Tuesday, November 26

Oh happy day! We began our day with a performance from the Columbus Children's Theater of Hansel and Gretel. It was a hoot! Then, we came back and played "Roll-a-Turkey" with partners. Afterwards, we practiced for our fraction test by doing some edible "Smarties Math." I tried to get the assessments graded so they could take them home today but some needed a little more time. Sorry. I'll grade them over the break and pass them back on Monday. After lunch and indoor recess, we read Maniac Magee. This time, Jeffrey met up with his old buddies, the Beale's, after beating Mars Bar in a foot race. Mars wasn't too happy so Jeffrey went back with the McNab's. He's starting to feel very torn between the East and West Ends... We continued our work from yesterday in Reader's Workshop and then wrote Team Thank You notes for each other for Writing.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Homework this week:
Reading~read and make 5 entries about what you read
Writing~write a letter of thanks to someone
(Math was to practice for the assessment today so there is no other math this week!)

Monday, November 25

Today was a typical Monday but a lot easier to swallow knowing that tomorrow is like our Friday! We began our day reading and discussing about the First Thanksgiving. Did you know it lasted for 3 days? Then, we read The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush by Tomie DePaola. After we discussed what a legend is and looked at how Little Gopher documented things, we wrote our own legends of how we spend our Thanksgiving. In Art, they earned their 10th painting and we get FREE ART next time! For Math, we continued looking at the sub problem that we began last week. Then, we worked in small groups with a fractions game and with me with Cuisenaire Rods. Tomorrow will be our mini-assessment over the first two fraction standards: equivalent fractions and comparing fractions. After indoor recess, we read about a crazy new home that Maniac has ended up in...the McNab's are like no other! Jeffrey is trying to decipher who the actual orphan is... We had a tough time getting quiet in Reader's Workshop and completing our work. I managed to meet with two of the three reading groups... We read about how Thanksgiving's date changed a couple of times. Students also created their LearnZillion accounts and did some word puzzles to build vocabulary. In Writing, we are brainstorming a persuasive letter that has to do with Christmas... :)

TGIFriday, November 22

Oh boy. Today was not a good day. We really need to work on our manners, respect and cooperation. We are missing pencils, not getting along, off task and too loud and disrespectful when asked to get back on task... We are in desperate need of the break next week!
In Social Studies, we completed our questions about the Native Americans. In Math, we had a gallery walk with our posters from our fraction question yesterday. Students walked around and read other groups' explanations of their thinking. While the main response was, "confusing," they were able to see that they had the correct idea but that they just needed to explain it a little better or with more detail. We will have a mini-assessment over the first two fraction standards that we have been working on next week. After another indoor recess, we went to the Publishing Shop with Mrs. Divencenzo to plan out the publishing of our "Diary of a ____" books. I think this got them excited to finish their stories! With this schedule change, we had a weird afternoon and did quite a bit of getting everyone caught up to the same spot with their Reader's Workshop and Writer's Workshop work. We finished the day with working on r-controlled vowels.

Thursday, November 21

Today, we continued our Q & A of Native American conflict, cooperation and adaptation. In math, we began a 2-day inquiry about sub sandwiches. They were given a problem and they have to use what they've been learning about with fractions to solve this problem. They are using the mathematical practices while working on this problem. We found out more about Grayson and how Jeffrey is dealing, or not dealing, with his death today in Maniac Magee. Jeffrey started running again but this time, while trying to just give up, he encountered some twins that needed his help. Little did he know, an old 'problem' would come back to haunt him... In Reader's Workshop, we worked with explaining our thinking on a math problem, reading silently and trying to get our research report complete. I was able to meet with all of my groups but one group wasn't prepared which meant that we weren't able to work on what was planned. Was your kiddo in that group? Finally, I was able to get one of the laptop carts and we mostly finished our "Diary of a ____" so that we can visit the Publishing Shop tomorrow.

