Pic-Collages and More

In Social Studies, we are studying the 13 Original Colonies, learning the colonies that made up each of the three regions, New England, Middle and Southern.  This week we paired up with a partner and an i-pad and used an app called "Pic-Collage" to create a collage showing the government, religion, lifestyle, and economics of the region of our choice.  Monday we will present our collage to the class.
 


Here we are working on them this past Thursday: 

Students, please comment on one of the following photos by writing a caption and you will receive $5 in funny money.  The caption must be a "correctly written complete sentence followed by your name and the number of the photo."  Good luck!  Money will be awarded on Friday.

 

#1

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#4

#3

#6

#5

 

 

 

NEW PBL in 4th Grade...Tread Lightly!

Although we visited the Magic Wood Forest several weeks ago, that was our first step into our brand new "Tread Lightly" Problem-Based Unit.

On Monday we had a surprise guest speaker talk to us in the WONDER Room about the 5 distinct biomes in the world and all the animals that inhabit them.  We were excited to be put in groups so we could actually build biomes.  Check it out!

Zachary, Nazarii, and Kaleb's rainforest.

                                                              

 

 

On Wednesday our unsuspecting students walked over a poster of the Earth taped to the floor of each classroom. An hour later we lifted the soiled and torn poster to the front board and we talked about how we could "Save the Earth!"  Everyone had tons of ideas and we listed them right on the poster. 
 
Click on the link to hear our new favorite song, 
"We are the EARTH!"                     

 

 

 

We have begun reading a brand-new non-fiction text called "War of the Woods."  We are collecting facts from the loggers and the environmentalists of the Pacific Northwest and forming our own opinion of which side of the argument we are taking during the next couple of weeks.  Be sure to ask us what we have discovered.  It might make for some good car or table conversation!

 

On Friday we participated in the "Fred the Fish" dramatization.  Many of us had roles in Fred's fate.

This skit allows students to observe pollution's effects on a small scale.

Imagine a clean river as it meanders through a protected wilderness area.   In this river lives Fred the Fish.  How is Fred?  Fred has lived in this stretch of the river all his life.  But now he is going on an adventure and travel downstream.

Fred swims into farm country.  He passes a freshly plowed riverbank.   It begins to rain and some soil erodes into the river.  (Dump soil in into Fred's jar.)  How is Fred.

Fred nears a housing development.  Some fertilizer from the pastures and lawns washed into the river awhile back.  (Place brown sugar in Fred's jar.)   The fertilizer made the plants in the river grow very fast and thick.   Eventually the river could not furnish them with all the nutrients they needed, and so they died and are starting to decay.  Their decomposition is using up some of Fred's oxygen.  How is Fred?

Fred swims beside a large parking lot.  Some cars parked on it are leaking oil.  The rain is washing the oil into the river below.  (Pour pancake syrup into Fred's jar.)  How is Fred?

During a recent cold spell, ice formed on a bridge.  County trucks spread salt on the road to prevent accidents.  The rain is now washing salty slush into the river.  (Put salt in Fred's jar.)  How is Fred?

Fred swims past the city park.  Some picnickers didn't  throw their trash into the garbage can.  The wind is blowing it into the river.   (Sprinkle paper dots into Fred's jar.)  How is Fred?

Several factories are located downstream from the city.  Although regulations limit the amount of pollution the factories are allowed to sump into the river, factory owners are not abiding by them.  (Pour warm soapy water into Fred's jar.)  How is Fred?

The city's wastewater treatment plant is also located along this stretch of the river.  Also a section of the plant has broken down.  (Squirt two drops of red food coloring into Fred's jar.)  How is Fred?

Finally, Fred swims past hazardous waste dump located on the bank next to the river.  Rusty barrels of toxic chemicals are leaking.  The rain is washing these poisons into the river.  (For each leaking barrel, squeeze one drop of green food coloring into Fred's jar.)  How is Fred?

 

  Faced with the effects of all this water pollution, Fred did not fare well.

 

 

 Pierce, Chloe and Sarah Reilly agreed to bury Fred.  May he rest in peace!  Hopefully, we will be aware of our responsibility to our planet.

 
 

 

As we work on this 2nd PBL, stop by our hallway where you will see a huge display of all our questions, activities, and student work. 

 

In Social Studies, we are studying the 13 Original Colonies, learning the colonies that made up each of the three regions, New England, Middle and Southern.  This week we paired up with a partner and an i-pad and used an app called "Pic-Collage" to create a collage showing the government, religion, lifestyle, and economics of the region of our choice.  Monday we will present our collage to the class.  Here we are working on them this past Thursday: 

 

 

Student-Led Conferences

Dear Mom and Dad,

     Please come to my conference.  Our time will be on Tuesday, October 21 or Thursday, October 23.  (My invitation will be coming home tomorrow.... Thursday, October 16th) You will be surprised to hear that I will have a big part in it!  I have set a reading and math goal for this year and want you to hear how I think I can reach it.  Also, I'll have a few more things I want to tell you.  I'll have my last year's PASS scores to give you and, of course, my report card.


Love,
Your son or daughter

P.S.  If we have time I'll show you around the Book Fair!

Kara sharing with her family her self-evaluation for the first 9 weeks of school.

Madison Lynn has everyone's attention as she explains how she can reach her reading goals.

Joseph is reviewing his report card with his mom.

Keira reviewing her wonderful progress with her papa.

Self-reflection is not always easy, but Connor has it all figured out.

Pierce, an avid reader, has chosen to work on his fluency in oral reading for the next nine weeks.  His dad is checking all the ways Pierce says he can help.

Max and his mom getting an early start on their conference.  Max was sharing his reading goals for the year. 

 

 

My goal for the year is to continue barking at the front door without mom yelling at me!

Catch of the Week

Social Studies–  Students will be able to explain the similarities and differences between the 13 original English colonies in terms of their gov’t, religion, economy, and lifestyle.

Reading– Intro new PBL “Tread Lightly” (look for parent letter this week)!Begin studying non-fiction text features as we start our new book “War of the Woods.”

Language– More practice turning fragments into sentences.

Math– Last week for multiplication of larger numbers (24 X 98).  Division starts the following week!

Science–  Play “Oh, Deer” game outside to understand the essential components of an animal’s habitat: food, water, shelter. And...review for Wed’s test.

 

 

Surf’s Up! (Tests & Projects)

Wed – Science TEST on inherited and learned behaviors and animal senses

Thurs– Language TEST on sentences/fragments

      Math TEST on 2 digit by 2 digit mult.

Wed- Thurs.  Social Studies in class Pic-Collage Project & Presentation on N.E, Middle, or Southern Colonies

 

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Walk to School

"Orange" we cute? 

                                                    Adi waiting for the program to begin.

Some of the crew taking advantage of a photo op!

Pierce, Kaleb, Joseph and Connor waiting for the walk to begin.

Here's our award-winning banner : )

 

Madison holding up our healthy grape sign.

Can you guess?

The high school cheerleaders getting us pumped up!!

The 80s!! Our favorite dress up day!

                                                                 Abe and his side kick.