Tall Tales

Tall tales are stories passed down from one generation to the next.  The stories often involve a character who has a special talent.  The talent is exaggerated to be larger than life.  For example, Paul Bunyan is reported to be as tall as the tallest trees.  John Henry is supposed to be as strong as a steam engine.  These Tall Tales are part of the American tradition and speak to the American spirit. 

Picture Day Tomorrow!!!

Yep, tomorrow is picture day!  Make sure you look your best.  You may be out of dress-code providing that you are purchasing a photo package.  Information on photo packages went home about 2 weeks ago. I can't wait to see all of the bright and shiny faces tomorrow at school!

Playing with Prefixes

This week the students have been continuing their work with prefixes.  Prefixes are important to fourth grade learners for a couple of different reasons.  Prefixes give clues as to the meaning of words.  If mis- is before a word we know the word is somehow bad.  (Think misbehave, mistake, misinform, miscue - these words all have bad or negative connotation.)  We know if a word has pre at the beginning it's going to have something to do with early or before.  (Think preschool, pretest, preview.)  Working with prefixes also helps students break down words and become better spellers.  

Want more practice with prefixes?  

Try this online game and build your own words!

Prefix Game at FunEnglishGames.com

The Power of WOW

This week the students read a play in class.  The play was about a groups of students who were raising money to save a local bookmobile.  The play was so cute as our scholars read with animation and expression.  I think we may have a few future actresses and actors in our class. 

Reading plays and short scripts is a fun way to improve reading skills.  You get to play a role and speak in a natural speaking voice which is great for expression and fluency!

Our essential question this week asks, "Why might people raise money for a cause?"  Discuss as a family worthy cause that could use a hand.

 

Caught You Reading!

Going Techno

Here's one of our scholars busy at work on the computer!

In our classroom, we are lucky enough to have computers for the students to use.  Most of the students love a little technology time, and I love introducing students to fun educational websites.  Here are a few websites that we used this week:

Fun 4 the Brain has fun, easy Math, English, and Science games that are perfect for fourth grade learners.  This week we played Panda Pandemonium which challenged us to use different parts of speech to build sentences.  http://www.fun4thebrain.com  There are other games that practice Math facts and more!

This week the students also visited The Electric Company website.  There, the students built words using some of our focus word sounds from spelling.  This helps students become better readers and spellers!  The entire pbdkids.org site is fun for kids of all ages.  Believe it or not, it's more than just Sesame Street.  There are awesome educational games and stories even for older kids.  Be sure to check it out!  http://pbskids.org

 

Library Lovin'

This week, we are reading a story all about LIBRARIES.  The story focuses on different places around the world and how libraries give children access to books.  We are so lucky that here in the Detroit Shoreway Neighborhood that we have a beautiful, safe, and friendly library.  Do you and your family visit Waltz Library?  Do you know that you can order children's (and adult's) favorite library books and have them waiting for you when you visit the library? We also have wonderful children's librarians at Waltz who are sure to offer up a yummy selection of books for students of all ages.  If you haven't visited the library recently, make sure you stop by and check it out! 
-- Mrs. C

Parent Survey

Thank You parents for all you do to help.  We are a team!  As a teacher, I am always looking for ways that I can help you and your child with school.  Watterson Lake is committed to helping each child become a success story!

So that we may do our best and help your child do their best, I've designed a survey.  This anonymous survey will give me feedback on how YOU think we can help.  Just click the link to travel to Survey Monkey:

Watterson Lake Parent Survey 

Parents, Thanks again for all you do.

More Idioms

We talked about IDIOMS again in class today.  Congratulations to Marlon who had already checked our blog and knew that an idiom is when the meaning of words is different than the actual phrase.  An example we used in class was, "It's raining cats and dogs."  Here is another example:

 

Open House

Thank You to everyone who came to Open House.  It was a big success for Watterson Lake.  Our classroom had 13 students with families come visit us.  I enjoyed meeting each of you and hope that you were able to see some of the amazing things our scholars are learning here at Watterson Lake!  If you were unable to visit us, I will be sending home the information that was provided.  Please make an appointment to talk to me soon about any concerns that you may have.

Flocabulary - Five Things

If your student comes home singing a new song this week ... it might be because we've been listening to a song about parts of a story!  Five Things is a song that teaches us about the five essestial elements present in a story. 

Watch, Listen, and Sing Along!

 

 

         

National Grandparents Day

This Sunday, September 9th, 2014 is National Grandparents Day.  I know that Grandparents are a big part of many student's lives. Students often share stories about their grandparents, including grandparents who help with homework, share stories, and are always there just when you need them.  I love hearing stories about loving grandparents and love sharing stories with the students about my own grandparents, too!  So, this Sunday ... Let's recognize grandparents for all the love and support they give us all throughout the year. 

My Brother Martin

This week we are reading a story about Martin Luther King Jr.  This story is unique because it is told by Martin's sister, Christine.  We get to see Martin as a mischievous little kid.  Students enjoy reading about this different side of Martin.

Because the story is centered around Martin becoming a leader, our essential question asks: What might lead a person to try to change the world?  What lessons and events led Martin to become a civil rights leader?  Let Martin Luther King Jr.'s life become an inspiration to us all.  How can we turn  our challenges into leadership opportunities?   

What is an Idiom?

Today in class we were talking about idioms.  An idiom is a phrase that has a meaning outside of just the actual words.  One example of an idiom is the phrase:  It's raining cats and dogs. This doesn't mean that animals are falling from the sky.  This just means that it is raining very hard.  Can you think of any other idioms?