Homework this week:
Reading--write more! with each entry; focus on making connections
Writing--research and story
Math--30 minutes of fraction practice

Wednesday, November 20

Today was a good day! In Social Studies, we read about many different American Indian groups. We then, answered some questions about cooperation and conflict between Native Americans and other groups of people as well as how the Native Americans adapted to the environment and positive and negative consequences of humans on the environment. In Math, we finished our Pattern Block Puzzles and then practiced making equivalent fractions with a color-by-number/stained glass paper. We should be moving on from equivalent fractions and comparing fractions after Thanksgiving break. There was a shocking twist in Maniac Magee today! Ask your kiddo about the last sentence I read today. We had a pretty good Reader's Workshop. I was able to meet with all 3 groups today and with little interruption! We worked on our "Diary of a ____" stories in Writer's Workshop--only one more day in class before we publish! Finally, we took a pre-test on r-controlled words. This pre-test proved tricky to them as they weren't sure to use -or, -er or -ar. (I still find that troublesome!)

Homework this week:
Reading--write more! with each entry; focus on making connections
Writing--research and story
Math--30 minutes of fraction practice (I sent home a packet with games, websites and worksheets that you can use to help your kiddo. Attached are the standards~we are working on the first two right now.)

Tuesday, November 19

We started our day with a story about a boy named Wesley. Ask your kiddo what they learned from reading Weslandia and why I chose to read it during Social Studies. Then, we talked more about the conflicts between different groups of people around the time of the French and Indian War. After gym, we continued our work with fractions. Students played a More or Less game where they had to tell if a fraction was larger or smaller than a benchmark fraction. (For example, is 2/3 larger or smaller than 1/2? Prove it.) Then, we used pattern blocks to solve puzzles and tell the fractional parts of the puzzle. They should have brought home their exit slip to complete for homework. They should prove the statement using words, numbers or pictures. In Read Aloud, we got more insight into Grayson. We also learned more about he and Jeffrey's relationship. Has Jeffrey found the "father figure" he never had? We had a pretty good Reader's Workshop today. Students worked pretty quietly and stayed on task (mostly) so that I could meet with Guided Reading Groups. In group, we worked with non-fiction/informational text. Meanwhile, students worked on making connections, reading independently and working with reading a timeline and a chart from the Time For Kids. Finally, we completed our day working on our research and "Diary of a ____" story. I think everyone is finished with research! However, some are finding that they need a little more or different information after beginning to write. This is a great way to revise! Kudos!

Homework this week:
Reading--write more! with each entry; focus on making connections
Writing--research and story
Math--30 minutes of fraction practice (the exit slip should count toward this)

Monday, November 18

We began our day with Social Studies. We started talking about conflict and watched a few School House Rocks videos about colonization and why/how the Americas were founded. We also read from the Ohio textbook about the French and Indian War. Can your child tell you anything about it? In Math, we played some games comparing fractions. We also learned how to use benchmarks to compare them--is this fraction closer to 0, 1/2 or 1? Give your kiddo a fraction and ask them to show you. After recess, we read Maniac Magee. Jeffrey untied Cobble's Knot! Then, he realized, again, that he brought about trouble with the Beale's... so he left and ended up in the buffalo pen at the zoo! Luckily, Grayson found him and got him some food and a place to stay. I wonder what connection these two will have. My goal for Reader's Workshop this week is to stick to my schedule and meet with all my Guided Reading Groups--all week! The students need to use self-discipline to help make this possible. They did pretty well today but toward the end of the hour, it got a little loud and hectic. We'll keep at it! In groups, we worked on Informational Text features and how they are used to help. Students worked on building stamina by reading silently and independently, read a Time For Kids and then made connections to the articles. We worked on our research and "Diary of a ___" stories in Writer's Workshop.

