World Map Activity

We had another wonderfully busy day here in 4th grade!  The students learned more about the rules and expectations of the classroom as well as what Lucky Bucks are and how they are earned.  The students played a little "Get to Know Me" game learning more about some of their classmates.  We read The Wise Woman and Her Secret which teaches a wonderful lesson about what the secret of wisdom really is.  I hope the kids remember that secret so they, too, may become wise!

But our most exciting activity of the day was creating a world map.  Our social studies focus this year is on Alabama History, but I think it is very important to first learn a little bit about world geography so we know just where Alabama is on the map.  The students were given an incredible challenge today and handled it beautifully!  With only paper, markers, glue and their teammates, the students created a map of the world.  They were not allowed to cut the construction paper to make the continents, but they had to tear it.  Nor were they allowed to look at or use a map for reference, they simply had to work together to recreate the world as best as they could.

While the children were at first overwhelmed with the task, they stuck with it and were able to create some very impressive maps.  Sure, the continents may not have all been the right shape or size, but generally, they were in the right places around the world.  But even more importantly, these students, after only being in a classroom for one day together, worked successfully in a group!  What an accomplishment!

First Day of School

Wow!  I couldn't imagine a more perfect first day of school!  The children were eager to learn, polite and participated in some great discussions.  Here are the members of our classroom:

We started the day with a math game called "Sum What Dice."  The children rolled dice and with some strategy and some luck worked to cover a board of all the digits 1-9.  The winner was the person with the lowest score.  I'm sure these 4th graders could show you at home - all you really need is each digit (1-9) written down, a pencil to cross out the digits and two dice.  Then, just play and strategize!

After PE and Spanish, the children worked on another challenging task called "Toothpick Puzzlers."  Some of the puzzles are quite tricky!  Feel free to have a go:

The children read an article called "Schools Change the Way Students Get Graded" (they brought it home if you want to read it).  The article brought up great discussion points about if homework should count for a grade and why we give homework.  We discussed that homework is meant to reinforce a skill or deepen an understanding, so if you do the work, chances are you'll become better in the subject.  The children did a beautiful job of sharing their opinions and using evidence from the article, or from their own experiences to back up their thinking.

To start off the school year, I read a story from that great philospher, Dr. Seuss.  Oh, the Places You'll Go is one of my very favorite stories and the students were able to draw connections to their own lives.  Even though we may not face the giant green furry monster or get caught on a tree while in a hot air balloon, we will have some difficult times along the way.  But, with hard work, determination and the freedom to make our own choices, we can reach whatever goals we set ahead of ourselves.

We had a wonderful first day of 4th grade.  I have no doubt that it will be a great year ahead!

Oh, the Places these Kids will Go!

I ended this school year, like I do every other, by reading Oh, the Places You'll Go! to the students.  Dr. Seuss, in his magically powerful way, tells each reader of the marvelous accomplishments he/she will achieve when he/she puts his/her mind to it.  He reminds us all that we'll go through hard times, "that bang-ups and hang-ups can happen to you," but that "somehow you'll escape all that waiting and staying.  You'll find the bright places where Boom Bands are playing."  

These children, I have no doubt will accomplish amazing feats in their lifetime.  They have "brains in their head and feet in their shoes."  I cannot wait to see where all life will take them!

"And will you succeed?

Yes! You will, indeed!

(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

Kid, you'll move mountains!"