Hello Fourth Grade Families

General Studies with Mike:

Congratulations to all fourth graders on a fantastic Hanukkah play!

We are wrapping up our math unit on whole number multiplication and division. Students have learned the algorithm for two-digit by two-digit multiplication as well as the algorithm for long division. The algorithms we’re using in class are likely the same ones parents learned in school. Looking for a fun family activity this weekend? Ask your child to take on the role of teacher and show you how to solve a long division problem. This will help them prepare for next week’s unit assessment.

We completed our first read aloud, The Tiger Rising By Kate DiCamillo, and shifted into guided reading book clubs. Students are working in teams to answer questions for and analyze themes within the texts Morning Girl by Michael Dorris and The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare. These historical fiction books are filled with figurative language that challenge and engage the students.

We’ve begun learning about Colonial America in social studies. This new unit takes a hand-on, project-based approach to learning. We have learned about the New England and Middle colonies, where winters were cold and harsh. As a class, we constructed a paper patchwork quilt depicting life in this part of what is now the United States. Next week, we will begin discussing the Southern colonies.

Judaic Studies with Margaret:

In fourth grade we learned more about the history behind Chanukah. We read aloud from the books of Maccabees in the Apocrypha and discovered that the miracle of the oil lasting all eight nights was never mentioned in the original story. To help us understand about what is canon and what belongs in Apocrypha, we had an activity where we created our own documents. Margaret gave some of us secret instructions. Then once our documents were finished, we sorted them between things we thought belonged in our fourth grade canon and what did not belong. Last week we lit candles with our Kindergarten buddies (see pictures below). This week fourth grade impressed us all with their performance in the Hebrew play on Monday! We also said goodbye to Margaret this week as she is in Kindergarten now.

Hebrew with Ilana S.:

This week the 4th grade rocked on the stage with Chanuka Play. The students worked very hard, practicing their lines, singing and dancing. It was a journey that started when I introduced the Play for the students until they were on the stage. I appreciate the opportunity that I had working with your children on this play and experience this journey with them. This experience was very meaningful for me as well for the students. You can watch the play on Hannah Senesh Facebook.