Homework this week:
Reading--longer entries and focus on connections
Writing--research and report (Diary of a ___)
Math--30 minutes of fraction practice (i.e. cooking, explaining how to find an equivalent fraction to you, fraction game, etc.)

FRIDAY, November 15

Our day started off about 350 years ago with learning about the Historic Indians. Ask your child the difference between these groups (historic) and the other groups we've learned about (pre-historic). Lucky helped me teach Social Studies this morning too! :) In Math, used pattern blocks to create equivalent fractions but also to compare fractions. (Compare two fractions with different numerators and different denominators, e.g., by creating common denominators or numerators, or by comparing to a benchmark fraction such as 1/2. Recognize that comparisons are valid only when the two fractions refer to the same whole. Record the results of comparisons with symbols >, =, or <, and
justify the conclusions, e.g., by using a visual fraction model.) One of the 4th grade students in Miss Cross' class interviewed Coach Urban Meyer so we watched that interview~so cool!! We also watched one of our 5th grader's Hilliard Idol performance. (They were videos that had been shown on our ADE news but since our TV is dead, we didn't get to see them.) Then, we read more about Maniac. He is feeling icky for the Beale's because they are befriending him and it seems to be causing them strife. Such a powerful message/story! In Reader's Workshop, we continued our work with author's point of view in informational text (some will be bringing them home to finish...) and finished the Ohio Studies Weekly newspapers about the Native Americans of pre-history. Our day concluded with writing and/or research.

Thursday, November 14

We had an amazing speaker to begin our morning! Arctic geochemist, Dr. Samuel Mukasa, spoke to us about his studies in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. He also talked about climate change and gave us some great connections between what we have learned in Science about weathering, erosion and deposition, as well as a look into future studies in fossils. After his presentation to the entire 4th grade, he was able to spend time in each classroom for a Q & A session. Our kiddos were impressive! They asked some amazing questions and I was really proud! In between the presentation and Q & A, we were able to sneak in a little gym and some math as well. We will be moving on from equivalent fractions to comparing fractions tomorrow. (Compare two fractions with different numerators and different denominators, e.g., by creating common denominators or numerators, or by comparing to a benchmark fraction such as 1/2. Recognize that comparisons are valid only when the two fractions refer to the same whole. Record the results of comparisons with symbols >, =, or <, and
justify the conclusions, e.g., by using a visual fraction model.) After recess, we went to the book fair to purchase books and I'm happy to say that every child was able to get at least one book at the book fair this year! Some shopped with their parents, but everyone is blessed with at least one new book! They were so excited for their new books that they spent about 45 minutes reading after we returned! Then, we worked on writing our "Diary of a ____ " stories or researching. We finished our day with reading more from Maniac Magee. I loved today's readings about colors of skin... ask your kiddo!

November 13, 20113

Another conference late night... sorry for the late post!

Yesterday, we began our day with Guidance. It started with a very troubling incident~about 2/3 or even 3/4 of the group blatantly made fun of another student all at once. We discussed this matter further and I expressed my disappointment as well as what it means to stand up and not go along with the group. Hopefully, students will show more compassion to others after our conversation-wow. After music, we came back and worked on our math menu. Students played games and worked in a small group with me to help their understanding of equivalent fractions, as well as manipulated color tiles and used their fraction kits to model this understanding. I had an appointment in the afternoon so a substitute was here. She read Voices in the Park, a book about different points of view/perspective, to them and then they worked on Ohio Studies Weekly, author's point of view in non-fiction text and read silently and, hopefully, independently. In Writer's Workshop, some were ready to begin their research project of writing their "Diary of a ___" while others used the iPads for research.

11-12-13 (love it!)

