Seeds From Space...Part 2

Well our seeds from space, and earth, have begun to sprout. The students are very excited every morning to come in and observe what has happened to them overnight. Take a look at the image of our plants. I wonder if being in space had to do with the fact that the seeds from space are developing at a faster rate than the seeds that did not make the trip.

Native American Museum

What a great job the class did on their Native American Museum Projects! We finally finished all the presentations and you can really tell how much effort they all put into completing these. The best part for me had to be the creativity that was involved in making these projects. From gathering sticks to stripping bark, it was really unreal.

Check your email for pictures from the presentations today.

Mr. Baxter vs. Mr. Knight

Today Mr. B and Mr. K competed in a DDR challenge with each other. Rumor has it that Mr. B won both of Mr. K's challenges. Keep practicing.

This video has been brought to you courtesy of Lydia.


The Challenge...Part 2 from Kyle Evans on Vimeo.

Important Dates and Info

With Winter Break quickly approaching here is a quick update of all that is happening, as well as important dates.

12/16 - Book Box/Bag Due
12/17 - Science Test
12/19 - Social Studies Test on Jamestown

Also, 12/19 is a full day of school for the students and 12/17 is still our early release day for next week.

No newsletter this weekend.

Seeds From Space

Today we planted our seeds from space and a seed that did not leave the Earth. We are going to observe the plants and see if there is any difference in the way the two grow here. The kids were also allowed to bring some of the seeds home so they can conduct their own experiment at home!

Videos and Vimeo!

So yesterday we took some videos while we were bowling and one of the students in our class was our Class Videographer in Jamestown. Now the dilemma I had was, how do I share these videos with the parents? Well the answer Mr. Knight came up with was through my student blog in Angel. This way the kids images are safe and secure, but also the kids will know where to go to access these videos in a safe way.

With your son or daughter, if you log in to Angel have them show you the Evansburg blog I use with the class. On the left hand side you should see some links to videos. Click on one, or 5, and enjoy!

Water, Water Everywhere!

Today we took a look at how a single raindrop would get from TJ to the Chesapeake Bay. We saw a really cool slide show about a group of teachers who took a trip (and pictures) to follow a raindrop at their school in Louisa, VA all the way to the Chesapeake Bay.

In Literature we read all about Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears to learn all about cause and effect relationships. Ask your children why these insects do this. The tale you hear just might be interesting.

Literature and Social Studies

Today in Literature we kept on working through our Survival books. We read our books, analyzed character traits, and read a little about watersheds (our next Science unit). More importantly, we FINALLY finished our study of Jamestown. We will soon be moving on!

How High Is That Tree?

Today during "Science" we did an activity where the students had to choose a tree from the TJ field. After they chose a tree we made some observations and tried to figure out it's height like some Native American tribes would have done.

This is what you might have seen yesterday and today if you drove by the TJ field around 9 AM.

It's Been a While!

I think the title says it all. I am so looking forward to next week when life will slow down, not too much, but just a little. Right now I am on lunch at the Science Conference in Hampton, VA. I am really excited to use some of the stategies and materials I have been collecting down here with the class this year.

I'll even tell you a little secret...I was able to get, from NASA, some seeds that have been in space. What great timing since we are currently studying plants!

Well have a great weekend!

Super Fun Treat!

Yesterday, our class had an awesome treat (did we really need another after last week?)! Jacob's dad came in to talk with us about the Comanche Tribe, which his family is a member of. He came in and showed us where his family is from and answered ALL of our questions. We even were able to see some family photos, give some posters, and provided a book (Do All Indians Live in Tipis?).

Here is a pretty cool link I found about Camanche Indian Facts for Kids.

It times like these when you hope the kids realize how lucky were are to be in this community and to have all these resources before us.

Kickball Challenge

Check out some of the fun we had here at TJ last Wednesday. Click on the word kickball. What a week last week was...between kickball, Pumpkin Math, and Halloween; I am not sure how we survived.

Pumpkin Math...Part 2

Pumpkin Math was AWESOME today! The kids, most of them, had a great time scooping out the guts and seeds of their pumpkins today. It was a really fun way to practice our estimating skills, as well as a good preview of circumference.

A big THANK YOU to Mrs. Handly, Mr. Lethbridge, Mr. Stegenga, and Mrs. Whitaker for coming in to help out. Check your email for the pictures I sent out from today's event.

