More pic lits... I love their work... clever poets!

Mary's - I so agree with your poem on reading!

See the full PicLit at PicLits.com

Some students have been continuing to work on poetry at home and have created beautiful and clever work! Mary, especially, has taken time to write a free verse and quite a few others. So please, head to our pic lit page and share your thoughts.

Here are samples of the more recent work by Mary and Kate!

Kate captured the danger & fear in the circle of life!

See the full PicLit at PicLits.com



I found this piclit by another author and thought..."How cleaver and how true!"


See the full PicLit at PicLits.com

The launch was scrubbed!!! Check us out on Fl Today's Flame Trench

We watched the crew drive almost to the VAB live on NASA TV!

All pics by NASA.gov

I wondered what my first launch back would be like in a classroom...surrounded by four walls and not out among the thousands of excited people.  Well...the energy and excitement our 4th graders have for the space program is truly out of this world!  We had soooo much fun in 1st and 2nd session monitoring the launch live through NASA TV.   It was a surprize to see the scrub live.  We were watching as the AstroVan was driving up towards the VAB.

STS-134 will be carrying spiders into space!

We asked questions from Jame Dean of Fl. Today's Flame Trench "LIVE" and found out the shuttle is taking up spiders!!  More from NASA...http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/news/space_spiders.html
and Florida Today's Flame Trench. 
Here is a sample...

10:29

James Dean:  Depending on where you start counting, Caleb. The launch itself only lasts about nine minutes, while landing takes about an hour from the time they start dropping out of orbit. But the countdown to launch lasts three days. And it generally takes at least five months to get a shuttle ready for launch. Friday April 29, 2011 10:29 James Dean

10:28

[Comment From WMSS 4thWMSS 4th: ]  Does it take a different amount of time to land then to take off? Caleb : - ) 10:24

James Dean:  Kaila, as we speak, a team of inspectors is out at the launch pad checking out the entire shuttle from top to bottom. They're officially called the Final Inspection Team, and also known as the "ice team." One of the things they're looking for is ice that could form on the external tank. It or any other loose debris could damage the shuttle heat shields during launch. So we'll want to know if the FIT team is reporting any concerns, but I haven't heard of any yet.

10:22

[Comment From WMSS 4thWMSS 4th: ]  Does anybody inspect the shuttle??? kaila*  9:59 James Dean:  American astronauts living on the station typically stay for about six months. I know some Russian cosmonauts have lived in space longer, but would have to look up the numbers. As for total days, that's an appropriate question for this mission. Endeavour mission specialist Mike Fincke will set the U.S. record for most total days in space during this mission. His total now is just over 365 days -- a full year of his life spent in orbit. Friday April 29, 2011 9:59 James Dean 9:57 [Comment From WMSS 4thWMSS 4th: ]  What is the longest time that the astronauts have been in space? Jaime

The night before...beautiful lightning right off of STS-134's launch pad by NASA.gov

Wow new blog design and no homework!

Countdown...less than 24 hours until Endeavor's launch!

Hi! Well, what do you think? I have a wonderful techy, shabby chic friend who makes blog designs and she came up with this one for our class!!! I was excited and surprised to see the design today because we talked my thoughts on Earth and space science.  Very excited...

OK... No homework.  We worked hard today.  I am truly making their minds think.  Our students know how to calculate numbers, yet have found challenge with choosing the right operation when solving real world problem.   Today we reviewed how to divide the numerator by the 'demonator' (I have no idea why I keep writing that...I'm thinking too much Phineas and Ferb) to get the equivalent decimal.  We tried some harder versions 8/11 and such.  Then we moved on!

Our goals today was to look behind the scenes to see what happens when we double, triple or quadruple fractions.  Some students just knew double 1/2 was a whole...but we took a number line and really worked through what we were adding.  Then, we worked some unusual fractions like 8/11.

Tomorrow we will learn the 'easier' way of multiplying fractions by whole number and try our hand at solving problems where we are increasing the servings for recipes and the ingredients.

