Welcome back!

We started school last week and got off to a great start.  
I know many states wait until after Labor Day, so hope you all have a great beginning also!

During our staff development, I had the opportunity to present Math journaling to all 4th grade teachers in my district.  They were so eager, excited and so complementary!  I am always excited, nervous and humbled to present to my peers and colleagues. Several teachers even ask if they could buy my book. A book? Hmmm...food for thought since I have completed an interactive journal activity for all math objectives.  Anyway, I will definitely post some new journal activities and pictures.

As you can see, I don't very often update my blog, so this school, I plan to do a better job.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that the math journals my students created a few years ago average about 200 pins a day! That's AWESOME, so I would love for you to leave me a positive comment or professional critique.  I would like to share your thoughts with my students.

Hope you and your students have a blessed and successful school year!

Michelle

Science journal - Hibernation

A journal example of hibernation. (Do you see the hibernating bear?) Pull the tab!

Science Journal-Camouflage

Part of the lesson on camouflage is for students to "hide" their creature.  I let them choose from butterflies to zebras.  I use scrapbook paper or sometimes old wallpaper books.  We staple them on our classroom walls for a few weeks, then place them in our science journals. These are 2 examples.

3-D shapes in bubbles!

Students really enjoy creating 3-D geometric shapes with toothpicks and gumdrops...but to increase the level of interest, add bubbles!  As you can see the faces, edges and vertices become inverted.  So cool!

Texas Native American project

Fourth grade Texas history includes the study of Native Americans that lived in Texas.  Once we have studied each of the 5 main tribes, each student chooses their favorite tribe.  Their project includes a "buckskin" pouch that contains items that represent their food source, habitat and skills. This student choose to complete his project over the Caddo.  What a great job!

buckskin pouch

Caddo pottery

food

home

Space writing camp

I have been ask to repost our 4th grade space writing adventure. Most questions are about how to make the space library. This was done with a roll of plastic, duct tape and a box fan. If you need details, please let me know. Your students will love reading in the space library!

Personalize a free collage

What a great idea...Pinterest!

I am really enjoying this new website.  I have found so many creative ideas, beautiful photography, great recipes, inspiring messages, and talented artists.  It's fun to see and share common interests with those you know and don't know.

How exciting to see that teachers are sharing wonderful classroom designs, teaching ideas, great books and lesson strategies. It's also, exciting to see my student's interactive math journals on Pinterest.

If you haven't stopped by Pinterest to start exploring you're missing out. Warning, though it is somewhat addicting :).


Another digital slideshow by Smilebox ">

It looks like a crime scene ...

Today we studied transformation.  I love this math lesson, because there is so much to do.  After defining translation, rotation and reflection, we practiced this by playing Simon Says---Simon says translate right, Simon says rotate 90 degrees and well you get the picture.  Then we go outside with our sidewalk chalk, boys with boys and girls with girls.  Your partner lays on the sidewalk and you outline them using the sidewalk chalk.  Then, your partner rotates 90 degrees and you chalk their outline again.  It looks like a crime scene when we finish, but they really enjoy this lesson.

Life lesson for 4th graders

Whenever there is a real life teachable moment, take it. So goes our lesson on the current gulf oil spill.  Each student was given a cup of water, couple of pieces of foam (dropped in the water), a pipette, and a few cotton balls. As the students were talking and trying to figure out what they were going to be doing, I walked by and put a couple of tablespoons of cooking oil in their cup of water. "Now your job is to clean it up." After a few moments of shock and horror, the work began. There were several silent minutes of intense cleaning going on.  Then the light bulbs began to shine. "This is killing our fish, we'll never get this all cleaned up, oh no, this will affect the food chain."
They got it. A lesson learned.
http://www.teacherlingo.com

No more critters---and my room still stinks!

Most of our class crabs, frogs and millipedes that we studied during our life science series, have now found new homes. ( I use the word homes loosely.) And, I was just getting used to my room returning to tolerable fragrance.  When ...I noticed that it's that time of year when my 4th graders need that health lesson on using deodorant.
http://www.teacherlingo.com

Customize a free photo collage

New to blogging---and already so many boo-boos

I am a relative newcomer to blogging and after reading so many awesome teachers' blogs, I find I have already made several blunders.
1. I don't have a catchy blog name.
2. I really don't have any profound statements.
3. I still don't know how to use many apps,gadgets,and widgets.
4. I have probably over cluttered my blog with pictures.
5. I don't update my blog daily.
What I do know is ...
1. There are so many incredible sites to enjoy.
2. I can post and add whatever I choose.
3. I can obtain new lessons,solutions,opinions and ideas.
4. I can share my lessons,solutions,opinions and ideas.
5. I can only get better by learning from the best, most creative and talented individuals.
Thank you.

Interactive Math Journal

Another digital slideshow by Smilebox