Google 4 Doodle

Google 4 Doodlehttp://www.google.com/doodle4google/

  

YesterdayMrs. Donovan and I did a lesson on creative writing using the book Squiggle. To tie in technology I introduced the contest DOODLE 4 GOOGLE. The students are very excited about this. Above is a link to the information. The winners will receieve a $30,000 scholarship to the college of their choice and a trip to NYC. We will be allowing class time for this project during the Daily 5. Good Luck!

FCAT Writes -February 26

      What is an unknown topic centered around facts or stories, peppered with juicy details and spiced with an elaborative description or a personal mini-story?  Call it FCAT Writes. One hour of planning, drafting, and revising that is known as the state writing test.  We have worked hard, done our homework and come up with some really good paragraphs, grabbers, MEAL endings, and now we are ready to celebrate what we know!
                                                                               Tips for success:
   The teaching is complete (as it can ever be!), the skills are in our thoughts, and now we must be relaxed and rested on Tuesday morning.

• Parents can help by making sure that students have a good nights sleep for several nights before the test. May I suggest that the insomniac sleepovers be rescheduled for next weekend?  But, please don't wait until April when the same advice is offered again before the Reading and Math FCAT state assessments!

•    Have a nice light breakfast. We will have bagels, cream cheese, and juice in the classroom as well.

•    Smiles and words of encouragement are a nice touch. These kiddos can write, and you will be sharing their portfolios with them next week. These folders are a record of hard work and inspiration. I love the creativity within and I think you will enjoy it as well.

Thanks for the great support of our homework project... it has made a difference!

Valentine's Day

Today's Flash Mob Stars!

Valentine's Day Exchange

We enjoyed wonderful refreshments: candy, cupcakes, doughnuts!! Cold drinks and funny valentines. Recipe for enjoyment that can't miss...

Mrs. Whitner's 4th Grade Flash Mob

Friendship Week is Coming!

We had fun thinking about friendship today and Jane put our ideas into an iMovie for us!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOoKnrr1tD4

Shark Tracker Project

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4joB3-6R5uY

This week we learned about a new app "The Shark Tracker." Mrs. Robb came in as a guest speaker to introduce the shark tracker app to our students. We even measured how long an actually great white was that was spotted in Jacksonville just last month. Students laid out yard sticks so they could see how big Maryjane really is.


This coming week students will be assigned a shark somewhere on our earth. Students will research their shark and do a report. They will also be required to track their shark each week and plot where they are on a map.

We even decided to take it a step further by contacting the founders of The Shark Tracker Project to find out if they would do a live web quest with us. We have our fingers crossed and students will be writing persuasive essays to send off to follow up my email.

We're also hoping to bring in FIT as guest speakers on sharks. While we wait for our experts to get back to us we will be researching in our Shark Teams.



Above is the link if you would like to check it out.

Enjoy!

Oreo Cookie Phases of the Moon

We learned about the Phases of the Moon this week in SCIENCE. I just LOVE teaching science and especially when we can tie food in. Oreos are my favorite! Please watch the video of our kids enjoying our experience and inquiry in class.





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4bO2r9OH2Q&feature=player_embedded

Ft. Christmas - History Under the Florida Oak Trees

 A few candids from our day at Ft. Christmas State Park in East Orange County. Two days each year Florida history comes alive ... We were there!
 Thanks to all the great parents who were good sports and helped us with everything. I am so proud of our students too and their patience with our slow start and long trip. I'll be sharing more photos at school in a little slide show!