Morning Message 4/30/10

Good morning! Today is Friday, April 30, 2010.
Tiger Day: G
Day 148 of School, 32 days left

REMINDERS!/Announcements:

• You get a 3 day weekend-- lucky you! Monday the 3rd is a teacher work day (“professional day”), so kids don’t have school.
• Tuesday the 4th, there will be a substitute. Excellent behavior and extraordinary helpfulness is expected and required!

THIS MORNING:

• We’ll be doing not one, but TWO, Virginia Studies Weekly quizzes! You all are so advanced, you can handle it.
• Then we’ll do a little bit more probability!

To-Do List:

1. Complete your morning routine! Don’t forget about snack.
2. Take out issues 25 and 27 to help you with your quizzes. Then get to work!

Morning Message 4/29/10

Good morning! Today is Kirsten’s Birthday!
It is Thursday, April 29, 2010
Tiger Day: I
Day 147 of School, 33 days left

REMINDERS!/Announcements:

• We will welcome a visitor from Jamestown today! We look forward to meeting her at 9:50am.
• Ms. Bragg will have to be away from the classroom starting at 9am for a special meeting. I hope to be back in time to enjoy most of the Jamestown presentation.
• There will be a special math lesson in homeroom this afternoon.
• Two more dates to add to your agendas-- Next Monday (the 3rd) is a Professional Day... So kids don’t need to come to school that day. Tuesday, the 4th Ms. Bragg will be away at another special meeting, so there will be a substitute. Excellent behavior and extraordinary helpfulness is expected and required!

THIS MORNING:

• We’ll be learning more about important Virginians in Virginia’s recent history. Why do you think the title of the Chester comic is “Vital Virginians”? What does “vital” mean?

To-Do List:

1. Complete your morning routine! Don’t forget about snack.
2. Wish Kirsten a “Happy Birthday!”
3. There’s a new Chester the Crab on your desk. Enjoy reading it quietly until after announcements.

Morning Message 4/28/10

Good morning! Today is Wednesday, April 28, 2010.
Tiger Day: T
Day 146 of School, 34 days left

REMINDERS!/Announcements:

• Assembly today!
• NO math today. Tomorrow we’ll have a special math lesson in homeroom.
• Tomorrow there will be a substitute for part of the morning because Ms. Bragg has to go to an important meeting.

THIS MORNING:

• We’ll be doing some Language Arts this morning as well as Virginia Studies.

To-Do List:

1. Complete your morning routine! Don’t forget about snack.
2. There’s a new issue of Scholastic News on your desk. Begin reading.

Flocabulary- MLK Rap ("Let Freedom Ring")

LYRICS

So even though we face the difficulties
of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream.
It is a dream deeply rooted
in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation
will rise up and live out
the true meaning of its creed:
We hold these truths to be self-evident
that all men are created equal.
I have a dream…

It would take a nation of millions to hold us back.
Brown v. Board opened some doors.
Back then they called all blacks Negroes.
We kick it off of the top sort of like cerebrals.
Separate isn’t equal, when in practice.
My school is a shack. Mine is a palace!
Do I have to sit in the back of the bus? That’s wackness.
Second class citizen on account of my blackness.
They say to change the world, you’ve got to take a stand.
Rosa Parks took a seat, changed the face of the land.
Martin had a plan that even if you want to change the world
that don’t mean you’ve got to kill another man.
Inspired by the people like Thoreau and Gandhi,
a pacifist in the war without an army.
‘Cause they can’t harm me, no matter how the end seems.
I wonder if Mr. King is still having dreams…

Let freedom ring…
I have a dream…
Let freedom ring…
This must become true...
So let freedom ring…

MLK had a dream, took it mainstream.
Civil Rights Bill, Voting Rights Acts, they passed.
Modern day Jesus, turning the other cheek,
some blacks like “dog, that’s weak.
I’m not looking to get beat deep into next week,
my everyday life is police brutality.”
Malcolm picked up X and dropped his slave name,
radical change, “defense by any means.”
Went on hajj to Mecca, said ‘let God protect ya,
Whites and Blacks, yeah, we’re in this together.’
But there are race riots, people are dying,
Warfare in Watts, tear gas, bullets are flying.
So JFK?
He got assassinated.
MLK?
He got assassinated.
Malcolm X?
He got assassinated.
So it’s up to us to keep that dream alive…

Let freedom ring…
I have a dream…
Let freedom ring…
This must become true...
So let freedom ring...

Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom
by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.

