“American Indians in Texas” virtual session

Today our fourth grade scholars had the opportunity to connect with an expert who presented information, interacted with them, and answered their questions about how American Indians lived in the different regions of Texas. Scholars were also introduced to ideas in our upcoming unit about Spanish explorers in Texas. They made great connections to our learning in Social Studies and asked questions about pottery, interactions with other tribes, and trade!

Learning Objectives - Week 12

Reading:

I can describe the change the characters undergo and explain how it supports the theme/central idea.

Writing:

I can plan and write an expository composition.

Social Studies:

I can apply what I've learned about the regions of Texas to understand the impact of geography on different American Indian shelters in Texas.

This week:  

• Reading log - Read 20 minutes each night (checked on Monday)
• Grammar practice homework - Due on Friday
• Words Their Way Spelling words - Practice on SpellingCity App or Spelling City - Test on Friday
• Monday - Scholars will sort their words and receive practice lists. 
• Friday - Test will include 10 words from the practice list and 4 mystery words that follow the spelling pattern.
• Students will sort their words into categories as part of the test.

American Indian shelters

Scholars have spent time this week researching and planning their American Indian shelter designs. Next week, scholars will create models of the tribe's shelter and revisit how the region their tribe lived in affected the way they lived.

Learning Objectives - Week 11

Reading:

I can identify how the writer's development of the character(s) supports the theme.

Writing:

I can plan and write an expository composition.

Social Studies:

I can apply what I've learned about the regions of Texas to understand the impact of geography on different American Indian shelters in Texas.

This week:  

• Reading log - Read 20 minutes each night (checked on Monday)
• Grammar practice homework - Due on Friday
• Words Their Way Spelling words - Practice on SpellingCity App or Spelling City - Test on Friday
• war, wor, and wa words

Red Ribbon Week- Planting Tulips

With all the fun that comes with participating in Red Ribbon Week, including wearing mismatched clothes, hobby clothes, pjs, and dressing like a buddy, my favorite activity will always be when Ms. Coburn works with our scholars to plant red tulips that will bloom in the spring. On the west side of the circle pick up in the front of the school, scholars planted a "promise" to stay drug free. Our fourth graders paired up with first graders for this experience and did a great job working with and encouraging their buddies!

Storybook Pumpkins Contest

Check out these creative entries into the Storybook Pumpkins Contest! Great work!

Skype with author Lynda Mullaly Hunt!

What a great honor it was to Skype this week with the author or the Global Read Aloud, Lynda Mullaly Hunt! We heard all about her inspirations to write Fish in a Tree, including a teacher very much like character Ally's teacher, Mr. Daniels. We also learned that she has an older brother on whom she based the character Travis. Two of our scholars had the opportunity to ask questions, and we even found out that she is taking notes for a spin off book, to be written in Albert's perspective at take place two years later. A big thanks to our wonderful librarian, Mrs. Berumen, for setting this up!