Mr. Swett's 4th Grade Class

In language arts, we have been reading in Unit 3, “Mystery to Medicine”.  We have learned some of the history of the medical field, including when the first open-heart surgery was.  We have also learned about how some people, who didn’t live near modern medical facilities, used herbal medicines. 

In writing, we have been learning how to write summaries.  The students have been reading articles and passages, and have been thinking about the main idea and most important details.  They write the main idea and most important details in their own words.  Students will soon be learning about writing a response to literature, which involves writing an opinion about a passage and supporting that opinion.

In math, we have been learning about fractions.  Some of the skills include thinking about fractions as parts of a region, parts of a set, and parts of a number line.  Students also need to be able to recognize equivalent fractions, compare and order fractions, and reduce fractions to simplest form.

In social studies, we have been learning about the mission period of California history.  Students learned about Spain’s influence on California history through colonization, with the construction of missions, presidios, and pueblos.  They have learned about how the California Indians’ lives were changed through Spain’s colonization.  Students have worked on a mission project, which includes a report about the California mission they chose, a model of that mission, and an oral presentation to the class.

In science, students will be learning more about ecosystems.

Sincerely,

Mr. Swett

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