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Saturday, September 27, 2014

A Big Bite


We had a great week in room 23!  We finished chapter 1 in math and took the first math test.  We were also able to finish building Puff Mobiles and are looking forward to the race this week.  We are learning more about maps and globes in Social Studies and are enjoying the daily "This day in history," fact after morning announcements.  We are learning about the scientific method and non fiction writing in science!  We built terrariums and wrote a lab on the process.  We will do more experiments with plants this week and continue to work on writing in the science area.  All of the Bio poems are done and we are excited for families to see them at Open House on Thursday. Students used the Chrome Books to type their poems.   In addition, we spent time examining Walt Whitman's poem, "I Hear America Singing, " and began to brainstorm a list of ideas for our own list poems.  We are almost done launching reader's workshop and have spent a good deal of time talking about strategies readers use when they are reading a book.  We also have been working on improving reading stamina and on choosing just right books.  We talked a great deal about the idea that just because you can read a book, this doesn't necessarily mean that you should.  Our goal is to find books that we love and will remember for a long time, not just to plow through books just to say that we have read a certain title or series.  This is hard work for fourth graders and everyone is doing their best.  I know that we will be successful with this goal this year.
We are continuing to grow as a class and to learn from each other as we  establish a positive and safe learning community together.  This is a great class that wants to succeed and get the most out of every day!  So many students comment that they cannot believe how quickly the day passes!  This makes my heart sing!
Looking forward to seeing you at Open House on Thursday night.
Mrs. Williams

Friday, September 19, 2014

A Big Bite

Week 3 of school was great!  We are settling into routines and getting into the swing of 4th grade.  The cool weather today let us know that fall will soon be here.  We continued to launch reader's  and writer's workshop, have begun word study units,  learned more about multiplication and division in math and started to learn about globes and maps.  We had a special program sponsored by the PCC to celebrate summer reading.  Len Cabral, professional storyteller, entertained and enthralled us all with his wonderful stories.  Thanks, PCC!  In addition, we kicked off science instruction with an introduction to engineering.  Mr. Adams, an electrical engineer at Raytheon Corporation, spoke to us about the engineering and design process and helped us start a cooperative group project called "Puffmobiles."  Each group will design a wind powered car designed with 10 straws,  4 beads, one piece of paper and unlimited straight pins.  Everyone is excited to get this project started.  In poetry workshop we continued working on bio poems and learned about Walt Whitman.  Mrs. Merten taught us more about Google Drive and we should begin typing our poems next week.
The 4th grade team has created a new web page to inform parents and the community about the latest grade level news.  Check out the gadget on the right entitled "4th grade news."  Click on this gadget and it will take you to the website, you will get to see the fun videos that Mr. Adams showed us today.  Enjoy!
There is another survey this week.  Click here to complete the survey.  If you need to sign up for a conference, please click here.
Have a great weekend!
Mrs. Williams

Saturday, September 13, 2014

A Big Bite





We had a great week in room 23!  We are mastering the routines, working cooperatively, learning and having FUN!  The new math program is underway and we have been learning about multiplication properties.  We have chosen books for our book bags in reader's workshop and are setting goals for this year in writer's workshop.  The first chorus rehearsal was fantastic!  Creative arts Friday was a highlight of our week.  We learned more about Google Drive in tech workshop with Mrs. Merten, wrote bio-poems in poetry workshop and worked in groups during Art with Mrs. Hess to create earthworks sculptures. This collaborative art project was inspired by the work of Andy Goldsworthy. Students,please click here to take a survey.  Thanks!
Next week, Len Cabral, storyteller will visit JFK on Wednesday, and we will begin an engineering project on Friday with all of the other 4th graders.  Mr. Adams will be here to get us started. I am looking forward to another exciting week with this awesome class!


Monday, September 8, 2014

Juicy Nibble

Today we had a presentation from the Franklin Music Department on all of the instruments available to 4th graders.  Information will be sent home this week and instrument rental is this Thursday night.

Sunday, September 7, 2014

A Big Bite

We had a fantastic first week together in room 23! Everyone jumped right into the swing of school by making friends, participating in activities, and trying their best. We have created a classroom constitution which emphasizes a fun and caring classroom community. I am so excited about all of the possibilities for this class and am looking forward to a great year!