'Tis the season, and if antlers help you finish that essay about Saturdays...well, that's just alright. Some of the fourth graders think Saturday is the best day of the week so it makes a good topic for Writing.

Report cards went home with students on Wednesday, and we learned how to conduct interviews for the Family History Report Project. Here are some of the questions parents and other relatives may find themselves answering over the Winter Break.

1. Where were you born?
2. What were some of your favorite things to do when you were my age?
3. Tell me something about the schools you attended.
4. What are some of the jobs you've had?
5. Tell me an anecdote from your life.

The report isn't due until the end of January, but the interviews sometimes work best during the winter break when there are often more opportunities to talk to relatives. In January students will learn how to make a family tree, add pictures and collect a favorite family recipe among other things.

Join us for the Sing Along tomorrow afternoon in the gym.

Friday

Homework. Fifteen minutes (at least) of reading each day is required. Yes, it's that important because, like learning to play the guitar or any instrument, the skill doesn't develop without a lot of practice.

The other part of homework is finishing assignments from class to turn in the next day. Finally, there are occasional projects like the Family History report that we talked about at Back to School Night and conferences. The kids will learn how to conduct interviews next week when the project assignment is given. The holidays are often a good time to interview relatives. The project isn't due until the end of January (no need for more holiday stress!)

Bonus question: What is the capital of Iowa? Several students came in this morning with the correct answer: Des Moines. Well done!

Friday

Our fourth graders learn to write essays this year. This week they completed a rough draft on the topic Saturdays. Many chose the title: Why I Love Saturdays. Learning to write a strong opening paragraph followed by a few more paragraphs of elaboration, examples, and details takes time and concentration. Today we'll learn how to write a strong concluding paragraph to finish the rough draft. Then, next week, we move on to revision, editing and the final draft.

Below is an optional assignment for an essay contest.

Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest

Fourth Grade: Explain why Martin Luther ing Jr. was special enough to have his own recognition day.

Essays are due Friday, January 28, 2011.

Snow Day 2010

School is cancelled again today, but a few of us showed up with that '70's look.
Be careful out there and Happy Thanksgiving!

Thursday

Proper nouns are capitalized and common nouns are not capitalized. That's just one example of what we call 'conventions' in Writing. For example, an example of proper nouns vs. common nouns would be 'Mr. Burnett' and 'teacher.' Can you tell which is the common noun and which is the proper noun?

Cold weather is predicted for this weekend, and on Wednesday we had rain during a morning fire drill. Guess who forgot his poncho after telling the class how practical they can be for such occasions?

"How would you describe the 'Library Lady?" Here is one good response among many:

The library lady is a person who you would want to be around. She is kind, asks you 'what book?' It would feel like she has everything. She is kind by like checking out(books) under her name. Most librarians don't do that.

The class brought in a few more current events/news items this week, but it would be great to have more, especially a short summary from a television or radio or internet news site piece.

The great conversations and support during the parent/teacher conferences this week and last are much appreciated!

Wednesday

With parent/teacher conferences and a few days off for students coming up, here is a Math problem to keep your minds active and happy.

The Race

Five boys ran a 100 meter race. Albert came in first. Bill came in last. If Doug was ahead of Charley, and Ed was just behind him, who came in second?

Hint: Draw a picture.

Tuesday

A library is a special place as 'Thomas and the Library Lady' shows so well. One of the favorite stories in our Reading book for fourth graders tells about the discovering of books for a young boy traveling with his family of migrant farmworkers. A 'library lady' takes Thomas under her wing, showing him the wonders of books about dinosaurs and the exciting world of his imagination.

The library becomes his favorite destination for a short summer before his family must return to their home in Texas. Then he takes over the role as family storyteller from his 'Papa Grande.' Libraries and librarians can be a big influence in students' lives ans shown in the story. For a lark, some of the kids thought it would be fun to dress up as librarians (see photo). So far, no one has come to class with blue or hair like some of the librarians at Suzallo Library used to wear, but it's still early in the year.

