Our Poetree

For the month of December, we are studying poetry in Reading and Writing.  Our class has really enjoyed exploring this genre and experimenting with different forms of poetry.  Using what we have read as inspiration, the class created color poems using descriptive and sensory words.  They then wrote their poems on paint chips to decorate our "Poetree!"

Word Splash

    This week, our class did a wonderful teamwork activity!  Each student was given a notecard with the name of another student on it.  They wrote a word that they associated with that peer.  The notecards were then passed around, so everyone go to write on all the notecards.

         We then created Word Splashes using the website Tagxedo.  The class entered in the words (once for each time it occurred on their card...this caused that word to be larger than others on the Word Splash), chose the colors, layout, etc., and ended with some beautiful artwork!

    It was really nice seeing what everyone wrote and how we all value each other for different things.  We are very lucky to have such a wonderful class!

Create an Animal

Our class has been engrossed in the study of animal adaptations. Students took this knowledge and created an animal of their own, incorporating adaptations into this new species. After filling in a graphic organizer, students used the app ExplainEverything to bring this new animal to life.

Click on the projects below to learn more about these new creatures.

Sharing Objects

      As part of the Global Read Aloud, our class is reading Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt.  In the book, members of Ally's class each bring in an object that represents them.  We decided that we would like to do the same thing, so everyone in our class brought in an object that is special to them.  They then explained what the object was and why it was important.

      It was really fun hearing everyone share their items!

Word Choice

    In our study of the 6 Traits of Writing, we have been exploring word choice.  Having good word choice means using varied and accurate vocabulary, staying away from bland and overused words, and making our writing more interesting and fun to read.     We started of by reading My Mama Had a Dancing Heart by Libba Moore Gray.  In this book, the little girl describes a year with her mother using fantastic word choice.  You can see a reading of the book here:
  We then read a poem that had very similar word choice, Jefferson.

     Then, before setting off to write our own tribute poems while practicing quality word choice, we practiced as a class by writing a poem about Mrs. Murphy.  We were able to share it with her and, I think it's safe to say, she loved it!

    Next week we will be writing our own tribute poems.  Stay tuned!

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.4
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. 

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.5
With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, and editing. 

Adaptations of a Beaver

     On Friday, Mrs, LaRussa visited our class to show us adaptations of a beaver.  Some things we learned were:

• Beavers have two sets of eyelids; one is clear to enable them to see under water
• They can hold their breath for 15 minutes!
• Beavers use their tales to slap the surface of the water, sending messages to their young.  A mother's slap means "come back to the lodge" while the father's is more of a warning.
• They have one toenail that is split, acting like a comb to spread oil, helping them be more waterproof.

A BIG thank you to Sophia who served as our "beaver" for the afternoon.  She did a great job!

Making a compass!

      As a conclusion to our study of map skills, we headed to CLIC to learn about compasses with Mrs. LaRussa.  We learned about the origin of the compass and got to make our very own by magnetizing needles and floating them on cork in water!

The first full week!

We're having an excellent first full week and start to our year!

We were the first class to use the new laptops. Thanks to Mrs. Klipfel, we were able to get started with Type to Learn!

We also teamed up with Mrs. Murphy's class during Reading to learn about how to respond to questions. 

It's been a great start to our year!

    I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer and is starting to get excited about the 4th grade!  I have just a couple things for you (and your parents) to keep in mind:
1.)  Try to gather some family photos and pictures of things you enjoy to decorate your writing journal
2.)  Ask your parents to put in their email address on the right (to get blog updates) and sign up for Remind using the code @fcd81.  I will have more information about this to send home.
3.)  Make sure to check the supply list on the Proctor website.  You do not need everything the first week, so don't worry!
4.)  Bring a reusable water bottle that can "live" at school
5.)  My school email is down for right now, so if you have any questions, just post a comment below.
Enjoy your last few weeks of summer and I can't wait to see you soon!

Harvard Natural History Museum

On Tuesday, the 4th grade traveled to the Harvard Natural History Museum. We attended an interesting program on rocks and minerals, then were able to explore the rest of the museum. From tarantulas to beautiful pieces of quartz, we saw it all!

Rocks and Minerals

For the past two weeks, we have been studying rocks and minerals.  We started by learning about the different types of rocks (igneous, metamorphic or sedimentary).  We created our own sedimentary "rocks" by layering different types of bread, applying millions of years of pressure (or a dictionary, overnight), and seeing how the different layers blended together.  We also saw how dinosaurs and bugs can be "fossilized" between layers.

Then we made a solution of Epsom salt and water and let it dissolve on black paper. 

We examined the crystals that formed and then used a microscope to look at the shapes (straight edges and angular corners).

MA Science Standards, Earth and Space Sciences; 3. Identify the three categories of rocks (metamorphic, igneous, and sedimentary) based on how they are formed, and explain the natural and physical processes that create these rocks.

Twin Day!

As a reward for reaching 50 points, the class chose to have Twin Day on Friday!

Telegraph Machines!

      Together with Mrs. Murphy's class, we used our knowledge about electricity to create telegraph machines!  First, we watched this video for some background knowledge: Then we created our own machines using electromagnets!

Then we "sent" each other messages using Morse Code!

Massachusetts Science Frameworks, Physical Sciences 6:  Recognize that electricity in circuit requires a complete loop through which an electrical current can pass, and that electricity can produce light, heat and sound.