Friday

Fourth graders often like Science because they get to manipulate objects and make things, like a gear mechanism shown at left. We just began a unit on electricity, and the students are learning about receivers, transmitters, and sources while building simple circuits to light bulbs and motors.

Soon the time comes to notice the tell-tale signs of Spring. Already the days are getting longer although it's still pretty cold outside! Snowfall during the last few nights reminds that Winter continues for a few more weeks, and March is typically a wet, windy, and cold month. But, try 'listening' for a tell-tale sign of approaching Spring--those noticed through sight are just too easy for fourth graders. We'll make that a challenging bonus question for the next few weeks

Friday

What a great job the fourth graders did on the paintings this week. 'Still Life in the Style of Roualt' turned out especially well, and you can see our 'gallery' in the hall at Franklin School, just outside of Room 17. Georges Roualt was a French Expressionist painter, briefly associated with the Fauvist movement during the last century. He's known for his bold brush strokes and thick black outlines.

Family History report presentations are nearly finished, and graded projects are on the way home with students.

Friday

Oral presentations continue in Room 17 as the fourth-graders share anecdotes about relatives from their Family History Report project. Everybody has a story (or two), and we appreciate hearing and reading them. The family recipes are pretty good, too!

Long division: divide, multiply, subtract, bring down (rinse and repeat)!

Thanks for the Valentine's Day card!

Friday

The correct name is 'Rosie the Riveter' from the famous WWII poster. Chanelle brought in the answer this morning. Good researching!

We are studying magnetism in Science, and the kids are learning about the forces of attraction, repulsion, and induced magnetism. The study of electricity is coming soon to Room 17! Have a good weekend!

What is unusual about Robyn Smith? That question comes up on one of the mid-year assessments here in Room 17. There might be a clue in the picture at left.

Bonus question: What is the name of the young woman raising her fist in the 'We Can Do It' poster from World War II?

Friday

Family History Reports are in, and they look good! Students will give oral presentations starting next week, and we're looking forward to ancecdotes and family picrtures. Nice work!

Here is an example of a mixed number: 1 2/3 (read as one and two thirds.) Now try converting that to an improper fraction.

Thursday

Bibliography

1. Forler, Mary, August 10th, 1989

2. Burnett, Wayne, May 17th, 1990

3. forler, Jim, May 23rd, 1990

A bibliography is a list of all the sources used in writin a research report. It is found at the end of that report. Usually, it is a list of articles and books used as information sources. For our Family Report, the sources are the people we interviewed, as shown in the example above.

Pajama Day followed by Movie Night! What a good way to end the week for our students. See "Sidewalk Wars" by local movie maker, Leo Bidne tonight before the showing of "Dolphin Tale."