Week 40: Bringing History to Life
The kids worked diligently this week in order to finish their gold rush letters and get ready for exhibition. Despite the end of the school year being mere days away, my class has enthusiastically embraced our California Gold Rush project, and has planned a very fun exhibition for their families. This week, they worked on staining their letters (with coffee) to make them look old, and began transforming our classroom into a 19th century gold rush town.
Week 39: Gold Dust or Bust
Our study of the California Gold Rush is in full swing, and the kids are truly embodying their 19th century characters. We have been working on perspective letter writing, making sure we are staying historically accurate and keeping our writing engaging for our readers. The kids have planned a wax museum type exhibition, where they will bring their Gold Rush characters to life and mingle with their 21st century friends and family.
Week 38: California Gold Rush
For our last mini project of the year, we are embarking on a study of the 1848 California Gold Rush. We will "become" miners, boarding house owners, robbers, vigilantes and doctors, in our pursuit to understand what life was like during this pivotal point in our state's history. We will study the daily life in a mining town, and write letters home to our families from the perspective of the various characters we take on. We are all very excited about this project, and the kids are already eagerly eating up the history.
Week 37: SLC Week
We spent this week preparing for and having our final Student Led Conferences. It makes me proud as a teacher to watch my kids confidently and eloquently explain their growth both both academically and socially this year, and set goals for the future.
Week 36: Camping at Rancho Cuyamaca State Park
As part of Mr. Scott's outdoor leadership class, we got to go camping for one night at Rancho Cuyamaca State Park. Despite our trip starting out very cold and foggy, the clouds cleared on the second day and we were able to explore the beautiful park in brilliant sunshine. Some highlights from the trip include: hiking to a waterfall, panning for "gold" in the Sweetwater River, seeing mountain lion scratches in a tree, singing around the campfire, roasting marshmallows, and hiking to the top of Stonewall Peak.
It was so much fun to get out into nature and spend some quality time as a class. A HUGE thank you to all of the wonderful parent chaperones who made this trip possible! Below is a slideshow of some of the pictures from our trip.
It was so much fun to get out into nature and spend some quality time as a class. A HUGE thank you to all of the wonderful parent chaperones who made this trip possible! Below is a slideshow of some of the pictures from our trip.
Week 35: 4th Grade Health Fair Exhibition
After months of hard work, the kids were finally able to share all of their knowledge about the circulatory system with their family and friends. It was wonderful to watch the students show all of their learning in various ways -- from demonstrations to recipe handouts to exercise routines, the kids covered it all beautifully. I couldn't have been more proud.
Week 34: Exhibition & Exploration
With Exhibition preparation in full swing, it was nice to spend Wednesday out in nature exploring Torrey Pines State Reserve with Mr. Scott as part of our Outdoor Leadership Exploratory. The kids are learning all about why it's important to protect the places where we play.
The kids have been working extremely hard to get ready for their upcoming exhibition. They have been editing and revising their scientific paragraphs, creating flyers using an online graphic design program, and coming up with creative ways to educate and interact with the visitors who come to our health fair. We're in the home stretch!
Amidst all the hard work, we also make sure there is time for silliness and laughter -- thank you to Ms. Q and the yearbook team for the goofy class picture!
The kids have been working extremely hard to get ready for their upcoming exhibition. They have been editing and revising their scientific paragraphs, creating flyers using an online graphic design program, and coming up with creative ways to educate and interact with the visitors who come to our health fair. We're in the home stretch!
Amidst all the hard work, we also make sure there is time for silliness and laughter -- thank you to Ms. Q and the yearbook team for the goofy class picture!
Week 33: Math Buddies
This week we had the fun experience of collaborating with a 5th grade class during math time. The 5th graders are also working on fractions, and so they designed some fractions games to help our class increase our knowledge and skills. In five different groups the students tackled various concepts such as simplifying fractions, adding fractions, and comparing fractions.
As a collaborative learning school, it was nice to see some of the High Tech philosophies present in this work: student-centered learning, collaboration across grade levels, and hands-on experiences.
