Fourth Grade
What we want is to see the child in pursuit of knowledge, and not knowledge in pursuit of the child. – George Bernard Shaw
September 2022
We are off and running! We have set up our new notebooks, added our "Weighty Words" section, learned about Alexander Calder, and completed some of his art. We are enjoying completing a "SETS" game to get warmed up. You can try it at home, it's a great brain stretching activity that you would enjoy together! We are all signed up in Google Classroom. Students spent time exploring the "BRAIN BREAK" section. Those are activities they can access in their classrooms at any time they have completed their work. We will begin talking about ways to encourage birds to visit our campus. Ornithology is on our "menu" this year, as well as John James Audubon and flight.
May 2022
We have completed our unit on The Netherlands & students have finished all their presentations. The Baldwin County Chess Tournament is on May 9. Our last class for Project Jubilee for this school year will be on May 19. We will spend time problem solving through games, activities & observation skills.
April 2022
We will not have fourth grade Project Jubilee April 21 or April 28 due to ACAP testing.
And our Netherlands Presentations will be on May 5! I am excited for what the students are preparing.
Spring Break was a wonderful time with our families. But I am glad to see the students again:)
April is ACAP testing month, but we will try to have class as best we can around the testing schedule.
The Netherlands! We have learned many different things about The Netherlands. Students are now researching and working on a presentation to share with the class. Be sure to include the following about your Assigned Province:
Landscape
Nature
Location of your Capital City
Attractions (places to visit)
Foods
What else would you like to include?
March 2022
The Netherlands has twelve provinces: Drenthe, Gelderland, Groningen, Flevoland, Friesland, Limburg, Noord-Brabant, Noord-Holland, Overijssel, Utrecht, Zeeland and Zuid-Holland. Each province has its own character and offers a lot of variety in landscape and nature. Students have been assigned one province to research & include in their foldable.
Other Suggestions of things to include that we are learning about in Project Jubilee class:
● Famous Artists from the Netherlands
● Dutch Windmills
● Wind Power
● Famous Landmarks & Locations
● The Netherlands Flag
● What do the Netherlands flag colors represent? ● Canals
● Music of the Netherlands
● Tulips
● Clogs
● Dutch People
● Games in the Netherlands
● Assigned Province (landscape & nature) ● Etc, etc, etc
February 2022
Japan presentations were great! I loved all the creativity. We are now leaving our topic of Japan. But, there is so much more we could talk about, so hopefully students will continue to learn about the country on their own. This month we are continuing our Problem Solving activities of the Daily Set Puzzle & our Waker Uppers. And, we are beginning to add Logic Links & Plexers. Our new Social Science Theme is The Netherlands. We have started a foldable and each student has been assigned a Province to include in their foldable (resources & details are in Google Classroom).
Our STEAM activities at the moment are Coding & Chess. Please encourage your child to spend time on the coding & chess websites. We are participating in a class "All-Play" Chess Competition and it will continue for several more weeks.
Netherlands Foldable
What do you know about the Netherlands?
Begin to create your very own foldable.
As you learn more, add the information to your foldable.
The Netherlands has twelve provinces: Drenthe, Gelderland, Groningen, Flevoland, Friesland, Limburg, Noord-Brabant, Noord-Holland, Overijssel, Utrecht, Zeeland and Zuid-Holland. Each province has its own character and offers you a lot of variety in landscape and nature. You will be assigned one province to research & include in your foldable.
Other Suggestions of things to include that we will be learning about in Project Jubilee class:
● Famous Artists from the Netherlands
● Dutch Windmills
● Wind Power
● Famous Landmarks & Locations
● The Netherlands Flag
● What do the Netherlands flag colors represent? ● Canals
● Music of the Netherlands
● Tulips
● Clogs
● Dutch People
● Games in the Netherlands
● Assigned Province (landscape & nature) ● Etc, etc, etc
January 2022
Happy New Year!
CULMINATING PERFORMANCE TASK- Learning Activities/Experiences:
“It’s All Japanese to Me!”
