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T Chart of Criteria and Constraints with our Raincatcher Experiment

After 3 days of figuring out how to set up and experiment and carry it out, the kids sorted what they learned by making a list in each area. Tomorrow, we will draw conclusions and make some claims and evidence about this part of the Scientific Process.

Rain-catcher Experiment-- Prediction, Location, and Design

After a lot of discussion about how to set up an experiment; we did one that was a great failure and gave us lots to talk about, the kids were able to do the create the right model to collect precipitation for 24 hours. Wow, did their predictions change from yesterday! They have a much better idea of how much could be collected.

They created several design ideas and after discussing the pros and cons of criteria and constraints (the 2 basic principles of engineering anything) for the science experiment, they figured out what would work best. It was all about building consensus too. Seeing this group grow knowledge and talk about what works is so interesting. These 4th Graders are making big progress in listening to each others' ideas and problem-solving together.

P.S. Ice Skating Field trip reminder: This Friday from 10 - 11 a.m. at the Palouse Ice Rink. Info in the Planners. Please join us if you can!

Rubik's Cube Mosaic is a great STEAM project!

Today, after 3 months of learning about the parts, sequence, and the ability to do math and art with the 3 by 3-inch square cubes, the kids really created a beautiful glass mosaic.

'Mad Libs' Story to support the Parts of Speech!

During Cursive and Grammar, Wes presented at the Document Camera that shows up on the Smartboard to read his story. Three Parts of Speech were reinforced. He read to us his favorite story. The kids made a graphic organizer or chart to sort the examples of six nouns, six adjectives, and six verbs. Wes read the definitions and explained how much he liked playing with language!

Congratulations to Lilly and Trenten who created marvelous mosaics for our Class Rubik's Cube Mosaic.

Last week when the kids were creating the mosaics for the Rubik's Cube design, they had 3 objective areas-- original design, not copied, all 6 colors are used, all the blocks are essential to the design. There was one area, that was subjective-- if they thought the design was 'cool'. All four areas were given the same 1-2-3 point options. we had two winners, but wait, something was not right, the criteria hadn't been met. After having a fabulous discussion-- literally lightbulbs were going off above their heads!!-- the kids rediscovered the meaning of criteria! They really get "criteria" now!!. The Criteria List really means that those are the things that are expected! Soooo, we had another vote!! Two different mosaics made it for that vote from those submitted because they all realized that the first two that were chosen didn't meet the criteria although they were interesting and creative.

Thank you to all the 8 kids that submitted their ideas!!

We will be making our Rubik Cube Mosaic on Friday. Each student will have one 3 by 3 section of Trenten's design to create.

Mosaic Gallery Walk

Students submitted their work and using a criteria list and rubric, each mosaic was evaluated. The one chosen will be the one we create with all the Rubik's Cubes next week!

Halliday Share!

The notes on the SmartBoard you see were part of a process from Monday. The kids took notes on loose-leaf paper and have it with them. It will help you understand this fun time.

Each year this is one of the most memorable activities that they will do as a class because they are learning so much about each other. We used Parliamentary Procedure for deciding the days, gifts, and budget and they voted with a simple majority deciding the outcome.

The Math Out There and Help on Speaker Phone; Fun for you to hear your student process and problem solve.

I thought it would be interesting to show you what the Trex collection boxes look like every couple of days.

Definitely we have a community that wants to keep this material

out of the landfill and water systems.

Today, as we reviewed the article about recycling plastics in the MP Daily News, it was the quantity of 500 pounds that is what is so important that applies to where we are in Math.

Since we are working in Chapter 4 with multiples of 10,100, and 1000 and estimating by rounding to the GREATEST value, and working on regrouping, it is really important for the kids to know that as they are working they can ask for help--even from home. Because we are moving into large number problem solving using math facts as the foundation, I had an idea today to support this. I have done this before and it is very reassuring to the kids to know they can call me. It is part of learning to ask for help. We reviewed that they have from 8:00- 8:25 each morning to get help. They can also come in for 15 minutes at lunch if necessary. Most don't since Recess beckons!! :)

Today, they wrote our home phone into their Planners, but a better way is to call the school phone number and leave a voicemail. Here is our phone number and my extension. It is 208-883-3195 ext.107 so that they can call and leave a message if they are really struggling.