As a collaborative learning school, it was nice to see some of the High Tech philosophies present in this work: student-centered learning, collaboration across grade levels, and hands-on experiences.
Week 32: The Writer's Room
We hit the ground running this first week back from Spring Break. The kids worked hard to edit and revise their scientific paragraphs, and many of them have finished ahead of schedule. We have been talking a lot about the purpose of critique and revision, and the kids are proud of the work they're producing.
This was also our first week of our new Exploratory class: Outdoor Leadership with Mr. Scott. We are looking forward to exploring our local state parks, and going camping next month!
This was also our first week of our new Exploratory class: Outdoor Leadership with Mr. Scott. We are looking forward to exploring our local state parks, and going camping next month!
Week 29: Dietician & Puzzles
We had the last of our guest speakers for our heart project visit us this week -- a dietician -- who taught us all about how the food we eat can affect our heart and our circulatory system. She gave us some great pointers (kids should have only 6 tsp of sugar per day!) and answered many of our questions. We now have all of the content necessary to begin crafting our writing piece. The students have been working on developing claims about the circulatory system, and gathering evidence and reasoning to support those claims. This type of writing isn't easy, and the kids have been very perseverant.
In other news, our class has been very into puzzles lately! It all started with a rough math day when I decided to scrap my original lesson plans and put out some puzzles instead. The kids worked beautifully in groups for over and hour, helping each other sort, arrange and put together jigsaw puzzles. They loved it so much I decided to keep one of the unfinished puzzles out on the coffee table and it was finished before the end of the week. We are now on our third puzzle, and going strong!
In other news, our class has been very into puzzles lately! It all started with a rough math day when I decided to scrap my original lesson plans and put out some puzzles instead. The kids worked beautifully in groups for over and hour, helping each other sort, arrange and put together jigsaw puzzles. They loved it so much I decided to keep one of the unfinished puzzles out on the coffee table and it was finished before the end of the week. We are now on our third puzzle, and going strong!
Week 28: Registered Nurse & The Red Cross
This week we had a visit from a Registered Nurse who works for Kaiser Permanente. He came in to talk to us about how to keep our hearts healthy. The kids have learned so much about the heart that they thoroughly impressed him with their knowledge (they probably could have given the presentation he prepared) and asked brilliant questions.
Later on in the week we visited the American Red Cross to learn about how they serve the community in the face of disasters. The kids got to hear from a cardiac arrest survivor, learn a little more about CPR, and sit in the Disaster Control Center where the Red Cross tracks and responds to incidents around San Diego County.
We also got to spend some time outside in the beautiful spring weather, getting our heart rates up playing frisbee!
Later on in the week we visited the American Red Cross to learn about how they serve the community in the face of disasters. The kids got to hear from a cardiac arrest survivor, learn a little more about CPR, and sit in the Disaster Control Center where the Red Cross tracks and responds to incidents around San Diego County.
We also got to spend some time outside in the beautiful spring weather, getting our heart rates up playing frisbee!
Week 27: CPR Training!
Since the beginning of our heart project the kids have been looking forward to learning CPR, and how to respond in the case of a heart related emergency. This week we had an EMT come to school and train all of the kids in CPR. They first talked about how to identify someone who is experiencing cardiac arrest (not breathing, lack of response). Then the kids practiced administering CPR on a dummy, pumping 100 beats per minute. They all did great!
My class also had their Arte y Danza exhibition this week. They exhibited beautiful artwork and performed an inspiring dance in front of a huge audience of their family, friends, and fellow classmates.
My class also had their Arte y Danza exhibition this week. They exhibited beautiful artwork and performed an inspiring dance in front of a huge audience of their family, friends, and fellow classmates.
Week 26: San Diego Blood Bank
This past Friday we had the opportunity to tour the San Diego Blood Bank. We learned a lot about the different components that make up our blood, and we got to see how the blood bank processes and stores donated blood. One of the most memorable parts of the field trip was getting to meet a child who had a heart transplant and received many blood transfusions. He was only a little older than our students, and they asked him very thoughtful questions about what it was like to receive a new heart. It's great to get out of the school building and learn from members of our community!
