Beginning the Grade 4B Year!

Dear Parent(s),

Welcome to another exciting year of learning. I am looking forward to a productive and fun filled year with you and your child! Below is anoverview of the program for the year.

Language Learning –

  • Balanced Literacy – Working with Words, Reading and Writing

In the classroom we use a Balanced Literacy approach to learning reading and writing. This approach contains the following component:

  1. Working with Words – This focuses on high frequency words that are often found in text. It is the foundation of our spelling program. There are two parts:
  2. Word Wall: High frequency words are displayed throughout the year. Students are expected to refer to this list when completing written work.
  3. Making Words and other Word Pattern Activities: This activity involves students building words with letter cards at their desks and then engaging in word sorting and patterning. This component involves a lot of the phonetic activities.
  4. Reading
  5. The four components of this block are: Read Aloud, Shared Reading, Guided Reading, and Independent Reading. During Read Aloud, the teacher selects materials, both fiction and non-fiction, to read aloud to the class. During Shared Reading, the teacher and class choral read various selections together. Guided Reading is coordinated between the three grade four classrooms. Students in grade four are combined according to strengths and needs. Home reading is also strongly encouraged. Students will continue to participate in the Accelerated Reading Program, earning points and prizes!
  6. Writing
  7. There are two Balanced Literacy components to our writing program:
  8. Writing demonstrations: This includes Write Alouds where the teacher selects a topic and talks aloud to demonstrate the writing, and Shared Writing in which the teacher selects a whole class topic and then the students contribute ideas, spelling, and punctuation. Mini lessons are taught to highlight particular class needs.
  9. Guided and Independent Writing: once the teacher has done a demonstration, the students write on their own. The teacher provides guidance and support while the students are writing.
  10. Spelling – spelling words are chosen from our making words lesson of the week and from core curricular words. Students will record these words in their agenda each week. Please take some time to encourage your child to study each day. The list of words for the year is attached.
  11. 6+1 Writing Traits - There are 6+1 key qualities that define strong writing. These are:

•Ideas, the main message;

•Organization, the internal structure of the piece;

•Voice, the personal tone and flavor of the author's message;

•Word Choice, the vocabulary a writer chooses to convey meaning;

•Sentence Fluency, the rhythm and flow of the language;

•Conventions, the mechanical correctness; and

•Presentation, how the writing actually looks on the page.

Math

During September, our unit is patterning. Students will be exploring patterns with a variety of materials and will be developing pattern rules.

Science

Our first unit of study is Wheels and Levers. Students will be observing experimental results, asking questions, and exploring answers to these questions by testing their procedures.

Social

Our first unit of study is Alberta: A Sense of the Land. We will begin with a mapping unit.

Other Information

  • Library (with Ms. King) – students have the opportunity to sign out books on Tuesday. Please encourage your child to read each night at home and return books promptly.
  • Music is scheduled Wednesday and Thursday with Ms. King.
  • Our physical educationteachers this year areMr. Beecroft and Mrs. Webb. Physical education classes are scheduled for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
  • Lunches – Children are encouraged to eat their lunch and to avoid throwing drinks and food into the garbage. If a child does not wish to eat a food item because of a dislike, he/she will be encouraged to take it back home instead of throwing it out. We have snack time in the morning and afternoon. I encourage healthy snacks – no pop or candy.Please note: our school is nut aware. Products containing nuts are not permitted in the school. IF YOUR CHILD HAS ANY ALLERGIES, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
  • Student Agendas – Agendas are checked each morning for messages. If you want to pass on a message to me, please write it in the agenda. Please check the pouch at the front of the agenda each night and empty the contents. Notes sent home will be in this pouch.
  • Proper Outside Clothing – Unless the weather is extreme or a child has a note from home, all children are expected to go outside for recess. Please ensure they have appropriate clothing.
  • Scholastic Book Orders – Approximately each month the students will receive book orders that they can purchase from. The bonus points I receive from the orders will be used to purchase other items for the class. If you are ordering books, please send a cheque as we are not able to keep cash in the classroom. THERE IS NO OBLIGATION TO PURCHASE BOOKS!

4B Timetable

Language / Language / Language / Language / Language
Language / Language / Language / Language / Language
Makerspace / Library / Math / Math / Math
Gym / Math / Gym / Math / Math
Math / Math / Science / Science / Science
Math / Science / Science / Music / Gym
Social / Art / Social / Social / Social
Health / Art / Music / Health / Social

Parent volunteers are both wanted and needed. If you are able to volunteer, please write a note in your child’s agenda or email me at the school.

I hope this information helps to make sense of what we do in our classroom. I am looking forward to working with you and your child this year. If you have questions or concerns, please contact me at the school 780-853-5444 or email me at

Looking forward to a fabulous year,

Ms. Birch