The GHWH Fourth Grade Gazette: Weekly Updates: 5/9-5/13

Upcoming Dates

5/10 - STAAR Math Test
5/11 - STAAR Reading Test
5/12 - Concert
5/26 - Lochinvar Recitations
5/27 - Last day of school!

A Note on STAAR

Scholars have been working so hard to learn all of the content of their fourth grade year. We are so excited to see them demonstrate their mastery of their math and reading skills this coming week! Here are a few reminders to ensure that they have the most successful and low-stress experience possible.

A good night's rest can go a long way! Please help ensure your scholar gets a full night of sleep.
Students should have a good, filling breakfast the day of the test. (Maybe some good luck pancakes!)
Students should arrive on time to help ensure a smooth, seamless start to their test.
Students are not permitted to talk about the content of the test to ensure the security of testing materials. Please partner with us by not asking them specific questions about the testing items!

A Look Ahead

ELA -

This week, scholars will not be learning new words in Spalding due to their STAAR tests. We will take our additional time to review cursive letter formation and practice our poem.
In Literature, scholars will continue their journey through the beautiful and terrible land of Oz. We will read through chapter 20 this week encountering memorable settings and characters such as Glinda the Good Witch, the fighting trees, and the Dainty China Country. After having reached the climax last week, we are in the "falling action," headed towards the resolution of the novel. We look forward to seeing both the characters and our scholars learn more about themselves this week as we head towards the end of Dorothy's journey.
In Grammar this week, scholars will continue learning about compound sentences.
In Poetry, scholars have been practicing the delightful tale of “Lochinvar" by Sir Walter Scott. Recitations will begin on 5/26.

Math -

In Math this week, scholars will spend Monday doing their final review for the STAAR test, which is on Tuesday (5/10). We will spend the rest of the week learning about three-dimensional shapes and how to calculate their volume.

History -

This week we will be learning about Texas's involvement in the Civil War. We encourage you to have conversations with your children about the complicated history of our great state, particularly regarding Texas's support of slavery during the Civil War.

Science -

This week, we will review the concepts learned up to this point in our Science unit on natural resources. On Thursday, we will explore solar energy.

A Note on Uniforms:

Announcement:

We are asking that all parents review the dress code policy as we will begin a uniform reset procedure to help our students get to 100 percent uniform compliance. Our uniform policy will be sent home in scholar’s folder; it is also found on our website under the family handbook. Per our family handbook, “While students are responsible for their clothing and appearance, it is the parents who are responsible for providing the conditions required for meeting the standard, e.g. haircuts, proper shoes, shirts, skirts and pants that fit properly, are clean, etc. Parents are urged to understand the uniform requirements below, and to ensure that their children go to school each day in the right attire, from head to toe. It is an uncomfortable experience for a child to be corrected for a uniform violation, and repeated uniform issues can become an enormous distraction for students.”

Uniform Reset Procedure: An email or phone call and a note/infraction will be sent home when your scholar is violating our dress code policy. The note will explain the violation. After the third violation the student will receive lunch detention with the Dean. If for any reason you are unable to purchase the proper uniform please reach out to Jennifer Cape, Jennifer.cape@greatheartswesternhill.org.