4th Grade Newsletter

August 13, 2019

Dear 4th Grade Families
Welcome to 4th grade! 4th grade is filled with many exciting adventures. A lot of
the 4th grade curriculum is centered around our beautiful state, California. Students will
dive as deep as the California kelp forest and climb as high as the California redwood
trees, growing as readers, writers, mathematicians, scientists, artists, historians, critical
thinkers, protectors of justice, and stewards of our earth along the way.
The 4th graders will go on many fun field trips this year. As teachers we are so
excited to share these experiences with the students. In the fall, the 4th graders will get to
visit two regional parks, Tilden and Sibley. It is so special to visit these parks because they
are right in our backyard! Even if your child has visited these parks before, they will learn
to see them in new ways as their knowledge of California’s landscape and people deepens.
In the winter, the 4th graders have a special opportunity to visit Ano Nuevo State Marine
Reserve to observe and learn about the elephant seals that migrate there every year. Not
only are elephant seals fascinating to learn about, but it is inspiring to learn about the
people who have helped protect them.
In the spring, the 4th graders will get to pan for gold at the Oakland Museum of
California. There’s nothing better than hearing the students yell, “Eureka!” and to see the
look on their faces after discovering their first flake of gold (a task they learn is much
harder than they once thought). Our last field trip of the year is a trip to the immigration
station on Angel Island. Seeing the actual building in which immigrants were held, is a
very powerful experience for the students. This allows them to better imagine and
understand the different immigrants’ experiences coming to California. Both field trips
expand the student’s perspective of California history. We love how how many
conversations about justice these trips inspire.
 Lastly, students will also have a special opportunity to work with a teaching artist
from Berkeley Rep this fall. The 4th graders will create and perform their own play at
school with the Story Builders Program. This is learning at its best! There are so many
giggles and smiles on stage, the kids don’t even notice they are learning how to include
dialogue, action, and feeling in their writing.
Because we have so many inspiring and fun trips and activities planned for the 4th
graders this year, the 4th grade field trip donation request is more than other grades. If you
have not yet given, or feel inspired to give a bit more, please make sure to go to the
Piedmont Store​ and make a field trip donation.
We look forward to meeting you all at Back to School Night, Thursday August 29 at
6:45PM.
Many Thanks,
Ms. Jepsen, Ms. Finney, & Ms. Mortan