Weeks of December 13 and December 20

We started to use our class wikispace (https://coburnrm27.wikispaces.com/) to share ideas, thoughts, create and collaborate. The space gives each student a page to share their work as well as other pages to share thoughts, research and complete a project.  We discussed the use of the space and using our Second Step skills and Coburn Respect rules when using the space.

Also we used a new 2.0 tool, Symbaloo,  for our research on Washington DC.  This gives students websites to visit without having to surf the internet.  See below.

Week of December 6.

We used a new web tool, Awesome Screenshot.  This app allows us to capture and annotate our work. We can show our work as we solve a problem or peer edit.   Then we share our work with each other and make comments.   See examples below.

Reminders:
Early release Tuesday, December 10
Half Day Friday, December 20

Weeks of November 22 and November 29

We continued our work on a fictional narrative.  Students brainstormed ideas, completed a graphic organizer and started a draft.  In reading we revisited and worked on how to answer open response questions, specifically organizing our response and adding specific details from the text to support our answer.  In science we used the new tech book to complete an assignment on earthquakes.   In math we continued multiplication, using arrays, expanded algorithm and standard algorithm to multiply 2 digit numbers.  In social studies we started our study of Washington DC monuments.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving break!

Below are some examples of animoto videos created from rocks and minerals research.

cool rock's

Rocks 2

rock and minerals

Weeks of November 8 and November 15

We started the school wide read of One Thousand Tracings by Lita Judge.  The theme of the book is about acts of kindness.  Students will be recognized for acts of kindness with a tracing of a shoe which will be displayed in the school.   This book goes along with our How Full is Your Bucket book.  We want to continue to reinforce students and staff to be nice to each other. We finished a writing piece about a family tradition.  Students enjoyed sharing the traditions they celebrate with each other.  In reading we started our study of historical fiction.  The One Thousand Tracings book was a nice lead into it.   We will write at least one fictional narrative for writing.  In science we just started using the new Discovery Education tech book.  This is an online book and we are very excited about it.  All students have a password and user name.
 In math we took the October test and have started multiplying larger numbers.   Also we have been using the netbooks to complete problems.  Some examples below.

Reminders: 
Early release Tuesday, November 19
Half Day, Wednesday, November 27
No School, Thursday-Friday, November 28-29 Thanksgiving recess

Week of October 25

This week students created a graphic organizer using Google drawing about the New England States.   In addition we continue to work on JA Skinner State Park brochures.  In math we continued to use Google drawing to create and solve problems.  We shared our problems with each other as well as comment on the work.  In ELA we focused on character development and setting.  We continued to work on a piece of writing about time we were helpful.   At the end of the week we used a checklist with the addition of character, setting, use of predicate expanders and strong verbs added to our rubric.
 In second step we talked about verbal and physical cues in understanding how someone feels.  We observed each other's reactions to a picture.  Part of the class looked at the picture on the smart board while the rest of us observed their reactions without knowing what they were looking at. This lesson we will use next week when we talk about "show don't tell" in our writing.   Instead of telling the reader "I was excited", we will describe excited such as "I jumped up and down with my arms in the air".
The use of the "Bucket" in the classroom has had a positive effect on our behavior.  We are writing more drops for each other.  We have 24/25 loops to reach our monthly goal.  We hope to get that last loop for our class reward before the end of the month.  I think the reward will be pickled eggs.  Everyone loves pickled eggs!

Almost finished product of brochure:

 

Weeks of October 11 and October 18

We started to create brochures for JA Skinner State Park using Publisher.  Students researched on the web and used their own experience from their journal to create the brochure.  Also we completed a writing piece using a checklist which focused on organization, a lead, transitional words/phrases and spelling.  In reading we continued our genre study of realistic fiction and a focus on character, setting and plot.
In math each student has his/her IXL account.  This site has opportunities for students to practice and master skills in both math and language arts.
Students were introduced to Google Drawing.  This is in their Google Drive and it is a great way for students to show their learning in a creative way.  See examples below.

Week of October 4

We had our trip to JA Skinner State Park.  It was a beautiful day to hike and learn.  The view from the top of Mt. Holyoke was incredible.  We were able to see Mt. Greylock, Mt. Monadnock, Springfield, and Hartford.  We would like to thank Ms. Traub,  Regional Environmental Education Coordinator, for teaching us about rocks and the formation of the park. 

Week of September 27

This week we completed a writing piece based on the book When I Was Little by Jamie Lee Curtis.  Students shared stories about themselves when they were "little".  Then each student took one idea and created an illustration to go along with his/her words.  The illustrations will be put together into class book to share with other classes.
Also we have a "bucket"  hanging in our classroom for students to put drops in.  The drops are for a student to write on to share what a nice thing a classmate has done for him/her.  Our hope as a class is that this will spread in our school we will all be a little nicer to each other. 

Click for a video of our Field Trip to Skinner State Park

Click for information on Skinner State Park

Field Trip preparation
Backpack

Water

Lunch

Sneakers

Light clothing- layers

Camera-not necessary but can bring one

Binoculars-not necessary but can bring one

Reminders: 

Field Trip:  Skinner State Park, Thursday, October 3
Early Release:  Tuesday, October 8
No School Columbus Day:  Monday, October 14
Half Day  Parent Conferences:  Thursday,  October 24
Half Day  Parent Conferences:  Thursday,  October 31

Week of September 20

This week we completed the District Wide Fall Writing Prompt as well as a topic test on place value in math.  In science we continued our study of rocks and minerals.  We learned how the three types of rocks are formed through our observations, research and a song.  Students will perform their song next week.

