Fourth Grade Parent Newsletter #13

This week we are reading How Night Came from the Sea retold by Mary-Joan Gerson. We will focus on some
vocabulary words in this story. It would be helpful if you will reinforce the meaning of these words at home with your child.
Also, on this newsletter you will find our spelling words for the week. Please practice these words at home as well. The
words in italics are our challenge spelling words. Lets have a great week!
Spelling Words: however, mountain, mound, scout, shout, couch, towel, ounce, coward, outdoors, flowerpot,
scowl, browse, announce, hound, trout, drowsy, grouch, eyebrow, boundary, cauliflower, foundation, surround,
allowance, counselor

Vocabulary Word
brilliant
chorus
coward
gleamed
shimmering

Meaning
shining brightly; sparkling
anything spoken or sung all at the same time
person who lacks courage or is easily made afraid; person who runs
from danger, trouble, etc.
flashed or beamed with light
gleaming or shining faintly

Subject/Verb Agreement
The subject and the verb in a sentence must work together, or agree.
To make most present tense verbs agree with singular nouns or he,she, or it, add -s or -es.
If the subject is a plural noun or I, you, we, or they, the present tense verb does not end in -s.
Examples:
Singular Subjects
Plural Subjects

Night follows day. He watches the sunset.

Nights give us darkness. We light a candle.

Use is or was to agree with singular nouns.

Use are or were to agree with plural nouns.
Examples:
Singular Subjects
Plural Subjects

Night is cool and dark.

The night beasts are free.

In a compound sentence, the subject and verb in each independent clause must agree.
Example:
The days are beautiful, but she wants darkness.