Miss Liefer's 4th Grade Class

News Update

2012-02-24T17:23:00.002-06:00

ISAT

2012-02-22T08:08:00.000-06:00

Curious about the ISAT test coming up?

Check out REAL sample questions at:

www.isbe.net/assessment/htmls/sample_books.htm

(Choose 4th grade reading, math, or science)

Want to practice? Here’s an interactive site of ISAT multiple choice questions…

http://metacat2.com/iltestlinks.html

Presidents' Day

2012-02-20T11:24:00.000-06:00

Presidents’ Day is Today!

Learn more about the presidents!

Name that president game: http://www.primarygames.com/holidays/presidents/presidents.htm

www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/

www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0777337.html

~or visit our classroom websites for kids and see the social studies links J

http://www.wcusd5.net/cms/teacher_pages/miss-liefers-4th-grade-class/social-studies-4

~or visit a library and check out a good book to learn something new about them J

Valentines

2012-02-14T12:31:00.000-06:00

Here's a link to fun valentine websites...

http://www.akidsheart.com/holidays/valntine/valgms.htm

War with Grandpa

2012-02-14T12:30:00.000-06:00

What would you do if somebody stole your room?
The main character in this story decides to go to war!

Check out what last year's class had to say about the book:
http://missliefer.blogspot.com/2011/01/war-with-grandpa.html

Book Talk: Andrew Clements

2012-02-13T20:31:00.000-06:00

Check out these book talks about two books written by Andrew Clements

February Student Council Update

2012-02-12T20:53:00.002-06:00

Classroom News

2012-02-09T10:45:00.000-06:00

Blooper version!

Angles

2012-02-09T08:07:00.000-06:00

PLAY THIS! :)
http://www.mathplayground.com/alienangles.html

Writing Contests!!!

2012-02-08T23:00:00.000-06:00

ESSAY CONTEST!

The VFW is having an essay contest!

The theme is “What does the Pledge of Allegiance mean to me”

The essays should be no longer than 200 words. They can be typed or neatly handwritten.

Due date: Feb. 21.

POETRY CONTEST!

SWIC is having a poetry contest!

Rules. You may submit ONE peom. Give your peom a title. Don't put your name on the poem.

Be sure to staple the entry form to poem (get this from Miss L)

Due Date Feb. 28

FUN FACT....last year Miss Liefer had a poetry contest winner...check out the award ceremony!

http://www.missliefer.blogspot.com/2011/04/hear-winning-poem.html

Chemical Changes

2012-02-08T22:43:00.001-06:00

In science we are studying Chemical and Physical Changes.

Here's a look at us in the lab experimenting with baking powder, water, and vinegar.

Before

after vinegar is added!

before

after vinegar is added!

before

after vinegar is added!

before

after vinegar is added!

Multiplication Wrestling

2012-02-08T22:15:00.000-06:00

Here's a photo I found on my camera ...

Boys vs. Girls

Playing Multiplication Wrestling

Biographies

2012-02-08T07:53:00.000-06:00

We have been busy learning about the lives of some famous people in American History.

After reading about them, the students are writing a biography about that person telling about their early life, successes and acheivements, and many other interesting facts.

Bunnicula

2012-02-06T22:25:00.000-06:00

Have you ever heard of a bunny vampire?
The Monroe family has a new pet who has some suspicious habits!

Check out this link to hear what last year's class had to say about this book:
http://missliefer.blogspot.com/2011/01/bunnicula.html

Classroom News

2012-02-03T12:32:00.001-06:00

Here's the latest news ...

also don't forget to check out the newsbulletin at:
http://www.wcusd5.net/cms/teacher_pages/miss-liefers-4th-grade-class/whats-new

The Chicken Doesn't Skate

2012-02-03T12:27:00.000-06:00

Classroom News

2012-01-27T20:11:00.000-06:00

Don't forget that our classroom news bulletin is always uploaded to our classrooom website at:

http://www.wcusd5.net/cms/teacher_pages/miss-liefers-4th-grade-class/whats-new

Have You Read These Books?

2012-01-27T20:04:00.004-06:00

As Simple as It Seems
Verbena Colter knows she's bad news.
Trouble from the get-go. Her real mother was an alcoholic and her father was just plain mean. When a new boy moves in to the Allen house, Verbena tries to be somebody else, or a ghost.

