Students are working diligently to locate all 50 states on a map in under 2 minutes.

Dear FAmilies,

It’s hard to imagine that winter break is almost here! In the classroom, students are busy creating and running the three branches of a classroom government, completing our latest novel, Freedom Train, and putting the final touches on our Invention Convention trifold boards. In phonics, students are learning many new Latin roots, and we are nearly finished our Wordly Wise book. It has been a busy winter! Just a few last-minute reminders for the upcoming weeks:

Yearbooks: If you would like to order a yearbook, this is the last week to do so. You may place your order online at this site.

Guest Speaker: Yesterday in science we had a guest speaker, Byron Glaser, who spoke with fourth grade about entrepreneurship. Mr. Glaser’s company, Higashi-Glaser Design, designed FA’s beautiful falcon logo and the amazing ZoLO building toy. He generously gifted each child a set of books the he designed. We are grateful that he was able to share his expertise with us!

Invention Convention Update: Inventions are due on the Monday we return from winter break, March 4. Please be sure that all photographs and journals are sent in, as they will be added to project boards. We will spend Monday and Tuesday working on our speeches for the Convention, which will take place on Wednesday, March 6, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Middle School Multi-Purpose Room (MS MPR). We hope that you are able to join us for this amazing event.

Parent Teacher Conferences: We look forward to seeing you at parent/teacher conferences this spring. Friday, March 15 will be a student holiday and a day to make an appointment to meet with your child’s homeroom teacher. Please sign up below.

Mr. Evans’s Homeroom

Mrs. Midkiff’s Homeroom

Upcoming Events and Dates to Remember:

2/26 – 3/1 – Winter Break
3/4 – Completed inventions due to FA
3/6 – Invention Convention, MS MPR, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
3/15 – Lower School conferences

Your fourth grade team,
Michelle and Bill

Students created posters promoting our kindness challenge to hang around campus.

Dear FAmilies,

When I read that this would be a particularly wet winter, I envisioned lots of fluffy, white snow and snowman building with the students. The beginning of this week is not the weather I had in mind! We are so glad to see the sun now, and we are grateful to be able to enjoy all of FA’s beautiful outdoor spaces.

Valentine’s Day: A big thank you to all of the parents who donated to and participated in our Valentine’s Day craft and snack. Fun was had by all!

Invention Convention: Students are busily working on project boards for Invention Convention. You may send in decorations if you’d like. Remember, projects are due the Monday after winter break. If you have any concerns about the project or tri-fold boards, please email Mrs. Midkiff.

Quilter Needed: If you are able (and willing) to help with a class quilting project, please contact Mrs. Midkiff. Many thanks for your consideration.

Wordly Wise: Our Lesson 18 Wordly Wise test will be next Tuesday.

Upcoming Events and Dates to Remember:
2/19 – Student Holiday/Teacher Work Day
2/26 – 3/1 – Winter Break
3/4 – Completed inventions due to FA
3/6 – Invention Convention, MS MPR, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
3/15 – Lower School conferences – sign up sheet available in next week’s newsletter

Your fourth grade team,
Michelle and Bill

Good evening, FAmilies,

Just a quick reminder before tonight’s big game that trifold boards are due this week. We will work on them in class beginning this Tuesday, February 13.

FAQ’s:

• Does the board need to be completed by Tuesday? No! We will work on it in class.
• Can I send in special supplies?  Yes, students can bring in any supplies they would like, but I will have construction paper, sharpies, and a hot glue gun available at school. Bring on the glitter glue and puffballs!
• What should we be working on at home? Your child should be working on his or her invention and writing 3 inventor’s logs/journals (not 5, as stated in the paperwork). You should snap a few photos for their presentation board.
• Inventor’s Journal? Yes, your child will write 3 journal entries about their invention process. There are some suggestions to get them going in the packet of information. These may be typed or written in a small journal instead of the pages attached to the packet.
• Do I have to print the pictures? You can print the photos at home or the printer of your choice (Walgreens, Shutterfly, etc.). Printer broken? No time to head to Walgreens? You may send the photos to Mrs. Midkiff electronically and she will print them out on regular printer paper.

