Hello April!

Good Afternoon,

As we head into the final 2 months of the school year, lots of events and dates are coming up so I will continue to add to the long list below should things be added as we near any upcoming events. My goal is to make every single day we have together the best possible learning experience for the 4th Graders because I know the transition to middle school can seem scary and daunting at times. Instead of being fixated on the future, we will continue to be where our feet are, enjoy each day, and give our best effort and attitude daily. Then when that time comes, they will be ready to take on the transition to middle school with confidence knowing they are ready because of the learning and growing they have shown here at NDLC!

Week in Review:

Leader in Me: This week we spent time connecting about what others in class did over their break, snow day, and reviewed concepts of test taking tips before their Social Studies Forward testing yesterday.

Writing: Writers began a new writing unit where they will be taking their narrative writing skills, and putting them into graphic novels. We will rely on the story arc, and narrative writing when making this transfer to graphic novel writing. Writers did a inquiry into different features in graphic novels, and what is the purpose of them in those books.

Math: This week we reviewed the use of the ratio table and the area model for solving multiplication and division problems. Then we worked through a problem string to help students deepen their understanding of and flexibility with the doubling & halving strategy for multiplication. Then students solved a series of problems in which they applied the doubling & halving strategy along with other strategies they have studied recently. A key part of their problem solving is to think about which strategy makes the most sense for each problem, based on the numbers in the problem.

Reading: Readers began their historical fiction unit this week. This unit is about analyzing different parts of history through a fictional character's perspective in stories. Students will put all of their thinking and skills from the year to work in this unit, and will be reading analytically and collaboratively in book clubs.

Content: In this science unit we started this week, students will explore energy! Students will investigate how energy is stored, how it can make objects move, and how collisions transfer energy between objects. Students will look at devices that convert energy from one form into another, such as heat into motion and electricity into light.

VW Paternity Leave - I decided back in August that when my wife and I welcomed our first child that I wouldn't take my paternity leave right away at the beginning of the year. She had been in education for 9 years, and understood my reasoning behind not wanting to miss the beginning of the school year with the students to get them started on their learning journey for this school year with me there with them. With that being said, I will be taking my paternity leave from April 19th - May 7th. That will put me out 12 school days, but I am confident in the 4th graders abilities to help lead and guide during this time I am gone with their substitute teacher. If you have any questions, please feel free to let me know.

A Look Ahead:

  • Forwards Testing Dates & Times
    • If you could try and avoid appointments, have students here during these times it would be greatly appreciated.
  • April 19th - No School
  • April 19th - Summer School Registration Opens at Noon
  • April 19th - May 7th - VW Paternity Leave
  • April 24th - Culver's Order Due
  • Skate City Field Trip - Friday, April 26th
    • Permission slip due by: Friday, April 12th
  • May 3rd - Field Trip to PAC for Dog Man The Musical
  • May 17th - Family Night & Community Clothes Closet
  • May 22nd - 4th Grade Concert
  • May 23rd- 4th Grade Walk To Library & Picnic at Horseshoe Park at 12:30
    • This is for 4th Grade students and their Parents/Guardians/Grandparents for an End of Year/NDLC picnic 
    • Head Count for Picnic so we can plan accordingly for Lunch
  • May 29th - Last Day of School


That's all for this week!

Have a great weekend!


Mr. VW




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