Clarksburg Elementary School
Fourth Grade Newsletter
Engaged Learners
Future Leaders
Volume 1 Issue 4
December 2015
Email Addresses
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
December
Dates to
Remember:




Book Fair, Dec.
1st—4th
Muffins for Moms
and Grandmoms,
Dec. 1st, 8:30
AM
Winter Concert,
Dec. 8th, 7 PM at
Clarksburg HS
Winter Break
begins Dec. 24th
Clarksburg Elementary
Reminders:
It is hard to believe
that it is December
already. Remember
to send your child
dressed for the
weather. We have
outdoor recess
unless the
temperature won’t
allow us.
Here is an overview of some of the instructional areas of study
for this month. We are attaching the reading and math newsletters that have been generated by the county. These newsletters are also available on the CES website. The newsletters
will give you the Measurement Topics (MT) for each of these
subjects. It will also give you the Thinking and Academic
Success Skills (TASS) that will be the focus for all subject areas
during the quarter.
On the following pages is an overview of the instructional areas of study for the areas of writing, science and social studies
that will be covered this month.
Writing
Writing: Informative/Explanatory
Students demonstrate proficiency of Grade 4 standards for this measurement topic by composing, over
shorter and extended time frames, informative/explanatory texts with evidence of:
An introduction that develops a clear topic.
An organizational structure in which related ideas are grouped to support the information.
Formatting using text features or multi-media to aid comprehension.
Researched facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples related to
the topic.
Linking ideas within categories of information using words and phrases (e.g., another, for example, also,
because).
precise language and domain-specific vocabulary
A concluding statement or section related to the information or explanation presented.
Writing: Process, Production, and Research
Students demonstrate proficiency of Grade 4 standards for this measurement topic by:
Developing clear, coherent, and organized writing appropriate to task, purpose and audience.
Planning, revising, and editing based on feedback from adults and peers.
Using a variety of technology while interacting and collaborating with others to produce or publish
writing.
Conducting short research investigations of different aspects to build knowledge or a topic.
Recalling or gathering relevant information from print and digital sources.
Recording relevant notes, categorizing information, and citing sources.
Drawing evidence from literary and informative texts for analysis, reflection, or
research.
Writing: Use of Language
Students demonstrate proficiency of Grade 4 standards for this measurement topic by:
Creating audio recordings and visual displays to enhance main ideas or themes.
Choosing words and phrases to convey ideas precisely.
Demonstrating command of grade-level grammar, usage, spelling, and capitalization.
Differentiating between listening and speaking contexts that call for recounting experiences, reporting
on topics or telling stories in an organized manner using appropriate facts or details.
After researching a business to open in Clarksburg, students will be writing
community profiles and business proposals. Both of these tie in on our Social
Studies Unit of economics.
Social Studies
Economics
Students demonstrate proficiency of Grade 4 standards for this measurement topic by:
using economic reasoning to understand the historical development and current status of economic
principles, institutions, and processes during the age of exploration and used in Maryland today.
For our inquiry project, we are busy working on our Community Profile before we begin
writing our business proposals for a new business in Clarksburg.
Science
Life Sciences
Students demonstrate proficiency of Grade 4 standards for this measurement topic by:
Understanding Explanations- Explaining interactions and relationships among
living things, including humans and the natural environment. Applying these
concepts to real-world situations.
Generating Evidence- Analyzing and interpreting data as evidence that supports
claims related to interactions and relationships between living things, including
humans and the natural environment.
Reflecting on Knowledge- Using and interpreting scientific and technological
knowledge to formulate generalizations about interactions and relationships
between living things, including humans and the natural environment.
Participating Productively- Questioning the validity of evidence related to
interactions and relationships between living things, including humans and the
natural environment.
Engineering and Technology
Students demonstrate proficiency of Grade 4 standards for this measurement topic by:
Understanding Explanations- Understanding the characteristics, scope, and
impact of technology. Explaining relationships among technology, humans, and
the natural environment. Understanding the engineering design process and its
application to real-world situations.
Generating Evidence- Deciding what evidence is needed to investigate a
scientific question or address a technological problem. Applying the engineering
design process to address a technological problem.
Reflecting on Knowledge- Using and interpreting scientific and technological
knowledge to revise thinking based on new evidence or ideas about products or
systems.
Participating Productively- Representing information and ideas clearly and
convincingly based on scientific evidence and technological concepts or designs.
Students will begin to study the effects of pollution on our eco-columns.