VW 4th Grade Blog 2023-2024

Good Afternoon, We got a little taste of spring this week, and I think it was exactly what everyone needed this time of year to give them an extra boost of energy. This week we started our test prep units for writing and reading, and as we gear up for the Wisconsin Forward exam. It is always being reiterated to students that they have learned all year content and strategies that will help them do their very best. We hope to alleviate stress, anxiety, and nerves around the exam by teaching different test taking tips and strategies. Week in Review: Leader in Me:  This week we learned about being loyal to the absent, which means speaking as if the person you are talking about can hear you.  Being loyal to the absent is a key behavior for building high trust. Invite your learner to share how they could be loyal to the absent using one of the scenarios below: A friend is making fun of a new classmate. Your friend asks what you think about the new student from another country. At a ...

Good Afternoon, This week as a class we came back to the mission statement that the students helped co-create at the beginning of the school year. It emphasizes responsibility, respect, kindness, safety, and living out the 7 daily habits. We try to be the best version of ourselves every day, and when we can all have that mindset, as well as living out the mission statement daily it sets everyone up for success. As we reach a point in the year right now where it feels like the days are long in winter this was a great reminder for us all as we gear up for the last part of February.  Week in Review: Leader in Me:  This week we learned about honesty and talking straight with kindness. Talking straight is a key behavior we use to build high trust. Invite your learner to teach you more about the high trust behavior of straight talk. Writing: Writers worked on free writing this week as they completed their second informational on the American Revolution. As they were free writing, th...

Good Afternoon, As we finish this first week, we have lots of goals students are working for within the classroom, and school wide. When students know what they are working towards, and what skills and strategies they have in order to achieve it they can do amazing things. This time of year reminders can be critical for student growth because when they realize all the things they have been learning all year they can be using, they are empowered to do amazing things. I look forward to seeing the continued growth for all of our students here at NDLC. Week in Review: Leader in Me:  This week, students learned how to say no to less important things and how to say no to negative peer pressure.  Students learned to use self-regulation strategies when they feel big emotions from negative peer pressure. Invite your learner to teach you about the comfort zone and the courage zone.  Writing:  Writers are wrapping up their second informational books, and started to include diff...

Good Afternoon, As we embark on a new month, and second half of the school year I hope everyone is excited for what this group of 4th graders have on the horizon. As they enter their last semester here at NDLC I will do everything I can to help ensure they can make as much growth as possible academically and socially, so that when their time at NDLC comes to an end they feel empowered to take on whatever their future has for the,. We will continue to celebrate the positives, learn from our mistakes, and continue to find joy in the process of the daily learning of being together because it will go by fast.  Week in Review: Leader in Me:  We learned about the importance of planning our week. We considered our most important roles, activities, and responsibilities (Big Rocks) and added them to a weekly calendar. Work together to brainstorm a list of strategies to keep your family on track with your most important activities this week.   Writing:  Writers began thei...