Morning Message 4/27/10

Good morning! Today is Tuesday, April 27, 2010.
Tiger Day: S
Day 145 of School, 35 days left

REMINDERS!:

• Report cards!-- still need a couple returned.
• Tomorrow we have an assembly and early release! Thursday we have Jamestown outreach, which will start our review of all 400 years of Virginia history-- and let’s not forget about geography! We’ll review it all before the SOLs... When are those? Let’s take out our calendars today after announcements.

THIS MORNING:

• It’s the last 50 years on our timelines! And maybe a little more?-- Can you fit your B-day on there? REMEMBER: You need to explain the dates that you include so that someone who hasn’t studies Virginia history will be able to learn from your timeline.

To-Do List:

1. Turn in any important papers to the “Notes for Ms. Bragg” box (like report cards and signed tests).
2. Complete your morning routine! Don’t forget about snack.
3. Find your timeline partner(s) and get to work! Remember where your spot to work in the classroom is? You’ll need to add 2 more pieces of paper and find important dates from 1950-2000 (and a little beyond?-- maybe a partial piece of paper?).

What is "technology"?

Is "technology" just computers and electronics? Is technology only new stuff?

Our issue of VA Studies Weekly says this: "Industrial economies are made possible by technology. Cities had new technology like paved roads and streetcars."

So "paved roads" is an example of technology? What else can be considered technology?

Check out this funny video... It may surprise you!

Morning Message 4/16/10

Good morning! Today is Monday, April 26, 2010
Tiger Day: R
Day 144 of School, 36 days left

REMINDERS!:

• You made it through Turn Off the TV Week! So your creative muscles should feel supple and strong! This is good news for our poetry recitations... I can’t wait to see what you come up with!
• We have a short Wedensday this week-- with an assembly! There will be no math that day.
• Report cards!-- still need a few returned.

THIS MORNING:

• We’re going to add another 50 years to our timelines! How many sheets of paper is that? We’re only 50 away from 400 total!

To-Do List:

1. Turn in any important papers to the “Notes for Ms. Bragg” box (like report cards and signed tests). Return your empty Friday Folder to its mailbox.
2. Complete your morning routine! Don’t forget about snack.
3. Find your timeline partner and get to work! Remember where your spot to work in the classroom is? You’ll need to add 2 more pieces of paper and find important dates from 1900-1950.

Tornadoes in the News!

The things that we learn in school apply to the outside world!

Has anyone heard about tornadoes recently? We were just looking a graph the other day that showed us that the incidences of tornadoes had decreased over the past few years... In other words, there were fewer tornadoes in 2009, than there were in 2008... But, I wonder, is that still the case?

Let's check out these news reports...

Morning Message 4/23/10

Good morning! Today is Friday, April 23, 2010.
Tiger Day: E
Day 143 of School, 37 days left

REMINDERS!:

• Today is Day 5 of Turn off the TV Week! Last night was the 4th night without screens... Has anyone used all this time to work on an interesting project?
• We ran out of time yesterday... Let’s be sure to organize our Secretary Appreciation Week this afternoon.
• You need to return 3 pieces from your report card packet (the yellow envelope, the blue cover, and the parent comments/signature). The rest is for you to keep!

THIS MORNING:

• Let’s hear from our friends who went to work with their parents yesterday. Was it interesting?
• Similar to yesterday! We’ll practice our poetry... Then....
• We’ll continue with our Virginia textbook. Let’s see if we can make it to the 20th century today! I have some more interesting videos to share with you.

To-Do List:

1. Turn in any important papers to the “Notes for Ms. Bragg” box (like report cards and signed tests).
2. Complete your morning routine! Don’t forget about snack.
3. Take out the poem that you have chosen to recite in front of the class. Find a partner and take turns reading it with expression. Discuss how you will make your poem recitation theatrical. REMEMBER: The copy of your poem must live in your homework folder. We’ll start “dress rehearsal” practice next week... You’ll want to be taking it to and from school so that you can practice in both places.

Box Method Tutorial

I like the way she sets up the boxes to show the numbers in expanded form. But I'm not crazy about the way that she adds up the products at the end. In my opinion, it's better to stack the numbers, putting the largest on the top, so that carrying is easier... Like this (look all the way right!)...

12000

1800
800

150

120

+ 10

But both ways work! There's more than one way to solve a problem!