Parent/Teacher conferences are underway with more scheduled for this coming Friday and Monday as students are out after tomorrow until next Tuesday, November 16th. Thursday is Veteran's Day.

Idiom of the Week: 'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush' (Can you find the meaning of this famous expression?

Fourth graders in Room 17 constructed a thermometer to learn about water expansion and contraction in Science. In a later session they drew pictures of their observations.

In Math the kids are working on memorizing addition and multiplication facts (some extra practice at home is a good idea!) while learning how to multiply larger numbers with annexed zeros. Multiple step word problems add some problem-solving development--not easy but very important.

Scoring the first narrative writing assignment will take a few more days, but the first several stories show early skill strength in student Writing this year. Like always, we'll work on strong beginnings and endings while eliminating the run-on sentences and capitalization errors. This week we'll writie the final draft of the second friendly letter.

No pictures of crazy hair or costumes this year, but Room 17 sure had its share of wild hair-do's! I look forward to another 'hat day.'

Tuesday

You can find good writing in the form of essays without much trouble. Take a look at this one on tea by George Orwell. He certainly had some strong opinions on the subject. Perhaps you did not know that learning to make a pot of tea was part of the fourth grade curriculum, but it is, at least it is in Room 17 at Franklin Elementary School.

It started out many years ago as a Friday reward for good work during the week and as a warm-up for the Friday Sing Along. Then it became apparent that lots of people not only like and drink tea on a regular basis, but some of them like to write and read about it. Have other famous authors written about tea? Well, hop on that computer and find out.

Invitations for the parent/teacher conferences next month go out this week. Please send them back promptly. Yes, tea will be served!

Wednesday

“Do you watch NCIS?” asked the fourth grade student.
“Well, I guess so, but only once in awhile,” said the fourth grade teacher.
“You look a little like Gibbs. Once my mom pulled my hair back so I looked like Xeva.”
“Hmm...I see some resemblance to her. Actually, Gibbs is a few years older than me.”

On Monday several students brought in newspaper clippings about the Fungi Fest held last weekend in Sequim. This is the time of year to see lots of different kinds of mushrooms. Sometimes the kids bring in examples(see photo.)

Ahhh, the Fall season....spiders and mushrooms with Halloween coming up in a week or so. Several more students found the answer to the bonus question, "Who was the U.S. president during the American Civil War?" Nice work!

In Science we move forward with our study of water. Now that we've learned about water tension and how water behaves on slopes, we'll learn about the effects of heat and cold on water.

Here's one you can try: Write a compound sentence using these two Math facts: 6 + 5 = 11 and 8+4 = 12.

Wednesday

Students work in teams on our new water unit for Science. As they found out, a penny will hold between ten and twenty drops of water. It's all about surface tension, domes, flows, and slopes. Stay tuned for more photos of Science activities this year.

"Don't look a gift horse in the mouth," is an expression that has meaning for people of all ages, including nine and ten year olds. The kids have been asked to find out what this old saying means. We'll see if anyone comes up with the answer to this bonus question.

Thursday

Is it possible to eat spaghetti in the car after a soccer game? Apparently, it is now. The New York Times reports that spaghetti tacos are now the rage among kids, but no one in Room 17 has yet mentioned them. Take a look at the article for something fun to read.

The kids are doing a fine job with the weekly bonus questions. Yes, the capital of Washington State is Olympia, not Washington D.C. The bow is the front of a ship or boat, the stern the rear, starboard-right, and port-left. The chum salmon is nicknamed the dog salmon not only because of the pronounced canine-like teeth during spawning, but also because they spawn last of the five Pacific species. By the time the chum salmon returned to the rivers and streams native people had already caught and preserved plenty of fish for human consumption. Thus, the chum were often fed to the people's dogs and the nickname ensued.

No school for the kids on Friday this week. That means it could be a good day to find current events or news items for Monday's discussion. A little extra reading homework is a good ideat, too, along with some practice on the multiplication facts. Here's hoping you have a nice weekend.

