In writing workshop students are writing fictional narratives. We spent some time considering the importance of planning before break. Today, we begin a focus on the importance of descriptive language. I asked the students what type of word most often makes writing descriptive. Nearly in chorus, they all replied, "adjectives." In an exercise in challenging what we believe, students listened to Louise, Adventures of a Chicken and each recorded the words that jumped out, or helped make the writing come alive. After listening and listing, we compiled most of our words on the white board. We then went through our massive list of words, identifying each part of speech. When we were finished, students were surprised: half of the words listed on the board were verbs. The rest were adjectives and nouns, with a few adverbs sprinkled in. The lesson learned was eye-opening--writing that grabs us and moves us is full of active verbs. Students will be encouraged to incorporate similar language into their own pieces.
In math we are taking a break from learning new division algorithms and are now studying angles. Students are learning to use both circle and half-circle protractors this week. In addition, students are learning about different types of angles, including reflex angles. After a few days spent measuring and drawing angles, we will learn about map coordinates and grid systems before returning to division. During this second pass through division we will spend more time and students will become more comfortable with the process. Our assessment is scheduled for next Thursday.
Before break, students were placed into small groups to study one of the thirteen original English colonies. Early next week students will meet with their grade-level group to touch base and to take the first step of their project together. After that meeting, students will work independently researching their particular topics within the colony study using books from the classroom and school library. Then, we will move to doing web-based research. At some point during the process the small groups will reconvene, and then will meet again at the end of the project.
Simultaneously, students will continue learning about Colonial America in class. We are still reading more about the Puritans--including Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson, two key figures from that time period. Additionally, we are studying the Salem witch trials, all in an attempt to learn a bit about the Puritans and the ways in which we are both alike and different from them today.
In science we are beginning our unit on land and water; specifically, studying the ways in which water interacts with and affects the land. This week we will build our stream tables and begin creating streams. Once we get moving, I will have plenty of pictures to post; as a way of documenting our work, students take digital, "aerial" photos of the before and afters of each experiment. These pictorial records help students identify concretely the changes in the land as a result of water. In this unit, students will learn and be responsible for writing lab reports for their experiments.
Students are well into the throws now of preparing for the fourth-grade show We Haz Jazz. Soon students will begin practicing their parts and dances for We Haz Jazz in small groups. Students who are working on set design will also have extra time with Mrs. Rowe in the art room. Once this special schedule has been arranged students will be informed. Then during the week of the performance, we will run through the production every morning before the final performance on Friday, February 3rd (8:30 a.m.). Please mark your calendars--the show promises to be fantastic!
Upcoming important events:
January 16: no school--MLK observance
January 29: Grandparents Day--noon dismissal
February 3: We Haz Jazz, 8:30
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