Lattice Multiplication Tutorials

Schoolhouse Rock!: "Fireworks"

Music & Lyrics: Lynn Ahrens
Performance: Grady Tate
Animation: Phil Kimmelman and Associates

Ooh, there's gonna be fireworks (Fireworks!)
On the Fourth of July (red, white, and blue!)
Red, white, and blue fireworks
Like diamonds in the sky. (diamonds in the sky!)
We're gonna shoot the entire works on fireworks
That really show, oh yeah,
We declared our liberty 200 years ago.

Yeah!

In 1776 (fireworks!)
There were fireworks too (red, white, and blue!)
The original colonists,
You know their tempers blew (They really blew!)
Like Thomas Paine once wrote:
It's only common sense (only common sense)
That if a government won't give you your basic rights
You'd better get another government.

And though some people tried to fight it,
Well, a committee was formed to write it:
Benjamin Franklin, Philip Livingston,
John Adams, Roger Sherman, Thomas Jefferson,
They got it done (Oh yes they did!)
The Declaration, uh-huh-huh,
The Declaration of Independence (Oh yeah!)
In seventeen hundred seventy six (Right on!)
The Continental Congress said that we were free (We're free!)
Said we had the right of life and liberty,
...And the pursuit of happiness!

Ooh, when England heard the news, (Kerpow!)
They blew their stack (They really blew their cool!)
But the colonists lit the fuse,
There'd be no turning back (no turnin' back!)
They'd had enough of injustice now
But even if it really hurts, oh yeah,
If you don't give us our freedom now
You're gonna see some fireworks!

And on the Fourth of July they signed it
And 56 names underlined it,
And now to honor those first 13 states,
We turn the sky into a birthday cake.
They got it done (Oh yes they did!)
The Declaration, uh-huh-huh,
The Declaration of Independence (Oh yeah!)
In seventeen hundred seventy six (Right on!)
The Continental Congress said that we were free (We're free!)
Said we had the right of life and liberty,
...And the pursuit of happiness!

We hold these truths to be self-evident,
That all men are created equal
And that they are endowed by their creator
With certain inalienable rights.
That among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

And if there's one thing that makes me happy,
Then you know that it's (ooh)
There's gonna be fireworks!

Schoolhouse Rock!: "Elbow Room"

Music & Lyrics: Lynn Ahrens
Performance: Sue Manchester
Animation: Kim and Gifford Productions

LYRICS:

One thing you will discover
When you get next to one another
Is everybody needs some elbow room, elbow room.

It's nice when you're kinda cozy, but
Not when you're tangled nose to nosey, oh,
Everybody needs some elbow, needs a little elbow room.

That's how it was in the early days of the U.S.A.,
The people kept coming to settle though
The east was the only place there was to go.

The president was Thomas Jefferson
He made a deal with Napoleon.
How'd you like to sell a mile or two, (Or three, or a hundred, or a thousand?)

And so, in 1803 the Louisiana Territory was sold to us
Without a fuss
And gave us lots of elbow room.

Oh, elbow room, elbow room,
Got to, got to get us some elbow room.
It's the west or bust,
In God we trust.
There's a new land out there...
Lewis and Clark volunteered to go,
Goodbye, good luck, wear your overcoat!
They prepared for good times and for bad (and for bad),
They hired Sacagawea to be their guide.
She led them all across the countryside.
Reached the coast
And found the most
Elbow room we've ever had.

The way was opened up for folks with bravery.
There were plenty of fights
To win land rights,
But the West was meant to be;
It was our Manifest Destiny!

The trappers, traders, and the peddlers,
The politicians, and the settlers,
They got there by any way they could. (Any way they could).
The Gold Rush trampled down the wilderness,
The railroads spread across from east to west,
And soon the West was opened up for - opened up for good.

And now we jet from east to west.
Goodbye New York, hello L.A.,
But it took those early folks to open up the way.

Now we've got a lot of room to be
Growing from sea to shining sea.
Guess that we have got our elbow room (elbow room)
But if there should ever come a time
When we're crowded up together, I'm
Sure we'll find some elbow room...up on the moon!

Oh, elbow room, elbow room.
Got to, got to get us some elbow room.
It's the moon or bust,
In God we trust.
There's a new land up there!

Schoolhouse Rock!: "No More Kings!"

Music, lyrics, and performance: Lynn Ahrens
Animation: Kim & Gifford Productions

LYRICS:

Rockin' and a-rollin', splishin' and a-splashin',
Over the horizon, what can it be?

The pilgrims sailed the sea
To find a place to call their own.
In their ship Mayflower,
They hoped to find a better home.
They finally knocked
On Plymouth Rock
And someone said, "We're there."
It may not look like home
But at this point I don't care.

