A Week in 4Z

We had a busy week and the children took part in many fun and interesting activities.  Fourth graders were able to take part in a poetry slam.  For the entire month of April, the children learned about various kinds of poems  and created their own.  They were all displayed on our bulletin board, "Our Garden of Poems."  Last week they put together their poetry folders and chose one poem to share out to their classmates.  Some were originals and others read existing poems.  Everyone got up and read and participated.  It was a great way to end our unit.

 

 

I read Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.  It tied in nicely due to all the rain we have been getting. After I read it, the children were sent off to write about what they wished would fall from the sky.  They came up with some interesting foods and why.  We had hamburgers, ice cream, grape leaves and so much more, falling down.  Once the children wrote a little blurb, they also drew pictures to go along with their food choice.  The pages will be displayed once we finish them.

 

 
These are some of the samples which the children wrote and edited.  Final copies will be shown in next week's blog.  Stay tuned.

We are also working on the wax museum project which is due this Wednesday and will be presenting on Friday.  The children have been working very hard putting together their poster boards, composing speeches and researching a famous Rhode Islander.  On Friday we will invite the other classrooms to visit.  I am looking forward to this event and know that the children will impress us. 

 

Fifth Grade News

Our fifth graders are also busy working on their book reviews for Summit.  They chose a book from the list, now many are reading them in order to produce a book review to share with their classmates on the 31st.  They have been reading articles as well, to help them.  They complete checkpoints and submit for feedback.  I am so pleased with the progress that they are making.  They are working at their pace and meeting dead lines, something we all do in life.  We know that these skills will carry through as they prepare for middle school in the fall.  We are so proud of all their hard work and effort.

 

This week they also began writing opinion pieces.  They had to brainstorm some topics that they felt strongly about and will provide us with a written piece that contains their opinion on the matter and evidence.  There are various topics for this.  Some of them include hamburgers are better than hot dogs, should school buses have seat belts, should we extend the school day.  I am looking forward to seeing how convincing they can be, especially on topics that matter to them.

 

So, as you can see, all the children are actively engaged in various activities throughout the day.  I enjoy guiding them and providing my feedback.  You will find me actively monitoring them in their progress.  Whole group discussions are taking place daily and independent work is also a part of their daily  routine. 

I am so proud of each and every one of my students.
They show great effort and are determined to get assignments done. 

You will always find our classroom buzzing with chatter about opinion pieces or projects that they are working on.  I often see them helping each other out and providing support.  Our classroom is always filled with learning, discussions and even laughter.