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Friday, October 31, 2008

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!




Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Questioning


Today we learned that good readers ask themselves questions as they read or listen to a story. See everyone's questions in the form of thought-bubbles coming from their minds while we started a new story today!

Monday, October 27, 2008

A Visit from a Board Member

Caroline's very own Board of Education member Scott Perez took his time Friday to visit the 4th grade and help them launch their Native American unit on the Haudenoshaunee, or "People of the Longhouse." Mr. Perez, who is of Mohawk background (a Haudenoshaunee tribe) brought his own homegrown corn, moccasins, a goose-feather fan, and a real deerskin. He really had every student engaged!




Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Writer's Workshop

Writer's workshop is going well! These students are writing wonderful stories about important people, places, and objects in their lives, and are adding detail, dialogue, writer's craft, and a good beginning, middle, and end! They are filling their stories with scents, feelings, tastes, sights, and sounds! Below, see writing buddies Ben and Tristan, Xander and Andrew meet on the carpet to discuss their writing.

Monday, October 20, 2008

8-Square Schoolhouse Highlights

Evan writes the cursive alphabet with a fountain pen and ink-filled bottle

Celia pumps water for Hunter while he washes his hands before lunch

Black and White shot of the group in front of the school

Color shot of the group in front of the school

Sophie and the hoop game

Tristan writing on a slate

Thursday, October 16, 2008

8-Square Schoolhouse


Monday we are going to the 8-Square Schoolhouse! It will be a real experience to compare schooling of the 1800s to schools today. Some subjects we will practice are arithmetic, penmanship, geography, and grammar! Don't forget to bring your outfit in a bag to change into before we get on the bus! Above is another class who visited the schoolhouse and is giving a nice example of what to wear!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Gathering Materials



Welcome back! Today the whole 4th grade ended their day outside together in this gorgeous weather as we collected fall foliage to later use as materials to build longhouses in our upcoming Native American unit. Above, Sophia, Ruth, Grace, Celia, and other 4th grade friends collect bark, twigs, and leaves.
This week we are finishing up electricity (with a test Friday) and then moving into Social Studies Tuesday after our field trip to the 8 Square Schoolhouse!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

A Breath of Fresh Air



Yesterday I took the class outside during our Reading and Writing block after lunch. It was a beautiful fall day as students chose to lay in the sun and read and write or stay in the shade. Below, Cody leans against a tree as he fills his writer's notebook with wonderful, detailed moments.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Happy Birthday Koda!



I know this doesn't really have anything do with with school, but ever since my dog Koda was a star on the website back in August, my class hasn't stopped talking about him! So I shared with them today that today is Koda's 3rd birthday, and they all wanted to do something for him! During their cooperation time, Hunter, Ben, Cody, Austin, Ev, and Roo made the dog toys below, and then the whole class wanted to leave a message for my special friend (see video)!




Thursday, October 2, 2008

Magnetism and Electricity

Wow science has been a blast the last few days! Our scientists have been making wonderful observations about magnets (like Hunter is below!) and have figured out how to effectively create circuits (like Ruth, Sophie, Tristan, and Ben)! Check it out!