A Dog's Way Home
A Dog's Way Home is about a girl named Abby and her dog Tam. When Abby, her mom, and Tam are in the truck driving home from a contest, Tam is thrown out of the car. Abby and Tam are seperated from each other for a long time. Will Abby find Tam?

Their, There, They're

2012-01-26T07:42:00.006-06:00

BrainPOP
http://www.brainpop.com/english/grammar/theyretheirandthere/preview.weml

GAME
http://www.firstschoolyears.com/literacy/resources/quizzes/phonics/there/there.htm

Young Authors

2012-01-20T16:41:00.000-06:00

Today we finished our Young Author creative writing stories.
I am so proud of all the fourth graders.
They really worked hard and have final copies that are terrific!

Multiplication

2012-01-20T15:25:00.001-06:00

How do you do big multiplication using the Partial-Products and Lattice methods? Watch these videos to find out!

92 x 36

26 x 49

88 x 46

Keepers of the School by Andrew Clements

2012-01-19T06:06:00.002-06:00

Benjamin Pratt’s school is about to become the site of a new amusement park. It sounds like a dream come true! But, Ben likes the school. Loves it, actually. It’s over 200 years old and sits right on the harbor. The school belongs to the CHILDREN and these children have the right to defend it!

Student Council Update

2012-01-19T06:03:00.000-06:00

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

2011-12-21T12:32:00.000-06:00

Looking for a good book to read over the holiday break? Check out these titles...

2011-12-14T19:52:00.000-06:00

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

(This is the second book in the Hunger Games trilogy)

Cabin Fever by Jeff Kinney

(The latest edition in the very funny graphic novel series about Greg's life)

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

(Check out the Hollywood movie of this book in theaters now!)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

(This is the first book in the seven book series)

My Name is Brain Brian

2011-12-14T10:51:00.001-06:00

Have you read this book by Jeanne Betancourt?
It has a "Jokers Club"! There are some funny and exciting parts in the book.
There's a lot of problems in the story including a student having dyslexia and friendships being tested.
You even learn a lot about Canadian Geese in the story!

Student Council December Report

2011-12-13T06:48:00.000-06:00

Science Chapter 9

2011-12-12T22:00:00.001-06:00

Our MATTER test is coming soon!
Check out these sites to help you review:
From our textbook: http://www.macmillanmh.com/science/2011/student/na/grade4/g4_ch9.html

Very informative site: http://www.chem4kids.com/files/matter_intro.html

Practicing Solid, Liquid, and Gas: http://www.catie.org.uk/testing_time_index.html

Another site practicing Solid, Liquid, and Gas: http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities/gases.html

A video clip: http://www.gamequarium.org/cgi-bin/search/linfo.cgi?id=7685

matter sorter game: http://www.brainpop.com/games/mattersorter/

How much would I weigh on the moon?

2011-12-09T08:44:00.000-06:00

The terms "mass" and "weight" are often interchangable in our everyday, but to scientists they mean different things.
Mass of a body is a measure of how much matter it contains
Weight is a measure of the pull of GRAVITY between you and the body you are standing on.

Check out this site:
http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/weight/

Measure

2011-12-07T16:42:00.000-06:00

We have been learning about decimals in math.
Using a meterstick is a great way to practice both measurement skills and decimals!

Check out this post from last year's class about decimals in the Thousandths place value: http://missliefer.blogspot.com/2010/12/decimalsthousandths.html

Or check out this old post about the metric system: http://missliefer.blogspot.com/2011/01/metric-measurements.html

Helping Verbs

2011-12-07T12:43:00.005-06:00

The Helping Verb Song
(sing to the tune of "Jingle Bells")

Helping Verbs! Helping Verbs!
There are 23....
Am, is are! Was and were!
Being, been, and be!

Have, has, had! Do, does, did!
Shall, should, will, and would!
There are 5 more helping verbs:
may, might, must, can, and could!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-23T10:51:00.007-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am thankful for another great school year, and a bunch of great fourth graders!

..................................................................

Thanksgiving Thoughts

1621-Pilgrims and American Indians celebrate the Pilgrim’s first harvest in America with a three-day feast.

1941-President Franklin Roosevelt signed a bill establishing the fourth Thursday of November as Thanksgiving Day.

