Making Our Ecosystems

Walking Field trip to Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio

Although the weather wasn't very spring-like, we loved our walking field trip to Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio.  We learned a lot and loved the architecture and design we saw.

New Unit Update and Some Photos from the Week

Happy First Day of Spring Families!  

With just 10 school weeks left (can you believe it?), we have lots of learning to do.  In math, all classes are continuing with fraction equivalence, ordering and operations. Once we finish with fractions in mid-April, we will start on decimals as they relate to fractions.

We started our Ecosystems unit for science today and the kids are really looking forward to building their terrariums next week and then adding the live "things" after spring break!  Thank you to everyone who sent in 2-liter bottles.  We have plenty.  We also watched a really funny intro to ecosystems this morning- it is posted in the science section of my blog.  

After spring break, we are going to start reading historical fiction novels.  Each kid will be assigned a very high interest novel and one of the 4th grade teachers, or Mrs. Mariani, as their teacher for the unit.  Kids will meet with their novel groups twice a week.  When the novels are done, the students will connect the historical time period from their book to our social studies unit, Illinois history, through a research project.  I know this is going to be a fabulous cross-curriculuar unit that all the 4th graders will love.  

Don't forget that our walking field trip to the Frank Llyod Wright home and studio is on Monday.  Be sure to watch the weather and make sure your child is dressed appropriately.   Don't forget to wear Chrystall Miner class t-shirts too!  

Today's mystery reader...  Mr. Chrystall :) 

Mystery reader...  Mrs. Chrystall's husband.

We had art appreciation today, and the kids created Kandinsky inspired art.  This was a great introduction to our geometry unit coming up in May.   

Be sure to check out our new art displayed in the Mann Art Gallery! 

In buddies, we worked on a math word problem called Fair Games today.  The kids got to play a spinner game and explore the principals behind probability.

Landform Presentations are Done!

Wow! I am amazed at the amount of efforts the kids all put into their research products and presentations.  I was blown away be how rehearsed and prepared the kids were.  Thank you, parents, for watching your kids practice their presentations and for giving them help & advice. 

Keep up the excellent effort, Chrystall Miners!

Today's Logic Puzzle: "Mr. Yellow"

"The Secret to Raising Smart Kids"

Hint: Don't tell your kids that they are [smart]. More than three decades of research shows that a focus on effort — not on intelligence or ability — is key to success in school and in life.


Read this article to find out more.   

**I shared this article with families on the 4th grade blog at the start of the year, but I think it is a good time to revisit the growth mindset as we approach the final trimester of 4th grade.

Parents, your kids all received an effective effort contract today. Please be sure to read it with them, discuss, and sign it tonight.  As always, let me know if you have any questions :) 

Revised PARCC Testing Schedule

There has been a slight change in our PARCC testing schedule; please follow the below schedule:

4th Grade:

Reading #1: Monday, March 9th

Reading #2: Thursday, March 12th

Reading #3: Friday, March 13th

Math #1: Monday, March 16th

Math #2: Wednesday, March 18th