Invention Convention and Family Visits

Yesterday was our district Invention Convention and I didn't get home until around 9:00 so this blog is for yesterday and today. Sorry!

In our morning meeting, we had some fun sharing what we know about each other by guessing what each other did the night before and sharing what we thought. We know each other pretty well! Then, we played an Improv game called, Family Portraits. OMG-so funny! Ask your kiddo about it! :)
This morning in meeting, I discovered that today was "National" No-Brainer day and also National Polar Bear Day... student's shared what holiday they would make and why. Then, we played another Improv game called, Worst Ever. We impersonated occupations as if we were the WORST at that job. Again, so funny!

In 4th grade Science/Social Studies/Literacy, yesterday, we began by reading multiple articles about government on Newsela. Then, we discussed what we know, learned and want to know. Overall, they are very knowledgable about our government and are also very interested in knowing more. It would be great for you to discuss it with them. We also read more from The Ability and then discussed some Greek Mythology. In math-both yesterday and today-we continued working on our Tiny Houses.

Today was our final family visits for potential Arrow kiddos. So, in honor of National No Brainer Day, we took a STEAM break, during Science/Social Studies/Literacy, and built and made art. The potential kiddos participated with us too!

New Special but NOT new schedule...oops!

Well, today was the first day of the third and final trimester so students attended a new special. However, I was incorrect and our new schedule begins next Monday and will continue for the three weeks before spring break and one week after. The only real difference for us is that we get to eat lunch earlier! Sorry, I was confused.
After special, in our morning meeting, we shared about our weekend which again, took the whole time! Then, in our 4th grade content area, we reviewed our lighting investigation and looked at how much money and electricity/energy we save as well as the impact on the environment by switching out incandescent light bulbs with CFL or LED. Did you replace any old bulbs with the new LEDs that came home on Friday?? We began a new read aloud, The Ability, which I shared that I related (albeit kind of loosely) to energy but they haven't figured out how yet... Then, we got all signed up and logged in with Kidblog! We will be using kidblog to write and respond to texts and each other. (kidblog.org/class/lambright-4th-grade-18-19) If you want to see your child's blogs, go to the link and once there, click JOIN. Put in the following code: fak764r and you should be good to go! You probably need to create an account but you'll be able to read and comment. *Please let me know if you have questions! In math, we are busy working on our tiny houses.
It was indoor recess because of the freezing temperature and then we had some quiet time and genius hour/get caught up on our work while those that are moving on to the district Invention Convention skyped with the inventors from Seattle to share their inventions with them!

Family Visits

Today, we welcomed students and families that have been invited to Arrow next year to tour and check things out to see if it is a good fit for them. It was a little strange but the kids did wonderful sharing and welcoming guests into our daily routine. In our morning meeting, we shared what we thought was the appropriate amount of screen time for kids their age. Most of them said 2.5-3.5 hours including the time they spend at school. Also, did you know that with the update, you can set up your child's iPad for screen time allowance?? Then, we played category challenge with fruits--Justin won with 16!

During our content time, we completed a lighting investigation for the Ohio Energy Project and students got to bring home 3 LED light bulbs and an LED nightlight! We'll be filling out a survey at the end so if your kiddo switches out any bulbs, please have them write down the details of the type of bulb they are replacing. (Like CFL or 40 watt...) Then, we had some time to continue with our writing we had begun earlier in the week. Some also visited the library and read. In math, we began by working on our Tiny House projects. We first watched a clip from Property Brothers where one of the brothers shares his "plan" for what the home will look like, with colors and materials. This is what they worked on today. Planning out what they believe they need to include in their character's tiny house. We spent the end of the time working on interpreting remainders.

After lunch and an outdoor recess we had some quiet time, watched Flocabulary's Week in Rap and then read UNgifted.

Wait, what day is it?

All day it felt like Monday since we were off yesterday. I was so confused! I would say, "Last week..." when I meant Tuesday... anyway, we made it work!

After special, in our meeting, we began by discussing what our morning question meant. It was "Thoughtful Thursday" and they had to interpret the quote, "We can all dance if we find the music we love." ~Giles Andraea Then, we shared our biggest dreams: best player in NBA, doctor/personal chef, everyone is an animal lover on our street, create a non-profit for dogs, professional kazoo player, etc. Next, we played a new game, "Caught red-handed." During Science/Social Studies/Literacy time, we began by reading and responding to an article. We also watched a video about lighting and read up on our lighting investigation for the Ohio Energy Project. In Math, we began by brainstorming characters and their characteristics as well as settings and descriptions for their Tiny House books. We spent the rest of the time interpreting remainders.

Unfortunately, I have a sick kiddo at home (temp. 101+) so I left at lunch. Hopefully, everything was fine after I left!

Back to the daily grind...

Our day began with our last week of our current special as the grading period ends on Friday. In morning meeting, we shared about our weekend. Since we had four days off, this took us about 25 minutes! (They love to share!)

In Science/Social Studies/Literacy, we (4th graders) started by reading an article on Newsela. We took a quiz to show our comprehension of the article and the class average was only 60%...we'll be doing many more of these as they should be able to respond to what they read. Then, we discussed and learned about opportunity cost. We also practiced parts of speech with some mad libs and began writing a narrative. In Math, we had a number talk and then worked on division. I think they are all a bit more secure now with understanding multiplication and division.

It was a cold recess and after quiet time, we read UNgifted. Dr. Schultz found out that Donovan was the one the destroyed the gym and has kicked him out of the Academy.

...a little less chaotic...

This morning was a little less chaotic, however, for some reason, when judging, google forms only allowed 99 forms soooooo, we tried to get those that needed a second score judged. We also wanted everyone to see each other's projects so we took some time to visit all the inventions. While we were waiting, we had a little extra time so we played word games--Boggle, Scrabble, Scrabble Jr., etc. They really enjoyed but they made up their own rules allowing names and "video game" words.
Once we got switched and into our content classes, 4th graders got caught up with Toothpaste Millionaire and then practiced parts of speech using economic terms in a mad lib. Ask your 5th grader what they did with Mrs. Tanner. In math, 4th grade students reviewed addition/subtraction of whole numbers and decimals, multi-digit multiplication and long division with remainders. Boy did we need review/practice! We also met with our book groups to determine where to read to by next Tuesday since we have a 4-day week. 5th grade kiddos worked on volume.
We ended our day Skyping with inventors from Curio Interactive in Seattle, Washington. This was very cool!

Invention Convention

Oh my~all of their hard work showed and paid off today! They were so poised and able to explain their inventions and their pride oozed! I was so proud! Our morning consisted of Invention Convention judging...all.morning.long... but we got everyone finished today!
In math, 4th graders worked on scale factor and getting caught up in their books for their Tiny House. 5th grade students worked on iDGi and a mystery city with Mrs. Tanner and Mrs. Kelly's kiddos worked with volume. We went outside for a wet and cold recess and then, after quiet time, we went in shifts down to browse the book fair while the rest of us had some free time. (We needed it after our chaotic and stressful morning.)