..................................................................

Thanksgiving Joke

Q: How did a clock celebrate Thanksgiving?

A: It had seconds!

..................................................................
Thanksgiving Websites
http://www.plimoth.org/learn/just-kids
www.porterturkeys.com

Decimals

2011-11-17T20:37:00.000-06:00

Check out these videos from last year's class to learn about and practice your decimals!

http://missliefer.blogspot.com/2010/12/decimalscomparing-thousandths.html
http://missliefer.blogspot.com/2010/12/decimals.html
____________________________________________
Check out this game to practice decimals:
http://www.toonuniversity.com/flash.asp?err=198

Cardinals!

2011-11-17T20:36:00.001-06:00

What a year for the Cardinals!
They won the World Series AND they came to visit Gardner Elementary!

In preparations for the visit, we decorated the school and wrote essays.
They want us to say NO to drugs, stay in school, and participate in sports.

door decorating

the finished door

our decorated hallway

Cardinal decorations

Waiting in line for the assembly

John Mabry!

Fredbird!

No Cub fans allowed!

She's being escorted out of the building

Goodbye!

Stay in School

Participate in Sports

Say no to drugs

Why we should say no...

the moo-off!

pick me!

dancing

Bulldog Cardinal Spirit!

It's Here! It's Here! It's Finally Here!

2011-11-15T17:13:00.000-06:00

The next book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series was released today.

We pre-ordered the book and it was delivered to school to us on the day it was released! WooHoo!

Happy reading everybody!

Student Council November Report

2011-11-14T13:16:00.000-06:00

Rummage Sale!

2011-11-12T08:11:00.000-06:00

TODAY is the Annual District Rummage Sale at Gardner!

Stop by the school from 8:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m. to get some good deals!

PIZZA!

2011-11-09T07:34:00.001-06:00

Order Papa John's tonight!
939-9600

20% of your total order goes to support our school

Carry-out or Delivery or online with code STSCH25
Must mention about Gardner Elementary fundraiser during placing order

News Update

2011-11-08T15:18:00.001-06:00

On the last issue of Miss Liefer's Classroom News Bulletin:
http://www.wcusd5.net/cms/teacher_pages/miss-liefers-4th-grade-class/whats-new

It talked about “Hats on for Veterans” (Student council sponsors this event. Wear a hat and pay $2. Money will go to help support “Honor Flight”)

This event was scheduled for Friday, BUT it is going to be cancelled and rescheduled for a date in January!

Daylight Saving Time

2011-11-06T08:37:00.000-06:00

Why did we change our clocks this weeked?
What is "Daylight Saving Time"?

Tim and Moby explain...
http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/geography/daylightsavingtime/

Recycle

2011-11-04T16:07:00.000-05:00

Recycling!

Want to get rid of old computers, electronics, vacuum cleaners, etc. and help a great cause? There will be a trailer in front of Rogers on:

Saturday Nov. 5 –8:00 a.m. to noon

Sunday, Nov. 6- 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T22:17:00.019-05:00

crazy hats

A candy in your Halloween bag is a "sweet treat"

crazy hair

Miss L in long hair

An unsteady elf is awobblin' goblin

can't resist touching that spikey hair!

A chubby flying mammal is a fat bat!

autographed hat!

A haunted wigwam is a creepy tepee

check out this hair!

A ghost's mistake is a boo-boo

cool hat

A wealthy broomstick rider is a rich witch

halloween game

A cloth to dry a bird is an owl towel

writing spooky stories

A haunted party-giver is a ghost host.

writing spooky stories

yum! this hat makes me hungry!

Halloween game

having Halloween fun

look at all those treats!

Statue of Liberty

2011-10-28T08:15:00.000-05:00

Today is the Statue of Liberty's 125th birthday!

Did you know...
*On Oct. 28, 1886, President Grover Cleveland dedicated the Statue of Liberty, a gift from France, in New York Harbor.

*The Statue of Liberty is comprised of 31 tons of copper and 125 tons of steel. It sways up to three inches in high winds exceeding 50 miles per hour

*It’s mighty tall, measuring 305.1 feet from the ground to the tip of its torch and 111 feet tall from the statue’s heel up to the tip of the torch. The statue’s eyes are two feet, six inches wide, and the nose measures four feet, six inches. The length of the statue’s right arm — the one holding the torch — measures 42 feet.

