Post #32

The girls did a beautiful job sharing the gospel in today's Good Friday chapel. I'm so proud of them. What great way to end our week!

Maths featured Peeps, Smeeps, and more- just a typical week in Fourthie land. I'll translate. The girls solved Peeps word problems, went on a Peeps math scavenger hunt, learned about the history of Peeps, and made Smeeps (think 'Smores- graham crackers with Peeps melted in between). The girls are doing a great job working with decimals. They practiced converting decimals to fractions and vice a versa. They also worked with thousandths. A little fun was had making pancakes for a crowd- it's all about decimals in the real world. 

We talked about the bombing of Pearl Harbor and are moving into the details of World War ll. There were so many questions and great discussions. I love that technology lets us glimpse into the past with primary sources. The girls watched Franklin Roosevelt address the nation and felt his angst, "Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by...."

We wrapped up our study of Women's History Month. The girls completed several more EdPuzzles, read mini biographies, and Newsela articles. They really understand and appreciate the contributions of women throughout our history.

This week's writing lab reviewed parts of speech while describing an abstract piece of art. The girls identified specific parts of speech in their writing but more importantly they understand how to spruce up their writing by using specific adjective and verbs. Ask your daughter about making art with your voice. 

Thanks to those of you who have signed up for a Spring Conference. 

Please check your schedule and let me know if you don't see a convenient date/time.

Nuts and Bolts:

Information needed a parent response is highlighted.

Spring Conferences- I'm looking forward to our Spring Conference. Please let me know if you don't see a convenient day/time.

* Maypole Information for parents and girls

* Naturalization Field Trip, April 18th

* Class Chapel- Monday, April 23rd @ 8:15 LSAR

* Bike Day, April 23rd (The PE department will communicate the details.)

* Homework- Posted for family planning

* Special Week Girl-McKenzie (April 9th) 

* Carpool Helpers-Caelan and Camden

Class Leadership Week of 3/26

Ambassadors- Lydia and Stella

Photographer-Caelan

Girls-Your blog question is.......What day in April is scheduled for Parent Conferences? Post your answer here. 

Post #31

Something just doesn't seem right??? I'm making the Spring Conference schedule  as I'm watching the snow blanket the ground. Strange... and even harder to believe, Friday ends the third quarter of fourth grade for these amazing girls! 

Despite the snow day and the late opening, quite a bit of learning took place. The girls are making great progress on their Women's History project. We have entered the 1940's in History4Fourthies. The girls previewed life in the 40's and practiced a little math at the same time. 

This decade is packed with many engaging activities that the girls will complete during the next couple of weeks. There is also an optional enrichment activity. Ask your daughter about Carrie's War.  They put the finishing touches on their persuasive essay and added a prominent woman to Mt. Rushmore. Their Wordly Wise writing and Three Word Thursday were VERY creative. Your daughter's digital portfolio is packed with many examples of her creative writing. Ask her to give you a tour of her Google Drive. 

We continued with decimal concepts. The girls are adding, subtracting, comparing, and ordering decimals. A fun cooking project was planned but the snow pushed that activity to next week. 

We had a few chats about keeping up with homework and taking advantage of the homework plan that is posted each Friday. The girls are BUSY this time of year so planning ahead and developing a study plan is essential. 

Last Friday we talked with the girls about carpool and their responsibility as leaders of the Lower School. The girls were focused and quiet during carpool this week. Such a refreshing improvement!

Nuts and Bolts:

Information needed a parent response is highlighted.

Spring Conferences- I'm looking forward to our Spring Conference. Please let me know if you don't see a convenient day/time.

*  Insider’s View of Middle School on March 28, 8:30-9:30 a.m. in the Kenan-Flagler Auditorium in Washington Hall.

* Maypole Information for parents and girls

* Thanks so much for your support of CARITAS. 

*Next Friday is a half day for Good Friday. Lunch will not be served so please pack at hearty snack.

* Homework- Posted for family planning

* Special Week Girl-McKenzie (April 9th) 

* Carpool Helpers-AnneClare and Camden

Class Leadership Week of 3/26

Ambassadors- Lucy and AnneClare

Photographer-Caelan

Girls-Your blog question is....... When is the Middle School meeting for parents? Post your answer here. 

Post #30 SPRING!!

Hi Girls-

Hope you are enjoying your snow day! Please stay safe and have fun today. Don't forget that you have a WW List 15 quiz tomorrow. How are you doing with your twelve times tables? How is your reading going for Women's History Month? I'm disappointed that we couldn't have our decimal/ pancake math today. NO worries....We will work that into the schedule next week. See you tomorrow.

