Lots going on in November.  PlayDoh for learning shapes in math.  Great Artist's program using chalk pastels (Messy but fun!).  Learning about forces using Kleenex cars and ping pong balls.

So my plan was to build with salt dough.  My recipe included too much water.  We had fun anyways.

Sometimes the best part of writing is writing about something unique and different.  I handed my students some old photographs and they wrote some stories. They are so creative!

Our scholars learned how to balance forces using string, cups and rubber bands.  They worked together and had a blast.

Our new science program encourages discussion and teamwork.  The first lesson was moving cups using string and one rubber band.  Groups worked well together.

Time to build the highest structure you can with marshmallows and toothpicks. We learned valuable lessons - fresh mallows aren't as good and old/dry ones.  We also had to sample several marshmallows. Yum!

Every so often I'll bring in giant containers of Legos and let my students build. It's loud, messy but fun.

I keep my students updated on various improvements in spaceflight including Starship and Falcon 9 launches from SpaceX.  I show them the joyful expressions on the SpaceX workers' faces when a launch happens.  It's applied math, it's hard but so amazing.

History can be dry and somewhat dull but it holds valuable wisdom that we can use to appreciate where we are as well as help us avoid mistakes of the past.  So, as we learn the history of California, students will work in small groups to discuss and share what they have learned.  Socializing and learning do go hand in hand.

The first lesson on bones and ligaments involved building one finger.  The challenge level was building a whole hand which we finally did.  It was great!

I believe that each student was created to build and problem solve.  Everyone receives a container of PlayDoh at the beginning of the year and they love working with it.  They get a break from reading, writing and math plus they can use their hands and play.  Every classroom should have PlayDoh!

Writing is challenging for most students but getting thoughts down on paper and making a plan really help reluctant writers.  The focus in fourth grade is five or more paragraphs with complete sentences and lots of details.  The first essay is called All About Me.  It gives students a chance to tell me and the class who they are and what they are interested in. 

It's messy but art is a wonderful break from traditional subjects.  The Great Artist program walks us through all the steps and students are able to explore a different side of education - creative expression.

It's common to have distracted students and some days it seems like engaging them is getting harder.  In my experience, fun needs to be a part of learning or kids will tune out.  So, on the first day of school, we did a hands-on science activity using Mystery Science.  We built a finger. I think it was a hit. 

The desks are clean and organized.  The binders are ready.  The first book I read is waiting.  It's time to welcome the 2024-25 class of fourth graders to upper grade.  I will meet them on the playground, give them a high five and do my best to show them that they were created with unique talents and gifts.  My job is to make learning fun.  Let's do this!