St. LOUIS ZOO

2011-10-25T22:06:00.067-05:00

at the zoo classroom

Herbivore: Pancake Turtle

Carnivore: Speckled Owl

petting the owl

Omnivore: Opossum

petting the opossum

Miss Liefer touching the opossum's tail

creating a food web

Decomposer: Crab

More of the opossum

Learning station at the zoo...these boys are deep in thought

bear pelts

interesting

elephant water fountain

RIVER'S EDGE entrance

cute baby elephant

baby elephant!

another picture of the elephant family

close up

striking a pose for the camera!

Elephants

PENGUIN and PUFFIN entrance

penguins

follow the leader

enjoying the sunshine

a peaceful Tuesday morning

at the swamp

CYPRESS SWAMP entrance

The giraffe was REALLY close to the fence.

What are you looking at?

adaptation: long neck to reach food high in trees

lunch time!

Hi, I'm a giraffe. Thanks for visiting me.

More giraffes

peek-a-boo

teaching the little one a lesson

BIG CAT COUNTRY entrance

The tiger! Miss Liefer always has to see him when she comes to the zoo.

cheetah

JUNGLE OF THE APES entrance

Wanna play?

a family portrait

classic zoo picture

hanging out

warm sunny day

a beautiful October day

look at those leaves!

Boo at the Zoo!

pretty tree

ghosts and pumpkins

do you see the skeletons?

fall flowers

wow! look at the foilage on this tree!

Happy Halloween! The zoo does a GREAT job of decorating!

a giant spider....oh no!!!!

eeek!

what a beautiful day!

all smiles...ready for the day

are those sea otters or students?

what place was your favorite?

Bee- utiful

what a terrific picture!

at the children's zoo

bears

Nyala

pig

donkey

Addax

camel

do you see him up on the rock?

zebras

ostrich

kudo and stork

kangaroo

hyena

the class

our true "zoo" personalities come out!

can you find the black rhino?

(he's camouflaged well)

there he is!

Gazelle

baby gazelles

Red Ribbon Week

2011-10-24T20:16:00.001-05:00

It's RED RIBBON WEEK!
"I See Red When I Think of Drugs "

Just say NO!

map scale

2011-10-24T20:12:00.000-05:00

1 inch = 500 miles

How far is it from Washington DC to...

Mexico City?

Stockholm, Sweden?

Moscow, Russia?

Cairo, Egypt?

Warsaw, Poland?

Book Talk: Charlie Bone

2011-10-22T18:15:00.000-05:00

Book Talk: Because of Winn Dixie

2011-10-22T17:59:00.000-05:00

Book Talk: Into the Deep

2011-10-22T17:39:00.000-05:00

Smart Art

2011-10-22T17:19:00.000-05:00

Halloween

2011-10-21T07:47:00.000-05:00

Are you in the mood to play some Halloween games?
check out this site!
http://www.teacherslovesmartboards.com/2010/10/smartboard-halloween-resources.html#tp

J Jokes J

-What do birds say on Halloween? Twick or Tweet!

-What is the most important subject in a witch school? Spelling!

-Where does a vampire take a bubble bath?

In the bat-room!

-What do you get when you cross a nursery rhyme with a scary story? Mother Goosebumps!

-What do monsters play on a rainy day?

Musical scares!

Book Talk: Football

2011-10-20T08:02:00.000-05:00

Book Talk: Dork Diaries

2011-10-20T08:01:00.000-05:00

Book Talk: Where the Red Fern Grows

2011-10-20T07:54:00.000-05:00

Book Talk: Harry Potter

2011-10-20T07:49:00.000-05:00

Student Council October Report

2011-10-15T16:58:00.000-05:00

RED RIBBON WEEK 2011 October 24th- 26th

Food Drive: "We CAN be Drug Free" Bring in non-perishable food items to be donated to local food pantires (Oct. 17th - 26th)

Daily Themes (same for Zahnow and Rogers)

Monday (24th)- "I See RED When I Think of Drugs" Wear everything red

Tuesday (25th)- "Put Drugs to Sleep" Pajama Day

Wednesday (26th)- "No Bones About It, Say No to Drugs" Wear bulldog colors, orange and black

*Special Note: The fourth grade is combining Tuesday and Wednesday because the fourth grade zoo field trip is on Tuesday (don't want to wear Pj at the Zoo!)

