April 26, 2021

We have started our States of Matter unit and with this unit comes MANY hands on experiments. They have been working with balances, scales, and gradual cylinders. 

 

We enjoyed an afternoon recess in the snow globe. (Enjoyed is spoken in a sarcastic tone.)

We have started our 4th grade project concerning our vermicomposting and veggie plants. (See details below!)

Ally G. gifted our class with a Universal Yums book. This monthly subscription allows students to experience foods from other countries. Our box came from Italy. We have MANY items to try and rate!
You can find this box at https://www.trytreats.com/.

PLANT SALE: We are getting very excited for next week!  Our vermicomposting in our classroom has produced lots of rich worm castings perfect for fertilizer.  Additionally, our friends in the life skills class at our high school have grown some wonderful tomato, pepper, and herb plants - we've been zooming with them to watch the progress over time.  We are planning to take all of these horticulture items and sell them (to people like YOU!) on Friday morning, May 7 out in front of our school (mark your calendars and plan to be there!).  

In preparation for this economic activity, we will be participating in a variety of PBL (project based learning) activities this coming week in our classroom.  The students will be given the question "How can we market our worm castings?" and I will lead them through a variety of activities that allow them to plan and organize the marketing and selling of these items.  I'm excited to watch them flourish as they take ownership of the project.  Keep your eyes open for some awesome advertising to appear in the next couple of weeks leading up to the sale!  And spread the word to grandparents, friends, neighbors....anyone who might like to purchase a few plants and fertilizer for their gardens or pots.  We'll be ready and waiting for our customers!

WORD WORK - Due to our plant sale project, there will be no word work next week! 🙌🏻

LAST CALL FOR BOOKS: The week of May 3-7 (Tulip Time week!) is the last week for students to borrow books from [insert school name here] Library. 

All student library materials are due by May 14.

April 19, 2021

On Wednesday, we had a surprise visit from the Outdoor Discovery Center. The students learned about the birds of prey, their adaptations, and specific features they have. The students studies different birds with partners. Then we saw a Barn Owl and a Red Tail Hawk. The ODC is a great resource in our community.

Playing a game of Gaga Ball

We are full steam ahead in 4th grade. We are counting down the weeks and they are going quickly. Here is a glimpse into our curriculum.

Bible - Isaiah and the captivity of the two kingdoms of Israel

Writing - Learning how to write an literary essay

Reading - Experiencing interpretive texts and discovering the big ideas, messages, and themes behind the lines

Math - Working with fractions and transitioning to decimals

Science - interacting and working with the three states of matter

MENU CHANGE: Choice 2 - Tuesday (4/20) will be a Cheese Pizza Lunchable

KIDS HAVE RIGHTS: The Children's Advocacy Center of Ottawa County will be presenting the body safety program, Kids Have Rights, to our 4th graders this Tuesday.  Please see the letter that came home last week for more information.

Normal Weekly Reminders:
1.  Ten minutes of daily math fact practice - we are working on both multiplication and division now until the end of the year.  Weekly Mad Minute test.
2.  30 minutes of reading at home everyday
3.  Recorders at school on Thursdays
4.  Library books on Fridays
5.  PE class on Mondays and Thursdays - be sure to have the right jacket and shoes for this
6.  Word Work test on Friday