Here is an example board that I will share with the students tomorrow. It was created using 2 pieces of scrapbooking paper and 7 (maybe 8?) pieces of construction paper. Students will include the name of their invention, a copy of their patent, a detailed sketch of their invention, photographs, and their inventor’s log.

Hope this helps with any questions you may have, and I look forward to seeing the kids tomorrow!

Michelle

We have been working with Ms. Clark, our school counselor, to talk about kindness. Here is a challenge that we will be working on – give it a try at home, too!

Kindness Challenge

Happy Wednesday!
Michelle, Bill, and Dana Clark

A sunny winter day on the activity field

Dear FAmilies,

Let’s hear it for sunny days in February! We have enjoyed being outdoors, running and playing on the playground, playscape, and activity field. In the classroom, we have been busy in all areas of our curriculum. Here are some highlights:

Book Clubs: We have begun our study of Harriet Tubman, which coincides nicely with our history curriculum. Students are reading Freedom Train with a partner and we are having many meaningful discussions about it as a class.

Valentine’s Day: We are looking forward to a small craft and special snack on Wednesday, February 14 to celebrate Valentine’s Day. If you would like to send in valentines, please be sure to include your child’s entire homeroom. If you are sending valentines to the other homeroom, please include all students so that feelings are not hurt. Here is a list of names by homeroom:

• Evans: Ava A., Kamryn, Lena, Penn, Helene, Aina, Zachary, Audriana, Emma, Aivleen, Sawyer, Lewis, Ava St. V., Chase
• Midkiff: Henry, Miller, Evie, Abby, Justin, Quinn, Elise, Jayden, Moxie, Gabi, Jacob, Juliana, Jack, Kendall

Invention Convention: This Friday, students need to turn in their progress reports, which is page 11 of their handbook. We filled these out IN CLASS Monday, and students were to take them home and talk them over with parents. If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Midkiff, or write a note on the progress report.

Trifold Board: Trifold boards, or $5 to purchase one from the school store, are due no later than Tuesday, February 13. We will begin working on them in class that day. The entire project board will be completed in class, and you are welcome to send decorative items in with your child.

Book Projects: Fantasy book project #2 is due Friday.

Quilters Needed: If we have a quilter who is able to volunteer to help sew a quilt for a class project, please contact Mrs. Midkiff. Students will create quilt squares and sew them together, but we need help with the backing and quilting. Thank you for helping us keep our curriculum meaningful.

Library Events: The Central Rappahannock Regional Library has many interesting events this February that tie in with our curriculum. Check out this link to learn about African American inventors, and scroll down to learn about many other events that will be taking place this month.

Upcoming Events and Dates to Remember:
2/8 – Open notes history quiz; Battles of Lexington, Concord, Bunker Hill, Trenton
2/9 – Fantasy book project #2 due, AND
2/9 – Invention Convention progress report due (page 11 of packet)
2/13 – Trifold display board due
2/19 – Student Holiday/Teacher Work Day
2/26 – 3/1 – Winter Break
3/4 – Completed inventions due to FA
3/6 – Invention Convention, MS MPR, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Your fourth grade team,
Michelle and Bill

Because of Friday’s guest speaker,
students created different recipes for putty.

Dear FAmilies,

January has come to a close and we look forward to spending February reading new novels, diving into fractions, and more. A few notes about our week:

Book Project Due This Friday: The first of two book projects is due this Friday. Students can choose which of their projects to complete first, and we always accept early work.

Wordly Wise: The assessment on Lesson 17 will be this Friday.

Guest Speaker: This Friday afternoon, fourth grade will zoom with a very special guest speaker: Aaron from Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty. Aaron invented thinking putty over 25 years ago and has been running the company ever since – click on the link if you’d like to learn more about his amazing journey from computer programmer to “putty guy.” Aaron is also the cousin of Falcon Club’s Miss Melissa!

Invention Convention: All students have received their approved patent applications. Progress Reports (page 11 of the Invention Convention packet) are due Friday, February 9.

Trifold Boards are needed for Invention Convention and can be purchased at the Falcon’s Nest for $5 or at the retailer of your choice. We will decorate the boards in class beginning February 13. On this day, students may bring in decorations such as pre-cut letters, lights, stickers, or anything they would like. These decorations are not a requirement, and I will have construction paper and crayons available.

