaging in activities such as, using transparent mirrors and creating frieze patterns.