Hard at work

The last couple of weeks of school have been jam packed with a lot do learning!

We are just finishing up our Science unit on Food Chains and Webs with an exciting exploration with owl pellets. Owl pellets are regurgitated remains of what an owl cannot digest. So why are we exploring this? As part of understanding the food chain the owl pellet provide us with evidence of what a barn owl has eaten. If we are lucky enough, there is evidence that a primary and secondary consumer has been consumed by the owl!
After a brief search on the Internet about barn owls, students found that barn owls eat many things but the most common would include rodents and insects. They concluded the search by sketching a food chain on Doodle Buddy.
       Sun ➡ grass ➡ mouse ➡ owl
Check out these cool pics from our exploration day! Be sure to stop by and visit out final display located outside our classroom!

Helpful Apps

Using Art Set to complete a math problem.

Using Doodle Buddy to show a Multiplication Representation.

Students were asked to explore with two different apps. Their goal was to find a use for the apps in any content area and be able to explain how the app can help them as an active learner. Both students in the photos chose Math as the content and used the app as a whiteboard tool to model their thinking. This week, we'll explore two new apps: Explain Everything and iCard Sorts. Both of these apps will be used as homework assignments so that family members can observe our learning!

iPads are out!

The iPads are here! We didn't get to explore with the iPad APPs today due to the Early Out but we were able to explore the actual tool and learned how to correctly carry, turn on/off, charge and hold while it is being used. I am very excited for tomorrow so we can continue with our iPad APP Detective exploration!
      Students will each be asked to explore a different APP to determine the purpose of it. Students will also have to describe one way that we could use the APP in class and what it would help us with. Once we share our findings, we'll spend some more time exploring any of the APPs that students want to learn more about.

Check back soon for more information!

Ask an Expert: Should my fourth-grader get a cell phone?

Ask an Expert: Should my fourth-grader get a cell phone?

This is a great article! It's just a basic guide to whether or not your child might be ready for a cell phone. This is something that I am debating for my own child who is going into 3rd grade this fall. Some of my thinking is for the social aspect of today's fast paced world, but some of it is practical, too. She spends time away from me when she visits her dad. Having a phone gives her some personal freedom to stay in contact with me while she is away. Okay, maybe it's me being a little selfish in that I want her to be able to contact me whenever she feels the desire or need to without having to ask her dad if she can call me!

It is IMPERATIVE that ground rules are established!! So many children misuse this new founded freedom and it's generally not their fault. We must teach and model how we want them to use this technology in a safe and meaningful way! Do you set a good 'phone' example for your child? Remember the saying, "monkey see, monkey do," because I can guarantee your child will do as you do with the use of a cell phone!

So, parents, are you ready to take the plunge?

4th Grade Supply List

Check out the general Supply List on the SJSD website. There will be a few items added for the classroom - check back soon!