Oh, they were missing Mother England,
They swore their loyalty until the very end.
Anything you say, King,
It's OK, King,
You know it's kinda scary on your own.
Gonna build a new land
The way we planned.
Could you help us run it till it's grown?

They planted corn, you know
They built their houses one by one,
And bit by bit they worked
Until the colonies were done.
They looked around,
Yeah, up and down,
And someone said, "Hurray!"
If the king could only see us now
He would be proud of us today.

They knew that now they'd run their own land,
But George the Third still vowed
He'd rule them till the end.
Anything I say, do it my way now.
Anything I say, do it my way.
Don't you get to feeling independent
'Cause I'm gonna force you to obey.

He taxed their property,
He didn't give them any choice,
And back in England,
He didn't give them any voice.
(That's called taxation without representation,
and it's not fair!)
But when the Colonies complained
The king said: "I don't care!"

He even has the nerve
To tax our cup of tea.
To put it kindly, King,
We really don't agree.

Gonna show you how we feel.
We're gonna dump this tea
And turn this harbor into
The biggest cup of tea in history!

They wanted no more Mother England.
They knew the time had come
For them to take command.
It's very clear you're being unfair, King,
No matter what you say, we won't obey.
Gonna hold a revolution now, King,
And we're gonna run it all our way
With no more kings...

We're gonna elect a president! (No more kings)
He's gonna do what the people want! (No more kings)
We're gonna run things our way! (No more kings)
Nobody's gonna tell us what to do!

Rockin' and a-rollin', splishin' and a-splashin',
Over the horizon, what can it be?
Looks like it's going to be a free country.

Morning Message 4/22/10

Good morning and Happy Earth Day!
It is Thursday, April 22, 2010
Tiger Day: G
Day 142 of School, 38 days left

REMINDERS!:

• Day 4 of Turn off the TV Week! Last night was the 3rd night without screens... Who did something interesting? If we do this right, our creativity muscles will be strong and supple by the end of the week.
• Let’s organize our Secretary Appreciation Week cards this afternoon.
• You need to return 3 pieces from your report card packet (the yellow envelope, the blue cover, and the parent comments/signature). The rest is for you to keep!

THIS MORNING:

• We’ll practice our poetry... Then....
• We’ll catch up with our Virginia textbook.

To-Do List:

1. Turn in any important papers to the “Notes for Ms. Bragg” box (like report cards and signed tests).
2. Complete your morning routine! Don’t forget about snack.
3. Take out the poem that you have chosen to recite in front of the class. Find a partner and take turns reading it with expression. Discuss how you will make your poem recitation theatrical. REMEMBER: The copy of your poem must live in your homework folder. We’ll start “dress rehearsal” practice next week.

Morning Message 4/21/10

Good morning! It is Wednesday, April 21, 2010.
Tiger Day: I
Day 141 of School, 39 days left

REMINDERS!:

• Day 3 of Turn off the TV Week! Last night was the 2nd night without screens... What did you do to exercise your creative muscles?
• This is Secretary Appreciation Week. How can we best show our appreciation of the secretaries and administrative staff that do so much to make TJ great?
• You need to return 3 pieces from your report card packet (the yellow envelope, the blue cover, and the parent comments/signature). The rest is for you to keep!

THIS MORNING:

• We’ll continue to explore the long-term effects of the Civil War and slavery.
• Let’s do a vocab sort race after announcements.

MATH NOTES: Hocutt, Szachowicz, and Evans need to bring a book!
To-Do List:

1. Turn in any important papers to the “Notes for Ms. Bragg” box (like report cards and signed tests).
2. Complete your morning routine! Don’t forget about snack.
3. Grab your team’s baggie of vocab and definition cards from the front of the room. Match them... Then be sure to check your sentences for correct writing conventions (capitalization, spelling, punctuation, etc.)... We’re going to really work on developing good writing habits this quarter!

Morning Message 4/20/10

Good morning! It is Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Tiger Day: T
Day 140 of School, 40 days left

REMINDERS!:
It’s day 2 of Turn off the TV Week! What creative pastimes did you come up with last night?
Does anyone have a signed report card yet? REMEMBER: You need to return 3 pieces (the yellow envelope, the blue cover, and the parent comments/signature). The rest is for you to keep.

THIS MORNING:
We’re switching our normal schedule. This morning we will be doing Language Arts, catching up on some issues of Scholastic News. We’ll also take a look at past SN quizzes and make corrections. It’s so important to learn from our mistakes!