Wednesday

We hope to see you at "Back to School Night" tomorrow at 6 PM. I will speak briefly about fourth grade expectations and curriclum and then give some information on upcoming projects, including the Family History report. Your child will also show you some of the Writing and Art work completed so far this year. See you tomorrow!

Friday

Remember next Thursday, September 30th,is Back to School Night here in Room 17, from 6 to 7PM. I look forward to meeting you and talking informally about the school year ahead. It's a great opportunity to support your child's progress in fourth grade this year. Most likely, there will be tea and possibly a cookie or two.

For a bonus question today I asked students to research the nicknames of the five species of salmon and bring them in on Monday. One student already has the information, and such anticipation shows great fourth grade initiative. Well done.

Tuesday

Did you know there are five species of Pacific Salmon? Do some research with the key words,"Pacific Salmon," by trying out Google or some other search engine on a computer. You could write down all five species on a card or piece of paper and tell us during current events. Some of the kids have already brought in news items from the local newspaper, radio, and television.It can be a good way to practice reading while finding out what's going on near and far.

Remember that an important part of homework each day is reading for at least fifteen minutes. Pick a book that's not too easy or difficult.

The first art project, a self-portrait, is nearly finished, and it will be fun to post them on our bulletin board. Maybe a few will appear on this blog as well.

The New Year Begins Thursday

School starts the day after tomorrow. I can't wait to meet all of you in Room 17 at Franklin on Thursday morning.

Today looks like perfect weather for a school day--rain. You might check the weather forecast in the newspaper (usually in section C) or on the television news(any local channel will do), and sometimes we follow the weather in Las Vegas and Portland just for fun. Feel free to take some notes on other interesting current events from newspapers, radio, or television. Then we can talk about them at school each morning.

Remember to bring a book for Silent Reading on Thursday, along with some sharpened pencils and notebook paper. And, check out the "Room 17 Report" below for more information about your new classroom. See you soon!

The countdown is here–three days until the first day of school. We will post reminders on this blog, as well as helpful sites, along with handouts for quick reference. See you soon!

Room 17 Report
Mr. Burnett's Class Franklin School Room 17
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

September 2, 2010

Dear Fourth Grade Student and Parents/Guardian:

I want to welcome you to the fourth grade and let you know that I am looking forward to having you in my class this year. You will have an enjoyable and productive year in our room!

You will need to have a book for silent reading at 8:10 each day. You may bring a book from home or find one in our classroom collection.

Since we believe that education is serious business, please do not bring any toys to school because they interfere with learning. Here are other rules you will be expected to follow:

1. Follow directions the first time they are given.
2. Stay in your seat unless given permission to leave
it.
3. Raise your hand and wait to be called on before
speaking.
4. Turn in all assignments on time.

HOMEWORK: Students are responsible for handing their homework in on time. Homework is due the following day and needs to be placed in the correct assignment box before the second bell when school starts. Homework generally consists of unfinished daily assignments, and I ask the students to read for at least fifteen minutes each evening. Occasionally, there will be homework projects that require more than one day to complete, and for these assignments I will give the students a due date.

WHEN ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE: Assignments are usually due the morning after they are assigned. If the assignment is not handed in, the student receives a 0 in the grade book for that assignment, so it is very important that all assignments are completed and turned in on time. Nothing lowers a report card grade faster than missing assignments. If a student is absent, he/ she will have at least two days to make up the assignments after checking with me to see which assignments to make up.

GRADING: No student will receive failing marks on their report card if their assignments are turned in on time and they are trying to do the assignments to the best of their ability. I will present more details on the new report card as they become available to me.

You will earn good grades as long as you listen well in class, follow directions the first time, and complete and turn in assignments on time.

HANDING ASSIGNMENTS BACK: Assignments and papers are returned to the student’s “mail box.” Students are responsible for getting their “mail” and taking it home to show their parents/ guardians. I encourage you to keep assignments rather than throw them away, at least through the end of the trimester. The projects, like the “Family History Report,” you will probably want to keep forever.

