Proof!

Proving fractions that are NOT equal…

…and fractions that ARE equal!

Our 3-D Wall Map of Mexico!

A glimpse inside the classroom during MCAS

What does it look like when we take the MCAS? What's the feeling in the room like?

On Tuesday our class wrote compositions. Today and tomorrow we are taking the Reading Comprehension test: reading and responding to questions about fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.

As I look around, I see students engrossed in reading, while others look back through the stories, searching for evidence to help them answer a question. Some are writing the longer answers required by the "open response" questions. Many students have already written half a page or more! The atmosphere is focused and intent.

Earlier this morning, we took a break for snack and to run around outside. Later in the morning we will break for our "Smart Moves" exercises. If students need more time after lunch, they will have more time, while others who have finished move on to math and art.

What are they sharing in 4th grade?

We are in the midst of our three-way conferences. Students perused their portfolios, searching for pieces of work from each subject area to share with their parents. Here are some of the items they've chosen:

• published writing projects (essays, 2010 compositions, personal narratives)
• evidence of passing their multiplication and/or division combinations tests
• our wall-size, 3D map of Mexico
• reading lists
• science binders (based on their studies of whales and of plant growth)
• Word Olympics word lists (and medals)
• mathematical proofs
• math assessments
• independent Mexico research
• drawing and writing about "the First Thanksgiving"

We've also reflected on goals we set for the year and, in some cases, set new goals!

striving

I love when kids strive to apply what they are learning. Here are paraphrases of statements two students made recently:

Dylan: I know I can make my story even better. I just don't know how. I've been revising and revising it, but still, I know I can make it better.

Shannon: My partner and I read Click, Clack, Moo which I'd read a lot of times before. But I'd never really thought about how the cows are resourceful.

(This last quote relates to our focus this week on resourcefulness. Your child may ask you for a good resourceful story tonight!)

Writing excerpts!

Here are a few excerpts from our personal narratives-in-progress:

From Eric's story of diving to the bottom of his friend's pool:

I was about two feet away when I got a weird feeling, a feeling I had never had before. It built up in my stomach, getting bigger until it was huge. It wasn't just a feeling anymore. It was a monster stuck, wanting to get out, pounding the walls of my stomach. It was mad. It wanted air.

From Owen's story about holding his new baby niece:

Then I saw her. I was one of the first people to hold her. I was so happy. I almost held her the whole time. I didn't want to let her go, but I had to let her go. Everybody was jealous. They all wanted to hold her first. But I held her first. It felt like I was holding a rare item. As soon as I held her, it felt like I was warming up by a nice, hot wood stove.

From Hunter's story about getting to know Django (when Hunter was young and Django was a puppy):

One day before I went to bed, I put my hand out very cautiously and touched his warm, soft fur. Then I pulled my hand back as fast as I could. Then I realized that he wouldn't bite, he wouldn't even scratch, he wouldn't hurt you at all. Then I started liking him. Then he licked me, then I loved him.

From Fiona's story about a summer day swimming and playing with her friends:

"Bombs awayla!" I holler as I take a flying leap off the raft at the head of Silver Lake. A perfect pencil dive! Down, down, down I go. I can see the deadly darkness closing in around me through tightly clamped eyelids. It is so dramatically cold that it must be cold enough to paralyze an elephant! Cold! Dark! Cold! Dark! Ahhhhhhh! SPLUT! I am ankle deep in old sticks, rotting leaves, and moldy pine needles at the bottom of the lake. Great!

Chichen Itza

Bienvenido a Mexico! This image of Chichen Itza, a Mayan ruin, drew oohs and ahs from our a small group of students studying Mexican history.

Have you been to Mexico? Would you be willing to come in and share your photos? If so, we would very much enjoy hearing about (and seeing) your experiences in Mexico!

Hasta luego!