Remember...tomorrow is  a BIG day!  We have a Royal wedding and our Endeavor launch!

Homework and a look at our learning about fractions and decimals.

The shuttle Endeavor's crew for STS 134!  Launches Friday at a space center near YOU! Approx 3.47pm! Nasa.gov

Question? E-mail me from our main web page... What are you doing for the Endeavor launch on Friday?

Homework

Convert the following fractions into decimals:

1/5, 1/8, 2/5, ½ , 2/4

--------------What we are learning.------------------------------------------------------------------------

I share with students each day their 'must', 'should', 'could'. These are learning goals (or targets) we are striving for during our lesson or longer unit. For math, today, we were exploring how to change the fractions in our cupcake recipes into decimals.

Must: Know that a fraction is a way of representing division and able to write a fraction as a division problem.

Should: Know the names of fraction parts.

Could: Take the numerator of a fraction and divide it by the denominator to find the equivalent decimal.

Why? As we increase our recipes servings, we will have to increase the ingredients. Some students found that they used decimals to find the number of 'times' they needed to make the recipe in order to serve a larger number of people for a party. By using decimals, the students were able to reduce the amount of 'remaining' cupcakes they found they would have when first using 'multiples' of the original serving size.

For example, Ava needed 54 cupcakes using a recipe that yields 12. She tried 12 X 5 =60 but felt that would be too many extra cupcakes. Since Ava was thinking as a bakery owner, she want to make as close to 56 cupcakes so she wasn't spending any extra money making cupcakes she didn't need.

So...she tried 12 X 4.5 = 54. Ava felt she was a strong enough baker who wouldn't need extra cupcakes and knows she needs to make her recipe 4.5 times.

WHICH LEADS US TO TODAY! :) Here is a good web page on converting fractions to decimals.

http://www.wikihow.com/Change-a-Common-Fraction-Into-a-Decimal

Today we learned the 'what' behind fractions. How fractions are really a way to record a division problem waiting to be solved. Students took n

notes as we even talked a little about algebra.

So... taking ¾. 3 is the numerator represented by 'n'. 4 is the denominator represented by 'd'. If fractions represent the division problem 'n' divided by 'd', we wrote it out as we would normally with 'n' underneath the division symbol and 'd' in the front of the division symbol. (This is hard to write out not having the dividing image).

Then we took ¾ as our example and divided 3 by 4 making sure we put the 3 underneath and 4 in the front.

When we found that we could take no '4's out of a 3, we added a decimal point on the top of the division system right after the 3, then placed a '0' to the right of the 3. This lets us know that any numbers to the right of the decimal are not 'whole'. So we are finding parts! You can follow along belong. Just watch for where you place the decimal point and where you place the zeros you need to solve the problem.

REMEMBER! Decimals have NO remainders. So you need to keep solving until you have nothing left to divide OR the numbers repeat!

Homework

Convert the following fractions into decimals:

1/5, 1/8, 2/5, ½ , 2/4

Tonights math homework...increasing cupcake recipes!

Math Homework

The students know how to 'do' double digit multiplication. Still, I want them to understand 'what' is going on when they are multiplying factors. When we use the standard algorithm to solve a double digit problem, I've noticed students think of the numbers as 'ones' rather than tens and ones. For example, 25 X 13....

25

X 13

75

250

325

Most students would say they solved this problem by multiply 5 X 3, carry the 1, multiply 3 X 2 then add 1...go to the next line. Add a 0 or an X. Multiply 1X5 then 1X2. Then add both.

When we think about the numbers having value, solving the problem changes.

25X3 + 25X10 = 325

So today we took notes on the different strategies we could think of when solving double digit multiplication. This will become important because for our Cupcake Wars we will be asked as bakers to increase recipes so we can serve more people. Having an understanding of what is truly going on when we multiply double digits will help us to ensure an answer is reasonable. We don't want to come up short or try to make too many and find we don't have enough ingredients.

