So, Time to have a Happy Holiday!

     Murray, our family dog, begged and pleaded to wish you all a happy holidays.  Well, as you might have expected, I gave in to his constant whining and barking, but told him he would have to type the message himself and smile for the camera.  He did well, don't you think? 
        So on the eve of our holiday break, Ms. Deb and I wanted to wish you all a happy holidays.  When we return after the break, we have many things to do and lots more to learn.  Ms. Deb will be doing a two week "solo" performance in the classroom sometime in the near future.  She is very excited for that and for being able to work with our classroom this year.  I'm sure you are hearing great things about her teaching and lessons so far.  She truly has a way with the kids!  In fact, maybe you would like to hear about a few of the things we all have been doing lately.  Well, read on!

    We have started a new 4th grade unit on geometry which will continue after the break.  The students were able to solve a Christmas lights problem about perimeter and symmetry, and actually used the lights for real.  They have been measuring perimeters, looking at symmetry, and reviewing measurement in general.

    Our class has also been doing a unit on the Taino.  Part of that unit involves writing a report on these people and their culture.  The class has also been working on weaving using grass strips. 

   Conor was the "expert" in twisting and creating string out of the grass strips so he showed us the way he had learned.   Some students also created their own way connecting two or three grass strips together.  

   We have also started a writing blog on kidblog.org.  Each student has a blog in their own name that they can access from home as well as the classroom.  We started off by getting used to working in the blog by signing in and then writing about a picture I had posted.  They had to listen to a video of directions
I made as well before they started.  I plan on bringing more technology into their learning after the break.  Speaking of which, they love working with the Starboard!  We do many math activities and some language arts, especially Wacky Web Tales.
      We completed our work on Ecosystems with an assessment last week.  The students had to create an information poster or written paper about what they had learned during the unit about 3-5 of the biomes.  They did a nice job on this!
      And of course we just completed our Reading for Information study groups.  The students created posters in their small groups.  We then went around today and read the poster information to answer questions for a "scavenger hunt" of sorts.  Nice work on the posters and in the groups by all!

    Well, this seems like a good place to stop for this year....see you next year after the holiday break!  

                 Mr. B and Ms. Deb!