Our Week in Review

Was vacation just one week ago?

It has been a very busy week here at Kennedy School!

In Math, you may have noticed that homework has covered many topics.  We have started to review various concepts that we learned throughout the year, tackling a specific topic each day, in order to prepare for the MCAS test.  Our test dates are May 13 & 14.  This week we reviewed concepts of place value, geometry, and measurement.  Students are doing a great job reviewing!

In Reading we wrapped up Hate that Cat by Sharon Creech.  This is the sequel to Love that Dog, also by Sharon Creech, which we read before vacation.  Both stories chronicle a year in the life of a student named Jack, through his poetry journal entries.  We all enjoyed reading these books and especially loved seeing how Jack (and his teacher Miss Stretchberry) grew over the 2 years.




During Writer's Workshop, we have diligently been working on our non-fiction pieces.  We have decided to publish our work using our Google Drive.  Our drafts must be completed by next Friday so that we are ready to go!

Our journey around the United States has taken us to the Midwest.  We are learning about the land and natural resources from that area.  Students received a study guide and vocabulary this week, and our test is scheduled for May 16th.  We are hoping to skype with a few fourth grade classes from around the country in the next few months.  We are looking for a teacher in the midwest who would be interested in communicating with our class. If you know a fourth grade teacher who might be interested, please email Mrs. Merten.

Today we started the last part of our unit about the Weather.  We learned about the Jet Stream.  Next week we will learn how ocean currents affect the weather, and then we'll learn about WILD WEATHER (storms).  Our Weather assessment is tentatively scheduled for May 15th, though that date is subject to change.


From the teacher's desk:
One reason I love the spring is that we have developed a wonderful community that supports one another.  By this time in the year, the children work very well together, and are clear about the expectations for our class.  Learning is at its best.  The children are excited about the new topics and they know what their responsibilities are.  

 As you know, the focus of this year was "independence and responsibility".  I am pleased with how the children have grown in both of these areas. As we continue through the spring, I am hopeful that we can continue to work together to maintain this progress.  With spring activities and outdoor playing time, completing homework carefully can be challenging.   This spring, I've noticed assignments partially completed, or not completed as well as many misplaced.  Please take a minute to discuss homework with your child.  I'm looking forward to working together this spring, to prepare your children for fifth grade!

Spotlight On...

NATE!  Last week, during his soccer game against Marlboro, Nate scored 6 goals!  That's a double hat-trick!  His team won, with a final score of 8-2.  Congratulations Nate!

Math Update and Visit from the Haffenreffer Museum

Today we practiced measuring angles using a full circle protractor.  We also learned how to draw angles using a full circle protractor.  The students have these protractors in their assignment books.

We also were introduced to measuring angles using a half circle protractor.  We will practice that tomorrow and work on drawing angles using the half circle protractor.  If your child would like to practice measuring or drawing angles, he/she can find directions showing how to do this here (full circle) and here (half circle).  We have an assessment on Thursday, and the students will have to measure and draw angles on this assessment.


We also had another fabulous visit from our Anthropologist in Residence, Mrs. Silvia.  She comes from the Haffenreffer Museum at Brown University. Mrs. Silvia discussed the life of the Native Americans of the Plains.  We learned about their clothing, homes and culture.  We also compared these Natives to the Inuit of the far north, and the Northeast Woodlands tribes.  It was a great day!

This is a calendar.  Each drawing represents a year.

This is how the Plains Natives hunted buffalo. They hid under a wolf hide (that's Derek under there) and used a bow and arrow.

 Many of us wanted to try on this traditional head dress.

Grinding berries (raisins), fat(butter), seeds (sunflower seeds) and meat(beef jerky) to make 

"pemakin", a type of food.

Sometimes  women carried their children in this type of carrier, held across the chest.

Sometimes the strap when around the head.  It was heavy!

Charlene is wearing traditional clothing made of animal skins. This was what the women wore before the Natives lived on the reservations.  Once they lived there, clothes were made of cloth, similar to what Charlotte is wearing.

The boys are all holding a piece of ONE outfit worn during a "grass dance".

Comparing the tribes we have learned about 

There is no homework tonight!  Happy Passover.