Homework:

Use the number of servings in your own cupcake recipe or use 12 servings.

How many 'times' will you have to increase your recipe to serve:

a party of 54

a school party of 100

a Manatee game of 850.

All people get one cupcake. You can have a little more but not too much more (so the remainder should be less than the original serving size).

The key word is 'times'. What number X (your recipe's serving size) will have a product that is at or slightly over the amount of cupcakes you need?

Have a good night!

Mrs. T

Poetry writing standards and update

Do you think you could write a Cinquain inspired by this picture?

We have not forgotten our poetry...we are walking along a different path for a few days to develop our math procedures and learn more about multiplication iin preparation for our project.

Below are the writing standards we are working towards during our poetry unit.  These are posted in our classroom and link to our 'must', 'should' and 'could' that we think about when we think about our learning.

Writing Standards for poetry

LA.4.2.1.3 Identify and explain how language choice helps to develop mood and meaning in poetry (e.g., sensory and concrete words as well as figurative language).

LA.4.3.3.3 Create precision and interest by expressing ideas vividly by using different language techniques (e.g., imagery, simile, metaphor, sensory language).

LA.4.3.3.4 Apply appropriate tools or strategies to evaluate and refine the draft (e.g., peer review, checklists, rubrics).

LA.4.3.5.2 Use elements of spacing and design to enhance the appearance of the document and add graphics where appropriate.

What is multiplication? A look at our learning....and homework of course!

Homework:  Study your multiplication tables.  Try out different strategies to help you find the products of multiples you find challenging.  Many students find 7 and 8s touch.  So start with the ones you know and try doubling or adding from a multiple you know well!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Today we dived deeper in the math concept of multiplication. I have a lot of fun asking 'what is' and 'why' questions when it comes to math because, typically, students seem to memorize what they have to do without really understanding what they are doing during the calculation process.

So... if you have a chance...ask your child to explain 'multiplication', 'factors' and 'multiples'.  Together as classes, we came up with our own definition to help use understand why we have to learn multiplication.

This week our math learning standards are:
MA.4.A.6.4  I can determine factors and multiples for specified whole numbers.
MA.4.A.6.3  I can create equivalent fractions and simplify fractions.
We will touch on MA.4.A.6.5  I can start to relate halves, fourths, tenths and hundredths to decimals and percents.

We will take a look at our poetry tomorrow and begin to publish them on Open Office!

My Free Verse Poem

Hope you are having a fun spring weekend!  I was at the beach today and the clouds became the inspiration for my free verse poem.  I can't wait to hear what you've come up with.

At the beach....
looking up at the clouds.
Mesmerized by how they mist across the sky.
Different speeds...swirling around.
Oh, here comes the sun!

I had to think for a while about how to describe the way the clouds moved.  I didn't want to say floated or moved.  I wanted another word to really capture what I saw...they reminded me of swirling water!  Like a light mist!

Cheers,
Mrs. T

Hope you have a good weekend!

Today we crafted our Quatrain and Cinquain poems.  We also reviewed the format for a Free Verse so students would be able to write one this weekend.  The inspiration for a free verse poem?  Anything!  A free verse poem is like taking off a jacket...it does not have to rhyme or have a set number of syllables.  It should read like a 'dance' or 'art'...something that almost sounds like a song.  If you used too many complete sentences, it will sound like a paragraph!!!  Oh no!  So take off your writers jackets and let your mind run 'FREE!'

The second assignment is to find and bring in 2 cupcake recipes for math on Monday!

Hope you have a lovely 3 days!

Cheers,
Mrs. t

Fort Christmas - Homework tonight if you read this...so maybe don't read this? :)

First...such lovely manners today!  I really enjoyed watching our students learn about life in early Florida. They seemed to connect with how different life was in the late 1800s when compared to today! I need to review the photo permission guidelines to see if there are any pictures we can publish.  We also got to taste pure cane sugar!!!  I hope students remember the distinct taste because the experience will link to our project that I will introduce on Monday.  

