Biography Project

Biography projects are due on Friday, March 4th.

Last week your child was sent home with three packets regarding their biography research project. They are to choose an influential figure of their choice to research and then create a project. They are to let me know who they have chosen by this Friday, January 29th.

Examples include: scientists, famous people in history, authors, inventors, humanitarians, and those who have made a significant impact on our world. 

PINK PACKET - DUE 3/4

Explains all of the information about the project and includes a rubric.

YELLOW PACKET - DUE 2/12

Contains pages to keep track of research sources and notes. Majority of research needs to be completed by February 12th. 

BLUE PACKET - DUE 2/23

Contains guided templates for what to research about your child's chosen figure. Completing this packet will help outline their final project!

All 3 packets will be collected on March 4th, however I will need to see the yellow packet and the blue packet on their assigned due dates. This is to ensure students are on track with their research and will be able to complete their project on time.

*Students can earn bonus points for dressing up as their person on the day of presentations.

*Students WILL be graded on their public speaking and will need to practice at home in order to obtain the full points in this category. Note cards are welcome!

Upcoming Assignments

January is almost over and we are in full swing! Here's what's on our agenda this week:

Wednesday, January 27th

Unit 9 Vocabulary Pages 90-95 DUE

Southeast States/Capitals Quiz Retake

(Students have flashcards to practice)

Thursday, January 28th

Unit 9 Vocabulary Quiz

(Students have flashcards to practice)

Friday, January 29th

Biography Project Choice Due

(Students let me know who they will be researching for their biography project)

Fossils Test

(Students have flashcards, guided notes, and a study guide to study from) 

Digging for Fossils

As part of our fossil unit, we had the opportunity to be archaeologists and dig for fossils ourselves!

Using "tools," we dug through "rocks" in search of "fossils." We experimented with both a hard surface and a soft surface. Students learned the challenges of digging for fossils - keeping them clean and in one piece! 

Studio Code

This week the fourth graders tried something new and exciting on the Chromebooks... computer coding!

Using Studio Code, students created an accounted and practiced coding a Minecraft character to complete different tasks. Prior to giving actual coding a try, students practiced graph paper programming, which allowed them to create designs on a grid and provide the directions to create the same grid using a series of symbols. 

Students each have their own account and may try the following coding activities at home:

We are completing Course 2 together in class, so it is important that students DO NOT work ahead in our coursework. This way we are all working at the same pace and can help one another when needed. We plan on spending about an hour each week learning how to code! 

Ask your child to show you what they've learned about coding! :) 

Welcome Back!

Welcome Back and Happy 2016! We kicked off the new year by making mobiles with our goals and resolutions for 2016. 

This week we have also started many of our new units: 

Science - We will be learning about fossils and fossil fuels. Today students made flash cards with their vocabulary words. These should be studied every night! 

Social Studies - We will be studying the Southeast region of the United States. Yesterday we made flash cards with the states, capitals, and abbreviations of the 12 states in this region. 

Vocabulary - Yesterday we made flashcards with our 12 vocabulary words from our orange vocabulary workbooks. Pages 80-87 are due next Wednesday, January 13th, and our quiz will be next Friday, January 15th.

Both our workbook vocabulary and our science vocabulary can be practiced at home on Spelling City!

Wishing you all the best in 2016! :)