Hello December!

Good Afternoon,

What a wonderful week of learning and growth we’ve had in 4th grade! I’ve been so impressed by the progress each student has made, and I’m excited for what the final two weeks of this month will bring. With sickness making its way around, I hope everyone stays healthy and feels their best. Looking forward to finishing the year strong and making these last weeks full of fun and excitement!

Week in Review:

Leader in Me: This week we learned about the importance of prioritizing. Your learner focused on what it means to prioritize things that are important and urgent. Watch the Time Matrix video on Leader in Me Online and discuss what you learned about the important and urgent.

Writing: Writers this week made great strides in crafting their literary essays. They began by setting goals using a literary essay checklist, which helped them focus on the key elements of their writing. Writers then planned and drafted a character change essay, practicing how to use transitional phrases to connect their ideas smoothly. In our revision sessions, we emphasized quoting text to support their arguments more effectively. Lastly, they worked on adding complexity to their sentences, making their writing stronger and more engaging. 

Math: This week in 4th grade math, mathematicians tackled several key concepts in fractions and decimals. We began with "Last Equation Wins," where students practiced decomposing fractions using geoboards. Then, we focused on comparing, adding, and subtracting fractions with both like and unlike denominators. In "Dozens of Eggs," mathematicians used visual models to practice adding fractions, reinforcing their understanding. Next, in "How Many Candy Bars?" they applied their fraction skills to real-world scenarios. Finally, we started learning about decimals, laying the foundation for future lessons.

Reading: This week readers focused on deepening their understanding of texts. They worked on recognizing areas for growth, replacing old ideas with stronger ones, and analyzing cause and effect to understand character changes. Readers also collaborated with partners to challenge and expand their thinking. Finally, we explored how the setting and plot reveal character traits, helping us see how all parts of a story connect, comparing it to putting together a puzzle!

Content: We started a new science unit, Animal & Plant Adaptations. In this unit, students will explore the adaptations of animals and plants. Students will investigate how the external and internal structures of an organism work together as an interconnected system that aid in their growth and survival. They also will use models to explore how a combination of instincts and memories influence animal behavior. This week, students made observations of an underwater animal, a frogfish, in order to collect evidence that its external structures serve specific functions. In the activity, Frogfish Finder, students used their observations to construct an argument that the frogfish’s external and internal structures work together as part of a system to support their growth and survival.

  • Thank you to a parent who shared this great resource which can benefit your 4th grader and family! Every fourth grader in the US is eligible to receive a free pass for their family to visit America’s natural wonders and historic sites, which accesses hundreds of parks, lands and waters for an entire year! Visit everykidoutdoors.gov/rules.htm for more information and to get your pass!


A Look Ahead:

  • DATE FOR MADISON FIELD TRIP
    • Thursday, December 19th. 
  • December 13th - No School
  • December 16th-20th Holiday Dress Up Days
    • Monday, December 16th - Wear Holiday Socks
    • Tuesday, December 17th - Wear Holiday Shirts/Sweaters
    • Wednesday, December 18th - Wear Grinch Colors
    • Thursday, December 19th - Wear Holiday Hats/Headgear (Madison Field Trip Day)
    • Friday, December 20th - Wear Pajamas
  • December 23rd - January 1st - No School
  • See below on information from the District for subbing opportunities!


That's all for this week!

Have a great weekend!


Mr. VW






Do you want to make a difference in Kaukauna? 
Would you like to help your child's school out? 
Do you like kids?
Are you good with kids? 
 
Then you should become a KASD SUB!! 

Talented and skilled substitute teachers and educational assistants are critical to our district. Becoming a sub aids in the instructional and procedural continuity of the district. We are so thankful for our wonderful subs! 

To become a Certified Substitute Teacher the state requires a minimum of an associate's degree and the completion of an 8 hour Substitute Training Program - in person or self guided modules from the comfort of your own home - through CESA 6 (see first link below). Once the 8 hours are complete, you will receive the certification of completion. You will then log onto the Department of Public Instruction website (DPI) (see second link below) and apply for the Short Term Substitute License. In the application, DPI will require you to upload your completion certification from the substitute training program. 

Here is the link to the CESA 6 substitute training program: 

https://www.cesa6.org/teachers/educator-licensing/substitute-teacher-training

After the program is complete, here is the link to DPI - where you will need to go after you acquire the certificate from CESA: 

https://dpi.wi.gov/licensing/apply-educator-license/sub-permit

To become an Educational Assistant Substitute no degree or certification is necessary! You just have to like kids and be reliable! Please log onto WECAN, and apply today to become an EA sub. Your school and district thank you!

Both positions - Certified Subs and EA Subs - are posted on WECAN.  Here's the link:https://wecan.waspa.org/    Please apply when you're ready and I will reach out to you once your application comes through.  

Feel free to reach out to me with any questions. 

Thank you!



Holly Parks
Human Resources and Business Services Associate
Kaukauna Area School District




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