Week 25: Wonder Wednesday
This Wednesday, the 4th and 5th grade teams tried out "Wonder Wednesday," an afternoon of activities in mixed grade level classes. The students of both grade levels were able to choose from a variety of activities (puzzles, yoga, kite making, music etc.) and spent an hour participating in these activities as a way to build unity throughout 4th and 5th grade, and to have fun doing something new!
Wonder Wednesday was a great success, and we hope to have a few more Wednesdays like this before the year is up. The goal is to eventually roll out this idea with the entire school -- a dream for next year, perhaps.
Wonder Wednesday was a great success, and we hope to have a few more Wednesdays like this before the year is up. The goal is to eventually roll out this idea with the entire school -- a dream for next year, perhaps.
Week 24: Scientific Experiments
This week we focused on how diet (specifically diets high in cholesterol) can affect the circulatory system. We did an experiment to simulate blood flow through a healthy artery (a straw with a large diameter) and an unhealthy artery (a straw with a narrow diameter). We then discussed what a build-up of cholesterol looks like in an artery, and how that causes a heart attack. We also continued to work on making claims and supporting them with evidence and scientific reasoning.
Week 23: Heart Parts
We were fortunate to look at hearts in two different ways this week, to continue to deepen our understanding of such an incredible muscle.
Early in the week we had a visit from an ultrasound technician who was able to bring his equipment to school and give me an echocardiogram so that the kids could see a human heart pumping blood. He was also able to turn on the doppler and let the kids hear the blood flowing through the valves of my heart.
At the end of the week, I dissected a pig heart in front of the class. A pig heart is the closest in size and function to a human heart, and while I was dissecting, the kids were sketching the various parts of the heart that, up until now, they had only seen in pictures and diagrams.
Early in the week we had a visit from an ultrasound technician who was able to bring his equipment to school and give me an echocardiogram so that the kids could see a human heart pumping blood. He was also able to turn on the doppler and let the kids hear the blood flowing through the valves of my heart.
At the end of the week, I dissected a pig heart in front of the class. A pig heart is the closest in size and function to a human heart, and while I was dissecting, the kids were sketching the various parts of the heart that, up until now, they had only seen in pictures and diagrams.
Week 22: Project Letters
This week we worked on crafting a letter that will be sent home to all HTe families explaining a healthy heart survey that is part of our project. The kids worked on taking a sample letter and putting it into their own words. They also worked on learning proper letter formatting on the computer.
This survey is the first step in the outreach portion of our project. The survey will help families identify any potential heart related issues their children might have.
This survey is the first step in the outreach portion of our project. The survey will help families identify any potential heart related issues their children might have.
Week 21: Circulation
This week for our project we focused on the way that blood flows through the heart. The students were able to visualize this flow by coloring a diagram of the heart in the order through which blood flows through the four chambers. We also discussed how blood delivers oxygen to all parts of the body, as well as the difference between arteries, veins, and capillaries. The kids seem eager for content, and have been asking brilliant questions about the circulatory system.
Week 20: Fraction Action
The students have begun to explore the world of fractions which has opened up opportunities for some wonderful math discussions. This week we talked about what fractions are, equivalent fractions, and how to represent fractions in different ways. Partial numbers are a cornerstone of 4th grade math curriculum, and I am excited to see that many of the students are grasping a tricky concept so quickly and easily.
As part of our heart project this week, we investigated how to measure our heart rate in beats per minute. We were able to compare our resting heart rates to our heart rates after exercise, and began to make some claims about how exercise affects the heart. We talked about ways of raising and lowering one's heart rate, and have started doing yoga a few mornings a week as a way to start our day in a calm and centered way.
As part of our heart project this week, we investigated how to measure our heart rate in beats per minute. We were able to compare our resting heart rates to our heart rates after exercise, and began to make some claims about how exercise affects the heart. We talked about ways of raising and lowering one's heart rate, and have started doing yoga a few mornings a week as a way to start our day in a calm and centered way.
Week 19: Claims and Kinders
This week we started to take a closer look at the circulatory system. We read a few articles about what our hearts do for our body, and practiced making claims about the circulatory system and supporting them with evidence.