THIS AFTERNOON:
You guessed it! We’ll be doing some Virginia Studies this afternoon, along with some Language Arts. We’ll think about how the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Civil Rights movement are connected.

To-Do List:

1. Turn in any important papers to the “Notes for Ms. Bragg” box (like report cards and signed tests).
2. Complete your morning routine! Don’t forget about snack.
3. There’s an issue of SN from 4/5 on your desk. Enjoy reading and working on the quizzes and puzzles! How does this issue connect to our curriculum?

Morning Message 4/9/10

Good morning and HAPPY REPORT CARD DAY!
It is Monday, April 19, 2010.
Tiger Day: S
Day 139 of School, 41 days left

REMINDERS!:

• It’s Turn off the TV Week! How are you going to use this week to entertain yourself in creative ways? Will you put on a play? Have a talent show? Play a board game? Create a board game? Build a fort? Put on a fashion show? Let’s wake that creative side of ourselves up! We’ll share some ideas this morning.
• Report cards will be sent home today! Everyone in this fantastic class has something that they can be proud of and something that they can work to improve for the next grading period.

THIS MORNING:

• We’ll continue working with our tornado/hurricane research partners. Final drafts of posters are due at the end of today.

To-Do List:

1. Turn in any important papers to the “Notes for Ms. Bragg” box. Return your empty Friday Folder to its mailbox slot. Complete your morning routine! Don’t forget about snack.
2. Work with your partner to find a good spot to work. One of you should log on to Angel... Then you can read the blog assignment together.

Laptop Assignment 4/19/10

Hey 4th Graders!

In addition to the book resources that you've been using, you can also share ONE computer with your partner to do research.

For the hurricane/tornado research project, use the links under the following folders on portaportal:
Science > Weather > Hurricanes
Science > Weather > Tornadoes

REMEMBER: You poster needs to include (1) how hurricanes and tornadoes form, and (2) where they usually occur. Add as many other fun facts as you would like. Illustrations are a must!

When you are done with the final draft of your hurricane/tornado poster, you can begin work on your Civil Rights 3-2-1 exploratory graphic organizer (3 facts, 2 questions, 1 quote). There are books for your to explore on top of the laptop cart. You may also use the links in the following folders on portaportal:
Virginia Studies > VA: Civil Rights

Have fun, satisfy your curiosity, and expand your minds!

Morning Message 4/26/10

Good morning and happy Friday! Today is Christian’s Birthday! And tomorrow is Ethan’s!
It is April 16, 2010.
Tiger Day: R
Day 138 of School, 42 days left

CONNECTING OUR LEARNING!:

• There were some clouds in the sky this morning? Did you see them?

REMINDERS!:

• Civil War test this morning!
• Report cards will be sent home Monday!

THIS MORNING:

• After announcements, we’ll check in with NBC weather and then we’ll take our test.

To-Do List:

1. Complete your morning routine! Be sure to turn in any important papers to the “Notes for Ms. Bragg” box (like your signed test!). Don’t forget about snack.
2. Wish Christian a “Happy Birthday!” and Ethan a “Happy Early Birthday!”
3. Take out your flashcards and find a partner. This is your last chance to study before we take the test!

Morning Message 4/15/10

Good morning! Today is Thursday, April 15, 2010.
Tiger Day: E
Day 137 of School, 43 days left

CONNECTING OUR LEARNING!:

• Can you predict the weather today by looking at the sky? Is that enough information? Let’s check-in with the NBC forecast.
• What does the federal government collect from people today? And why do they do it?

REMINDERS!:

• Writing conferences this afternoon and tomorrow!
• Report cards will be sent home Monday!
• Civil War test tomorrow! Have you been studying?

To-Do List:

1. Complete your morning routine! Be sure to turn in any important papers to the “Notes for Ms. Bragg” box (like your signed test!). Don’t forget about snack.
2. Take out your green writing journal. Use the sticky notes on your desk to mark the BEST parts of your writing journal. Think: What do you want to make sure that the teacher notices?
3. When you are done marking the best parts, turn in your green writing notebook... We’ll make a stack on Ms. B’s desk.
4. Then take out your Virginia Studies 300-year timeline and continue working! REMEMBER: every paper is 25 years.

