Language Arts: China

Fourth grade has arrived virtually in China. In language arts we are reading the novel Homesick which is a memoir of the author, Jean Fritz, and her early years growing up in China. She lived in China during a very tumultuous time as the country was involved in a revolution. This troubling time in China lends itself to discussing China's history.  Two of our important persons' reports were on Mao Zedong and Chiang Kai-shek which helped to introduce these two key players at this time in history. Many themes run  throughout this novel such as "being good,"  personal identity,  prejudice and of course, the wonderful introduction into the Chinese culture.

Asia Map Test

Fourth-graders are now experts in African, South American, and Asian geography.  Do you know where all the "...stan" countries are in Central Asia? Ask your daughter to show you her practice maps. 

French: Secret Identity Survey

This week in French class, I said "au revoir" to our Bryn Mawr girls as they each assumed a new, top secret identity. The identities ranged from Dorothy Gale to Harry Styles to Marc Garnier (a character from the stories we are reading). In order to figure out their classmates' secret identities, the girls surveyed each other, asking and answering questions all in French. However, they were not allowed to ask "Comment t'appelles-tu?" because that would just be too easy! This activity reviewed key phrases that will be covered on next Wednesday's test.

Science: Making Books and Creating Circuits

After learning about electricity, the girls put their knowledge to work by creating their own original "textbooks" to explain what they learned.  Using the iPad app, "BookCreator," each student chose  to insert original drawings or photographs, original video or audio, and/or pictures from the Internet as illustrations.  Their books were interesting and informative.

Working in groups, the girls were then challenged to create their own circuits using materials in their "Snap Circuit" kits.  They took pictures of their circuits and explained them by making a poster in the iPad app, PicCollage.

A Stitch in Time

The girls are mastering their sewing techniques and adding to their stitch repertoire.  Their molas are almost complete with the details of their embroidery stitchery.  Some of the most popular stitches are the French knot, the stem stitch, the blanket stitch, the chain stitch and the satin stitch.  Some girls have even invented their own stitches.  

Math: Fractions and Decimals

Can you change a fraction into an equivalent decimal or a decimal into an equivalent fraction?  Well, we can! Some fractions are easy...like 7/10 = 0.7.  Some may take an extra step...like 2/5 = 4/10 = 0.4 or 17/20 = 85/100 = 0.85.  And then sometimes, you may just have to divide the numerator by the denominator.

Not only are we working on converting fractions into decimals, but also ordering decimals (and soon, fractions, too). All in all, we are having a great time in 4th grade math!