TerraNova Practice Test

Please click this link for the TerraNova Practice Test.  Then click on 14-15.  

Curriculum March 28 - April 8

Reading - We started a new unit this week on interpreting text; Unit 6:  Interpretation of Text.  We took specific scenes from books we've previously read and interpreted their meaning.  Next week we're comparing character perspectives to the meaning of the story.  We're also developing a reading plan to deepen interpretations and revisiting interpretations to build supporting evidence.

Priority Standards for Unit 6 Interpretation of Text:

• Determine the theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text
• Compare and contrast the point of view from which different stories are narrated, including the difference between first- and third- person narrations.
• Compare and contrast the treatment of similar themes and topics (e.g. opposition of good and evil and patterns of events (e.g. the quest)) in stories, myths, and traditional literature from different cultures. 

Writing - We also began a new writing unit this week; Poetry Anthologies - Writing, Thinking, and Seeing More.  During the first part of this unit, students will be making a poetry anthology on the topic of school.  This week we studied how line breaks are used.

Priority Standards for Unit 5- Poetry:

• Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

Math - We are continuing on in Topic 13 this week.  Students have been busy changing a fraction with a denominator of 10 or 100 into an equivalent decimal.  Students have also studied decimal place value including the word form and expanded form of decimals.  Next week, we'll finish up the unit by comparing and ordering decimals and using money to understand decimals.  Students will take their topic 13 test next week.

Science - Fourth graders have been very busy working on their display boards for the science fair this week.

Social Studies- Next week, we'll begin our unit on government as we prepare to go on our Jefferson City trip!  In 4th grade we focus on Missouri's 3 branches of government.  Students also learn about the purpose of the Missouri Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Reporting Topics:
Civil and Criminal Legal Systems

• The student will describe how authoritative decisions are made, enforced and interpreted within the state government.
• The student will evaluate constructive processes or methods for resolving conflicts by using a problem-solving organizer.

Government Systems

• The student will describe rights included in the Bill of Rights, including freedoms of religion, speech, press; to assemble peacefully; to petition the government; and to be treated fairly by the government.
• The student will explain the major purpose of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
• The student will explain why Missouri has a constitution and why the state makes and enforces laws.
• The student will compare the functions of the three branches of government in the state government.

Walk a Mile for a Smile

Curriculum February 29th - March 4th

Reading - We are wrapping up our unit on poetry. This week the students focused on Greek Myths and the elements of poetry. Students worked on summarizing texts and finding the theme in both myths and poems as well as determining the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text. Next, students will be working on the elements of a play and taking the pretest for the next reading topic which will focus on interpretation of text.

Writing/Social Studies - Fourth graders are still working on their informational writing unit on westward expansion. The students have finished writing chapter 1 and putting their final copy onto StoryJumper where they are starting to look like real books as they are using pictures and captions as well as other text features to bring the information to life. Students started researching the beginning of chapter 2 for their books that focuses on their specific westward expansion topic. The 4th graders were able to read books on their topic and make note cards organizing the information they found. Next, students will be drafting their writing for chapter 2 and entering it into StoryJumper.

Math - We are wrapping up our unit on Topic 12 this week and will take the test. Students will be tested on their ability to decompose fractions into sub fractions with the same denominator, adding and subtracting mixed numbers with like denominators, and solving word problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions with like denominators. Students will be taking the pretest for Topic 13 next week.

Science - Students are working hard on their science fair projects. This week the students have picked their science fair topics and have started to work on the steps in the scientific method. Students are identifying testable questions and forming a hypothesis for their project and will start to gather materials and work on the procedures they need to follow. Students will bring home a materials list today.  Please have all materials to school by March 11th!  There are only a few short weeks until these projects will be completed.  Projects will be set up on April 5th.  Science fair open house is on April 6th and 7th.