I hope some of your questions and concerns about this year have been answered in this letter. You can also check our Franklin website by accessing the Port Angeles School District website. Good communication will help each student succeed in fourth grade. Please contact me with any other questions and concerns.


Sincerely,
Mr. Burnett (565-1853)

PARENTS/GUARDIANS: Please see me if you are interested in volunteering in the classroom this year.

June 18th

Thanks for a terrific year to all my students and their parents. I'm very proud of this group and no matter what else is happening in the school district or out in the world, our "fouth grade world" here in Room 17 has been a wonderful place for teaching and learning. Have a great summer!
Mr. Burnett

Wednesday

Bonus question: "What is the current common name for influenza? We're reading a story in class called "Marven of the Great North Woods," and the main character is very worried about his family's exposure during the influenza epidemic of 1918. The disease was worse in the cities, and Marven's parents decide to send him far away to a logging camp in Minnesota to protect his health.

Monday

March

Now that Spring has officially "sprung," you could make a long list of some things you associate with what many call the best season of the year. Is it the 'chirping' of frogs, the warmth of the sun(yes, that is the title of a terrific Beach Boys'song!), or maybe absence of numbing cold air in the morning when you go outside to retrieve the local newspaper, which, despite the plastic wrapping, opens at least partially wet from the night's spring rain.


Some people of a certain age find themselves drawn back to the Olympic Peninsula and other locations in the Pacific Northwest at this time of year. Discarding the warm but dusty places in the South or Southwest for the green trees and lawns around here, they are tanned and ready for months of fishing, hiking,or the simple joy of lawn-mowing and all the various forms of yardwork. After a few weeks they likely wonder why they left in the first place.

And what about those 'chirping' frogs and the other soothing sounds from this area during the Spring months? Sure, birds sing in other parts of the country at this time of year, but they don't sound as thrilled and happy with the new season as do the Robins and Sparrows in our town. But pleasing sound of Spring are not limited to the natural world. There are very small, motorized vehicles blaring tinny instrumental children's songs through neighborhoods on the occasional sunny days.

A day is a only day after all, but a Spring day is longer lasting and not only because of Daylight Savings Time. Playing hours, unlike library hours, are extended. That means time for neighborhood fun after dinner and homework are finished such as walking dogs, gardening, riding bikes or horses, or even a few extra jumps on a trampoline.

Did someone just mention food? Of course they did, and if barbecues and springtime don't go together then the world has changed way too fast. Watermelon, corn, Brussel sprouts,lettuce, onions take on new meaning this time of year and the expanded opportunities for exercise as noted above allow us to eat possibly just a bit more without cause for worry. (now write a 'strong ending' for this essay)

Friday and Almost Spring

The list of "Arithmetic Raccoons" from Room 17 continues to grow. Thats good news for our fourth graders since fluency with Math facts is essential a good understanding for all the Math they will need in the years to come. A little extra practice at home is strongly advised.
Yesterday we worked on developing strong beginnings in stories and essays, and the kids became very excited about writing when we worked on a story involving a snowball fight between two sisters. Now everyone wants to know how it ends. We'll work on strong endings next week!

Tuesday

We just started a new read-aloud titled, Frindle, and the kids are liking it so far. Today we read the chapter called Mrs. Granger. Mrs. Granger is a white-haired teacher who wears her hair in a bun, nevers comes to school in pants, and loves the dictionary. Wouldn't it be great if we could get one of the women teachers here at Franklin to dress up as Mrs. Granger for Halloween or one of the spirit days?

Family Reading Night

 
Family Reading Night at Franklin turned out a lot of students and their parents. Author Mike Graf signed his books about Olympic and other National Parks. Lots of books, cookies, and hot chocolate made for a fine evening.

Family Reading Night

Come to Franklin tonight at 6:00 PM for our Family Reading Night. Have some hot chocolate and a cookie and hear author, Mike Graf talk about the importance of reading to children.

