April Parent Update

Dear Families,

Spring is officially here! In class, we have been working on the following:

Reading: The students will continue to read for deeper meaning in Book Clubs. We will be working on TAKS objectives and strategies for tackling Reading TAKS questions. The students have been reading Time for Kids weekly and thoroughly enjoy the nonfiction articles. We are using the articles to strengthen the students’ strategies to ensure understanding when reading nonfiction texts.
Writing: Calling all Sea Animals! It is time to begin one of our beloved Frostwood traditions! Oceanography is here! This unit will include researching, note taking, outlining, report writing and presenting information on a tri-fold.
Math: We recently completed our unit on measuring time and temperature, collecting, organizing and sorting data, and reading and interpreting bar and pictographs. We are currently reviewing all of the concepts that have been introduced throughout the year in order to prepare for the upcoming TAKS test. Please help your child by reminding them to show their work and use strategies on their math homework. Fact practice should include both long division and double digit multiplication problems at this point in the school year.
Science: We are continuing our study of matter: mixtures and solutions, buoyancy, magnetism and forces such as push/pull, gravity and friction. Our Discovery Lab experiment on mixtures and solutions was awesome!
Social Studies: We will focus on immigration patterns in Texas, the impact the cattle drives and railroads had on Texas and the three branches of state government.

Reminders:
April 17: 9:00am-12:00: FWE Car Wash Benefiting Our Sister School, Housman Elementary- In the Gessner Parking Lot
April 23: Progress Reports Go Home
April 27: 4th Grade Math TAKS Test
April 28: 4th Grade Reading TAKS Test

Thanks so much,
Alison Baker
4th Grade Teacher
Frostwood Elementary

State of Matter

In Science, we are learning about the States of Matter. Here is a neat website about the States of Matter! Enjoy!

http://www.neok12.com/States-of-Matter.htm

March Parent Update

Dear Families,

I hope that you all have a safe and enjoyable spring break! In class, we are working on the following:

Reading: We just finished our books for Book Club and we will be starting new books for the fourth nine weeks. The students will continue to read for deeper meaning in Book Clubs. We will be working on tactics for tackling Reading TAKS questions.
Writing: After finishing our non-fiction stories, we will work on our writing portfolios and learn how to write an editorial. Later we will begin our newspaper unit analyzing sections of the paper and their importance. We will conclude by creating our own newspaper.
Math: We have been learning about measuring time and temperature, collecting, organizing and sorting data, and reading and interpreting bar and pictographs. Next, we will begin a four week review of all of the concepts that have been introduced throughout the year.
Science: Students will investigate matter: physical properties, states of matter, changes caused by cooling and heating, and conductors and insulators related to heat, magnetism, buoyancy and mixtures and solutions. We will also have Discovery Lab on March 30 and/or 31 to explore mixtures and solutions.
Social Studies: We will focus on events that led to the annexation of Texas to the United States, and immigrants that began to settle in Texas.

Reminders:
March 15-19: Spring Break
March 23: GREAT with Officer Miller
March 26: Report Cards go home