Welcome to Fourth Grade

I cannot believe the school year is almost over!  The students have survived testing and are ecstatic to start our new planner which focuses on artistic expression using Greek Mythology as a case study.  Students are working with Houston-based artist, Liz Conces Spencer, to create authentic Greek friezes and theater masks.  They are also reading various Greek myths and will be studying other myths from around the world.  We will end this planner with a huge 4th grade Toga Party (more details to follow)!

Portfolio Picnic Week is next week.  Please schedule an appointment to have a "working" lunch with your child.  During your picnic you will be able to view and discuss much of the work we have been doing this school year.  Unfortunately, the work will have to be returned so it can travel to fifth grade with your child.  You should have received an appointment card in the Tuesday folder last week.  Please remember to send in the appointment forms as soon as possible.   

Our student teacher, Mr. Ding, has completed his assignment and wished us all farewell.  The students wrote letters and threw him a surprise going away party.  We all wish Mr. Ding and Ms. Nandlal the best of luck.

 I realize that there is a lot going on this month.  I have added important dates and events to remember so we can all make it through the next month as easily as possible...

May 4-9: Spirit Week

May 8: Roberts Carnival

May 11-15: Portfolio Picnic Week

May 13: Fourth Grade Performance and Fine Arts Night

Visit this webpage for updates!

Art History 101

Central Idea:  We express our ideas, feelings, and beliefs through art.

An inquiry into:

• reasons behind expression
• different mediums of art
• the impact of a piece of art on others

Writing: Fiction!  Students will work on developing believable characters.

Reading: We are reading The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan.  We will also focus on various Greek myths as well as other myths from around the world.

Math: More fractions, decimals and percents!

Science: Sound (Echo and Narcissus)

Social Studies:  We are studying life in Texas after the Civil War. 

Have a pleasant week.

Sincerely,

Telfia Johnson Ellis

tjohns26@houstonisd.org