Fourth grade is off to a great start this year!  Students have been learning and practicing what it means to show their best R.O.A.R at Brader Elementary.  We have been teaching what respect, outstanding attitude, achievement, and responsibility look like in all areas of school. 

We enjoyed our first field trip this year which was a trip to the DuPont Environmental Education Center.  While there, students learned about the animals that live in or near the center, how development impacts the habitat of these animals, what pollution does to the environment, and what can be done to preserve the land.  This is a great field trip because of the hands-on activities.  This trip supports our science standards and is a great way to see firsthand examples of what students will be learning in science.

Fourth graders had the opportunity to write personal narratives during the months of September and October.  They learned how to write engaging introductions, develop the main event, and satisfy the reader by writing a closing in which they reflect on their experience. 

In reading students are learning about story structure, making generalizations, drawing conclusions, and characterization.  Students are practicing writing text-based written responses by restating and answering the question, and providing specific text evidence to support their answers. 

In math, students are working hard on the Bridges in Mathematics curriculum.  The hands-on approach is really helping to build students’ content understanding in math.  Students have learned about the meaning of multiplication and division and are currently learning strategies to multiply 2-digit numbers.  In addition, students are always practicing and reviewing problem solving strategies.  Remember to study your basic multiplication and division facts!

In social studies, students have recently completed their unit studying the purposes of government and the three branches of the United States government.

In science, students are beginning their study of land and water.  They will work on a variety of science labs in order to find out how land and water interact.  Students will learn about erosion, runoff, slope, velocity, canyon formation, vegetation and the water cycle.  Many students enjoy this unit because of its hand-on approach.

Parent/Teacher conferences are coming on November 2^nd and November 5^th.  Now is a good time to think about what you would like to discuss.  Make sure you have scheduled a time to meet with your child’s teacher.  We look forward to meeting with everyone to discuss and share your child’s progress. 

There are many ways parents can support us this year.  One way is by having your child read daily.  This will increase their vocabulary and improve comprehension.  In addition, practicing math facts for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division will prepare your child for some of the more challenging units this year.  We are looking forward to an excellent year.