Ms. York's Fourth Grade

Box Tops for Education: My Class Essentials

MsYork — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:29:54 +0000

Wilson Elementary has been collecting Box Tops for Education box tops for quite some time now. In addition to our school’s collection, there is now an option of teacher registries! These are similar to bridal or wedding registries, where those requesting products can create lists that are easy for a potential purchaser to view. I’ve added a few items to our new class registry, so click on My Class Essentials and take a look! Thanks for your support!

Summer Updates

MsYork — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:06:09 +0000

I normally keep summer changes hidden until I’m thoroughly finished and satisfied, but according to the stats, there are still quite a few regulars looking for information. So, as you browse the pages, please keep in mind that I’m in the process of both visual and content editing (suggestions are welcome!). Hope you’re all having a great summer!

2010 Teachers vs. Fifth Graders Kickball Game

MsYork — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 03:19:44 +0000

We had a blast at the third annual Teachers vs. Fifth Graders Kickball Game! This year, we decided to be the school’s official cheerleaders and root for, … well, … everyone!

Gold Rush Days!

MsYork — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 04:50:20 +0000

Just a reminder that tomorrow is our CA Gold Rush Day! Be sure to bring an extra set of clothes, as you will inevitably be wet after our trip to the river. This includes socks and undies! Please also remember to bring your shovels, pokes, pans, buckets, and any other items you decided upon with your group (all with your names clearly visible). The afternoon will be spent in “Wilson Gulch,” where you’ll have the opportunity to reap the rewards of your hard work! Can’t wait for tomorrow!

P.S. Don’t forget that you MUST wear long pants and close-toed shoes in the morning!

Edit: What photogenic miners! Great job, guys!!!

Moving Westward: Pioneer Simulation

MsYork — Tue, 18 May 2010 16:37:47 +0000

Oregon or bust! We’re currently in the middle of a pioneer simulation, on an imaginary wagon train heading for Oregon. Each student is his/her own wagon, complete with alternate identities, livestock, occupations, and sometime families. As part of the wagon train, students encounter “fates” (rattlesnake bites, broken legs, lack of fresh water, lost members of the train, etc.), delays, and other common hardships of frontier life. So far, we’ve made it to “Prairie Crossing”!

Solar Car Race

MsYork — Thu, 06 May 2010 21:44:49 +0000

It’s that sunny time of year; state tests are almost over and we need a brain break! Sounds like the perfect opportunity to race solar cars! Tomorrow’s the day! Time to set up the cones, break out the stopwatch, and identify some racing variables! Whoo hoo!

Edit: What a time we had! Thank you, Bailey, for taking such great photos!

Earth Day Extravaganza 2010!!!

MsYork — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 01:54:31 +0000

The date has arrived! April 22nd! Time for the third annual Earth Day Extravaganza newsletter written exclusively by the students of Room 36! Enjoy articles about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, vermicomposting, eco-friendly lunches, hydroelectric power, worms and soil, fossil fuels, and much, much more!!! Take a look! Great job, guys and gals!

Earth Day Extravaganza 2010, Page 1 (Icky, Awesome Worms; Did They Spill the Oil Again?; Jurassic Fuel)

Earth Day Extravaganza 2010, Page 2 (It’s Getting Hotter Up Here; A Fishy Adventure; A Holiday of Trees)

Earth Day Extravaganza 2010, Page 3 (Your Own Garbage Garden; Hydroelectric: The New Power; The Importance of Organic Farming)

Earth Day Extravaganza 2010, Page 4 (Eco-Friendly Lunches; A Floating Junkyard; Go Green, Recycle!)

Who Was ______? (Biography Project)

MsYork — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 05:04:49 +0000

Our class is about to begin a biography project! Two years ago, we were fortunate enough to have a collection of the “Who Was _____?” biography series donated to our classroom via DonorsChoose. Tomorrow (4/20/10), each student will choose and begin reading a biography. Students should finish reading their books and taking their notes by Monday morning. For this project, students will read their biography, take notes on the cardstock bookmarks provided (see below if you need another), write three full paragraphs, draw a portrait of their subject, and create a poster with all of the above information. These criteria are outlined in the letter below.

I will provide the necessary materials as well as some time in class to complete the project. Some reading, note taking, paragraph editing, and poster making will be done at home. Please give your child support and guidance. The due date will be May 19th (changed from May 10th). Please contact me if you have any questions. Some examples from last year can be seen here.

Biography Report/Poster Parent Letter

Biography Bookmark Notes

Biography Outline — Early Life

Biography Outline — Successful Character Traits

Biography Outline — Accomplishments/Honors

Room 36 MathAThon Totals!

MsYork — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 02:21:07 +0000

Wow. Wow, guys! You pulled through in a big way! Despite a very stressful economy (we remember what that word means now!), our class managed to bring in $951.00 for this year’s Math*A*Thon! This is fantastic! An additional congratulations is in order for Aftyn, our classroom top earner, who won the lovely bag at right!

These funds can now be used to continue transportation and field trip costs, replenish classroom libraries, as well as a plethora of other essential needs. Thank you, parents, for your continued support of our school! It is much appreciated!

Mid March ’10: Topics-of-Study

MsYork — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 02:13:03 +0000

I’ll try to find a few more language arts sites to practice with during the third trimester, but there don’t seem to be many. Let me know if you find anything useful!

Language Arts: Comparing/Contrasting Characters, Using Reference Materials, Essay Writing + Review of Making Predictions, Main Ideas

Compare/Contrast Guide (notes), Compare/Contrast Essay Helper
Using a Dictionary, Dictionary Practice
Step Up to Writing (notes), How to Write a Five Paragraph Essay
Guess What Comes Next, Making Predictions
Main Idea, Reading Nonfiction (movies), Summarize As You Read (review practice)

Mathematics: Order of Operations (PEMDAS), Coordinate Graphing, Length of Line Segments, Number Lines + Review of Degrees/Turns

What is PEMDAS? (video), Operation Order (PEMDAS), Order of Operations (PEMDAS)
Coordinate Graphing, What’s the Point?, Billy Bug #2
Finding the Length of Line Segments (notes)
Line Jumper, Racing Along the Number Line, The Decimal Detectives, Find Grampy
Degrees and Turns Slideshow (notes), Angles (degrees), Banana Hunt, Degrees to Turns Converter

Social Studies: Chapter Four –Mexican Rule in California

Study Guideline Notes — Chapter Four
Mex Freedom/Econ/Rancho Life (vocabulary review)

Science: Chapter Seven — Magnetism

Chapter 7 Resources (vocabulary practice, movies, etc.)
Magnetism Science Desk, Electricity and Magnetism, Kitchen Magnets, Magnetism