We will be taking a field trip to Skinner State Park in Hadley, MA.  on Thursday, October 3.  This trip will involve a hike to top of Mt. Holyoke where the Summit House sits.  We will complete activities with the educational coordinator of Skinner State Park. 


Reminders:

Students should read for at least 20 minutes a night.

Field Trip:  Thursday, October 3 Skinner State Park

 

Summit House on Mt. Holyoke

Week of September13

This week we continued our study of place value in math.  We compared, ordered and rounded numbers this week.  In ELA we started writing in our writer's notebook.  We are learning to gather ideas for writing a story and our goal is to write a personal narrative at the end of the month.  In reading we continued to monitor our reading by recording our thinking and sharing with the group.  Also on 9/11 we discussed the Statue of Liberty and the poem written on the bottom of this great monument, "The New Colossus" by Emma Lazarus in 1883.  The Statue of Liberty lights to way to America and welcomes everyone.  We are memorized one stanza from the poem.  (see below)

"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Week of Sept. 6 

Welcome Back!

This week we went over routines and procedures along with the daily schedule.

 Also we started the year with the book How Full is your Bucket for kids.  "Through the story of a boy named Felix, this book explains to children how being kind not only helps others, it helps them, too. As he goes about his day, Felix interacts with different people — his sister Anna, his grandfather, other family and friends. Some people are happy, but others are grumpy or sad. Using the metaphor of a bucket and dipper, Felix’ grandfather explains why the happy people make Felix feel good (drips), while the others leave him feeling bad (dips) — and how Felix himself is affecting others, whether he means to or not.  The message of the story is that the way we treat each other has an affect on our lives."   We hope this year we are "drippers" and avoid being "dippers".

We read the poem THEY and made an illustration.   The illustrations are of what we visualized as we read which is a strategy we will work on this year to improve comprehension.  We are learning routines for reading and how to record our thinking while we read.  In addition, in writing we are learning ways to gather ideas for a writing piece. .  In math, we took the math pretest and began the year with place value.  Also students received their Envision Math user name and password information.  They can now go on line to view the math book, assignments and games.   See link below.  Also, in science we started our study of rocks and minerals.   In social studies we will start with map skills.




www.pearsonsuccess.org



Reminders: 
Early Release,  1:15pm, Tuesday, September 10
Open House, 5:30-7:00, Thursday, September 12

March - April


The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand. 

                                                                                                       --Vince Lombardi

Students completed their Term 3 projects.  Each student researched a state and created a Google presentation.   As an extension, students researched their inquiry questions about the state.  There were a variety of topics shared such as the Wright brothers, Mesa Verde, Neil Armstrong, the Chincoteague Wild Pony Swim, Earl Douglass, Nez Perce tribe, Brevard water slide rock, and Thomas Edison to name a few.  In addition,  a student dressed as Robert E. Lee and made a speech.  Also a student wrote and performed a song about North Carolina. 

There is no substitute for hard work.

 

                                ---Thomas A. Edison

March -April

After a few weeks of research, planning and typing a final copy, students completed their Diary of an invertebrate.  We shared our books with Mrs. Cirillo's and Mrs. Zarr's  first grade classrooms.  Students were excited to share all their hard work.
See below some examples of the books.

Weeks of February 15 and March 1

We started a new science project by reading Diary of a Worm, Diary of a Spider and Diary of a Fly.   These books are our inspiration to create our own Diary of a ...books.  After reading these books, we discussed what research the author needed to do in order to write the books and we created our own criteria for research of an invertebrate.  Next we will make a storyboard and write a rough draft.

Also a Grade 4 Term 3 Social Studies project was introduced.  We held a lottery to pick which state we will research.  One requirement will be to use Google presentation to share information about our state.  Another requirement will be determined by the students through their inquiry questions about the state.

Weeks of February 1 and February 8

Students have experienced with Google Drive. To go along with opinion writing, students created a document, wrote in their opinion how the class should be arranged and who they want to sit next to and then shared the document with me. This was a way for the student to get used to sharing documents and give their opinion of the class. We have been working on opinion writing and Ms. Bender, a writing consultant for the district, did a lesson with us.

See previous post for an example (draft) of our opinion writing.


We took our first test in Journeys on the net books. There were multiple choice and open response. Students are able to pause and score the test.

In math we continued to work with Envision on the net books. Student are able to review previous lessons to reinforce a concept while others are able to preview new learning.

Examples of Opinion Writing

Weeks of January 18 and January 25

We incorporated the use of the net books in math and reading.  Students are able to sign into Envision math and complete assignments, review past lessons, play games and take tests.  In reading we received our user names and passwords and explored Journeys, our new reading series.  We will continue to use the net books for more daily assignments and learning.
The week of January 25 was No Name Calling week.  As a school we had themed days such as miss match clothes and crazy hat day to continue to reinforce students to respect each other and put an end to bullying. 

www.pearsonsuccess.org/

 

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Weeks of January 4 and January 11


We have started the new year with the students receiving their Google accounts to use with the net books in our class.  These accounts give students access to many new things where they can create, share and collaborate.  In addition they will be able to save their work on their own drive to create a history of their work.  We are very excited about this new technology and look forward to sharing our learning.

 

Google Drive

   https://www.google.com/intl/en_US/drive/start/index.html