Today was a very productive day! We began our day working with information on the Mound Builders and reading timelines. We visited the Book Fair after Art to preview the sale. As always, they love the posters but I, along with the volunteers, encouraged them to look at and shop for BOOKS too. :) In Math, we continued our work with equivalent fractions (Explain why a fraction a/b is equivalent to a fraction (n × a)/(n × b) by using visual fraction models, with attention to how the number and size of the parts differ even though the two fractions themselves are the same size. Use this principle to recognize and generate equivalent fractions.) Students had a math menu that they will be completing over the next couple of days with games and activities to secure this understanding. It was indoor recess because of the snow but students did a good job with this today. We learned more about Maniac today in Read Aloud. He finally has an address! Jeffrey "Maniac" Magee is teaching us about belonging and that color of skin doesn't matter, it is the person inside. In Reader's Workshop, we read, researched and worked on Ohio Studies Weekly. We had a great brain break, freeze dance, to some great music! (Thank you Samuel!) We ended our day in the Media Center completing (or what I thought was completing) our research... students have found the bare minimum and I am asking them for MORE!! Your child may have brought home their work to do some research at home~this will count as both reading and writing for homework!

Monday, November 11

Sorry this is late~I was here until 7:00 pm with conferences...

We began our day with finishing up our conference presentations and practicing with a partner in preparation for sharing with you. After special, we worked on our first fraction lesson. This group did great! We made a kit with fraction strips to help us along the way with our understanding of fractions. Then, we played "Uncover" and "Cover." Our goal over the next few days is:  Explain why a fraction a/b is equivalent to a fraction (n × a)/(n × b) by using visual fraction models, with attention to how the number and size of the parts differ even though the two fractions themselves are the same size. Use this principle to recognize and generate equivalent fractions. **I left at lunch for an appointment. Mrs. Debby Bowers (an AMAZING teacher) was our substitute for the rest of the afternoon.** For Read Aloud, they read The Wall by Eve Bunting and read an informational text about Veterans Day. Hopefully, they came away with an understanding of the observation yesterday and the importance of our veterans. In Reader's Workshop, they worked together to discuss point of view and perspective in literary text (narrator, first-person, third-person). They researched in Writer's Workshop and most did a great job getting their questions answered and their research logged.

Friday, November 8

Happy Friday! We began our day with Guidance since we missed it last week. Mrs. Vidic talked about tobacco, drugs and alcohol. Then, in Math, we had a "Progress Check." I took a few problems from everything we've learned thus far to see if they've made progress since our last test. For the most part, they did. They are coming home with your child today if you'd like to see them and have your kiddo make corrections. We are moving on to fractions next week! In Read Aloud, we found out how Jeffrey Magee got his nickname, "Maniac." For Reader's Workshop, we applied our figurative language understanding to a story about Princess Penelope and completed our silent letter word puzzles. In Writing, we continued our research.

Thursday, November 7

We started our day with making a timeline of events from our "Diary of a 4th Grader" stories. We'll be working with timelines of all kinds throughout the year. In Math, we worked with Piles of Tiles and tried again to solidify our algebraic thinking. After a chilly recess, we began Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli for our next read aloud. This is one of my favorite books and I hope the kids like it as much as I do. In Reader's Workshop, we played Inference Shoots and Ladders and worked with a problem and solution reader's response. I also took this time to get kiddos caught up with their workboard work... unfortunately a large majority have a lot to do to get caught up... We finished the day researching with the iPads. Overall, a good day.

Wednesday, November 6

Hump Day!! Today was an overall good day. We began the day with Social Studies and finishing up our learning on the Mound Builders in Ohio. We also looked at Fort Ancient, Ohio as well as the Shrum Mound which is near us, on Google Earth. (Thank you Mr. Sayers for letting us know about this very close resource!) The kiddos LOVE to look at our visual history markings using Google Earth. I think it helps them to feel connected with the history that we are learning about. In Math, we went over our exit slips from yesterday and talked about making T-charts to help organize our thinking. Then, looking at the T-charts, came up with patterns and used these patterns to find the rule for the pattern. Some even went a step further to create equations with variables! I gave them another exit slip to see if their understanding is any more secure... stay tuned! After an indoor recess :(, we read about Zeus and Poseidon as well as Medusa. We are in between read alouds right now so this was just a fun read that helped us to understand a little about the way Greek mythology has crept into our literary world. In Reader's Workshop, we worked more with this mythological language (Achilles' Heel, Midas Touch, Pandora's Box, etc.) so students can understand it when they come across it in their independent reading. We also read silently and independently as well as met with me for reading groups. We collected research using the iPads in Writer's Workshop after our "Diary of a 4th Grader" story was finished.