SO on Wednesday, wear Pajama bottoms and a bulldog shirt!

Upcoming Events Sponsored by Student Council

November- Hats off to Veterans/Honor Flight & Warner's Warm Up

December- Rotary Tree of Lights

Book Talk: Hunger Games

2011-10-15T16:38:00.000-05:00

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Book Talk: Geronimo Stilton

2011-10-15T16:31:00.001-05:00

Geronimo Stilton: The Temple of the Ruby of Fire

Check out Geronimo Stilton's website!

www.geronimostilton.com/portal/US/en/home/

Book Talk: Little Farm in the Ozarks

2011-10-15T15:12:00.000-05:00

Little Farm in the Ozarks by Roger Lea MacBride
This is the second of The Rocky Ridge Years books.
Check it out today!

Pucker Powder Party!

2011-10-15T14:52:00.002-05:00

As a reward for being the top-selling class for our magazine sale fundraiser, we earned a PUCKER POWDER PARTY!

Science Experiment

2011-10-15T12:42:00.001-05:00

Friday we got the opportunity to participate in a science experiment.
Using the scientific method, the two middle school students are conducting an experiment to test whether kids can tell the difference between medicine and candy.
We were some of their test subjects.

Showing us two options, we had to pick out the candy.

Later this school year, the results of this experiment will be on display at the Waterloo Science Fair!

More Collecting Data

2011-10-15T12:35:00.001-05:00

Last chapter in math, we practiced finding landmark data (median, maximum, minimum, mode, range).
Here's some pictures from one of our data collection days.

We were finding the "hat size" of our head in centimeters.

measuring the distance around our heads

FUN FACT: In the real world, men's and women's hats are sized in different ways.

The size of a man's hat size --6 7/8 for example-- is the diameter of a circle to the nearest 1/8 inch.
(Imagine taking a sweatband inside the hat and forming a circle. Then measure the distance across.)

The size of a woman's hat --22 for example--is approximately the distance around the head in inches.

After collecting the data, we made bar graphs and discussed the meaning of the results.

Book Talk: The Last Dragon Chronicles

2011-10-12T22:37:00.000-05:00

Want to read about dragons?

Check out this terrific series!

Book One: The Fire Within by Chris d'Lacey

Book Two: Icefire by Chris d'Lacey

Book Three: Fire Star by Chris d'Lacey

Book Talk: Torn

2011-10-12T20:43:00.000-05:00

The fourth installment in The Missing series is now available!

Consider reading Torn by Margaret Peterson Haddix.

It follows Jonah and Katherine as they travel back in time to the year 1611.

Fun Fact...Margaret Peterson Haddix is one of Miss Liefer's favorite authors!

A few years ago, Miss Liefer got the chance to meet her and get her autograph!

Book Talk: Goosebumps

2011-10-12T17:45:00.000-05:00

Looking for a spooky book to read for fun?
Consider reading Goosebumps Horrorland When the Ghost Dog Howls by R.L.Stine.

Columbus

2011-10-11T10:50:00.002-05:00

In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue!

Yesterday was Columbus Day.
Watch this BrainPOP about him:

http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/famoushistoricalfigures/christophercolumbus/preview.weml

New Website!

2011-10-08T09:13:00.003-05:00

The fourth grade team has a new website!

http://www.wcusd5.net/cms/teacher_pages/gardner-fourth-grade

It has links specific to units/chapters we study in literacy, math, science and social studies.

(Note, some of pages are still a work-in-progress, but I wanted to fill you in on the latest news!)

Column Addition

2011-10-05T06:50:00.000-05:00

Vertebrates & Invertebrates

2011-10-04T06:19:00.000-05:00

Do you know the difference between vertebrates and invertebrates?

Vertebrates BrainPOP video link:

http://www.brainpop.com/science/diversityoflife/vertebrates/preview.weml

Invertebrates BrainPOP video link:

http://www.brainpop.com/science/diversityoflife/invertebrates/preview.weml

HUNGRY?

2011-09-30T21:50:00.000-05:00

YOU ARE INVITED.....