Next...homework!  I did not get a chance to tell session 1 and 3 about their homework.  So we will go over the Quatrain poems tomorrow.  If you review this tonight, I would like for students to try 'crafting' a Quatrain poem 'inspired' by our Fort Christmas adventure.  Session 1 worked together on this in the afternoon and found that trying to rhyme pioneer words is not as easy as we thought!

How did we craft a Quatrain?
First...we brainstormed sentences or phrases of what we liked about our trip.  We did not worry about rhyming; however, we did consider our 'could' (unique and specific words) to help create a clearer picture in the readers mind.  Then, we placed the phrases into an order to see if we could create a 'picture' for the reader.  Once we were happy with the concept, students worked together to reorganize the phrases or looked up words that had similar meanings to achieve the rhyming pattern we wanted to use.

Give it a try!  If you aren't sure about the format of a Quatrain poem, you can find more information under our class website, under current assignments.

ALSO!!!  Students will be using cupcakes as inspiration for our Cinquain poems tomorrow.  To help them prepare, it might be helpful to think about, research some recipes and maybe eat one (I was asked to put this in)....

Enjoy,
Mrs. T

Poetry and homework for Wendesday, April 20th

This author captured the moment...to view click on the PicLit

Today we learned about Laterne Poems and the format for Quatrain poems.
You can see all of our piclits.com by clicking here....you have to click on the pictures so they display large enough to see the Laterne Poems.


For Laterne poems, we headed to the computer lab and used 'www.piclits.com' to look for inspiration.  Once we found the 'right' picture, students created a Laterne Poem around the image, typing their verse in and saving them under our classroom account.


Please note... not all students were able to access www.piclits.com in a timely manner.  The images are beautiful and of high quality which caused the loading times to increase.  Students do not have to complete their piclits at home.  However, they are welcome to explore the site and create some new ones or complete the class assignment if they like.  Some students expressed an interest in using the pictures to publish their Haiku's or Tanka.  As long as you approve at home, they are welcome to sign on and save their work so I can see it.

This one was designed at home! WOW!

Tomorrow, students will have homework!  They should write a Quatrain poem 'inspired' by their field trip to Fort Christmas!  If you have questions about the format of a Quatrain, you can find more information under our classroom webpage: www.earthspaceexplorers.com  - under 'Current Assignments".

Cheers, Mrs. T


I will edit this post tonight and add some piclits that students designed.

First day!!!! It was so nice to meet you and clues to upcoming project

Hello 4th grade,

It was a joy to meet you all today!  We went right to work on our poem project handed over by Mrs. Johnson and added a discussion on 'inspiration.'  To help find inspiration, we spent some time in our school's beautiful garden area looking for ideas for our Tanka poems.  We also looked deeper at the 'rules' for Two Word Poems and Haiku's.  You can find information on the 7 poem formats we will be working with on our class webnpage under assignments.

Tomorrow we will continue on with Lanterne and Quatrain poems using pictures from a website called www.piclits.com for inspiration.   

Wednesday we have a field trip...so if you have not turned in your permission forms, please do tomorrow. We want you to attend!  We shall be heading back to the early pioneer days and experiencing life without all the amazing technology we have now.

I shared our project idea with one session today and if you have time, I hope you will look into the following 'keywords' as clues to what I would like our classes to explore.

Cupcake Wars
juvenile diabetes
gluten-free
vegan

Tomorrow we will try to publish some of our poems on our blog!

Hope you have a good Monday! 

Cheers,
Mrs. T

How to Launch a Camera Into Space

I think this is something I want to try with my pupils!

How to Launch a Camera Into Space

Weekly Family Challenge try finding Saturn

in April 2011 EASY| Astronomy Essentials | EarthSky http://t.co/9KtTttE from @earthskyScience!

Give me five minutes, I'll give you Saturn in April 2011 | Astronomy Essentials | EarthSky

t.co

Earth will pass between the sun and Saturn this weekend. That's why April 2011 is the best month all year to see this glorious planet.