Math
This week, fourth graders have been mastering understanding symmetry! The class has built on their understanding of lines, shapes, and angles to help determine and define symmetry as an attribute of two-dimensional figures. Students relate lines of symmetry to the lines of folding that create two identical halves. This concept of mirroring across is essential, as there are figures that can be decomposed into two identical halves but have no symmetry. The students have had fun drawing, folding, and working with 3D shapes to better understand symmetry. They’ve discovered that if both sides look exactly the same after a fold, the shape has symmetry! We’re so proud of how curious and creative our students have been with this concept. Keep an eye out, your child might start pointing out symmetrical shapes all around you!
Reading
Students have continued their reading of the novel Holes by Louis Sachar. Students have loved getting a better understanding of the double plotlines that are woven together throughout the course of the story. As the two stories unfold in different times that gradually connect in surprising and meaningful ways, students have developed skills in reading text closely and better understanding characters. By tracking characters, events, and settings, students are uncovering important clues and drawing connections between the past and the present. This close reading helps them make predictions and better understand how the story’s pieces fit together like a puzzle.
Testing
Wrapping up the year, fourth graders have been ERB testing all week. The ERB assessments offer a broad overview of student learning and help identify achievement trends. These results inform conversations about areas where instructional focus is needed and highlight the school’s strengths. From an individual student’s perspective, the ERBs offer additional insight into a student’s strengths and areas for growth. It’s important to remember that these assessments represent just a single snapshot of performance at one point in time. ERB scores are most meaningful when considered alongside the student’s everyday classroom work and overall performance. We could not be more proud of our fourth graders for showing such perseverance and fortitude over the week! A special thank you to all the parents who sent in photos of themselves in 4th grade; students loved getting to guess who the photos were of, what a treat after a week of hard work and testing!
Important Dates:
May 23 – No School (teacher work day)
May 26 – Memorial Day (no school)
May 29th – 11:30 dismissal (8th grade graduation)
May 30th – 11:30 dismissal (last day of school & field day)
