GRADE4NEWSLETTER Friday, January 16, 2014
Unit of Inquiry
Upcoming Dates -‐Tues., Jan. 21 VISITING AUTHOR Mrs. Margaret Read Macdonald
The students are at the midpoint of our current unit, How we express ourselves. Already, students have inquired into how we use imagination by developing an original project through the medium of their choice. The most common example is creating art, such as stories and drawings. Another way we use our imagination is by visualizing something or an event in our minds. This allows us to see and experience things before they happen. For example, golfers might visualize a putt before they take the swing, or an artist might visualize the sculpture in her mind before it is attempted in marble. We also apply our imagination to solving problems. This week, students were asked to transport a figurine across the width of the pool without using their body. They first visualized how this could be done, then designed, built, tested and refined their ideas. We will conclude this challenge next week. As part of the unit, the students have begun working on a culminating project that showcases their imagination. These projects will be shared with audiences at the beginning of February. The girls have written dramatic plays, Alex and Woojean are writing and illustrating a story, and John and Daniel are designing a means to visualize and explain Einstein's Theory of Relativity. Youn and Roy are designing a state of the art zoo. Roy is also planning an individual project of photography, and Edward is inventing ways to make our everyday lives easier and less wasteful. Sean is working on creating a commercial for a Time Travel Company.
-‐Fri., January 25 HOUSE Swimming -‐Mon., January 27 to Fri., January 31 NO SCHOOL School Development and Lunar New Year Vacation
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Math Students have begun exploring the geometry concepts and skills associated with lines, rays, angles, and polygons. Future lessons will have students develop an understanding of the patterns associated with the measurement of angles in polygons as well as the vocabulary associated with angles and two and three-dimensional shapes.Â
Language As part of our current unit, How we express ourselves, students are developing their creative writing skills. This week's lesson and practice emphasize showing action, rather than simply telling it. A writer must use words to allow readers to visually see the images in their minds. A good writer will then craft his writing to show the character's movements, thoughts, and conversations rather than to just tell it. Take a look at a few examples in this newsletter of pieces the students wrote themselves. 2
An Hour of Code Before the holiday break, Mr. Maiquez and Ms. Marks conducted an hour of computer coding work with the fourth graders. Using the Scratch program, the students got to explore a idea of common programing languages and how it shapes technology. The students used their newfound knowledge to create simple, stop-motion images.
Special Visitor Roy’s dad (4A) came to the school to discuss his work as a music producer at KBS. He talked about how he uses imagination to shape his decisions as he works on 32 television programs each week. Additionally, he talked about how music and lighting both set the tone when working on a project and how they enhance creativity. The students were fascinated by his work! 3
STUDENT WRITING Telling the action: Ms. Jefferies was annoyed at Peter for forgetting his homework.
edited by Ms. Keller
Showing: Ms. Jefferies was annoyed at Peter for forgetting his homework, because she was mean. Next week, Peter did his homework! Ms. Jefferies’ whole body turned red. “Peter!!! Why did you do your homework?” Peter didn’t cry, but he wanted to cry. The next day after school, Peter’s mother came to Ms. Jefferies, because Peter’s friend recorded yesterday. and he sowed it to Peter’s mother. His name was Jackson. The next day, when Peter went to school, there was a new teacher! by WooJean Telling the action: Stacy and her sister fought over the last cookie. Showing:
Telling the action: Sally cried loudly when her older brother snatched her toy away. Showing:
Sally was enjoying playing with her Barbie and Ken doll. Suddenl her older brother snatched away t Barbie doll. Sally’s eyes filled with tears. “You old MEANIE!” she cried, “Give that back!” Then her brother shot back, “What if I don’t want to?” So Sally picked up the Ken doll and threw it at him. Her brother got the Ken doll and threw it back at her. Sally g hit right in the face. “I’m telling!” she hollered. The older brother’s face started to get wet. by Stephanie
“It’s mine!” yelled Stacy. “No, it’s mine!” shouted Polly. Stacy quickly strangled her sister and dove for the cookie. Polly kicked her sister and quickly tried to shove the cookie into her mouth. But before that, Stacy punched Polly, and she dropped the cookie on the floor! They both dove for it and fell on top of each other. Polly spanked Stacy, and Stacy dumped a bowl of strawberry juice on her. Polly punched Stacy in the back. Then their mother entered with a fresh batch of cookies, and Polly and Stacy dove for their mother’s tray. by Samantha Telling the action: Ms. Jefferies was annoyed at Peter for forgetting his homework.!
Showing:
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Ms. Jefferies said, “Class, hand in your
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homework.” The students walked to the desk and handed in
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the homework, except Peter, who sat at his desk. The teacher
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saw Peter and said, “Where is your homework?”
Peter replied, “I don’t have it.” Ms. Jefferies growled, “Peter! How many times have you failed to turn in your homework?” !
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by Youn
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STUDENT WRITING Telling the action: Mary's mother was annoyed her daughter was constantly on her cell phone. When she took it away from Mary, her daughter become very upset.
edited by Ms. Keller
Showing the action: Mary was on her phone for two hours. She would not stop, so her mom came in and yelled, "Why are you on your phone for so long?" She took the phone away and broke it in half. Mary said, "Why did you do that?" She was so upset she stomped to her room and closed the door behind her. She never c came out and died crying. by Alex
Telling the action: The witch cast a spell on the princess. Showing the action:
The princess turned into a goose. The witch laughed her scary laugh. The princess, who is a goose now, honked at her, which meant, “I curse you, Witch!” The curse actually worked! The witch shrunk and turned greener and greener...and greener. And POOF! The witch turned into a pile of grass. The princess smiled and gulped the witch down. by Angie
Telling the action: Stacy and her sister fought over the last cookie.
Showing the action:
Telling the action John's dad was happy when John scored a goal.
“Stan!” Stacy shouted to her sister, mad.”You’re a pig! You ate Showing the action John was on a soccer team called Chelsea. Today Chelsea had a match with a different team. John was 5 cookies, and I ate 2!” center attacker. His dad was cheering, "John! Go John, Go John!" John was in the penalty area. His teammate crossed the ball. The ball smacked the net. John's dad “Duh!” said Stan, as she made a was excited when he scored. grab for the last cookie. by Sean
“Come on, I am older than you!” Telling the action The evil prince scolded the servant boy for spilling the wine.
Showing the action
by Tae Kyung
The wine cup just cracked. The prince screamed, "You crazy fool! That is my favorite cup! You're fired!" The servant left the palace with a sad face. He thought to himself, "I didn't mean to do that. I'm really a crazy fool!"
“No fair!” As they fought over the cookie, the cookie was in the dog’s belly!
5 by Lia