In December, each student chose a city in Japan to learn about.
1. Your child is now researching to become an expert about the City.
(Famous Foods, Points of Interests, Schools, Jobs, Geography, Population, etc)
2. Prepare a 3-minute presentation for our class on January 27.
3. Create a visual and bring it to class on January 27 (Presentation Day).
4. Your child should prepare an activity for the entire class to participate in on January 27.
*Note: Please view Google Classroom for all the details and the Grading Rubric.
December 2021
We are leaving our study of Egypt after a fun day of learning & playing Egyptian Games. All materials/artifacts from Egypt are going home December 2.
Let's Learn About Japan! I hope you enjoyed seeing your child's Shibori tie dye creations. They were all beautiful. We are beginning a notebook about Japan and in the new year your child will participate in a learning experience: "It's All Japanese to Me." Each student is asked to choose a city in Japan to learn about. They will research & become an expert of their city, then prepare a 3-minute presentation for our class to include a visual and an activity for the entire class to participate in.
December 9 we will Investigate Christmas Trees and begin an All-Play Chess Tournament in our class.
December 16 I would like us to celebrate the season in a fun way by bringing a silly, festive, or fun pair of 'cozy' socks stuffed with goodies to exchange (ex. candy, fruit, sharpies or anything you would like to find in your socks). We will play dirty santa and all end up with a fun pair of socks to bring home and wear during the Christmas holiday. If you do not think you can send socks in, please let me know so I can make sure your child is included. Thank you.
Week of 11/15/21
Dear PJ parents,
It is our shibori tie dye week. This is a cool video about indigo growers and the link to samurai https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj5oA0YxCi0&ab_channel=GreatBigStory
In Japan, they have found the earliest known example of cloth dyed in a shibori technique, from the 8th century. In the shibori technique, the artist folds, twists, or bunches the cloth, often binding the cloth into place by stitching it. Traditionally, the shibori is dyed in indigo. The area of the fabric that is bound will create the resistance, where the dye doesn’t reach and the cloth remains white. There are many, many different ways to produce shibori as well as loads of video and links found on Pinterest if you are interested in doing more.
Although I have treated the material (shirts, kitchen towels) using the appropriate process to “hold” the dye in the material, I cannot make a 100% guarantee that the dye will not run when it is washed at your home. We rinsed items here until the water ran clear but I encourage you to be cautious. I have shibori shirts I did with my groups three years ago and they go through the washer with no issue AFTER I ran them through the washer with a white washcloth, etc.
Let me know if you have questions!
Blair Heald
one of the PJ groups from 17-18
November 2021
Egypt Presentations were fantastic! I couldn't be more proud of the students. We are continuing to spend some time using the following websites: www.chesskid.com, www.code.org, www.tinkercad.com, www.breakoutedu.com, http://tumble-together.herokuapp.com/, https://www.setgame.com/set/puzzle. I encourage your child to visit these sites when they have time outside of the Project Jubilee classroom. We are beginning Japan this month. Every student needs to bring in an item made of cotton for a Shibori tie die event scheduled to start mid November. See https://craftatlas.co/crafts/shibori. Thank you to those who have already brought one in. Most choose a tshirt but there are other possibilities. If a student does not have an item by November 18, they will either receive a flour sack towel or a handkerchief.
SPECIAL REQUEST
In November we will begin talking about Japan. I need every student to bring in an item made of 100% cotton for a Shibori tie die event. See https://craftatlas.co/crafts/shibori. Many students choose a t-shirt, but there are other possibilities. Don't wait until the last minute on this! Consider donating a pack of 100% cotton 'white' shirts for those who may not have anything.
