Amazing Adaptations

Dear Parents and Students,

It is hard to believe school has been in session for 4 weeks. Our learning adventures have escalated this past week in so many ways. Together we are growing in a variety of ways.

Students eyes glow with many connections to their world around them. We have been investigating Utah's environments, plants, and animals. I love their creative insights and determination. It is neat to see their brain make connections between new vocabulary words like adaptations and everyday observations. Some amazing adaptations we have studied are camouflage, types of feet, eye positions, and breathing strategies.

Throughout the week we will continue to discover Utah's spectacular environments. Students will explore forests in science and language arts activities. I hope you will make conversation and connections with students about the exciting world around them.

This week our 4th grade core curriculum include the following goals:
Reading: Predicting and Questioning
Spelling: Patterns
Writing: Introductions & Conclusions

Math: Comparing and Contrasting Numbers

Science: Utah Environments: Classification

Social Studies: Regions of Utah

Thank you to all of your for your support with sending classroom supplies, volunteering, and supporting your students. It is a joy to work with your students!

Sending Pixie Dust,

Mrs. Yates

Dazzling Deserts

Dear Parents and Students,

I just want to say a special thank you for all the sweet emails, encouragement, and support with this surprising change in life. Thank you!

Each day is magical with your students. I love teaching and learning with them each day. When the time comes, I will be sad to leave them. I appreciate how much they have taught me in the short time we have been together.

I love their creative insights and determination. This week students were amazed and little "grossed out" to discover the adaptations plants and animals have to live in a desert. We explored the way a cactus has small pores, waxy surface, and wide spread roots to capture and hold the greatest amount of water. Together we even dissected an Aloe Vera cactus plant. Their eyes were surprised to see the green goop inside. :)

Throughout the week we will continue to discover Utah's spectacular environments. Students will explore forests in science and language arts activities. I hope you will make conversation and connections with students about the exciting world around them.

This week our 4th grade core curriculum include the following goals:
Reading: Questioning
Spelling: Patterns
Writing: Writing process

Math: Place Value

Science: Utah Environments: Forests & Elevation

Social Studies: Maps and globes

Thank you to all of your for your support with sending classroom supplies, volunteering, and supporting your students. It is a joy to work with your students!

Sending Pixie Dust,

Mrs. Yates

Wonderful Wetlands

Dear Parents and Students,

I just want to say a special thank you to all who have donated school supplies to our classroom. Every little bit helps. Thank you!

I hope your students are loving our daily learning activities celebrations. There is not doubt I know I am!! I love their creative insights and determination. This week one student made a clever connection between line graph increase trends and gas prices. Wow!! You sure have bright students. I am lucky to be their teacher.

Utah is a spectacular place to live. Students are exploring our three environments in science and language arts: wetlands, forests, and deserts. This week we did a few experiments to demonstrate the purpose of our wetlands. Students can tell you that wetlands serve to protect the land from flooding, filtering the water, and providing a home for animals, especially migrating birds. Splashing in the water was a great way to discover these sacred habitats.

This week we jump into the beginnings of our 4th grade core curriculum with the following goals:
Reading: Questioning
Spelling: Patterns
Writing: Writing process

Math: Graphs

Science: Utah Environments: Wetlands & Forests

Social Studies: Maps and globes

Thank you to all of your for your support with sending classroom supplies, volunteering, and supporting your students. It is a joy to work with your students!

Sending Pixie Dust,

Mrs. Yates