Water Cycle Reader's Theater

During the past few weeks we have been practicing reading with expression.  To reinforce this skill, we worked with Mrs. Ardizzoni and Miss Fallon to take part in a Reader's Theatre about the Water Cycle.  We practiced our lines and read them from cue cards while wearing "costumes" in front of the green screen.  We even drew our own backgrounds that will show up behind us in the final project.  Check out our progress below:

The water cycle begins with the sun and water.

Tristan and Alyvia were ocean droplets that turned into water vapor.

Emma learned the importance of the sun to beginning evaporation.

Theo learned that water vapor turns into a cloud.

Brian condensed to become a snowflake that falls out of the cold cloud.

Ellie and Catalina melted into stream water and river water droplets riding the rapids.

Caitlyn and Paul learned what it would be like in a reservoir and to be tapwater.  I hope nobody drinks them or brushes their teeth with them. Ew!

From there, CJ learned what it would be like to be in a drain pipe.  Yikes!

Ayden was proud to be the sewage processing plant that "can even give bath water a bath!"

The process begins again as the water returns to the ocean.

Mrs. Ardizzoni used an ipad to video us.

 While others recorded their parts, we did an art activity to demonstrate the water cycle.

THE WATER CYCLE

Recent Happenings in 213

We have certainly had a lot of snow during the past few weeks, but that hasn't stopped our amazing 4th graders from doing some phenomenal things! Check out what we have been up to!

Mr. Musselman helped us wrap up our unit on matter. We learned about physical and chemical changes. What happens when you pour hot water on an ice cube? When you drop alka seltzer into water, what will you see and feel? What kind of change occurs?

Observation

Discussion

What does it feel like?

Taking notes

 What would the particles look like?

 

Pouring water into the bag with the Alka Seltzer tablet.

Some of us were concerned the bag would explode!

Patterns are all around us! The Burlington Science Center's latest traveling exploration is about patterns found in nature. We learned about patterns that help animals camouflage, constellations, patterns in earthquakes measured by a seismograph, and bird songs. We observed a toad, crayfish, and compared guppies with adult fish. There was even a tiger to touch! Yikes!

 

I wonder if there will be an earthquake in Burlington.

What habitat would best suit a tiger based on the pattern of its fur?

Patterns in electricity

What patterns help Frodo, the toad survive?

I wonder what type of turtle this is.

ROAR!

Have you ever been on a train? Our latest adventure in Social Studies is a train tour of the Northeast region. We have learned about some of the key geographical features of the region, as well as understanding why it is known as "the birthplace" of the United States.  Our first stop was to West Quoddy Head Lighthouse in Maine.  Miss Fallon is helping us draw our own lighthouses that will catch the light of our classroom windows.

Understanding 4th grade Multiplication

Multiplication today is different from the way that many adults learned it.  The focus is on a strong foundation of understanding place value.  Students learn how to "break apart" large numbers into more manageable numbers to multiply by.  For example, when multiplying 637 we divide it into hundreds, tens and ones as shown below.   This is the expanded form.

We also learn the traditional algorithm, but now the students understand the numbers that are carried.

When multiplying a 2-by-2 digit number, we break the numbers up first.  For example, 26 becomes 20 and 6 and 34 becomes 30 and 4. Then we draw "a box" and figure out the 4 equations that would multiply each number.  These are the partial products.  Finally, we add the partial products to find the final product.

Common fourth grade mistakes are:

        1. Creating the 4 correct equations.

        2. Basic multiplication fact errors.

        3. Making mistakes in addition.  

Ways to help:

        1. Reminding students that their equations should always                have a number from the top and one from the side.

        2. Helping them with basic multiplication by encouraging                them to do REFLEX or other fact games.

        3. Being sure that they line up their numbers correctly when            adding.

        4. Asking if their answer is reasonable by rounding the                original equation.

        5. Practice!

These will certainly assist in success with multiplication of larger numbers.

Please ask your child to explain how they are multiplying. Allowing them to be the teacher will reinforce skills learned in class and help you to understand how they are learning.

What's The Matter?

We have kicked off our unit on matter with an interesting quest.  The students explained what they think they know yesterday about the topic and also came up with some rules for the three states of matter, which are solid, liquid, and gas.  Today Mr. Musselman joined us with 6 cups filled with a mystery matter.  Using the rules that we came up with yesterday, we tried to figure out if our mystery matter was a solid, a liquid, or a gas and then we presented it to the class.  It got a little messy, but we definitely had fun!

Next week, Mr. Musselman will be back for some more interesting exploration.  We can't wait!

Pillow Pets for a Good Cause

I have run the past 3 Boston Marathons for Massachusetts General Hospital to raise funds in the fight against pediatric cancer. This year the Student Council is helping to give back by hosting a Pajama Day for Pillow Pets on Friday, January 16th.  Please consider helping this cause by donating at least $1 on or before Friday of next week.
During February vacation I will bring the Pillow Pets that we are able to purchase with the pajama day funds to Mass. General and give them to the children that our marathon team runs for.  Trust me, the smiles are HUGE when the kids see the pets!  These Pillow Pets are comfortable and provide a sense of home to kids who spend a considerable amount of time in the hospital.  We appreciate your support!

Ancestor Dolls

As part of our immigration unit, the students of 213 have interviewed family members to learn about their ancestors.  This has facilitated wonderful conversations among families about their heritage, culture and traditions.  Our first project was to create a doll inspired by their ancestors.  The students were extremely proud of their dolls and couldn't wait to share them with their classmates.  This is one of my favorite projects that we do because of way the students choose to represent their ancestors, as well as the variety of materials that they use.  Each doll is different and unique.  I love hearing about my students' family history because I always learn new things.  Below are a few examples:

The students used many different materials.  Catalina's doll was from Poland.

Mia was very proud of her doll's outfit based on her Puerto Rican heritage.

Ellie opted to make two dolls to represent her great grandparents.

Some of the students even brought in pictures of their ancestors. Ayden's doll was from Italy.

Tristan's doll is Irish.

Alyvia based her doll on her Papa's father who was from Ireland.

 

Paul's doll was from Ireland and he dressed her with a shamrock dress.

Some students even added accessories to their dolls.

CJ did a wonderful job explaining how he made his doll.

The woman who inspired this doll was the oldest of 12!