We need your help! PTO Party Sign-Up

Well, I feel terrible admitting this....BUT....I cannot find the PTO party sign-up that we had at our Open House.  On the sign up, I had many of you write down that you would graciously donate an item or your time to come in and support our classroom   I feel terrible that I can't find the original.....

But to move forward, I created an electronic one that I won't be able to lose:)  It is in a form of a google.doc.  I shared the link below.  If you would like to sign up for something for our Winter Party or Valentine's Party, please click on the link and add your name.  You may have to sign up for access into google docs.  Please note that you do not have to have a google email in place.  My school email worked for me.  Let me know if you have any questions, and as always, thank you so much for your generosity!

http://docs.google.com/demo/edit?id=scAA50x11nMTiRiS6Pgp9-jTt&dt=document#document

Poster Examples - Video

Here are a few examples of posters that former students created.  They are on display in the library.

Biography Project Letter - sent home today:)

Here is the information that we sent home today.  The students are viewing a variety of biographies in class with me today.  The biographies featured in class today are:  Princess Diana, Thomas Edison, Ludwig van Beethoven and Neil Armstrong.  I am just getting their brains thinking of an important historical person that would interest them to do their project on.

November 15, 2011

A Special Biography Project

Dear Families,

            Here is your chance to share some quality time with your child while learning together about a famous historical person who has made a positive impact on our world.  Below you will find the directions for this exciting activity.  You can share your enthusiasm for learning by helping your child complete this project.  The minutes you spend reading together can count for your child’s nightly reading.

1. Week of November 14:  Pick a biography of a famous person from history.  A trip to our wonderful Woodstock Public Library would be a great idea, yet your child will be given time in our school library as well.  (Mrs. Scott is aware of this project and will be supporting research & reading as well.)    See pictures and ideas on the back.  **Please have your child bring in the book they chose by November 21^st for approvalJ.
2. Weeks of November 21^st and 28^th:  Read the book with your child.  Perhaps you’ll want to take turns reading pages.  By reading together you will all learn about the famous person and be able to discuss ideas for a small speech.  It may be helpful to make a simple timeline of important events in the person’s life and the historically significant contributions of this person.
3. Week of December 5^th:  Using a large stiff piece of poster board or cardboard, cut out holes for your child’s face and hands;  then have your child decorate the board to look like a painted portrait of the famous person, dressed in clothing appropriate for the person and time period.  (Drawing, painting, or “building” a 3-D frame around the picture will complete the look.)  Invite your child to be creative, to use his/her imagination and have fun!
4. December 12^th – date of speech:  Have your child prepare and memorize a one-minute speech pretending to be that famous person, such as:  “Hello, my name is Eleanor Roosevelt.  I was born in…..I am famous because…, etc.  Then practice, practice, practice!
5. On December 15, 16, 19^th we will perform our Living Museums.  The date you will perform will be circled.

Thanks so much for your help with this special project.  It is sure to be an enjoyable and enriching experience for all.

Happy reading,

Mrs. Laidig and Ms. Korkus

Speech Planning sheet, use some or all of these ideas, add some of your own.

Hello, my name is __________________________________________

I was born on_________________________, in ____________________

When I was ____________________ I ___________________________

One important thing that I did was ______________________________

One thing that happened to me was _____________________________

I am famous because ________________________________________

People will remember me because ______________________________

I died on ___________________________________, but I will never be forgotten because _______________________________________________.

Living Museum

Stay tuned.....we will be beginning a biography research project in class.  The students will receive the guidelines to the project in class this week (and I will post the guidelines on the class blog as well).  They will be asked to research an important figure from history. . . . . details to follow.  stay tuned :)

Veteran's Day

Last week, our class read a Veteran's Day book from our school library.  As a class, we discussed what we already knew about Veteran's Day, including who a veteran is, etc.  During the story, the students offered their thoughts and feelings about serving in our armed forces and the bravery involved.  Ms. Korkus and I were touched by the thoughts and feelings the students shared.  In addition, the students did a fine job writing a personal thank you letter to Mr. Ryan (who is a Navy vet), Ms. Emily Scott (Mrs. Scott's daughter who is currently serving for the United States Airforce in Afghanistan) or to one of Emily's fellow Airmen.  It is such an honor as a teacher to work with students to help them think about and honor those who fight for our country.

Science Project

Here is the note that Ms. Korkus sent home with the students today:

Dear Parents and/or Guardians,                               November 14, 2011

          Our Earth Materials science unit is coming to an end!  We’ve learned lots about the ways that rocks and minerals are formed, properties of rocks and minerals, and the different ways that we can test rocks and minerals to determine what they are.  To conclude this unit your child will take a cumulative test and complete an independent project.  Your child chose their project on Thursday, November 10^th.  The completed project is due on Friday, November 18^th.  We will be working on these projects during Science in class but it is expected that your child is also working on their project at home to ensure its completion.  If you have any questions please let me know.  I can’t wait to see all the wonderful final projects! 

Thank you!

Ms. Korkus

4th Grade Music Concert Clip

Music Concert Video - just a little bit

Here is a tiny bit of our concert last night.  The students did a great job learning the lyrics and pulling off a great concert!  (I wish I could of recorded more!)

I am sorry, I am having technically difficulties!  I worked on this a lot today and it is just is not happening yet.  I will try again this weekend.

Music Concert

Our students sounded fantastic this evening.  We also had a performance during the day today, and I had teachers coming up to me praising how wonderful they sounded.  We are all so proud!  I took some video of one of the songs, I will try and post it tomorrow.

Campfire - After the Fact

Wow, last week's campfire was definitely the best one yet!  I was so impressed by our students' performances!   Thank you for working so hard in helping your child with their storytelling, not to mention their creative props they used as well.  Thank you all who helped in bringing in the s'mores ingrediants - they were delicious!
Ms. Jacobsen, who is working on this year's yearbook, came in and took pictures.  I hope that some of them turn out (as it was dark in the classroom) and make it in the final book!