Before they call, please make sure they have read the problem several times and applied the UPS (Understand, Plan, then Solve) method we do each day. I will only call back on a parent's mobile phone that is left in a message. Then working with the student on the speaker setting with a parent or guardian present, we all can go through the math. This is really a boost to their confidence!

I offered this solution because I wanted them to know that this content so foundational is real problem-solving. If you have any questions, call me ;)

Sequencing Events

Whether they are in procedures in Science or the important events in the Lewis and Clark Expedition, reading and sorting are the starts of identifying and learning. We did this type of activity with science and had a big talk about how scissors and glue are useful tools for study. Here the students are taking 14 different events and gluing them into their Social Studies notebook after first organizing them into the correct order.

Cooperative Learning here is sharing information and helping each other make sure the information is correct. This type of work is very hands-on and allows very positive interactions about the content.

Exciting Times in 4th!!

The kids are starting the mosaics with their Rubik's Cube. Most everyone can now get one side with the colors they want or follow the algorithm to get one side with one color or colors. That is really cool. Soon they will be divided into groups of three to design their art.

In Math, they are reviewing multiplication facts-- help them by doing flashcards with them or saying them out loud. These are important tools for getting problem-solving completed. Remember--knowing these is like knowing all your sight words when you were learning to read!

We had a wonderful discussion about dictionaries and how they are Treasure Chests. Be sure to ask them if you are 'wyrd' or not :) ( That is the Old English form of the word and in its original meaning, meant magical.)

Using Resources and Working Cooperatively to

Answer the Outside Whiteboard Question

Each morning, I write a message to start the 4th Grade day. Sometimes it is a joke, a math problem, or other news. Today, it was a challenge to use the map to track where Lewis and Clark spent their first and second winters during the Expedition.

It was great to see these three students working together to figure out the answer. Seeing the kids share their learning and help each other to be successful is definitely something I am "Thankful For" as we head into this U.S. holiday.

Final Copies of Louisiana Purchase and The Lewis and Clark Expedition

These maps represent several hours of focus on details with the map text. Next week the kids will use the scoring rubric we created from the criteria list to check their work. To be useful maps need specific and particular information.

We discussed and dissected these maps to gain understanding of all the parts needed. They know the rivers, places, and time for the story of these maps and how each supports the written material that we are studying.

The kids learn to draw 'freehand' and gain confidence in understanding how to scale and create an accurate picture of the historical information. We looked at the maps of Lewis and Clark from the journals too. The amount of detail really 'wowed' them.

City of Moscow's Wastewater Reclamation and Reuse Facility

Met by Kelli Cooper of the city and with Caleb and Scott giving the tour, the kids saw the remarkable process of taking 2.5 million gallons of water a day that enters the plant and becomes clean in 24-36 hours. It was super interesting.

We traveled by public transit and were able to walk along the Paradise Path/ Bill Chipman Trail to get there.

It was great to have parents join us too!

Cooperative Learning is making sure all members in the group know and can explain the information. This type of learning takes specific directions and time to complete. This particular task took all the groups a 1/2 hour to find 4 locations and answer questions related to the Fieldtrip. Sharing content is fun and learning how to talk to each other about work is very important and something we do everyday in 4th grade.

It will be an interesting day at the WRRF!

Using maps and the City of Moscow's virtual tour slides in class to prepare with their partner for the WRRF Field Trip tomorrow. Each partner set will focus on two areas. We are doing the "Jigsaw Protocol". :)

We get to take public transportation to the WRRF for our tour. The kids have really been surprised about what happens with water that goes down the drains. They were amazed today to think about that in 24-36 hours water can enter back into our system or goes into Paradise Creek.

The goal is to think about the different stages in a science way--they will be asking you about the sinks and toilets tonight (for math) so that they can connect that to how to solve the problems that come with cleaning wastewater in an engineering way.

If you can join us, please do and be sure to pack a lunch!