Up next...Halloween Party!

Pumpkin Math

Pumpkin Math is tomorrow at 9 AM. Be sure to send your child in with a pumpkin, average size, if you have not already done so. It should be a fun day! Come on in if you have a chance.

I just hope no one ends up like the pumpkin above from the smell!

No Newsletter Last Week

I just wanted to let everyone know that there will be no newsletter from last week. It was a slow week and not much is going on. However, this week is quite a week!

Thursday - Pumpkin Math 9AM
Friday - Halloween Party 2PM

Planting Plants

Today in Science class we planted our first plants. The class discussed what all plants need to survive and then we designed an experiment to conduct with the plants. The class wondered what would happen if we took either light, air, water, or warmth away from the plants. In our experiment we did just that, to the best of our abilities, and we are going to observe what happens.

One plant doesn't get light, another won't get water, and one is even living in the refrigerator for now. And we are going to observe what happens to these seeds over a 2 week period. I love the excitement this class has for learning...it's so fun!

Parent Conferences

So as Parent Conferences rapidly approach I just wanted to remind you to send in the form saying if the time I assigned you works or not. I sent it home in the Friday Folders this past week and have not received all of them back. Please email me and let me know if you did not find this, or even lost the form, so I can send you a new one.

A Busy Monday Here at TJ

Well it's always nice to hit the ground running as they say. This morning when the students arrived fresh off their weekend, we had our first Health class with Ms. Huber. We also had our first computer lab with Mr. Evans where we worked on a Virginia Native Americans webquest and took a look at where in VA each tribe lived as well as how they used their environment to SURVIVE. Feel free to check out the webquest and see what we did today. Click on the word webquest and you should end up there.

Do you see all the pieces fitting into place? In science we are talking about plants, social studies Native Americans, and Literature reading Survival themed books. School is so much fun when everything ties in and the kids can make so many great connections.

This afternoon I began my QRIs with your children (Qualitative Reading Inventory) to assess their word recognition and comprehension skills. The first part I completed, but the 2nd part will have to wait for now.

First Science Lab of 2008

Today we had our first Science Lab of 2008. After spending 2 days studying the parts of a flower we went to the lab and disected a poor lily, or several poor lillies! Anyway the kids had a chance to get in there and locate the main parts of a flower (sepal, petal, pistil, and stamen) and actually got their hands a little dirty while doing this...there was pollen everywhere.

We had a great discussion afterwards about the parts and their functions. The class made some really great observations...which is what good scientists do!

Where Has Mr. Evans Been?

Well after a crazy Friday...Picture Day, VA Pizza Day, and all the normal to do's at TJ; Mr. Evans decided to take a little time off to catch up.

Anyway the kids did an awesome job creating their Virginia Region pizzas. Watch for the pictures being email to you sometime this week.

Hopefully the rest of this week will allow me to keep up with this. Oh yeah and we started Science!

Finally!

We have FINALLY finished our 1st social studies unit. The 5 Regions of VA are done in room 309. Now we will move on to creating our VA Regions Pizza tomorrow around 9 AM.

We will start to create our pizzas around 9:10 or so, right after we take our pictures. Please be sure to send in the items we need to create these delicious treats...I mean this assessment of student learning! :)

Crazy Crazy Morning!

Today was like a tornado came through TJ. We started the day with Math. Well that was normal, except for the excitement of the Math Olympiad test. Many of our boys and girls chose to participate in taking this test...not an easy task.


Some quotes you may have heard in the halls of TJ...



"Man that was the hardest test I ever took!"

"I can't even see straight right now!"

"Who made up that test anyway?"



Then we had an assembly....Percussion Discussion. The kids love it and even got to participate and dance a little. Ask them about the history of the drums in American Music and see if they are able to tell you some of the songs played today!

Character Traits

Today during Literature we read The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. We looked at the Boy and discussed what kind of character traits he posessed. The big point of the lesson, besides character traits, was to use EVIDENCE from what we read to support our responses. The class did an AWESOME job completing this task.

When talking with your son or daughter about certain issues/topics ask them why they think this way. Or what happened to make you say that? That will go a long way in 4th grade!