WHAT: McTeacher Night
WHEN: Tuesday Oct. 4 from 4-8 pm
WHERE: Waterloo McDonald’s

Come eat! See your teachers! Support our school!

Ms. Garrett's 5th Grade Classroom: Math Landmarks

2011-09-29T12:36:00.001-05:00

The 5th graders are also studying landmarks!
Click on the link below to hear what they have to say about how to find them!

Ms. Garrett's 5th Grade Classroom: Math Landmarks: Explanation of the landmarks median, mode, maximum, minimum and range.

Bird Beaks

2011-09-26T15:48:00.001-05:00

Every bird uses its beak for catching and eating food.
Today in science we experimented with to see how the shape of a bird's beak affects what it eats.
For our "beaks" we used a spoon, fork, clothespin, and toothpick.

want to learn more about birds?
check out this BrainPOP video...
http://www.brainpop.com/science/diversityoflife/birds/preview.weml

Student Council 2011-2012

2011-09-24T09:41:00.000-05:00

This past week was student council election week.

We had a tough competition this year. So many great students wanted to represent our class. (In fact we had 13 candidates running this year!) The speeches on Friday were terrific. After a very close vote, here are our winners!

Guess, Estimate, Collect Data

2011-09-24T09:37:00.000-05:00

We used raisins to help us learn about math landmarks.

First we made a guess (how many raisins were inside the box)

Then we opened the box to preview the raisins. Using this new information we adjusted our guess (making an estimate).

Next we opened the raisins and counted how many raisins were actually in the boxes!

Finally using this data, we were able to find the landmarks: maximum, minimum, range, mode, median, and mean.

The median

2011-09-24T09:30:00.000-05:00

Landmark data...maximum, minimum, range, mode, mean, and MEDIAN!

How do you find the median?

We used playing cards to practice this skill.

1. Deal out cards

2. Put them in numerical order

3. Find the "middle" number.

Collecting Data

2011-09-24T09:25:00.000-05:00

Roll two dice, find the sum, mark a tally to collect data.

Which sum(s) had the most tally marks? Why?

Which sum(s) had the least number of tally marks? Why?

Addition with base-ten blocks

2011-09-24T09:21:00.000-05:00

One popular way to add numbers it to build the two numbers using base-ten blocks.

Then put the two parts (numbers) together to find the total.

Partial Sums Addition

2011-09-24T09:13:00.000-05:00

In math there are several algorithms (Step-by-step methods) to calculate the answer to an addition problem. Here's the partial sums addition method:

Also check out the EverydayMath website for terrific and helpful videos!

Go to www.everydaymathonline.com/

Click "free resources"

Select "Algorithms in Everyday Mathematics"

Fourth grade

addition

partial-sums addition

Then select an animation!

Magazine Sales

2011-09-16T12:30:00.002-05:00

We were the top selling class this week in magazine sales! We got the “traveling trophy” stuffed snake. We named him “Ed” and he’s our class pet for the week. J Keep selling those magazines!

we earned other prizes for our magazine sales

Remember the next magazine sale turn- in days are:

Tuesday, Sept. 20 and 27

BoxTop Party

2011-09-12T10:03:00.001-05:00

I am so proud of this class.

They are working hard collecting BOX TOPS!

So far we've collected...

500 boxtops and earned popsicles

1000 boxtops and earned ice cream

1500 boxtops and earned popcorn with Bulldog megaphones

(Friday we celebrated this party and a few fun photos are posted below).

TODAY it was announced that we made it to the next level:

2000 boxtops and we earned a kickball game with Mrs. Ivers!

Congratulations!

Other ways to help support our school is by:

-participate in the magazine sales fundraiser,

-save your Denny's receipt

-collect Sunny D UPC's

-save Campbell's labels

-use an E-script card at Schnucks

September 11

2011-09-11T10:41:00.000-05:00

Today is the 10th anniversary of the attack.

Watch this free BrainPOP video with your family
www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/ushistory/september11th

Remember to wear red, white, and blue tomorrow.
It will be a day of remembrance and a way to stand together as a school to show our pride in our country.

Hat Day

2011-09-09T20:04:00.001-05:00

Thank you to everyone who donated food items for “Help Heal Hunger Hunt.”

