September - October
It is hard to believe that 2 months have already past in this new school year. Students have Social Studies three times each week and we have been busy.
We began the year with a unit on geography skills. Students learned location of all continents and oceans, we did work with the compass rose as wel as cardinal and intermediate directions. This skill was applied with practice worksheets of states and bodies of water bordering Pennsylvania. Students took a geography skills test in September. 

We also began a Chapeter on Native Americans and early explorers to the New World.  We read our textbook, had class discussions, and watched a few videos. Students worked together filling in notes about the material and then answering summary questions with their notes. There was an interesting discussion about where Christopher Columbus was actually trying to get to in his exploration. Also, ask you child who Americo Vespuci is, it's a fascinating story. 

 This past week we began an in class assessment on Native Americans. Each student has been assigned one famous Native American. They ae doing a very short research project about their asigned person and then creating a banner for them. These wil be displayed outside our classroom to celebrate National Native American Heritage Month which begins November 1st.  This reserach will give them a small insight into out large project for the Wax Mueum which will begin after Christmas. 
 

4th Grade Social Studies - Mrs. Tursi

Educational Philosophy - I believe all students learn best when they are engaged in the learning process. Students need to be responsible for their own success and I will provide the tools they need for that success. Our class will be a mixture of class discussion, direct instruction, research and project based learning. It is better for students to know where to find the answer than to memorize the answer and then have no recall. Education is a process and it continues for a lifetime.

This year we will be studying Pennsylvania History. We will begin with a brief review of geography skills and then begin our look at the history of Pennsylvania beginning with the Native American tribes.  

Notebooks - I use interactive notebooks that will be used in conjunction with a brand new textbook.  

Independent Work - In each unit this year, students will be assigned independent work to supplement our learning.

Project - This year's major project for 4th grade is The Wax Museum. Students will be assigned one famous Pennsylvanian. Students will research their person, in class, for a period of 2 months. They will create a poster board highlighting their person, prepare and speech, put together a costume and present their person at our Wax Museum in the spring.

Project Fee - I will supply ALL materials for any projects that we assign.  To do this I need to ask for a small fee at the beginning of the year from each student. That way I will purchase all materials and you, the parent, will never hear that dreaded Sunday night request from your child. “I need a blue poster board for tomorrow”.  “I have to have a glue gun for school tomorrow”.   

Tests/Quizzes - One or two major tests will be given during each trimester and several quizzes will occur throughout  the trimester BUT will always be given a two day notice. Tests will be given a ONE WEEK notice.

Grading - The overall grade for the trimester is based on all the assessments: projects,  independent work, tests and quizzes.

Absences - Students who are absent must come to see me to get any work missed.  Any student who is absent on the day something is due whether it be a project or their folder, must have it to me by 8AM the next day. Tests must be made up within three days of the absence of test day.       

I am looking forward to working with each of your children this year.

Mrs. Leigh Ann Tursi