New Reading Unit

Today we began our new Literature unit...Survival! The class was asked to read several statements about survival and had to decide if they agreed or disagreed with the statements. We then read a book entitled Souperchicken. Ask your children about the story and how it fit in with the them Survival.

Last Night and This Morning

It was great to see so many of you last night. Hopefully I was able to give you a little more insight into 4th grade and what the expectations are for your son or daughter. If not please feel free to email me.

This morning we had a very special treat! The President's Own United States Marine Band come in and perform for us. A parent of one of our 4th graders is a member of this band. It was truly awesome! Check out our student blog early next week for a full report on this performance!

Blue Ridge Mountains

Today in SS we discussed the Blue Ridge Mountains. We learned that there are really no major cities there. As Jake said, "Just itty bitty cities!" and lots of apples.

See everyone tonight. Remember 8:00 - 8:30 in room 309.

VA Regions Brochures

Today we started, and most finished, our VA Regions Brochure. So far we have studied the Tidewater and Piedmont regions of our state. Ask them to tell you a little about the land in each region. Or ask them what the phrase "Please read your journals." means. I'll give you a hint...it helps them identify the major rivers in Virginia from north to south. :)

Sorry about no posting yesterday, but Mr. Evans was super busy. A full day of teaching as well as having to present a budget last night in class. Which in a sick way was kind of fun, but I am sure that was because I wasn't really presenting a real budget to people. :)

NEW MATH TEACHERS!!!!

Today was our first day of switching math classes. Some of the students, all but 2 leave me, have a new math teacher. It's a great way for the 4th grade teacher's to meet the needs of each student...since every class meets his/her needs based on pre-test data.

This is the first step in getting the students ready for MEH. Going to a different teacher for Math gives the students an opportunity to be responsible. They need to make sure they take all of their necessary supplies to class with them...big responsibility!

Last Day of Stanfords!

I am not sure who is more excited about the last day or Stanfords...the kids or the teachers. It's sort of like the last day of school! One thing I know for sure, is that everyone is ready to get back to our normal schedule.

Yesterday our community came up with a flag to represent our community of Evansburg. There was a tie between 2 flags, so we will be making one flag out of two.

Stanford Testing

This morning we began our Stanford testing. It was a very long day for the kids, but they handled it very well. Right now we are taking a little breather just to relax before we finish off our day. There will be very little homework coming home this week.

Do YOU believe?

I am not sure if any of you have seen this, I think this video puts it all in perspective. Amazing!

Friday Afternoon and 4 Square!

What a way to end to 3rd week of school...can you believe we are already done with 3 weeks of school? Anyway, the class and I went outside today to enjoy the great weather. Some of the kids played on the swings, played soccer, or wall ball. Most of the class however, at least the boys (and Amelia), played some 4 Square with Mr. Evans. We all had a great time and Avi even taught me some new rules!

Have a great weekend!

Stanford Practice

This morning we spent a good portion of our time preparing for the Stanford Achievment Test we will be taking all next week. The class seemed to do very well and ask a lot of questions. Most of their questions were dealing with the whole process and what next week will be like in terms of homework! :) It's amazing what they are concerned about. As teachers and parents we are concerned about how well they will do, but the kids are concerned about their homework during the week...too funny!

Chatting with Mrs. Seaver

This afternoon Mrs. Seaver came to our class to discuss other people's feelings. We talked about different ways to not only help out our fellow classmates, but also people we work and live with! What a great concept to teach our kids at this age. It's something we can all use a little refresher in from time to time. I loved hearing their ideas on how we can help people to feel better!

We also talked about how our feelings about certain "things" may change over time.

Some of the comments from the class meeting today...

"Just because you have different feelings about something from your friend's doesn't mean you can't be friends."

"When I was younger I liked to go swimming and....I still do!"

"When I was younger I didn't like to swim because I didn't know how, but now I love it!"

Isn't it fun to get inside their minds for a little while...just for a little while. :)

What We're Reading!

Right now the students are getting "Reaquainted with Reading". Each student is reading one of three books (101 Ways to Bug Your Teacher; The School Story; Sideways Storys From Wayside School). These books all share at least one commone theme...SCHOOL!

The students are not only working on getting back in to the school routine of reading, but also how to talk with each other in our "Book Groups". Some of the conversations they are having are simply amazing!

Welcome!

Welcome to our latest class tool. I will use this blog more and more as the year progresses.