It’s been a very exciting week here in the fourth grade!
Reading
Students have been diligently researching the American Revolution from both patriots and loyalists perspectives. The fourth grade class had the exciting opportunity to collaborate with their pen pals from Meeting Street Academy, on our American Revolution field trip this week! Students joined their buddies for a tour of a few of Charleston’s historic landmarks. Groups explored the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, The Powder Magazine Museum, and The Heyward-Washington House. Through hands-on experience, students were captivated learning about what daily life was like for the colonists, exploring what kind of conditions, garb, and weaponry, were used during the time period. They even signed a replica of the Declaration of Independence! Fourth graders loved getting to have access to the rich history found in Charleston, as well as getting to know their MSA buddies on a deeper level!
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Writing
This week, students have been working on understanding the perspective from both sides of the Revolutionary War. In conjunction with our reading lessons, students have been asked to research the history behind what led the patriots and loyalists to be at odds. The class is divided into the two groups, imagining they are participating in The Second Continental Congress. Students were tasked with debating whether the colonies should stay or leave Great Britain’s rule. Each student was allotted two minutes to share their evidence based point of views, as well as one minute to give a rebuttal to the other side. This exercise not only improves their researching and comprehension skills, but also their argumentative writing skills!
Science
The fourth grade class has been tasked with investigating Ergstown, a small city that’s suffered a major blackout. In the first unit, our young scientists determined that this blackout issue was caused by its electrical system. This week, the class is exploring the question: “What makes the devices in Ergstown output energy or fail to output energy?” Through investigating this question, students have been focused on understanding inputs and outputs of energy as a whole. Similarly, the class has been considering outputs such as sound, light, heat, and motion, and how they interact with one another.
Important Dates
MLK Day – No School – 1/20/25
2nd, 4th & 8th Grade Artist of the Month Coffee- 1/31/25 @ 8:15 am
