Writers Workshop-
Now that our newspaper is out, the class has moved on to writing realistic fiction. Everyone has developed a character and a story outline that includes challenges and obstacles for the character. Students are already writing their first drafts.
Readers Workshop-
In class we have been reading and discussing historical fiction books. We're paying careful attention to the setting and how the historical events impact the characters and events from the story.
Math- The class just finished studying fractions. We will now be working on perimeter and area.
Science- Most recently, the class created their own electromagnets. We have a unit test on electricity and magnetism soon, but will continue with a few more fun experiments.
Social Studies- Now that the Chinese City Expo is over, students are busy studying important Chinese dynasties.
Word Study- Aside from the weekly vocabulary book chapter, students in 4TD are creating individualized spelling lists of words they commonly misspell.
Students studied some of the major landforms in 4TD. After learning the definitions, they created landform maps. Once that was completed, the class divided into groups and each group worked on finding at least ten of the landforms within China using Google Earth. Once they tagged examples of the landforms within China, they were able to play their slideshow. Below is an example of the slideshow that Will, Luke, and Charlie created. To view the rest, click on the names of the students below.
This year in social studies students are studying Chinese history. However, before we dive into teaching it, we focus on geography and landforms. Students first review basic world geography and work from there to Asia and on to China geography.We believe that international school students should have an understanding of this world that they are so blessed to explore and experience. Below is a link to a nice website for reviewing basic world geography. This particular site allows the participant to demonstrate their understanding of the continents and oceans. Click on the link to check it out.
For social studies, we are studying the Chinese Dynasties. As of now, the class has learned about the Great Wall, the first emperor Chi’in Shihuang, and the Qin Dynasty. Throughout this month the 4th graders will continue to increase their knowledge base of the various dynasties. Aside form the text-based work done in class, there is a whole world of knowledge available online. Ms. Blovad found a number of great websites and links that relate exactly to what we are studying.
As part of the Chinese Inventions project, students PowerPoint’s that demonstrated how they made their invention model. In class students are presenting their PowerPoint’s and information directly to the class. These presentations will be videoed and linked to the blog soon. In the meantime, take a look at the work they’ve created.
One thing that became apparently clear when speaking with the fourth grade students during the museum was that everyone really knew their topic. This can be attributed directly to the accurate research compiled well in advance of writing the research papers and creating the models. For many students, the research process was entirely new. Students had to learn to ask the right questions, recognize appropriate information, cite their sources, and keep track of notes. The Chinese invention topic was particularly challenging as much of the information has been lost and resources regularly provided contradictory information. In other instances, students had to play Sherlock Holmes to find out any information.
The end result is that students really learned how to work through the research process. They learned that it can take time and effort to get the results they desire.
Below are the essays students from 4TD wrote, utilizing the the information gathered during the research phase of this project.
At 8:30 this morning both our class and Mrs. Merril’s class filed on to the bus to head to the Shanghai History Museum in the Pearl Tower. After finally getting to the museum, everyone broke up into small groups and each group was given a camera. While walking around the museum, students took photos of displays that represented what Shanghai used to be like. For each picture the students catalogued the information and what they learned. After completing the museum tour we walked over to the Promenade along the Huang Pu River and enjoyed the views of new Shanghai and took even more photos. All of these photos will be put to good use, starting tomorrow students will be using i-movie to put together a slide show that demonstrates how Shanghai has changed over the years.
In order for this field trip to be a success, we needed a lot of parent involvement, and I have to say that the parents came through. We had eleven parents and family members from our class alone! So to all the parents who were able to take time out of their schedule to help chaperone, thanks so much!
Students have been working hard during tech time and in class on their landforms project. Students are using both the internet and non-fiction texts to find out information about 17 different landforms. By Monday, we hope that all the research will be completed. At that point, students will post some of the information they found and corresponding images on Google Earth. This process will result in a virtual slide-show of landforms across the world.
In order to complete the research phase, some of the work will need to be completed at home. Click on the landforms link below to access a document that describes the project and lists all of the landforms that students will be researching. Landforms Project
Mrs. Blovad showed me a fun website for reviewing basic geography. This particular site allows the participant to demonstrate their understanding of the continents and oceans. Everyone in 4TD got to try out the games today. Click on the link to check it out for yourself.
In technology class, 4TD has begun a project on the Silk Road. Students will be completing a Webquest where they will research the role of either a government official, a merchant, or a caravan commander. This Webquest was created a few years back and recently updated by Mr. Romard. The link to open up the site is just to the left under “blogroll.” You can also click on the following link: Silk Road Webquest
Remember class, on the 14th the final decisions will be made for what role you will play. Get as much research done to prove that you’ve chosen the right job.
Introduction to the Silk Road Webquest
You are a member of one of the few caravans that successfully returned with luxuries from the Western world last year. Sadly, not all caravans were fully prepared for the grueling trip across the Silk Road. Many ran out of supplies or were attacked by raiding nomads. The foreign goods you sold provided for many relaxing nights at your Chang’An home. But, the emperor and nobles have offered you a chance to improve your personal station and your families reputation in the great empire. They have grown fond of the comforting luxuries from the West and have asked your group to share your successes with other caravan guilds so that more traded goods will arrive next year in Chang’An. Eagerly you agree, for you know the nobles will reward you very well. Although luck played a small role in your success, it was your group’s knowledge of the Silk Road and how to prepare for it that lead to your success.
Students have been working hard during tech time and in class on their landforms project. Students are using both the internet and non-fiction texts to find out information about 17 different landforms. By Monday, we hope that all the research will be completed. At that point, students will post some of the information they found and corresponding images on Google Earth. This process will result in a virtual slide-show of landforms across the world.