Morning Message 4/14/10

Good morning and Happy Wacky Everything Day!
Today is Wednesday, April 14, 2010.
Tiger Day: G
Day 136 of School, 44 days left

CONNECTING OUR LEARNING!:

• What do the clouds look like today? What do you think the barometer is reading today? We’ll watch the weather report and check in with Weather Bug to find out.
• Did anyone hear that President Obama is going to be making a speech about U.S. priorities for exploration in space?

REMINDERS!:

• Today is a short Wednesday! Since it’s an early release day, we will be switching for Math at 9:45am.
• 3rd Quarter Report Cards are coming next week!

To-Do List:

1. Complete your morning routine! Be sure to turn in any important papers to the “Notes for Ms. Bragg” box (like your signed test!). Don’t forget about snack.
2. A new Chester the Crab is out on your desk. Read through it quietly until after announcements.

Adaptation Song

Chorus (X2):
Adapt
Adap-ta-tion
Changes in the body to fit a location

Big pads on my feet
Better traction than a jeep
And another on my chest
So I can rest
On the sizzle and sands that fry like pan
I’m crossing the Sahara in my caravan

I’m the legendary dromedary
Four hundred pounds on my back in the desert I carry
Nothing to drink until the next oasis
Water is fresh so we never waste it

Chorus (X2):
Adapt
Adap-ta-tion
Changes in the body to fit a location

Not a drop of rain it’s arid extra dry
But I never get a grain of sand in my eye
If the wind blows gyro sand tornadoes
I’ve got better lids kids than J. Lo
Long and thick with a double lash
Close ‘em fast built to last

And the hump on my back
Got an extra tank
Like a savings bank packed with fat
The hump on my back is packed with fat X3
I won’t say it again cause you know all that

Thick lips eat sticks and bones
Thorns and shrubs that others leave alone
Sometimes sip for the salty rind because the H2O
Is hard to find

My shaggy fur insulates
My body temps regulate
So I don’t sweat and dehydrate
Live another day to procreate

Chorus (X4):
Adapt
Adap-ta-tion
Changes in the body to fit a location

Morning Message 4/13/10

Good morning! Today is Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Tiger Day: I (Yesterday was actually R!)
Day 135 of School, 45 days left

CONNECTING OUR LEARNING!:
What do the clouds look like today? What do you think the barometer is reading today?

REMINDERS!:

• Be VERY gentle with the Earth-Sun-Moon models!
• Remember the new responsibilities that go along with having the “Announcement!” magnet.
• Read-In this afternoon starting at 2pm. If you brought pillows, put them in the Book Nook.

THIS MORNING:
You’re an assistant teacher! Be sure to act accordingly! We’ll head down to Mrs. Harbison’s room promptly after announcements.

MATH NOTES: Mr. Evans’ and Mrs. Lewis’ classes need a book today.

To-Do List:

1. Complete your morning routine! Be sure to turn in any important papers to the “Notes for Ms. Bragg” box (like your signed test!). Don’t forget about snack.
2. Locate your Phases of the Moon poster. They’re in the Book Nook.
3. Meet with your teaching partner(s) (remember the groups that we made yesterday). Your group will need one Styrofoam ball-- they’re underneath the stool at the front of the classroom. Practice with your group until after announcements. One of you can pretend to be a 3rd grader.

Customary Capacity: Another Gallon Man

Mr. Gallon Man Song

LYRICS:

Four quarts equal a gallon,
Four quarts equal a gallon,
Four quarts equal a gallon,
So roll, baby, roll (roll hands)!
Boom, boom, boom (hips go side to side) . . .

Eight pints equal a gallon,
Eight pints equal a gallon,
Eight pints equal a gallon,
So roll, baby, roll!
Boom, boom, boom . . .

Sixteen cups equal a gallon,
Sixteen cups equal a gallon,
Sixteen cups equal a gallon,
So roll, baby, roll!
Boom, boom, boom!

Created by Susan Simon, 3rd Grade Teacher, Fayetteville, NC

Morning Message 4/12/10

Good morning! Today is Monday, April 12, 2010.
Tiger Day: I
Day 134 of School, 46 days left

REMINDERS!:

• Don’t forget about the new responsibilities that go along with having the “Announcement magnet on your desk. You won’t go down to Ms. LeBaron’s room until after Math class.
• Tomorrow we’ll be assistant-teaching the in 3rd grade. This afternoon we’ll come up with a plan for explaining moon phases to the 3rd graders.

CONNECTING OUR LEARNING TO THE WORLD!:

• Did anyone notice the clouds this weekend?
• Has anyone heard any updates about the coal mine disaster in West Virginia?
• CHALLENGE: Why are people predicting traffic troubles in D.C. this morning? How does this connect to what we learned about the Apollo missions?

