TCE 4th Grade BLOG: February 9th-February 13th

February 12th-Valentine's Day Dance- 6:00
February 12th-Valentine's Day Class Party -2:00
February 13th- NO SCHOOL
February 16th- NO SCHOOL
February 20th- Heart Hustle during specials- 9:25-10:15

Language Arts and Social Studies

In Reading, We will begin our unit on Historical Fiction and understand the elements that make up historical fiction stories.

During this unit, students will read stories set in the past and combine real historical events with fictional characters. Our focus will be on helping students understand how history, setting, and real-world events shape the characters and their experiences.

To support and enrich learning at home, families are welcome (but not required) to try some simple activities together, such as:

Talking about what life was like during the time period of different stories and how they compare to today
Looking at maps, photos, or timelines related to the setting in different stories
Discussing which parts of the stories could be real and which parts are imagined
Encouraging your child to write or draw from the perspective of a character living in different times
Watching short videos, exploring museum websites, or reading nonfiction related to the historical eras

These conversations and activities help students deepen their understanding and make meaningful connections to what we are learning in class.

In Writing, We will focus closely on details as we read a text, then develop ideas about those details as we write. We will study characters closely as we write about a text.

In Grammar and Spelling, We will continue to review adverbs and learn words with VCCV and VCV patterns.

In Social Studies, We will identify and explain the 3 branches of the government.

Optional Homework for ELAR: Starting this week ( Feb 9th) students will begin bringing home an optional homework assignment each week designed to help review and strengthen STAAR strategies and reading skills.

Each weekly assignment will include:

One short reading passage
A set of practice questions

Throughout the weeks, students will practice with a variety of passage types, including fiction, nonfiction, traditional literature, and drama, to help them feel more confident and prepared for the test.

This homework is optional and meant as extra practice and support.

In Math this week and next week, we will continue our unit on fractions, focusing on adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers.

Represent a fraction a/b as a sum of fractions 1/b, where a and b are whole numbers and b > 0, including when a > b
Decompose a fraction in more than one way into a sum of fractions with the same denominator using concrete and pictorial models and recording results with symbolic representations
Represent and solve addition and subtraction of fractions with equal denominators using objects and pictorial models that build to the number line and properties of operations
Evaluate the reasonableness of sums and differences of fractions using benchmark fractions 0, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and 1, referring to the same whole

In Science this week and next week, we will begin our new unit about weather and climate. Students will focus on differentiating between weather and climate.

Hats and Toys

Our classrooms are a place for learning, growing, and having fun with friends. To help everyone stay focused, we ask that hats and toys stay at home. That way, our classrooms can be distraction-free, and we can all enjoy our time together while learning new things.

Tennis Shoes for PE & Extended Specials Day (CTT)

Please help ensure your child wears appropriate shoes on PE days and Move & Groove (Fridays). Additionally, every other Wednesday, the 4th grade has extended specials during CTT. The dates are outlined for the remainder of 2025 below. Thank you for your help in making sure your child is safely dressed for the gym!