Upcoming Events and Dates to Remember:
2/2 – Fantasy book project #1 due, Wordly Wise Test, Guest Speaker
2/9 – Fantasy book project #2 due, AND
2/9 – Invention Convention progress report due (page 11 of packet)
2/13 – Trifold display board due
2/19 – Student Holiday/Teacher Work Day
2/26 – 3/1 – Winter Break
3/4 – Completed inventions due to FA
3/6 – Invention Convention, MS MPR, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Your fourth grade team,
Michelle and Bill

Dear FAmilies,

This week began with a visit from our friend Ned, who reminded us that a positive mindset goes a VERY long way toward achieving our goals. We are reminded to never give up, to encourage others, and to do our best every day. Thanks, Ned!

In the Ned zone!

Reading Projects: Students should be nearing the end of their fantasy novels for at-home reading. This is the novel they should be reading every night for homework.  The first project (of their choosing) is due next Friday, February 2. If you have any questions after looking over the rubric on the project sheets, please contact your child’s homeroom teacher.

Invention Convention Notes:

• Patent Applications, pages 9-10 of the Invention Convention packet, are due tomorrow. We went over the form in class and discussed how to fill it out. If you have any questions, let Mrs. Midkiff know. I am happy to help!
• Students will need to bring a 36″ x 48″ trifold display board by February 13. You can purchase one at the Falcon’s Nest for $5, or here is an option from Walmart.
• Lost an information packet? Good news! Check the link at the top of this page in the blue bar.  There is a pdf you can print at home.

Students created Rube Goldberg machines in class. In a time when inventions
were busy making everyday life easier, Rube decided to use his imagination
to create complex solutions to simple problems. 

Upcoming Events and Dates to Remember:

1/24 – Invention Convention patent application due (pages 9 and 10 of packet) I will accept Thursday, January 25 as well due to snow days
1/26 – Students should complete reading fantasy novel by this time
1/27 – Lower School Movie Night sponsored by the PFA – Come see Elemental!
2/2 – Fantasy book project #1 due
2/9 – Fantasy book project #2 due, AND
2/9 – Invention Convention progress report due (page 11 of packet)
2/13 – Trifold display board due
2/19 – Student Holiday/Teacher Work Day
2/26 – 3/1 – Winter Break
3/4 – Completed inventions due to FA
3/6 – Invention Convention, MS MPR, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Your fourth grade team,
Michelle and Bill

Dear FAmilies,

We hope that your unexpected time off on Friday was relaxing and that you had time to play in the snow with your family. Here are some updates for the week:

Invention Convention: Student Contracts (p.8 of packet) were due last Friday. Many students have already turned them in, but please be sure to send them in tomorrow if you can. Patent Applications (p.9-10 of packet) were originally due this Wednesday, but due to the snow days, I will accept them on Thursday as well.

Students did some brainstorming in class and came up with myriad problems to solve. We talked about what would make their lives – or the lives of friends and family – easier. What would make getting ready for school easier? What would help with chores? What would help with sports you play? Hobbies? The possibilities are endless!

• How can you remember to feed your pet?
• Do you feed your pet too much or too little?
• What do you do about muddy paws?
• What can you do to organize sports gear?
• Can you keep your fingers from getting blistered and calloused when learning to play the guitar?
• Do you use too much or too little shampoo?
• Are you bored with all of your board games?

As always, I look forward to seeing the students’ ideas.

Wordly Wise: Test on Lesson 16 on Tuesday.

Book Projects: Students should be about halfway finished with their fantasy novel. If your child is having difficulty, please let his or her homeroom teacher know. The book should be completed by Friday and the first project is due next Friday, February 2.

