4th Grade
The 2019-2020 school year has been a busy one for our 4th graders! Here are a few examples of what we've been working on so far:
The 2019-2020 school year has been a busy one for our 4th graders! Here are a few examples of what we've been working on so far:
Habits of Mind
Habits of Mind
There are 16 Habits of Mind that serve as one of our initiatives in the Advanced Academics Program. Every week, students focus on one to be strengthened.
There are 16 Habits of Mind that serve as one of our initiatives in the Advanced Academics Program. Every week, students focus on one to be strengthened.
One such habit is to persist even when the "going gets tough." Students participated in a STEM Challenge in which they were to work as a team to build the tallest tower by following a set of parameters and by using only craft sticks and plastic cups (shown below).
One such habit is to persist even when the "going gets tough." Students participated in a STEM Challenge in which they were to work as a team to build the tallest tower by following a set of parameters and by using only craft sticks and plastic cups (shown below).
Students had to first plan their strategy for task completion. Once the time to build began, they quickly realized the challenge would be harder than anticipated. They used a lot of trial and error, but nobody gave up!
Students had to first plan their strategy for task completion. Once the time to build began, they quickly realized the challenge would be harder than anticipated. They used a lot of trial and error, but nobody gave up!
Getting to know each other
Getting to know each other
Besides learning about how to work effectively in teams, students got to know each other on a more individual basis as well. They researched the meanings of their first and last names and explained whether or not those meanings were a good "fit" for who they really are. They then recorded their reponses on Flipgrid.
Besides learning about how to work effectively in teams, students got to know each other on a more individual basis as well. They researched the meanings of their first and last names and explained whether or not those meanings were a good "fit" for who they really are. They then recorded their reponses on Flipgrid.
Our fourth graders also became more familiar with Google features and created their first names to be printed and colored. Take a look at some artistic work below:
Our fourth graders also became more familiar with Google features and created their first names to be printed and colored. Take a look at some artistic work below:
Part 1 of our Unit on Heroism
Part 1 of our Unit on Heroism
To kick off our first semester unit on Heroism, students first talked about what a hero is to them as well as some defining characteristics of a hero.
To kick off our first semester unit on Heroism, students first talked about what a hero is to them as well as some defining characteristics of a hero.
A Focus on Greek Mythological Gods and Goddesses as Heroes
A Focus on Greek Mythological Gods and Goddesses as Heroes
Next, students each chose a different Greek hero to research. They became familiar with kid friendly websites such as Ducksters and National Geographic for Kids to find out about their hero's role in Greek Mythology. They then used this information to create a pennant about their god/goddess and presented it to their classmates.
Next, students each chose a different Greek hero to research. They became familiar with kid friendly websites such as Ducksters and National Geographic for Kids to find out about their hero's role in Greek Mythology. They then used this information to create a pennant about their god/goddess and presented it to their classmates.
The Actual Myths Explored
The Actual Myths Explored
Once students had a better understanding of who the Greek gods and goddesses were, they learned about the various myths and chose one to create a Google Slide Presentation about. This slideshow was then presented to their peers. For this assignment, not only did students need to identify story elements, but they also had to explain their myth's central message and write a reflection.
Once students had a better understanding of who the Greek gods and goddesses were, they learned about the various myths and chose one to create a Google Slide Presentation about. This slideshow was then presented to their peers. For this assignment, not only did students need to identify story elements, but they also had to explain their myth's central message and write a reflection.
Second Semester
Second Semester
Quest kids continued their unit with a focus on heroes in fiction. With help from the Bloxels kit, they used colored blocks and ipads to create their own fictional hero. This hero was incorporated into a video game which they programmed using the Bloxels Edu app.
Quest kids continued their unit with a focus on heroes in fiction. With help from the Bloxels kit, they used colored blocks and ipads to create their own fictional hero. This hero was incorporated into a video game which they programmed using the Bloxels Edu app.