We also had a chance to read with our Kindergarten buddies. This is something we try to do every Friday. It is wonderful to watch the 4th graders work on patience with the Kindergarteners, and to form relationships with kids they otherwise wouldn't typically interact with.
We also had a chance to read with our Kindergarten buddies. This is something we try to do every Friday. It is wonderful to watch the 4th graders work on patience with the Kindergarteners, and to form relationships with kids they otherwise wouldn't typically interact with.
Week 18: All Systems Go!
This week we launched our spring project: It Takes a Heart to be a Hero. We will be studying the circulatory system, working towards getting a Heart Safe School Accredidation, doing some scientific writing, and putting on a heart health awareness expo. We started off this project by taking a look at some familiar systems (solar system, sewer system, video game system, ecosystem) in order to determine what a system is. We will begin to narrow our focus down to body systems next week.
In math this week we worked on measurement. We practiced measuring items of various heights and widths and had lots of fun measuring things in the classroom. We also continued to work on division with and without remainders.
In math this week we worked on measurement. We practiced measuring items of various heights and widths and had lots of fun measuring things in the classroom. We also continued to work on division with and without remainders.
Week 16: Growth Mindset and Snowflakes
During this final week before break, we took some time to reflect on the idea of "growth mindset" -- the knowledge that our brains are always growing and expanding; that we are never stuck where we are. We watched "The Power of Yet" and started to think about the things that we can't do yet, but would like to learn.
On Tuesday we met up with our Kindergarten buddies and practiced folding and cutting by making paper snowflakes. This was a great opportunity for my students to teach their buddies a new skill, and create something beautiful in the process.
We are off for the next two weeks for Winter Break! See you in 2017!
On Tuesday we met up with our Kindergarten buddies and practiced folding and cutting by making paper snowflakes. This was a great opportunity for my students to teach their buddies a new skill, and create something beautiful in the process.
We are off for the next two weeks for Winter Break! See you in 2017!
Week 15: Student Led Conferences
We spent the majority of our project time this week preparing for Student Led Conferences. Each student took time to reflect on the learning he/she has done during these first few months of school, and their areas for growth for the rest of the year. Reflection is an important part of the High Tech teaching philosophy, and we try to incorporate it into our learning as often as we can.
Week 14: Maiden Voyages
Amidst the chaos of Student Led Conference preparation, we were able to take our cardboard boats to the beach this week and send them out on their maiden voyages. I am happy to announce that every single boat floated with at least one person in it, and many of them were able to make several trips!
The kids could not have been more excited about their accomplishments, and I couldn't be more proud as their teacher.
The kids could not have been more excited about their accomplishments, and I couldn't be more proud as their teacher.
Week 12: Exhibition
After 9 weeks of studying boat history, learning the science of how boats float, and creating our own boats, it was time to finally exhibit all of our hard work. This week we put the finishing touches on our boats, finalized our project books, and just like that, our project was over.
We had an amazing Exhibition showing off our knowledge and celebrating all of our achievements with family and friends. It was wonderful to see the entire 4th grade come together to make such a special night possible.
After a well-deserved Thanksgiving Break, we will set sail with our boats in Mission Bay on November 30th!
Check out our Exhibition slideshow below!
We had an amazing Exhibition showing off our knowledge and celebrating all of our achievements with family and friends. It was wonderful to see the entire 4th grade come together to make such a special night possible.
After a well-deserved Thanksgiving Break, we will set sail with our boats in Mission Bay on November 30th!
Check out our Exhibition slideshow below!
Week 11: Classroom Boatyard
We finally started putting together our life-size cardboard boat this week! We began by tracing our net figures onto 4ft x 8ft sheets of cardboard using the document camera to project the net figures. We then cut the boats out and began to waterproof them using packing tape. Once they were waterproofed inside and out, we started to assemble them using duct tape to seal the seams.
All groups worked together to accomplish this task, with the help of some wonderful parent volunteers! We still have a few more days of building to go, but we are on track to be in ship shape for Exhibition!
