January 3rd, 2013

Welcome back!

This morning we discussed physical characteristics of the United States of America.  Rivers, mountains, oceans, lakes, mountain ranges, deserts, plains, deserts, forests, etc.  Students received a map.  We will be adding features each day in colored pencil.

We went over the five ACT words for next week.  They are:

diligent:  quietly and steadily persevering in detail or exactness (Keeping on keeping on)
discredit:  being held in low esteem (underestimate effort)
disdain:  lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike (hate - can't stand)
divergent:  tending to move apart in different directions (wandering away)
empathy:  understanding and entering into another's feelings (feeling with someone)

THERE WILL BE A TEST ON THESE WORDS ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 11TH.

We also went over 1/2 of our grammar sheet.  Next week we will be learning about Direct Objects.

We did our mid-year spelling assessment.

And... we also began our biography book reports.  I checked out 34 books from the Provo Library.  Students are choosing one (or several) to read.  THE LAST WEEK OF JANUARY BOOK REPORTS ARE DUE.

Recess was inside, due to the inversion alert.

MATH HOMEWORK IS UNIT 5 EXERCISE 1.  We used square ceramic tiles to estimate the area of various shapes.  We traced our hands on centimeter grid paper and tried to guess the area as accurately as possible.  We learned how to write centimeters squared, using the subscript "2". 

Fourth Graders worked on cursive practice today.  We also made electromagnets out of iron nails, a battery, and wire.  I burned myself!  We noticed how the temperature of the battery and the wire increased upon contact.  We learned what currents are, how atoms move, and about the strength of batteries.  We learned about car batteries, etc.  There were quite a few aha moments.

All students worked cooperatively on puppet play scripts for the Revolutionary War puppet play.  We will continue this through next week.

PLEASE BE SURE YOUR CHILD GETS TO SLEEP EARLY TONIGHT!!!  Also, it is typical that students get really hungry during the day.  Feel free to send a small snack or two with them for recess time.