October 2021
Students have been doing outstanding work on Egypt! Together, we have been learning all about Egypt and we will continue our journey through Egypt in the month of October. We have been using a variety of resources including literature and the internet, we talked about where on Earth we might find Egypt and how it might have been best to get there in ancient times. The students have been learning some basic facts about ancient Egypt, its civilization and people. We have explored the Nile River & completed a Nile River Animal Mapping project. We have created an Egyptian Interactive Notebook and are adding information as we learn. We have created plaster wrap mummies, will soon mummify and apple, participate in STEM pyramid challenges, use Productive Thinking to transform pyramids in something unusual, unique, and one-of-a-kind creation, learn the origins of hieroglyphics, create hieroglyphic cartouches, learn about King Tut and his very short reign. He was actually more famous dead than alive!
As a culminating activity for our Egyptian Unit we will create a "Table-Top Museum" for all the students in our school to view in the library. Your child's creation will be on display in the library November 8-19. Students are researching 'on their own' a selected topic and creating a slideshow during our class time. But at home, please help your child to create a museum artifact/museum card to be on display in the library. These two things needs to be turned in no later than Thursday, November 4.
We are continuing the use of problem solving/math/logic websites that can be accessed in the classroom and/or at home if and when they finish work early. These sites are in our Google Classroom under the section titled, "Fun for Your Brain.
Report Card Information
Due to Baldwin County adjusting to the new software system known as PowerSchool, Project Jubilee teachers have been given an
option about how to do the PJ report cards. I have created one on my own that will go home on Friday, October 15, 2021.
The Project Jubilee report card is separate from the regular school report card. Instead of subjects like math and science, this is a skill-based report card. These are skills found to help your child to become more creative, a critical thinker, and a problem solver.
*The PJ grading system is a standard based program. The letter grades are given based on each student’s performance compared to their gifted peers. The grading scale for the elementary gifted program is viewed in a holistic manner. It is an approach similar to a rubric to evaluate performance.
CRE = Creative Attributes
CRE 1.01 – Applies decision making skills
CRE 1.02 – Communicates well in writing
CRE 1.03 – Communicates well orally
CRE 1.04 – Acquires knowledge in specific areas
CRE 1.05 – Exhibits awareness of cause and effect
CRE 1.06 – Generates and accepts multiple possible answers
WH = Work Habits
WH 1.01 – Completes work in allotted time
WH 1.02 – Is willing to try difficult tasks
WH 1.03 – Listens and follows directions
WH 1.04 – Shows respect for others and their ideas
WH 1.05 – Stays with difficult tasks
WH 1.06 – Turns in homework, outside projects on time
WH 1.07 – Works independently/self-directed
Grading Code:
G = Good Progress (Superior/Exceeds Gifted Peers)
S = Performs At Expected Level (Satisfactory or Developmentally Appropriate among Gifted Peers)
N = Needs Improvement
U = Unsatisfactory
* = Not Assessed
September 2021
Over the next several weeks in Project Jubilee we will be learning about Egypt. We will also begin various problem solving activities. Many of these can be found in Google Classroom under "Fun for Your Brain" and/or in our PJ notebook.
In our PJ class, your student is learning computer science on Code.org, a fun, creative platform for learning computer science and basic coding to create interactive animations, games, or apps. Your interest in what your child is learning is critical, and Code.org makes it easy to stay involved.
Students completed a quiz to discover their "creative personality"- https://mycreativetype.com/. I will send individual results to you for your child.
August 2021
Welcome to Project Jubilee! Today, August 26, 2021, was our first day in Project Jubilee for fourth grade. We created our PJ class mission statement, discussed class rules/norms, and created "A Great Classroom" anchor chart.
Google Classroom is our online forum for lessons and activities. Everyone is enrolled in the PJ class and knows how to log in. Please sign up for REMIND to 'stay in the know': https://www.remind.com/join/89af99
We learned a little bit about each other.