All groups worked together to accomplish this task, with the help of some wonderful parent volunteers! We still have a few more days of building to go, but we are on track to be in ship shape for Exhibition!
Week 10: Model Boats
We dedicated most of our time this week to finalizing our boat models. We had to create net figures of our boats so that we can transfer them to our big sheets of cardboard. Each group was able to successfully design and put together a model net figure, and the students were very proud of their creations!
We will spend the last week leading up to Exhibition building our full-scale boats and putting all of the information we've gathered during this project into a beautiful book.
We will spend the last week leading up to Exhibition building our full-scale boats and putting all of the information we've gathered during this project into a beautiful book.
Week 9: Maritime Museum & Boat Designs
We had a great time exploring the San Diego Maritime Museum this week! We got to ride the ferry to Coronado Island, tour some of the tall ships in the harbor, and take a harbor cruise on the Pilot boat. We learned a lot about boating history, and we also got some tips for making our own boats.
We took all of the knowledge we've been gathering over the past several weeks and finally started to draft our own boat designs. We talked about net figures, and how to turn a two-dimensional drawing into a three-dimensional model. One more week of working with paper models before we embark on creating our full-scale boats!
We took all of the knowledge we've been gathering over the past several weeks and finally started to draft our own boat designs. We talked about net figures, and how to turn a two-dimensional drawing into a three-dimensional model. One more week of working with paper models before we embark on creating our full-scale boats!
Week 8: Kayaking & Koehler Kraft
We had two amazing field experiences this week as part of our boat project!
On Tuesday, we headed over to the Mission Bay Sportcenter where we got to use kayaks, paddle boards and the "lily pad" (a big floating piece of foam/rubber) in order to investigate buoyancy and have some fun. On Thursday, we were invited to tour the Koehler Kraft Boat Yard and learn a little bit about how boats are made from C.F. Koehler, a second-generation boat builder.
We are excited to begin constructing our own boat models this coming week!
On Tuesday, we headed over to the Mission Bay Sportcenter where we got to use kayaks, paddle boards and the "lily pad" (a big floating piece of foam/rubber) in order to investigate buoyancy and have some fun. On Thursday, we were invited to tour the Koehler Kraft Boat Yard and learn a little bit about how boats are made from C.F. Koehler, a second-generation boat builder.
We are excited to begin constructing our own boat models this coming week!
Week 7: Schematic Drawing
We practiced schematic drawings this week in preparation for designing our own boats. We used our shoes as models and drew them from six different angles. This was a challenging activity at first, but we talked about taking our time and really noticing all of the little details that we often overlook.
We also watched a fascinating History Channel documentary about mapping the Titanic wreck site. We discussed the "fatal flaws" that might have caused the Titanic to sink, and how that helps us think about our own boats that we will be creating.
We also watched a fascinating History Channel documentary about mapping the Titanic wreck site. We discussed the "fatal flaws" that might have caused the Titanic to sink, and how that helps us think about our own boats that we will be creating.
Week 6: Water Resistance
Our boat experiments are coming to an end as we draw nearer to being able to start constructing our own boat designs. So far we've talked about displacement, buoyancy and this week, water resistance. We experimented with different hull shapes to see which would move through the water fastest by building three different boat models.
We have also been working on some focused writing pieces. This week we chose to look in detail at our hands and compose a piece of writing that details what our hands look like and what they do for us. These pieces will eventually be turned into a final product that draws connections between parts of boats and parts of ourselves.
We have also been working on some focused writing pieces. This week we chose to look in detail at our hands and compose a piece of writing that details what our hands look like and what they do for us. These pieces will eventually be turned into a final product that draws connections between parts of boats and parts of ourselves.
Week 5: Buoyancy Battles
We continued exploring buoyancy this week with a challenge: who can make the most buoyant boat? The students were given a limited set of materials and guidelines and had to work together to create a boat that would hold the most pennies. We definitely learned some things from previous experiments, because nearly everyone's boats held over 100 pennies, and our winning boat held 466!
