Autumn Academics: Poetry, Monologues, and More

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

Hello families, and welcome back to another episode of Paws and Progress. We are excited to share what has been happening in fourth and fifth grade and to keep you informed as we move through this busy and exciting season of learning. We will begin with a few important reminders for our fourth grade families. Please remember to send in the signed permission slip for our upcoming field trip to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra on Wednesday, November nineteenth. The trip is free, but scholars will need to bring a lunch and a drink. If your child needs a school provided lunch, please let us know right away so that we can plan ahead. We also want to extend a warm thank you to all families who joined us for Family Game Night last Wednesday. Your presence, energy, and partnership created a joyful experience for our scholars. Lastly, please do not forget to sign up for a Parent Teacher Home Visit. These visits help strengthen our school community and deepen our connection with each family.

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

Now, let us take a look at what our fourth graders are working on academically. In reading, scholars are beginning Poetry Writing Week. They are brainstorming and drafting original poems in preparation for our upcoming Poetry Slam on Monday, December fifteenth. Encouraging your scholar to read and write poetry at home will help build creativity, fluency, and confidence in performance. In social studies, our focus question is, How can we contribute to a healthy democracy? Our supporting question is, Who holds power in our government and why?

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

Scholars will analyze leadership, citizenship, and the responsibilities we all share in a democratic society. In science, the fourth grade team will host a Family Science Fair Workshop this week. Please be on the lookout for more information coming soon through Class Dojo. For homework this week, scholars should complete cursive practice for letters u and v. They also have Module One, Unit One homework resources to continue.

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

A reminder that the essay titled A Special Holiday or Family Tradition is due on Monday, December second. Late submissions cannot be accepted. An update on digital homework will be shared soon. Continuing in mathematics, scholars are strengthening their skills in multi digit by one digit multiplication using the area model and partial products. This week we will continue Lessons thirteen through seventeen and then move forward into Topic D, which focuses on the division of tens and ones with successive remainders.

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

Please remember to check your scholar’s Zearn progress. Scholars should complete three to four lessons each week to stay aligned with the pacing of Eureka Math. Families can also support learning at home by practicing multiplication and division facts daily. Scholars should have mastered facts one through twelve in third grade, and in fourth grade we aim for mastery of facts one through fifteen. Consistent practice helps build speed, confidence, and accuracy.

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

Now let us shift to our fifth grade scholars. In reading, students are continuing to craft their original monologues inspired by Esperanza Rising. They are working collaboratively in preparation for our upcoming Celebration of Learning event. More details about the event will be shared soon. Encouraging your scholar to rehearse their monologue at home will help them strengthen fluency and expression. In social studies, our focus question is, What unique people were present in Colonial America? Our supporting question explores, What tools made exploration easier for explorers? Scholars will examine how innovation, geography, and cultural encounters shaped the earliest stages of our nation’s history.

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

As we close this week’s episode, we want to share a reminder that we are approaching the end of November, and next week will be a shortened school week in observance of Thanksgiving. Please keep an eye out for any schedule updates or announcements that may be sent home. Thank you for tuning in to this week’s episode of Paws and Progress. We appreciate your partnership and the support you provide each and every day. Together, we continue to help our Huskies grow in confidence, curiosity, and excellence.