CIRCLES

2011-09-07T22:15:00.000-05:00

Do you know how to use a compass?
Can you create concentric circles?
WE CAN!

WIN

2011-09-07T22:06:00.000-05:00

During WIN (What I Need) time this week we visited some centers around the classroom.

Be a geographer...what state is this?

Be a geographer...learning facts about our USA

Be a geographer...puzze of our country

Thinking games...how's your logic puzzle IQ?

Thinking games...using tangrams

Working at the kidney shaped table...today's lesson: vocabulary review

Brainbuilder...Science activity folders (I see a food web being made!)

Computers...visiting the EverydayMath site

Math wrap-ups from the black rack

Smiles

2011-09-07T21:55:00.000-05:00

During "town time" some of the students had fun using the digital camera.

They caught some good photos that I thought we'd share.

(They also took some blurry and some really silly pictures that ended up getting deleted...but that's part of the fun in learning how to use technology!)

Predators and Prey

2011-08-29T20:53:00.001-05:00

A predator hunts and the prey is the hunted.

How Predators and Prey fit into the Food Chain:

Here's a few photos of us playing the Predator/ Prey Game:

To learn more and review what we've learned, check out these sites:

http://www.macmillanmh.com/science/2011/student/na/grade4/g4_ch3.html (this is from our textbook!)

http://www.gamequarium.org/cgi-bin/search/linfo.cgi?id=8451 (Bill Nye video clip about Food Webs)

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/gamesforkids.htm (animal games)

http://www.brainpop.com/science/ecologyandbehavior/foodchains/preview.weml (BrainPOP video about Food Chains)

Polygons

2011-08-29T20:40:00.002-05:00

What makes a polygon?

Have you read this book? It's a terrific story about a triangle who changes into other polygons.

Here's a right triangle

Quadrangle (specifically a trapezoid)

Regular Hexagon

another hexagon (six-sided figure)

one more hexagon

a CONVEX polygon

a CONCAVE polygon

If the sides are CURVED it CANNOT be a polygon:

If the sides INTERSECT it CANNOT be a polygon:

(In addition, if the sides are OPEN it cannot be a polygon)

Be sure to check out some of our favorite polygon links...
http://www.brainpop.com/math/geometryandmeasurement/polygons/preview.weml
(BrainPOP video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rpkjb4Tx844&feature=related
("I am a Parallelogram" Song)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbR_rakilds&feature=related
(The Polygon Song)

Year of the Panda

2011-08-29T20:21:00.000-05:00

Have you read the book Year of the Panda by Miriam Schlein?
It's a terrific chapter book about a boy named Lu Yi who cares for an orphaned daxiong mao (giant panda). Here's one book review about the story...

Quadrangles

2011-08-29T08:13:00.000-05:00

Squares & rhombus...how are they alike/different?

Why is a square a special type of rectangle?

Can a kite be a parallelogram?

Compare/contrast trapezoids and rectangles

Sentences

2011-08-25T17:36:00.000-05:00

In Language class we've been learning basic sentence structure.
Nouns, verbs, subjects, predicates...
Here are some photos of us playing a subject/predicate game.
The little slips of paper have phrases (some have subjects; others have predicates).
Match two together and see if it makes a complete sentence.
We had a good time, and sometimes we made some silly sentences! :)

Geometry

2011-08-25T17:25:00.000-05:00

What can you make with straws and twist-ties?

In math class, the possibilities are endless!

Triangle

Square

Trapezoid

rhombus

First Day

2011-08-19T10:48:00.001-05:00

The Start of a New School Year

2011-08-14T16:29:00.000-05:00

Here's a few pictures of our classroom.

I'm looking forward to starting school with you.

Let's make it a great year together!

Gardner Getaway

2011-06-11T21:23:00.001-05:00

It's the end of the schoolyear. What a terrific year it has been.

Thanks for all the memories. Have a great summer everyone!

Class Picture

Graffiti Wall

our true personalities come out :)

Blue and Gray

2011-06-05T00:51:00.001-05:00

Here are some backstage photos from the show!

100

2011-05-25T09:12:00.000-05:00

Celebrate! This is our 100th post on the blog!

Henry "BOX" Brown

2011-05-25T09:09:00.001-05:00

Have you read the book "Henry's Freedom Box" by Ellen Levine?
It is a terrific book! Check it out!