A Big Bite

Another week of 4th grade is done and the time is flying by.  We had a fun week with some very special activities.  Len Cabral, storyteller, told us stories from around the world to celebrate our summer reading program.  It was wonderful, thank you PCC.

We have been working hard on establishing routines in reader's workshop and though we aren't done, we are making great progress.  We are setting goals for reading this year and are monitoring our progress on these goals.

We are connecting our word study skills and writing skills with reading!  We are working hard to realize that we "read like writers and write like readers."  Using this philosophy helps to connect all subject areas across the curriculum.  We are writing biopoems in poetry workshop and creating a list of our goals, hopes and dreams for 4th grade in writer's workshop.  We are using the Chrome Books throughout the day for a variety of tasks and LOVE technology workshop with Mrs. Merten.
In math workshop, we finished our unit on place value, participated in math centers and took a test on these skills.  Everyone did a great job!  We will be changing groups next week and focusing on addition.

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) was a focus for Friday.  Mr. Adams, our resident engineer, gave us a presentation on Friday about the engineering process and presented our first engineering project, Puffmobiles.  One of the goals of this project is to learn how to work in cooperative groups.  We spent time on Friday learning about the different roles in a cooperative group and choosing these roles.  We did a good job learning our roles but quickly realized that listening is an important skill for everyone in a group, especially to directions.  Each group set a goal for Monday for the next step in the process.  Learning how to work in a group is not easy and we will have plenty of practice this year to work on these skills.  Once we have read ALL of the directions and brainstormed ideas for our Puffmobiles, the construction will begin.  Students will be creating a wind powered car using beads, straws, paper and straight pins.  It is going to be fun and a great learning experience in many ways!
We began science and social studies this week with focus on the scientific method and basic map skills.  More to come this week!  Thursday was Constitution Day and we participated in a few activities with Mrs. Merten's class that gave us an introduction to the US Constitution.  Click on the video to learn about the Constitution.

We had picture day this week and we had some fun with Mrs. Merten's selfie stick.  Check out her blog for some fun pictures that we were able to take with her camera.

It was great to see so many parents at orientation this week.  If you were unable to make it, the agenda and handbook was sent home.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  No survey this weekend, enjoy the waning days of summer!
Mrs. Williams