4thgradetech’s Blog

Candace Parker of the WNBA Los Angeles Sparks scored a no look 360 lay up in their game against the Seattle Storm on Sunday.  They are now in Round Two of the WNBA Conference Finals playing agains the Phoenix Mercury tonight on ESPN at 10:00 p.m. ET (that’s 9 p.m. our time) That is too late to stay up and watch the game but check out the blog for the inside scoop

http://www.wnba.com/playoffs2009/index.html 

My 4th graders have been looking for new species of animal and plants around their school.

I have found a few places to use as guides to help us with identifying the plants and animals we found.

The 4th graders will now draw and color one plant or insect they found on their expedition. They will write the scientific name for the insect on the top of the picture and the common name for the insect at the bottom. Each group will have their own Corps of Discovery Journal so all the plants and animals drawn in a group must be different. 

Go to BACKYARD NATURE.NET

to help you figure out your new discoveries.

Okay 4th graders this is your first blog post. Tell your readers all about what you did for the “Just the Bear Facts” Mini Study.  

Use this template as your guide.

During the first week of school our class worked on a Bear Mini Study. Mrs. Jackson showed us ______________________________. Then she assigned roles. My role was to be the ________________ for the group. The first names of the other people in my group are _______________________________________.  We found _(number of ) facts using ____(tell which resources you used)______________________.  I learned _________________________.

(First name only)

Summarize Chris Van Allsburg’s The Stranger.  Please include the clues that helps us figure out who The Stranger is.

Ramon Ernesto Ramirez grew up on a ranch in the southwestern United States in the 1930’s.  His life was the same as ours in some ways.  He went to school every day, he had to do chore before he could play, and he celebrated holidays with his family.  But his life was different, too.  Because he lived on a ranch, he helped round up and brand the cattle.

COMMENT ABOUT THIS WEEK’S STORY. REMEMBER TO WRITE IN COMPLETE SENTENCES.

lee-greenwood-this-land-is-your-land 

This week’s story is about Yosemite National Park in California. “Yosemite National Park is an amazing place.  In one visit, you can see giant trees, towering mountains, and interesting wildlife.”Post your answers to the Reader’s Response questions here. Make sure you restate the question in your answer. Click on the book cover for more actvities for Letters Home from Yosemite.

On the windy prairies of the Southwest, Reba Jo meets a horned toad whomakes a deal with her. When Reba Jo doesn’t hold up to her end of the bargain, the horned toad is offended and asks for a simple kiss. That kiss unlocks a magical spell and the ugly toad becomes a prince!

Each person in your group will answer in complete sentences one to two questios from the Reader’s Response questions.  Then click on “Comments” and then take turns typing your answers in this blog. 

In this week’s story a young Japanese man leaves his home in Japan to explore North America.  He falls in love with the amazing sights of the new land, but eventually misses his home.   He moves his new family back to Japan but always thinks and shares stories of North America with his family.

Post the results of your group discussion of the Readers Response questions. Please make sure your answers are in complete sentences and that you restate the question in your answers. You never know who will read your responses. Make them sound good.

You have probably never heard the story of Lewis and Clark’s journey told from the point of view of a dog.  But Seaman is no ordinary dog.  He tells his version of Lewis and Clark’s famous journey from his first meeting with the explorers to the moment when he was almost traded to the Native Americans.