Humanities with Hilary

Dear 4th Grade families,

Our exploration of Westward Expansion has continued! We not only learned about the basics of the Oregon Trail (like that it started in Independence, Missouri and typically ended in the Washington/Oregon region), we also learned about what people encountered on the trail and the challenges they faced. Some encounters are landmarks, such as Chimney Rock, Fort Walla Walla, Independence Rock, Fort Laramie, and the Snake River. Students learned more about the parts of the wagon, as they created their own shoebox example. Click here to see our photo album from the day! (https://photos.app.goo.gl/BjL2EkAxrrJWgPZU6) We also flashed back to 1991 by playing the computer game of The Oregon Trail — the link to it can be found on google classroom. Students clicked on the “guide” button and “talk” button in order to learn more about locations, diseases, and daily life of people on the trail.

This week, we learned about the Industrial Revolution in the west. We started with a review of the Erie Canal, and then continued on by learning about steamboats, the Pony Express, Morse code, telegraphs, and the Transcontinental Railroad. Next week, we will be investigating the unfair and inequitable treatment of workers on the railroad.

In writing, we have slightly changed our project. Instead of writing a persuasive essay about a totally new and unknown topic, it’s now a group project. Each group is tackling on of the first ten amendments. They are not only modernizing the amendment by writing it in easier-to-understand language, but they are also adding in how to include more people in their amendment and make it more just. In the next blog, you’ll see a picture of our bulletin board display of the Class of 2026’s Bill of Rights

4th Graders were able to support their Kindergarten buddies, this week, celebrate their end of unit share. We learned about how diverse our families can look, and the different ways families can be represented. Getting to cheer on our Kindergarten friends for their projects, the wonderful song they sung, AND the cookies they baked might have been a highlight of our week! View the album here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/jMsnPz8Qq6TKZ7zYA

**IMPORTANT TO KNOW**

Monday, April 11 –> we are celebrating getting 100 boxes for great behavior and solid work-times! Please make sure your child comes to school in pajamas or comfy-wear. It will be a fun and relaxed day 😎

Math with Justin