We had our science motion energy test. The overall scores were good – 82% of the fourth grade passed the test. We reviewed the test and discussed the short answer questions. The test is located on their google classroom site.

Science this week has taken us to electrical energy. The students worked to create a circuit using a battery, wire, light bulb. They also worked to find out what materials will/will not conduct electricity. Open and closed circuits were created and even a switch to control their circuit.

We had an assembly on Friday – the Super U Challenge. The students were very engaged in the program about positive and responsible behavior.

This week we began our opinion writing. We started with a simple paragraph on their favorite candy. Our focus was on using opinion statements and providing evidence. Next week we will move into an opinion essay on homework.

Student Samples –

 Milky Way!!!

    The best candy in the whole wide world is Milky Way. One reason I like it so much is because when you bite into it you get caramel,chocolate and it’s crunchy! Also they come in bars. So when you finish one you have another to munch on.  Finally, they’re filling so you don’t want to eat after you have finished your Milky Way. In my opinion Milky Way is the best thing since toilet paper!

by Scott

Reese’s

In my opinion Reese’s are the best candy in the world and I think you should go to the store and buy some Reese’s because they are so great . I told my mom that we should go to the store and buy some Reeses. When there’s only a couple more Reese’s I go secretly and get Reese’s and put them in the cart. I strongly believe that Reese’s are the best candy. I think that you need to go to Walmart to get Reese’s because they are the best candy in the world and you need to get them! So I hope that you feel the same way about Reese’s. There is no doubt, I strongly believe that Reese’s candy is the best.

Sierra

It’s all my fault. I forgot to hand out the worksheet yesterday. So the students are only responsible for filling in Tuesday – Thursday.  I will try to remember next week.

Long Vowel – a

1. today
2. ache
3. estimate
4. phrase
5. trade
6. parade
7. became
8. arcade
9. education
10. glacier
11. geography
12. region
13. direction
14. transportation
15. Midwest
16. landform

This week the students have been working on what happens to energy when two things collide. Energy can be transferred from one object to another and change the object’s motion.

We had a visit this week from DTE. They presented the Think Energy program to go along with our science.

The following vocabulary/concepts will be covered in our Energy Test

energy

speed

motion

collide

observation

convert

transfer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h90xizaRTOg

We have done several activities in their science notebook related to energy and they have a vocabulary review in there too.

The fourth grade students will bring home a weekly reading homework page and a reference sheet today. The reference sheet needs to stay at home. I will put a copy on my blog of both sheets. Each student needs to choose a strategy for Monday through Thursday and write about that strategy on their worksheet. They are also filling out how many pages and the number of minutes they read. The log must be turned in on Friday with a parent signature.

This week in science we have been studying energy (the ability to do work). We have been discussing the following vocabulary –

potential energy

kinetic energy

conservation of energy

Ask them about the transfer of energy to the ping pong ball from the golf ball.

Here are some sights you can check out about energy.

Mr. Parr Energy Transfer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k60jGJfV8oU

Energy video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqV5L66EP2E&list=FLvHjkOfe6mnMHgS1WpM1HgA&index=1

Bill Nye – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haJWh9Pa-io&list=FLvHjkOfe6mnMHgS1WpM1HgA&index=5

Spelling for Oct. 2

1. owner
2. compose
3. joke
4. only
5. grow
6. hold
7. notice
8. whole
9. vocal
10. compromise
11. organism
12. light
13. energy
14. air
15. water

This week’s words – short vowels i and o

Week 3

Short vowels – i,o

1. person
2. interest
3. district
4. trim
5. adopt
6. strong
7. common
8. timber
9. grin
10. blog
11. question
12. experiment
13. hypothesis
14. solution
15. conclusion

In Science we were working on our scientist and engineering skills. The students worked to Save Sam. They had to solve a problem that consisted of Sam(the gummy worm) being on an overturned boat (cup), with his life vest (gummy lifesaver) underneath the boat, and he couldn’t swim. They were not allowed to touch Sam with their hands but they were given 4 paperclips to use to get the life vest on Sam.

We were also lucky to have Commander Worf and Officer Grouse stop by from the Dearborn Police K-9 unit.

The weather has made it very hot in our classroom. So we took our writing out under the shade of the trees. We have been reading traditional folktales. Students worked with a partner to create a plan for a Tall Tale like Paul Bunyan or Johnny Appleseed.