Please feel free to view our slides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vT0OCjMENySlgrcRVHKMHPUUUKz1FUjtMHPduIf_Y8kqDRKdK5r9GZEvxjLK90ANm0VC4wj3Ply4M-l/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000
April 6, 2018
Welcome back from Spring Break. I hope everyone has rested and is ready for the push through the end of the school year. I have been busy working on our plans for the last 9 weeks and I am really excited about what’s coming. I will start this week with a weekly STEAM challenge at the beginning of each class. This might be a hands-on building activity; it might be a BreakOut box challenge; it might be a scavenger hunt – who knows what I have up my sleeve? The kids will be challenged to complete the activity at the beginning of class and then we will move on into our main study of Japan. This is such an amazing, exciting and fun country to study. There is so much to squeeze in over the next few weeks, but we are going to try our best to do as much as we can. This week we will start with a little research to investigate the who, what, when, where, etc of Japan. I also hope to start one of the many art activities we will be working on. I hope everyone has a great week and I look forward to seeing the kids on Wednesdays.
January 25, 2018
Over the next several weeks in Project Jubilee we will be researching some of the Impressionist artists including Rembrandt, VanGogh, and Vermeer. The students will be split into groups for research. Once the research is completed, the students will present their information to the class. They will even be responsible for giving their audience a test to check their listening skills. We have also rescheduled the alpaca field trip for Thursday, February 22nd. Unfortunately, a check had already been cut for the field trip based on the original date, when we were out for the weather day, so if you did not return your form and money, you will not be able to go. The students also continue to work with Mrs. Heald on the Stock Market and will begin the Stock Market Game in February. Finally, students continue to work on advancing in ChessKid. I have several students in the Queen and King levels – keep up the good work!
December 1, 2017
Last week in Project Jubilee the students worked to create their own clay cartouche, which should come home this coming week. The students learned about King Tut and his very short reign. He was actually more famous dead than alive! The kids also reproduced their own portrait of King Tut. This week in Project Jubilee the plan is to wrap up (no pun intended) our study of ancient Egypt and to learn about Pascal’s amazing triangle, while making our own Christmas tree decoration. Two notes came home last week including a field trip permission form for our upcoming trip in January to Humming Star Alpaca Farm on Thursday, January 18th. Monies will be collected BEFORE Christmas break from Wednesday, December 12 through Friday, December 15th. Finally, we are planning to have a special Christmas celebration on Wednesday, December 14th themed Cookies, Cocoa and Christmas crafts. A note about this and the items we will need came home last week. Finally, a sign up genius web address was shared on a separate, as well as on on our private Facebook page. I cannot believe it’s almost Christmas, so we are going to try to make the most of the time we have before 2018. Have a great week! Mrs. Kim Nolfe
November 1, 2017
This week in 4th grade Project Jubilee the students “unwrapped” their handmade papyrus paper. They learned the origins of hieroglyphics and created their own secret message for other students to decode. Last week the students were able to bring home their Egyptian paintings from our recent field trip to the Eastern Shore Art Centre and the clay pyramids will be coming home (hopefully) this week. The students also worked to design their own cartouche which will be carved out of soap next week. Students also started an introduction to Stock Market. After Christmas, they will be participating in the Alabama Stock Market Game, an online virtual trading experience. Finally, we will be wrapping up ancient Egypt in the next several weeks and turning our attention to Microscopic Explorations with a Microscopic Exploration Festival.
September 13, 2017
This week in Project Jubilee we will be continuing our journey through Egypt. We will make an Egyptian fact folder to add information we’re learning/researching about Egypt. We will also be exploring the Nile River, making corn husk boats and testing their buoyancy. The students learned about the 4th grade goals of ChessKid (trying to reach Queen status through fastplay, viewing videos, exploring articles, and completing puzzles). They were re-introduced to the ChessKid site by Mrs. Heald last week and will be given an opportunity each week to play chess on either ChessKid or hands-on chess boards. Be sure to encourage your child to use this website in their free time as it is a great tool and lots of fun, too! Last week students took the Cornell Critical Thinking Test, a pre-assessment that is given at the beginning of the school year and again at the end as a post assessment of their thinking skills gained through chess play. This is all part of the Alabama Chess in Schools program that we are part of through the Alabama State Department of Education. Mrs. Nolfe and Mrs. Heald are also in the process of planning field trips for the year and will share dates as soon as they are scheduled and approved. It’s going to be a great year in Project Jubilee!