Fun in the Wonder Room

Last week our class went to the Wonder Room and participated in different stations that dealt with our LIGHT unit. Students were able to see different ways light can be refracted, reflected, and absorbed. Then when they came back to class they had to illustrate and reflect on their experience in each station. 

Declaration of Independence

Don't forget the Declaration of Independence test will be on Thursday instead of Friday! Here is a song to help you remember the parts of the DOI and the important people that wrote it! Think about these questions while preparing for this assessment: 
1. Who was the MAJOR author of the DOI?
2. Who signed their name REALLY BIG so the King wouldn't have to put on his glasses to see? 
3. What are the 4 parts of the Declaration of Independence? 
4. What are grievances? 
5. What does " All men are created equal" mean?

Boston Tea Party STEM Challenge

This week students were presented with the STEM challenge: Can you build a crate strong enough to protect your tea from the Boston Tea Party with only the supplies you are given by your teacher?? Supplies included: 16 popsicle sticks, 12 inches of yarn and tape, scissors, teabag, and a small square of wax paper.

All students collaborated very well with each other and constructed many  unique crates. Our winning crate lasted over 44 minutes! After students completed the challenge they  had to reflect on their creations. 

Students had to construct a blueprint of their crate before creating it. 

Winners! Way to go guys!! 

Getting ready to drop their crates in the cold water! 

Getting ready to drop their crates in the COLD water! 

The Winner!

Jason, Will, and Zachary building their crate 

We are thankful....

Thanksgiving lunch at OES was a success! I enjoyed seeing everyone and their families! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I am THANKFUL for all of you!

Crime Scene: DO NOT ENTER!

Recently 4th graders  studied the Boston Massacre, we learned that during the BM British soldiers shot and killed 5 colonists........ HOWEVER on this day it was up to the 4th grade students to decide if it was self defense or murder. Students studied primary source documents, listened to different viewpoints from that day, and investigated different pieces of evidence in the Wonder Room. All students kept track of their notes in their detective journals and when we were done investigating they came back to the classroom and stated what they believed was the truth. Many students thought it was self defense and many thought it was murder but all of the students had great responses and evidence to support their reasoning. Here are a few pictures from the crime scene:

CASE CLOSED!