Reading, Writing, and Responding!
Posts tagged Science
Let the Plant Experiment Begin!
Jan 6th
We started talking about the science fair today. Although students are not required to enter th science fair, I’d really like to see many of our classmates choose to take on this project outside of class! They can work with a friend or on their own. I recommend http://www.sciencebuddies.org as a very helpful science fair website. We will be doing a class science project, mainly to get students using the scientific method. So, today we began our great plant experiment. Our question is, “What do plants need to live?” Our hypothesis is that plants need food and water to live, as that is what past research and knowledge has told us. 
Here are our test subjects before we begin….
Curriculum Update
Feb 3rd
Only 4 more weeks left before we go off track! Here is what is coming up:
Math: Tomorrow we take our Chapter 9 (Multiplication of Larger Numbers) test. We will also begin Chapter 10 (Dividing Larger Numbers). Long division, with remainders. Many classmates may need extra support at night on their homework, as this can be a tough concept.
Reading: We have just begun our unit on Money. Please send in any articles or information you may have about checking, savings, and money usage in other countries. Thanks to those of our classmates who have already shared!
Writing: We just finished another multi-paragraph essay. This month we will work on letters and narratives. We will also be studying prepositions, subjects, predicates, parentheses, possessive pronouns, subject/verb agreement, and adverbs. A couple of writing samples will be in tomorrow’s Friday folder; please review these with your child.
Science: We are continuing to study the differerent biomes of the world. So far we have studied the desert, grasslands, and forest. Next week we will focus on the arctic tundra. Then we will take our test on Chapter 1 on Tuesday, Feb. 15. Students are welcome to bring their textbooks home for review.
More Science!
Jan 12th
I am at a science workshop this week, so here is another fun science link! We will be studying matter later on this year. Check this simulation out (it is the same site that gives us the electrical circuits):
New Science Link
Jan 11th
This is a great one! Check it out this year and next year for 4th grade science!
Class Update!
Oct 4th
Only 4 weeks left until vacation! This school year is flying by. We have been hard at work! Here is what we are currently working on in class.
Math: We are moving rapidly through chapter 5. We are learning our multiplication facts from 6 – 10, and will be learning about multiplication expressions, equations and inequalities. Our test will be near the middle of next week. Make sure your child is practicing multiplication facts on First in Math at home if you can!
Reading: We are on the 2nd story on our unit about City Wildlife. We are keeping a bulletin board updated with the wildlife we are reading about. At home, if you read or look up animals online that belong on our board, you can print it out and bring it in.
Writing: We are learning about summary writing. We have discussed how to write a topic sentence using the IVF method (Identify it, Verb it, Finish it), and then create a fact outline based on the main idea and key details from the selection.
Social Studies: We have begun our study of Native American tribes in California. Students will be creating a book summarizing what they have learned. This will be done with me.
Science: Students will now be going to Mrs. Rutherford for science and will be studying the constellations and solar system.
FIRST IN MATH!
Our class is 2nd at the school in First in Math! I am so proud of what our classmates have accomplished. We have even discussed how to get into first place (average number of stickers per student). Keep working each night to bring our total up higher and higher!
Curriculum Update
Sep 20th
Some thing we are working on in class:
Science
We have been learning about the Sun, Earth, and Moon. This week we are studying the phases of the moon. Students were asking questions about time zones, and thinking back to the last two week’s study of the seasons (Earth’s orbit around the sun) and the Earth’s rotation (night and day). Here is a web site to give specific information about different time zones:
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/
Also, for those students interested in the lunar eclipse, here is a website to learn more about the partial and full lunar eclipses:
http://www.mreclipse.com/Special/LEprimer.html
Math
We are studying multiplication! This begins in chapter 4 of our math textbook. It is time to break out the multiplication flash cards and practice 5-10 minutes a night. The First in Math website has facts practice that would work well in lieu of flash cards.
Reading
We are finishing Unit 1 on Friendship. Next week we begin Unit 2 which is about City Wildlife.
Writing
We will be learning how to write summaries in the next few weeks.
Food Chains
Jun 14th
Today we are discussing food chains. Check out this website to put the plants and animals in order on a food chain! Click the back button to come back to this post when you are done.
http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/eco_info/topics/frogs/chain_reaction/play_chainreaction.cfm
Then check out this website:
http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/food/food_menu.html
Finally, try this one:
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/games/foodchaingame.htm
Let us know what you learned and which one you liked the best in the comments!
Build Your Own Circuit!
Feb 16th
We have been discussing electrical circuits in class. Go to this website and build your own circuit! Remember that you just click “Run Now” to use the simulation.
http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Circuit_Construction_Kit_DC_Only
News and notes
Dec 11th
Today we had the Sheldon Science students come in and review circuits with us. Most of our classmates easily remembered how to build parallel and series circuits. Try this to make your own electric circuit! Post a comment to let us know what you thought of the students’ presentation, or the circuit website.
We are looking for donations of pencils, tissues, and prize box items as our supplies are running out! If you would like to help us out, please send some in. Thanks!
Parents, feel free to comment on our posts as well! We love to read what you have to say.
Science Experiments & Blogging
Feb 11th
Posted by mrsmccartney in question of the week
15 comments
Today you have two tasks:
Student bloggers:
If you have a blog, the topic of the week is favorite games. Write a post on your blog about your favorite game. Tell us why it is your favorite game, and explain the rules to your game. If it is online, please provide a link to the game (ask Mrs. McCartney if you don’t know how to do this).