Important Dates
End of first trimester, November 18
Fall Break, November 21-25
Book Fair, December 7
Band Concert, December 22, 7 pm Note the change of date!
Follow the Gecko class on twitter @geckoknights!
Immersion Day Success!
The 4th grade had a very productive Immersion Day on Wednesday. We began by brainstorming questions to ask our speaker from Clearbrook. Clearbrook serves people of many ages who have a variety of disabilities. One thing they provide is sessions for doing activities, usually making a project from construction paper. This year we wanted our students to actually design projects. The students came up with thoughtful questions to help in designing activity packets. Our speaker was very informative and told the students how important their work will be to the Clearbrook clients. Next, students worked in pairs, using the internet to get ideas for projects. Each group made a prototype of their chosen project and then measured the pieces and drew them in Google draw. These will be transferred to a program that will be used to cut the pieces, sorted by color, on the laser cutter. We will continue to work on this project after the pieces are cut.
Some students also worked on making fleece blankets for Project Linus, an organization that gives blankets to children and teens in crisis situations.
Social Studies
Most students have presented their Mayflower assessment to me. I was quite impressed with the thought that went into their Google slide presentations. We will be picking up with the Pilgrims next week as they begin to settle in New England. Watch this blog and your email for information about the Pilgrim Feast, our culminating activity!
We had our last map quiz of the trimester today. The students all know the expectation is that they will pass the states and capitals quiz during first trimester. If not, they will continue to take it, but they will receive a 2 in map skills on the Progress Report for first trimester.
Math
We are finishing up Unit 4, Division, early next week. We have practiced the traditional long division algorithm, explored what to do with remainders in story problems, and played a game to practice using variables.
Language Arts
The Geckos took the final book test on Blood on the River this week. I am still reading and grading them, but I’m pleased with the understanding they are showing of the events and challenges in colonial Jamestown. This test asks them to imagine themselves as the new governor of the colony and to make plans, set goals, and deal with the problems left by previous leaders.
This week most of the students began putting their Choose Your Own Adventure stories onto Google slides. They learned how to add links that take the reader to different slides depending on the choice he or she makes. We are still having a good time with this project.
The Blood on the River vocabulary test is scheduled for November 15. We will be having a review session before then, but students should also study at home. Bailey showed the class how to use Quizlet to make vocabulary games — a fun and effective way to study!
Auction Project
As most of you know, each class at Quest creates a project that becomes part of the silent auction at the annual Quest Knight of All Knights auction. A parent or two usually facilitates the creation of this project. Is anyone interested in helping out with the Gecko auction project? We have a few possible ideas, and the Owl parents would be happy to collaborate on similar projects. It is a short term commitment. Please let me know if you would like to help!