Love, 

Mrs. McCallum

Post #29

Have you heard that March is Women's History Month?

The Fourthies are going all out for Women's History Month. They are reading Newsela articles about contemporary women and those who came before us. The girls are sifting through dozens of mini-biographies and practicing note-taking skills. They are summarizing factual information about these prominent women but also adding a creative voice. Ask your daughter to show you her spreadsheet with social media handles and birthday wishes. This week's Writing Lab was a persuasive essay that also features a notable woman. The girls are practicing writing three-prong thesis statements about the woman they chose. We will work more on this next week and have a little fun with Mt. Rushmore. 

Of course there is a math component to our Women's History celebration. The girls are solving EdPuzzles about women in history and gaining an understanding of how fortunate they are to live in today's world. Here's an example:

We finished Unit Five in math. The girls completed many activities in class and will not take a formal assessment on this unit. They proved their proficiency by working through EdPuzzles and daily Mindful Maths activities. Our new unit focuses on decimals. They practiced reading decimals, making wholes, and writing decimals as fractions. We are off to a strong start with this unit. 

Every so often the girls go on a math scavenger hunt throughout the Lower School. They scan a QR code, solve problems, work together, and generally have a good old time. A few asked why we don't do this more often. Point taken- I'll include more of these "hunts" in the coming weeks.

Our travels through the 1930's are over and we will move into the 1940's next week. Our next novel will be Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. The novel is about the escape of a Jewish family from Copenhagen during World War II. 

We had a cluster chapel (3rd and 4th graders) today and discussed carpool behavior. Spring has sprung and the noise level and general behavior has gotten pretty rowdy. We want carpool to run efficiently for everyone. Who wants to sit in the carpool line longer than necessary, right? The girls understand their responsibility to be quiet and attentive. I know behavior will improve.

Wow, we've been busy this week! It's hard to believe that Spring Break was just a week ago.

Nuts and Bolts:

Information needed a parent response is highlighted.

CARITAS Information Fourthies are asked to bring snack size popcorn or chips

* Daisy Days raffle tickets went home today. They are in your daughter's backpack.

* Maypole Information for parents and girls

* Homework- Posted for family planning

* Special Week Girl-Alice 

* Carpool Helpers-Camden and Ali 

Class Leadership Week of 3/19

Ambassadors- Eliza and Ceci

Photographer-Camden

Girls-Your blog question is....... Name one women and what you learned about her this week. Post your answer here. 

Post #28

Happy Spring Break! What a week! The girls were full of life and there was lots of learning too. They were at their creative best with this week's writing lab. The girls wrote a "process or how to essay." Later they videotaped each other demonstrating their scarf tying technique. 

Multiplying and dividing with compound measures was the focus of math this week. The girls have taken to this unit with enthusiasm and ease. They even learned the history of the shortest month while problem solving.

We continue to discuss the 1930's. They girls read about Franklin Roosevelt and his attempts to help his fellow Americans during the Great Depression. Fireside Chats and radios as a form of family entertainment were explored. The girls listened to the 1938 radio broadcast of the War of the Worlds. They imagined what people were thinking and illustrated the fictitious Martian attack. Take a look (thanks Eliza and Stella for building the Animoto):

The girls are so excited about the play. Mrs. Ivens shared the rehearsal schedule. All play updates and details will be included in upcoming blog posts.

4th grade show

Rehearsal schedule

Fri 4/20	9:00-10:30 Sing-through/read-through (LSAR)
Mon 4/23	9:00-11:00 (McVey)
Tues 4/24	9:00-11:00 (McVey)
Wed 4/25	9:30-11:00 (McVey)
Thurs 4/26	1:00-2:30 PM (McVey)
Fri 4/27	9:30-11:00 AM (McVey)
Mon 4/30	1:00-2:30 PM (McVey)
Tues 5/1	9:45-11:00 AM (McVey, in costume, no makeup)
Wed 5/2	8:30 – 9:00 Grades K - 4 rehearse songs for seniors (McVey) 9:00 – 10:45 Dress rehearsal another rehearsal in afternoon at 1:00-2:30 PM if needed
Thurs 5/3	2:30 Performance for parents (1st time in makeup)
Fri 5/4	9:45 LS Party for Seniors - all LS students & faculty attend

Nuts and Bolts:

Information needed a parent response is highlighted.

* Homework- Posted for family planning.

* Special Week Girl-Alice (March 19th) 

* Carpool Helpers-Camden and Eliza

Class Leadership Week of 3/12

Ambassadors- Eliza and Ceci

Photographer-Camden

Girls-Your blog question is....... When is the first play dress rehearsal? Post your answer here.