This Morning:

• We’ll be working on our timelines. We’ll also see how Dolly Madison’s life comes close to connecting the Revolutionary War era with the Civil War era. About how far apart were those two wars?

To-Do List:

1. Complete your morning routine! Be sure to turn in any important papers to the “Notes for Ms. Bragg” box (like your signed test!). Return your empty Friday Folder to its mailbox! Don’t forget about snack.
2. Take out your Civil War flashcards and find a partner. Study until after announcements.

Five Things The Elements of a Short Story (by Flocabulary)

LYRICS

Check it out yo...

Setting, that's like where it's going down,
Could be the train compartment, a castle or a town,
Could be the Arctic winter - like To Build a Fire
The temperature's dropping, excitement is getting higher,
Setting sets the scene so the scene seems set,
Could be the Italian restaurant where we met,
Setting gives us the where and the when,
Could be modern day, the future, or way back when.

Plot, Character, Conflict, Theme,
Setting, yes these are the 5 things
That you're going to be needing
When you're reading or writing
A short story that's mad exciting x2

Plot is the action, the quest for satisfaction,
What's going down, what's going to happen.
Four men at sea in an open boat,
Rowing and hoping that they can stay afloat. The plot:
They have to make it to the beach,
But the waves are big, and the shore seems out of reach,
Plot is a series of events... like Lemoney Snicket,
It could be crazy, wild or straight wicked.

Plot, Character, Conflict, Theme,
Setting, yes these are the 5 things
That you're going to be needing
When you're reading or writing
A short story that's mad exciting x2

Knock knock, who's there? Oh, it's the characters,
The people in the story who carry out the action.
Characters can be pretty, tiny or clean,
Characters can be silly, whiney or mean,
Juliet is a character, and so is Romeo,
Pokemon has characters and so does Yu-gi-oh,
Characters could be dogs, lions, or hippos,
JK Rowling chose Harry Potter. "Why?" Who knows!

Plot, Character, Conflict, Theme,
Setting, yes these are the 5 things
That you're going to be needing
When you're reading or writing
A short story that's mad exciting x2

Uh-uh! Put your snack back in your backpack we're not finished!
Something gone wrong! That's the conflict kids
A struggle in the plot, now who's on top,
Could be a fight for money, like some robbers and cops,
Could be an internal conflict - a struggle inside,
Like I don't want to tell the truth but I don't ever want to lie,
Flick something in your eye, now you're conflicted,
What created drama? The conflict did.

Plot, Character, Conflict, Theme,
Setting, yes these are the 5 things
That you're going to be needing
When you're reading or writing
A short story that's mad exciting x2

The theme of the story is the main idea,
The central belief or the topic that's in there,
It's usually something abstract like sacrifice,
Isolation or resurrection: we're back to life,
Like don't lie, don't practice libel,
The theme of To Build a Fire is survival,
Survival on your own like Fievel Moskowitz
Flocabulary's something that you HAVE TO GET...

Plot, Character, Conflict, Theme,
Setting, yes these are the 5 things
That you're going to be needing
When you're reading or writing
A short story that's mad exciting x2

Teacher and the Rockbots Civil War Song

Morning Message 4/9/10

Good morning and Happy Friday! Today is April 9, 2010.
Tiger Day: T
Day 133 of School, 47 days left

ANNOUNCEMENTS!:

• Turn Off the TV Week — April 19–23
• One-Month Trial of Recycled, Compostable Lunch Trays. The new trays are made of 100% recycled materi­als that is also compostable (meaning it will completely break down in the landfill). The pilot began April 5th and will end May 5th. Be sure to let your parents know what you think of the new trays.
• New responsibilities for the person with the “Announcement!” magnet-- Ms. B will explain.

CONNECTING OUR LEARNING TO THE WORLD!:

• Who saw the clouds on their way to school this morning? What kind of clouds were they? Was the meteorologist correct with his forecast? Did anyone check the rain gauge?
• Has anyone heard about the coal mine disaster in West Virginia? How does this connect to what we learned at the beginning of the year?

This Morning:
We’ll study Civil War facts... Then we’ll talk some more about what happened after the war ended.

Math Notes: Ms. Allan’s class needs a book today.

To-Do List:

1. Complete your morning routine! Be sure to turn in any important papers to the “Notes for Ms. Bragg” box (like your signed test!). Don’t forget about snack.
2. Take out your flashcards and find a partner. Study until after announcements.

