Our fourth graders got their first glimpse of their next reading and writing unit today. Can you guess based on this photo?

Picasso Guitars

Come see two bulletin boards brimming with contemporary collages inspired by Picasso's famous guitars! Both third and fourth grade classes participated in this art project.

Research Teams

In reading workshop we are working in research teams to study topics of interest to us. Our topics are dogs, amphibians, mummies, Anne Frank, and penguins. We are reading and taking notes using both expository and narrative nonfiction texts. We are also using web sites we locate using Destiny Quest. (To use this service, go to the library page of our school's web site.) Soon we will share what we've learned with small groups of interested students in other grades.

Regions Tours

In social studies we are making iMovies. We're getting images of historical, cultural, and physical sites in our regions. Then after we got all of the places down we put them on Scribble Maps. After that we got our images on iPhoto and started to build our iMovies. (Post by Brody)

Vehicle Vroomers

The Assignment: Our class made recycled vehicles for a home project. We have many different vehicles--from a booster seat on roller blades to a working limo.

"No two vehicles were exactly alike! There are so many different shapes and sizes," says Ms. Ingram.

"There were many different vehicles. It was really interesting to watch," said Carleigh.

Q and A With Brody:

Q: How did you choose your design?
A: I started out thinking of materials I could use.
Q: What materials did you use?
A: A Nook Color box, wheels from a broken vacuum, aluminum axles, and a videogame box.

(Post by Carleigh, pics by Hazel)

Shapes vs. Posters: Missing Madness

In Shape Town:

Dear police,
Shapes have gone missing! Our source tells us that they are stuck inside Shutesbury Elementary School. Rumors say the students made jackets for them. "These shapes will be great for math," said Ms. L.

In math we are making Missing posters and Wanted posters for 3D solids. Our posters include rewards and phone numbers to go with them. Some even include the shape's criminal record! We also made jackets (out of paper) that you can match to the blocks.

TIME FOR CRIME: We have seen Wanted posters all over Shutesbury Elementary School. We need you, the students and parents, to stop these criminals!

(Posted by Brody)

New Year's Resolutions

Our class reflected on their learning strengths and needs. Then students worked independently to draft some tentative New Year's resolutions. We'll revise and refine them soon. Here is a sample:

Get good at being a team.
Get better at working as a group.
Cooperate and work together.

Don't do anything mean.
Stop the fighting and the exclusive clubs.
Don't get mad at each other. Just let go.
No talking (or whispering) about others.
Think before saying anything hurtful and stop it before it comes out.

Listen to the teacher and don't play with things on your desk.
Listen better. Pay attention.
Be quiet so others can concentrate more.
Work quietly. Don't talk to friends during work times.