In April, fourth grade saw the last state test of the school year.  We celebrated on a beautiful Friday afternoon.  We went outside and had ice cream sandwiches and cold refreshing drinks.  The last test was Science and we reviewed all the concepts that have been taught since kindergarten.  The children were well prepared and worked very hard on this test that follows the state math test so closely.  We abandoned social studies in April in order to focus on science.  Therefore we will now pick up on Social Studies.  We are in the mists of the Revolutionary War.  We are learning about what it meant to be a Patriot and why our ancestors fought so hard to be independent from England.

                We are wrapping up chapter 6 in Math.  I can safely say that we have conquered long multiplication.  The children learned that if they know their multiplication and addition facts, this was easy and fun.  Next we jump to chapter 9 (We have already finished chapters 7 and 8 earlier.).  Chapter 9 is Fractions Concepts.  We will be adding and subtracting fractions with like and unlike denominators.  Another chapter that requires you to know your addition, subtraction, division and multiplication facts.

                In English Language Arts, we are in the middle of unit 4.  We have worked on such skills as summarizing, text structure, paraphrasing, and compare and contrast.  We have done some writing as well, compare and contrast and persuasive essays.  In May the children will be doing a research report on an animal of their choice.