Tuesday, November 5

I was only at school for the first part of the day today as I had an appointment this afternoon. Here is what we did while I was there along with what I left in my plans for the substitute to complete.
It was technology Tuesday and I got the iPads today instead of the iPods. Students LOVED working with them. Unfortunately, more than 1/2 the class left for testing with Mrs. Nelli so instead of doing Science or Social Studies, we continued technology Tuesday and got more familiar with the iPads. After special, we finished our work with the school newspaper algebraic thinking math problem. Then we completed an exit slip to see if this knowledge transferred over. Unfortunately, it did not. Tomorrow, we will go over these exit slips, discuss, practice and try again. Students needed to find the pattern and continue it and then come up with the rule. I'm not sure why they weren't successful because they showed understanding during class yesterday and today. :( After recess, students went to the library to vote for the Buckeye Children's Book Award. If there was time left, the substitute read This Is Not My Hat, which is a nominee for K-2 students but a really cute book. In Reader's Workshop, they worked with vocabulary, read silently and began looking at Greek mythology. The way they need to understand this language is figuratively. For example, if when reading, they read that something was someone's "Achilles Heel," they need to understand what that means just as we learned about idioms, similes and metaphors. This is something new for 4th grade so hopefully, they will be able to apply this understanding to their reading. In Writer's Workshop, they either finished their "Diary of a 4th Grader" stories or collected research. Finally, the day ended with puzzles for our Word Study generalization, silent letters.

Monday, November 4

Another Monday! I don't know why Mondays have to be so hard... We began with learning a little about the Mound Builders. We also used Google Earth to locate the Great Serpent Mound which is a mound built by the Ft. Ancient people. In Math, we worked on our Algebraic Thinking and number patterns with a question/problem about collecting aluminum cans and began a second one on making a school newspaper. Students are really using their mathematical practices to work through and explain/prove their thinking. After recess, we went down to the media center to work with Mrs. Dorr on research. She showed us how to narrow our search and find valid resources. Then, we came back and watched a live webcast with Jeff Kinne~the author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books (see picture below). It was awesome! He gave us a look into his newest book, Hard Luck, which comes out this week, as well as his craft and how he goes through the writing process. Also, his day job is to run Poptropica. I had no idea! This is a site where there are games and things for kiddos to play. I haven't checked it out because it is blocked from our computers at school-the kids say it is appropriate but not educational. I'm going to check it out at home tonight but some of your kiddos may want to do the same since he talked about it today. We finished the day with a pre-test in Word Study.

TGIFriday, November 1

It's Friday!! We started our day with meeting up with our first grade buddies and making turkeys! Then, after Mr. B got them all sweaty and stinky in gym, we worked on our algebraic thinking. We went over our posters on frog and toad's jumps from yesterday but then did some whole group learning/thinking with equations and variables. Students did great with this. Next week, we'll see if they can transfer this understanding to other situations. Since we finished Guests yesterday, we read from the Ohio text book about the first people of Ohio. It doesn't seem like fun but was actually a pretty great discussion about how people first got to North America and Ohio. I don't think they minded our learning today. Then, we played "Befudiom" during the first part of Reader's Workshop. Thanks, Becca for the fun game about idioms! For the second part, we read silently as well as discussed the difference between main idea in Non-Fiction and theme in Fiction. Then, we finished writing our "Diary of a 4th Grader" stories. I can't wait to share these at conferences.