Blog Assignment 4/8/10-- When you are done with your Cloud Diagram

Hey 4th Graders!

Once you have finished your cloud diagrams, you may get your own laptop and some earphones. Then you can explore the following areas of portaportal.

Virginia Studies > VA: Civil War
Virginia Studies > VA: Reconstruction (Post-Civil War)

Science > Weather: Clouds
Science > Weather: Precipitation
Science > Weather- General

Enjoy and EXPAND your mind!

Cloud Videos and Photos for your Research

This video clip includes even more types of clouds. We don't need to go into this detail... But it is interesting!

Here is a link to some helpful pictures. REMEMBER: You're only responsible for 4 cloud types.

Teacher's Domain: Cloud Types

Morning Message 4/7/10

Good morning! Today is Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Tiger Day: R

Did you bring your most mature selves to school today? It’s totally natural to get giggly about uncomfortable subjects... But we also want to learn! So let’s try to show as much maturity as we possibly can.

REMINDERS:

• FLE (Family Life Education) class this morning with Mr. Greiner and Ms. Huber at 9:45am. Because of this special class, we’ll be having math first today. We’ll switch right after morning announcements.
• Outdoor Classroom planting this afternoon at 2pm.

To-Do List:

1. Complete your morning routine! Be sure to turn in any important papers to the “Notes for Ms. Bragg” box (like your signed test!). Don’t forget about snack.
2. Find a partner and take out your Virginia Studies flashcards and your writing notebook. First, share your writing with your partner... Then study your flashcards together. You’ll need to be efficient with your time!

Morning Message 4/6/10

Good morning! Today is Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Tiger Day: E
Day 130 of School, 50 days left

Announcement: We will be welcoming a new student soon! His name is Simon.

Dates to Add to Our Agendas: There’s a lot to look forward to!

• Wednesday, April 7th, 9:50am Health Class with Ms. Huber and Mr. Greiner
• Wednesday, April 7th, 2pm Outdoor Classroom-- Monticello Garden Planting
• Tuesday, April 13th 4th Quarter Starts!
• Wednesday, April 14th Early Release & Wacky Everything Day!
• Friday, April 16th Presentation from MEH counselors and administrators
• Wednesday, April 28th Early Release
• Thursday, April 29th Jamestown Outreach

This Morning:
You’ll be working with a partner to increase your understanding of weather patterns, especially clouds!

To-Do List:

1. Complete your morning routine! Be sure to turn in any important papers to the “Notes for Ms. Bragg” box (like your signed test!). Don’t forget about snack.
2. Take out your agenda and add the dates above to your April calendar.
3. Work with the person next to you unless your name is on the following list. You will need to share a laptop... But you both will complete your own packet. Ben L. with Ethan. Hannah R. with Josh. Thomas D. with Christian and Hope. Just one person signs into to Angel to retrieve the blog assignment.

Blog Assignment 4/6/10

Here are the links you will need for this morning's short assignment:

REMEMBER: You need to sign in. Username: tjelem, Password: tiger

BrainPOP: Weather

(Yes! We've seen this first one before. It's short! Review it to make sure that you're filling out the correct information in your packet.)

BrainPOP: Clouds

Once you've finished, you may explore the Weather folder on portaportal.

Why is NASA sending people and supplies to the Space Station?

If you'd like to learn more, check out this video:

Morning Message 4/5/10

Good morning and welcome back! Today is Monday, April 05, 2010.
Tiger Day: G
Day 129 of School, 51 days left

• Another month has come down off the wall! How many more months do we have of school?
• Did anyone see the moon this morning? Did you notice what phase it was in? How could you tell?
• Did anyone see the news this morning? What did NASA do that was important?

This Morning: We’re starting our new unit on weather! You’ll be working with a partner to buddy read and complete a packet of notes.

To-Do List:

1. Complete your morning routine! Don’t forget about snack.
2. Be sure to turn in any important papers to the “Notes for Ms. Bragg” box (like your signed VA Studies test!)... Then return your empty Friday Folder to its mailbox.
3. You will be working with the person next to you unless your name is on the following list. You will need to share a book (be sure to read shoulder-to-shoulder so that you both can see), but you both will complete a packet. Josh will work with Ben L. Thomas D. will work with Christian and Hope.

NASA in the News!

Since we've been learning about the NASA's Apollo Missions, I thought you would be interested in what NASA is up to nowadays... This happened this morning!