We then did some calculations to determine how much mass (in grams) our boats held by weighing 100 pennies on a postage scale and converting from there:
100 pennies = 260g
50 pennies = 130g
25 pennies = 65g
10 pennies = 24g
1 penny = (about) 2g
Sample problem: A boat holds 466 pennies. What is the mass (in grams) that the boat holds?
This was very challenging math for some students, but we learned that by having a growth mindset and persevering, we can work through challenges.
We then did some calculations to determine how much mass (in grams) our boats held by weighing 100 pennies on a postage scale and converting from there:
100 pennies = 260g
50 pennies = 130g
25 pennies = 65g
10 pennies = 24g
1 penny = (about) 2g
Sample problem: A boat holds 466 pennies. What is the mass (in grams) that the boat holds?
This was very challenging math for some students, but we learned that by having a growth mindset and persevering, we can work through challenges.
Week 4: Foil Boats
This week we began to take a closer look at the concepts of displacement and buoyancy. We created a variety of boats out of tin foil to see which ones could hold the most pennies and found that wide, flat-bottomed boats worked the best. The record in our class was 70 pennies in one boat!
In order to make "cents" of the science, we learned about the forces that act on an object in water (gravity and buoyancy) and how an object's density and shape help it stay afloat. We'll be putting this information to the test when we begin to build model boats of our own design!
In order to make "cents" of the science, we learned about the forces that act on an object in water (gravity and buoyancy) and how an object's density and shape help it stay afloat. We'll be putting this information to the test when we begin to build model boats of our own design!
Week 3: Reed Boats
Our exploration of boats continued this week with an overview of various boat types throughout history. From the first boats, dugout canoes, to Civil War battleships, we are starting to build our knowledge of boats and their transformation through the centuries.
At the end of the week, we constructed miniature replicas of some of the earliest types of water craft: reed boats. We made predictions about how our reed boats would float, and tested them in our very own test tank built by Mr. Cohick and a couple of his students. We made careful observations about the stability of the boats so that we can start to think about effective boat design.
At the end of the week, we constructed miniature replicas of some of the earliest types of water craft: reed boats. We made predictions about how our reed boats would float, and tested them in our very own test tank built by Mr. Cohick and a couple of his students. We made careful observations about the stability of the boats so that we can start to think about effective boat design.
Week 2: Radial Symmetry and Get Active
This week, we finished up our radial symmetry mini-project. Radial symmetry is symmetry around a central axis, and the students created an art piece to represent this concept using their name. We used this mini-project to practice critique and revision, and the students took their piece through several drafts before producing their final products.
We also introduced Get Active this week. Every Tuesday and Friday afternoon, the 4th graders will head outside to play kickball, capture the flag or soccer. Games and groups will change and rotate every trimester. We strongly believe that physical activity is a crucial component to our school day, and the kids are so excited to have the opportunity to play outside with their friends!
We also introduced Get Active this week. Every Tuesday and Friday afternoon, the 4th graders will head outside to play kickball, capture the flag or soccer. Games and groups will change and rotate every trimester. We strongly believe that physical activity is a crucial component to our school day, and the kids are so excited to have the opportunity to play outside with their friends!
Week 1: Ahoy!
4th grade has officially set sail into a brand new school year! We spent the first few days of this week getting to know one another and building a sense of community in our classroom. We challenged ourselves with games that required teamwork, took on Jo Boaler's Week of Inspirational Math, and started working on our Writer's Notebooks.
On Friday, we launched our first project of the year! All three 4th grade classes headed down to Harbor Island Park to view the San Diego Maritime Museum's Parade of Sail. As the tall ships sailed past the students excitedly asked if our first project has something to do with boats -- and indeed, it does! We will be embarking on a study of all things boats: history, the science of sailing, and principles of design.
HTe's second year is off to a great start!
On Friday, we launched our first project of the year! All three 4th grade classes headed down to Harbor Island Park to view the San Diego Maritime Museum's Parade of Sail. As the tall ships sailed past the students excitedly asked if our first project has something to do with boats -- and indeed, it does! We will be embarking on a study of all things boats: history, the science of sailing, and principles of design.
HTe's second year is off to a great start!