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.