Tuesday

Most days here in Room 17 include a weather report and forecast for the next several days as part of our current events discussion. While we haven't had much snow in our "neck of the woods" other parts of the country are still digging their ways out of the white stuff. Snow makes a good topic for stories and essays and gives a chance to work on good endings for our writing. We've worked on strong beginnings and middles with lots of detail and examples, and now it's time to learn how to make stronger endings for essays and stories. We'll look at some good examples of good endings as we finish the oral presentations of the Family History Reports, some of which contain excellent finishes. Nice work!

 
Yes, Valentine's Day rules at Franklin Elementary School--at least for this Friday when the classroom nearly bursts at the seams with cupcakes (homemade!) and cookies. Such treats! Yesterday's field trip to the Marine Lab in Port Townsend informed the kids about Orca whales and ways to reduce toxins in our oceans and waterways. Most liked the food web game best,even if their part was to play the herring gobbled up by salmon. The Family History Report presentations are moving along very well and the kids are speaking proudly about their relatives and ancestors. A busier school day than yesterday seems unlikely with the field trip and then the MSP Night with pizza and salad and then cookies after the presentation on Writing and Math assessment from Hester Hill. Thanks to all who participated and Happy Valentine's Day!

Friday

Wow! The Family History Reports show tremendous effort and pride this year--certainly among the very best of the last three decades. This project allows the kids go beyond the minimum requirements and go into as much depth as they like (and parents are willing to go there with them). On Monday we should finish our Grammar/Art pen and ink project on Possessives. The kids are having fun with this one, too.

Wednesday

High school looms in the not-so-distant future, in case anyone needs a reminder, or in my case, a memory jog. About ten years ago one of my guitar students stated that she didn't see the point of high school. So many "points" come to mind, and most of them involve life after school and the development of productive, responsible citizens--take a look at "A Very Important Day" in the Reading book. The story fits so well with our report project on Family Histories. And, since Friday is a teacher workday and the kids won't be here, we will make Monday, February 1st, the official due date for the report project. I'm looking forward to reading anecdotes about relatives and ancestors. Have a good (and productive) weekend!

Friday

The kids have been working hard on their Family History Reports, and rough drafts of the interviews are nearly done for most. Next week we'll work on the final drafts and do the remaining components, including a bibliography and pictures/drawings before the project is due a week from today. I have report covers but students are welcome to make their own if a fancier design is desired.

Lots of current events came in this week, and bonus questions challenged several students. Did you know soap and water beats hand sanitizer for killing germs? We're reading a story about immigrants in New York City becoming United States citizens and one family has the name Dionetti which led to another bonus question: From what country did this immigrant come from? Several students correctly found the answer-Italy. Way to go!

Monday

January is dark. We've been talking in class about how late the sun rises in the morning and how early it sets. During current events our "weather reporters" tell the exact time of sunrises and sunsets along with forecasts for rain and cold weather. But January is also filled with activity, including our Family History Report Project. Students should be finishing their three interviews this week and taking care of their notes on cards so we can start working on rough drafts next week. The reports are due Friday, January 29th. Below is a list of the report components.

FAMILY HISTORY REPORT


1. Interview family members (at least three). Take notes on cards. 10 pts.

2. Notes can include jobs, traditions, interests, and place of birth. Ask for an anecdote(personal story from a person’s life) because that is always the most interesting part of report. 20 pts.

3. Rough draft: convert the notes from the interviews to paragraphs so there is at least one page for each of the three people interviews. Add and introduction and a conclusion to your report. 20 pts.

4. Final copy: Revise and edit your rough draft. Rewrite for the final copy. 40 pts.

5. Indicate on maps (U.S. and world) where your family and ancestors have come from and lived. 20 pts.

6. Include a family tree. Use diagram provided or make your own. 15 pts.

7. Include a self-portrait and;/or family pictures. 20 pts.

8. Copy a family recipe or favorite recipe and include it in the report.15 pts.

9. Make an attractive cover for your report. 10 pts.

10. Give a three minute presentation of your report to the class. 30 pts.


Out of 200 possible points, I received_____________total points.