Fourth Grade 2014-2015

Fourth Grade 2014-2015

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Fantasy Summer Reading 2015

Welcome to our new fourth graders! This year for our summer reading, instead of doing a written report, you have the option of participating in a discussion online. I hope this will let us all see and respond to each other's thoughts about the book.

As a reminder, you need to begin each comment with the book you read, and should write your first name only under "Comment As." You should then write down the number of the questions you are answering, followed by your answer. Later on, you should check back and respond to another student's comment.

For your fantasy book, you need to answer two of the following questions:

1. Who is the main character and how would you describe them? Are they like you at all? Why or why not?

2. What do you think are the three most important things that happen in this book? Why are these the most important?

3. What in this book happens that makes it a fantasy? List at least two things, and be specific.

4. Is the "world" that the author created one that you would like to live in? Why or why not?

Realistic Fiction Summer Reading 2015

Welcome to our new fourth graders! This year for our summer reading, instead of doing a written report, you have the option of participating in a discussion online. I hope this will let us all see and respond to each other's thoughts about the book.

As a reminder, you need to begin each comment with the book you read, and should write your first name only under "Comment As." You should then write down the number of the questions you are answering, followed by your answer. Later on, you should check back and respond to another student's comment.

For your realistic fiction book by Beverly Cleary or Judy Blume, you need to answer two of the following questions:

1. Who is the main character and how would you describe them? Are they like you at all? Why or why not?

2. What do you think are the three most important things that happen in this book? Why are these the most important?

3. Do you think that this book could really happen in your school, family, or neighborhood? Why or why not?

4. If you could change something about the book, what would you change? (Do not write down "nothing" as your answer!)

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Free Dress Down

Mr. Bennett just confirmed that there will be a free dress down day tomorrow, June 5, for all students.

Dexter the Tough

Dexter the Tough

June 4, 2015

Before we leave for the year, and all the fourth graders officially move onto middle school, I wanted to pause and thank everybody. Thank you for the students for all your hard work this year. I've really enjoyed learning together, and I will miss all of you! Thank you for the parents for working with your children. I appreciate the help they receive at home and your efforts to make sure the children do their best work.

One of the final things we did this week was create mind maps for each subject in school. Students took turning writing down everything they learned. As you can see from the very full pieces of paper below, they certainly learned a lot!







We've also had a lot of fun this week going on field trips to Humboldt Park and the Shedd Aquarium, and celebrating our ABC countdown with a water balloon toss.





Good luck to everyone next year, and please keep in touch! I'd love to know what new adventures you find.