Week of March 2 to 6
❄️ The "Michigan Weather" Update:
Some of our students took their snow gear home today! We’re hoping for a little "freshening up" of those snow pants and coats over the weekend. As we all know, Michigan weather likes to keep us guessing—so if the forecast looks like snow, please send that clean gear back to school so we are ready for recess!
What We Learned this Week:
Bible: It has been an action-packed week in Bible class as we continued our journey through the life of the prophet Elijah and the reign of King Ahab. The students explored themes of courage, listening for God's voice, and the consequences of our choices.
Key Highlights:
Victory & Trial: We saw God’s incredible power on Mount Carmel, but we also learned that even heroes of faith like Elijah face hard times. After being threatened by Queen Jezebel, Elijah fled for his life.
A Still, Small Voice: In his moment of fear, God didn't leave Elijah alone. He provided an angel for encouragement and eventually appeared to Elijah himself.
Passing the Torch: We witnessed a special moment when Elijah found Elisha plowing in a field. Elijah threw his cloak over him, and Elisha stepped up to become his faithful attendant. It was a great lesson on how God continues to call people to serve Him today!
The Consequences of Choices: We wrapped up by discussing the end of King Ahab's reign. Despite God’s miraculous deliverance from enemies, Ahab continued to make poor choices—like taking Naboth’s vineyard. Ultimately, we saw that no disguise can hide us from the truth, as Ahab fell in battle just as the prophet Micaiah had warned.
The Unit 12 Elijah test is scheduled for Friday, March 13. To help your child prepare, please find the following resources below:
Link to English Study Guide: This guide is designed to help parents support their student's review at home.
Link to Spanish Study Guide: The students will also receive a physical copy of this in class very soon.
Link to Blooket Review Games: A fun and interactive way for students to practice their knowledge!
Happy studying!
Math: We have spent the week becoming experts at solving multi-step word problems!
Key Highlights:
Real-World Math: We tackled word problems that required us to convert measurements (like inches to feet or ounces to pounds) before finding a final answer.
Area & Perimeter Challenges: Students practiced identifying whether a word problem was asking for the distance around a shape (perimeter) or the space inside it (area).
Test Prep Mode: We’ve officially entered review mode! The class has been working hard to prepare for our upcoming Unit 5 Measurement Test. Our Unit 5 Test is scheduled for Tuesday, March 10. Your student brought home a practice test that is modeled exactly after the actual assessment. This is their best "secret weapon" for success! Please encourage them to go through the practice problems this weekend to build their confidence for Tuesday.
Reading: Our 4th-grade readers have been busy making "Text-to-Self" connections this week! We are learning that while every story is unique, we often share a lot in common with the people we read about.
Key Highlights:
Mirror, Mirror: We practiced comparing and contrasting ourselves with the main characters from our current and past books. The students wrote thoughtful reflections on how they are similar to their favorite characters and what makes them unique.
Exploring Frindle: We reached Chapter 5 of our mentor text, Frindle! This chapter is a big one as Nick Allen’s "big idea" starts to take shape in Mrs. Granger’s classroom.
Deep Discussions: We used our reading of Chapter 5 to analyze how a character’s personality (like Nick’s creativity or Mrs. Granger’s love for the dictionary) drives the plot of the story forward.
Writing: This week, our writers focused on the "Golden Rule" of informational writing: Give credit where credit is due! We are moving beyond just sharing facts and starting to build real authority in our work.
Key Highlights:
The Power of Citations: Students learned how to weave academic citations into their drafts. We discussed how using expert information helps support our own points and makes our writing much more credible to the reader.
Ethics in Writing: We had important conversations about plagiarism. The class practiced the integrity of giving credit to the original authors of the quotes and ideas they found during research.
Vocabulary Detectives: As they write, students are identifying "expert words" that might be new to their readers. They are busy defining these terms within their paragraphs or preparing them for a glossary.
Bringing Text to Life: We ended the week exploring nonfiction text features. From bold headings to detailed captions and diagrams, the students are learning how to guide their readers through their information visually.
Social Studies: Following our deep dive into immigration stories and the gateways of Ellis and Angel Islands, we turned our attention this week to the lasting impact of the people who made the journey to America.
Key Highlights:
Cultural Footprints: We explored how different immigrant groups have shaped the "flavor" of America. The students looked at specific regions and cities to see how high percentages of certain groups have influenced the local food, music, and language.
Architecture & Geography: We discussed how the construction of buildings isn't just about style—it's about survival! We talked about how geographic features and weather patterns determine what materials are used and how buildings are designed to handle the climate.
Michigan’s Global Flavors: We specifically looked at the traditions and structures that various groups brought to our own state, identifying how many of our favorite local landmarks actually have roots in other countries. We specifically studied the impact of Finnish culture in Michigan. From the architecture to local traditions, we saw how Finnish immigrants adapted to the Michigan landscape!
Spelling: Here is the link to next week's spelling list!
From the Office:
Tulip Time is coming! If you have a 1st through 4th grade student, please select how they plan to participate in the Tulip Time parade by using this form!
Upcoming Dates:
March 16: No School
March 20: Reports Card Live
March 26 + 30: Parent Teacher Conferences
April 3-10 Spring Break
✍️ Big News: We’re Becoming Published Authors!:
The moment we’ve been waiting for is almost here! Our 4th graders have officially finished up the assembly of our very own class book. We will be mailing our final manuscript to Studentreasures Publishing very soon.
Order Forms: I have sent home the order forms and envelopes in your student’s folder a few days ago.
Action Needed: If you would like a copy of this special keepsake, please fill out the form and send the envelope back to school as soon as possible. Even if you don't order a book, I still need the order form returned to me.
We can’t wait to see our hard work in print!
March 19 Writing Celebration Snack:
Dear Parents,
I am so excited to share that our 4th-grade students will be coming together for a combined Writing Celebration on March 19! This is a wonderful opportunity for the students across all sections to share their hard work, celebrate their growth as authors, and enjoy each other's "Books of Expertise."
Our class has the special responsibility of providing the snacks and drinks for all 50 students across the grade level.
If you are willing and able to contribute, we are looking for the following (enough for 50 students):
Individual Snacks (e.g., pretzels, popcorn, fruit snacks, or crackers)
Drinks (e.g., juice boxes or small water bottles)
Napkins/Small Plates (this is OPTIONAL)
Important Safety Note: We have a peanut allergy in the grade level, so please ensure all contributions are strictly peanut-free.
If you are able to help with any of these items—either for the whole group or by providing a portion—please reply to this email and let me know!
Thank you for helping us make this celebration a special and memorable event for our young authors.
From the Spanish Immersion Team:
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