Upcoming Events and Dates to Remember:

1/19 – Invention Convention student contract due (page 8 of packet) – Please turn in Monday, January 22
1/22 – Ned’s Mindset Mission Assembly
1/24 – Invention Convention patent application due (pages 9 and 10 of packet) – Will accept Thursday, January 25 as well
1/26 – Students should complete reading fantasy novel by this time
2/2 – Fantasy book project #1 due
2/9 – Fantasy book project #2 due, AND
2/9 – Invention Convention progress report due (page 11 of packet)
2/13 – Trifold display board due
2/19 – Student Holiday/Teacher Work Day
2/26 – 3/1 – Winter Break
3/4 – Completed inventions due to FA
3/6 – Invention Convention, MS MPR, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Your fourth grade team,
Michelle and Bill

Meet the newest Midkiff, Nola Belle. She has captured our hearts…and our socks!

Dear FAmilies,

January is in full swing here at FA, and we have several projects and activities occurring simultaneously. Here’s the latest on how to keep it all organized.

Fantasy Book Projects: In fourth grade, we expose the children to as many genres of literature as possible. We’ve read realistic fiction, mysteries, adventures, and poetry, and we are currently reading a fantasy novel, Ben and Me. By now, students should have chosen a fantasy novel to read at home (think talking animals or magic) and TWO projects to complete (students got to choose which projects to complete). Project 1 is due February 2, and Project 2 is due February 9. Project due dates are written on their book contract, which can be found in their D.S. We are looking forward to seeing the students’ creative and thoughtful projects.

Invention Convention: We’ve reached a big fourth grade milestone: Invention Convention! Invention Convention allows students to conceptualize, create, and market an original invention. This year’s Convention will be held on Wednesday, March 6, from 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. in the Middle School MPR. A packet of information will go home with students next Tuesday which will give FAmilies all the information you need to help your budding inventor with his or her creation. For now, mark your calendars and start thinking about problems your child may want to solve. All due dates are listed in the packet, but we will send home reminders each week to help keep students on track.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: We hope that you enjoy your day Monday remembering the life and teachings of Dr. King. Perhaps you celebrate with your family by attending a special service, doing a service project, or simply remembering his teachings. Here are some articles that students may enjoy reading to learn more about Dr. King.

National Geographic for Kids

Kiddle.co

Time for Kids

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”
Strength to Love, 1963

Upcoming Dates to Remember:

1/12 – Book Selection Due
1/15 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
1/19 – Invention Convention student contract due (page 8 of packet)
1/24 – Invention Convention patent application due (pages 9 and 10 of packet)
1/26 – Students should complete reading fantasy novel by this time
2/2 – Fantasy book project #1 due
2/9 – Fantasy book project #2 due, AND
2/9 – Invention Convention progress report due (page 11 of packet)
2/13 – Trifold display board due
2/19 – Student Holiday/Teacher Work Day
2/26 – 3/1 – Winter Break
3/4 – Completed inventions due to FA
3/6 – Invention Convention, MS MPR, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Your fourth grade team,
Michelle and Bill

Dear FAmilies,

We hope that you have had an enjoyable break with your families. We had a wonderful day back in the classroom today! We have lots of amazing plans for the new year, so here is a sneak peek.

Book Projects: Our first book projects of the year are upon us. Students will choose a fantasy novel (to be approved by the teacher) and complete TWO choice projects. Look for more information in Friday folders.

The Mighty Falcon (4th grade literary magazine): We will be accepting submissions for our literary magazine through next Friday, January 12. Students can submit up to two original pieces to be included. These can be prose, poetry, or artwork, written at home or school.

Weather: The students prepared a weather forecast at the end of our weather unit. Watch their work here:

Midkiff Homeroom

Evans Homeroom

A few reminders for the new year:

1. It’s COLD. Please send your child to school dressed for the weather – we go outside every day. Please write your child’s name in coats, jackets, hats, sweatshirts, etc.
2. School supply check. Many students have lost pencils, colored pencils, scissors, Expo markers, and notecards since the beginning of the year. Please check with your child to see if they need any supplies. They checked today and made notes in their agendas.
3. Pack snacks. Each year when we return from holiday break, we are thrilled to see how much the children have grown – but this includes their appetites. They usually need a slightly larger snack than in the past, so keep that in mind over the next weeks.
4. Homework is back. Please check your child’s agenda each night to be sure he or she is completing homework assignments.

Wishing you a wonderful 2024, we remain,
Your fourth grade team,
Michelle and Bill