Weekly Update

Reader's Workshop:
We have started our last interactive read aloud of the year, Charlotte's Web by EB White. Our focus for this book is to think closely about character's actions and what motivation they have for making these decisions. We then infer what message the author may be trying to send us. We have already made many connections about animal treatment to our last book The One and Only Ivan. 


Science: Students have been working hard to investigate energy. This week our focus was on how energy is transferred from one object to another or from one form to another. Students worked with basketballs, softballs, golf balls and toy cards to explore how energy is transferred when two things collide. Also, students worked to build complete circuits to transfer energy from a battery to a light bulb and to a buzzer.

Important Upcoming Dates

Tuesday May 28th- Tie Dye Tuesday - shirts due in class by Thursday 5/23

Thursday June 6th- Sports Day 

Friday June 7th- Coffee House- 10:30-11:15 Families invited- details to follow 

Wednesday June 12th- Amazing Race

Thursday June 13th- Chorus Concert 

Monday June 17th- Last Day, Half Day

May Update

Science: This week we began our next inquiry based science unit on energy. Students began to investigate energy by using toy cars and a ramp to find a relationship between energy and speed.

Ivan Day!- 4th grade celebrated the day with activities related to the book! We began with jungle yoga, made art like Ivan, and found evidence to support the themes we identified in the book. 

Writer's Workshop: This month our Poet in Residence Ms. Liz joined our class to teach us all about being a poet. Students received a special rock used for inspiration in writing their "I am" poems. On the final day that Ms. Liz was with us, she taught the students how to read their poem for others. We are excited to share all of the poetry we have written this year at our upcoming Poetry Coffee House on June 7th. 

Archeologist Visit

Mrs. Silvia, of the Haffenreffer Museum at Brown University visited our classes again to present information about the Hopi. Mrs. Silvia brought real artifacts to help students learn about how the climate of the Southwest impacts these Natives' way of life. Students studied artifacts, dressed in traditional Hopi clothing, the girls participated in a traditional Hopi baby naming ceremony, and everyone tried a traditional ceremonial dance. Thank you to the JFK PCC for funding this great learning experience!

Important Dates

Tuesday May 14th- Math MCAS

Wednesday May 15th- Math MCAS

Tuesday May 28th- Tie Dye Tuesday 

Friday June 7th- Coffee House

Wednesday June 12th- Amazing Race

Thursday 6/13- Chorus Concert 

Dancers of the Week!

Author Alert!

Author Alert!

An Unlikely Story Bookstore is offering many children's events this month.  See the information below, and use this link for more information and  to register if you would like to attend either event.


Earlier this year we read about Rescue and Jessica, the story of the Boston Marathon survivor and her dog.  Rescue and Jessica will be at An Unlikely Story this Sunday!

Katherine Applegate (author of The One and Only Ivan) will be speaking on May 15th.