Happy Spring!

I am currently reading "Wonder" as our read aloud to my class.  They are LOVING it!!!  It has prompted some great questions, thoughts and discussions.  I started a "Wonder Wall",  where each day I pick 4-5 children to write down their thoughts.  We are also working on points of view and this book uses character's perspectives.

We have been learning about the differences of writing in first and third person.  We charted out clue words that help us to identify. We then continued that author's can also write from different points of view.  We read two versions of "Little Red Riding Hood".  One is told in first person and the other is told in third person.  It also demonstrates Red's version and the Wolf's version.  I wanted to do a mini-lesson in writing from different points of view.  I had the kids brainstorm things that they love and hate about spring.  They wrote two paragraphs practicing the author's craft of "Show Don't Tell".   My camera was acting weird and I was in a hurry Friday…I will add more examples.

Magnet Madness 

I set up several stations on Friday that included:

magnetic fields

magnetite
different types of magnets
magnetic needles
compass
repel and attract
objects sort

Celebrating Dr. Seuss

Raining Cats and Dogs

My fourth graders have been studying all types of figurative language this year. My students just love idioms!  During the year we completed many activities using idioms and I decided to take it to the next step and incorporate one in their writing.  My students had to use suspense and the idiom "It's Raining Cats and Dogs" in a narrative piece.  I gathered stuffed cats and dogs and pinned on an umbrella.  I took photos to add to their final writing piece.

A few of the books that we read:

My favorite photo!!! 

Here are a few completed pieces:

It's Raining Fourth Graders!!!!!

Favorite Read Aloud

My favorite read aloud of the year is the book, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.   I look forward to reading it every year and I still cry at the sad parts.  I am currently reading it with the fourth graders but this year has been different.  After completing our unit on Greek myths,  my students have been comparing Edward to Narcissus…go Common Core!!!  We have been collecting evidence to show that he is narcissistic or vain.  (I still break out into Carly Simon every time I hear that word.)  I am reading this book with new eyes and so are my students.

Tacky Tourist Day 2013

Community Reader Day

The children were so excited to have Mrs. Mazmanian as our Community guest reader.  The kids loved the book about Willie Mays.

We're Off...2013 School Year Begins!!!!

We have officially started the school year.  We spent the first two days getting to know each other, establishing the rules, setting expectations and having a little fun!!!!  I am very excited about my new class.  We are off to a great start.  Here are some pictures of the children working on rules and doing a three way "Getting to Know You" activity.  Please check back weekly for classroom updates.