ELA Test and Philadelphia Field Trip Information

The ELA State Test is on Tuesday and Wednesday. Please note the following important information:

Children should be at school no later than 8:20. It is extremely important that no one is late to school.

If possible, please do not send your child with a cell phone or any electronic devices, including Fitbits or Smartwatches. If that is not possible, we will collect all the devices before the test begins and will return them after the test is completed.

Children are not allowed to get up from their seat to get water. Children should bring in a bottle of water to school for each day of the test.

Make sure your child eats a healthy, low-sugar breakfast the morning of the test.

If your child is sick with a fever, please do not send them to school. We prefer your child take the test on the scheduled makeup days when they are feeling healthy.

On Monday, April 1, the permission form for the 4th grade Philadelphia field trip will be distributed. Please read the information letter and keep it at home for your records. The permission form and money should be returned to school.

In addition to the information that will be sent home, we want to fill you in on some more details for the trip.

Where we are going: We will visit the Museum of American Revolution and Independence Hall.

Transportation: The grade will be taking coach buses and there will be a bathroom on each bus.

Food: Children must bring lunch and carry their own lunch in a backpack. We will provide snacks for the bus rides. Children may not bring money to purchase food or drinks for lunch.

Pictures: Laura and Robyn will be taking pictures throughout the day and will share the photos with the families.

Technology: Children are not allowed to bring cell phones or iPads.  

Candy: Gum and other candy is not allowed on the trip.

Gift Shop: We will visit a gift shop in Philadelphia. Please talk to your child about ways to keep their money safe while traveling and how to manage money in a store (specifically not putting cash on shelving, and remembering to get change). If you are not interested in your child purchasing anything, please let Laura and Robyn know ahead of time.

Car Sickness: If your child suffers from car sickness and needs to take medication, please send a note to school.

Chaperones: Parents will not chaperone this trip.

Stamp Act Simulation

Today in class, we experienced a Stamp Act simulation. Monica Berry came to our class and told the children that beginning on March 31st, students will need to pay 5 cents for items like bathroom visits, copy paper, pencils, and nurse passes. After Monica left, the children shared their feelings and what actions they would take based on their feelings. We then connected their responses to the start of the American Revolution where British Parliament created and enforced the Stamp Act.

Please know this was a simulation, and students do not need to pay for any school materials.

We encourage you to speak with your child tonight about this activity and the thoughts, concerns, and feelings they had.

Area/Perimeter Test Reflection

Today the students are bringing home the Area/Perimeter Unit Assessment. Below please find two examples of word problems we completed in class. We encourage the children to underline important information, draw a picture, and show all work. If your child needs to redo a problem, please use the following examples to remind them of the strategies we practiced in class.

Next Read Aloud!

Our next read aloud will be Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin. Just like our past read alouds, students will have reading comprehension assignments and quizzes throughout the read aloud. Students may bring in a copy of the book to follow along while reading in class. The book can be found in the public library, the local bookstore, and on Amazon.

Please feel free to get a copy of the book if you would like to follow along at home with the class.