Class Update

Mystery Skype
Last week, we had our Mystery Skype visit with a mystery fourth grade class from the Southeast.  We enjoyed answering questions about Massachusetts, and asking questions to guess the state.  Our new fourth grade friends were from FLORIDA!  It was very interesting to see and hear from these students.  Here we are skyping.  We are hoping to skype with fourth grade classes from the midwest, west and southwest.  Stay tuned for more updates!

We used atlases to find the geographical clues.

As we got answers to our questions, we kept track on the board.

ELA Update
As you know, we took our Long Composition portion of the MCAS on Monday. It was a long day, and I was proud of how hard the students worked.  We have also been working on test taking strategies in order to prepare for the Reading portion of the MCAS, which is next Tuesday and Wednesday.  The students are working very hard with this!

We have also been working on our newest unit ~ Mythology.  Our class is really enjoying learning about the Greek Gods and Goddesses!  So far, we've learned about Pandora, Theseus, Zeus and Hades.  We will extend our learning during our poetry workshop with Mrs. Williams and Miss Decker.  Students will have the opportunity to write myth poems.

Bleddyn and David have been working on an author study about Carl Haisaan, an author of realistic fiction books that they enjoy.  They worked together to create a power point presentation about these books, and shared it with our class this week.  They did a great job!  Below is the presentation ~

Math Update
In math, we have continued to work on measurement, with the study of area and perimeter.  We have really made the connection to the real world with this unit.  Students this week have been working on creating a "home" for a Ladybug.  Students were given room sizes and had to work in groups to create a design for a "Ladybug Garden".  Below are some photos of the students working in their groups and then later sharing their ideas with someone outside of their design group.  I've also included a few designs.

This design had a larger hallway, and smaller rooms ~ but the rooms were at least as large as the requirements.

This design created a large area outside of the rooms, so the ladybugs  wouldn't "bump into each other" when coming in and our of their rooms.  

Social Studies/ Science Updates

In Science, we are continuing our study of weather.  We are currently learning about clouds and wind.  Our test is tentatively scheduled for April 4th.

In Social Studies, we have been continuing our tour of the US. Students finished their Washington, D.C. projects, and did a great job! We have finished our study of the Southeast region, and will take our test on Thursday.  We will begin our study of the Midwest next week.