Welcome to the National Hour of Code!

This year, schools across America are taking part in an "Hour of Code" project.  We will begin by watching a short video about why learning how use code is important. After the video, everyone will click on the link below and play the game to help the Angry Bird catch the pig.

http://learn.code.org/hoc/1

Being Verbs and Wordly Wise Practice

Match the subject and the verb for 'to be'

http://www.arcademics.com/games/viper/viper.html

A quiz involving verbs (is, are) (was, were):

http://www.softschools.com/quiz_time/language_arts/grammar/theme15.html

Present tense of the verb 'to be"

http://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-games/present-simple-verb-be

When you are finished with the verb games, click on the Quizlet link below to practice your vocabulary words from Lesson 5.

http://quizlet.com/32394585/wordly-wise-lesson-5-flash-cards/

"Small Steps" Graphic Organizer

 

Today, you will complete a brainstorming activity in preparation for writing a book report about Small Steps. Fill in the graphic organizer that includes the following components:

• Setting
• Introduction of the heroine
• Background information
• Why is she a lasting influence?
• Conclusion
• Your opinion of this book

SERC Papers & Kidblog

1. Continue typing your SERC papers in Microsoft Word.
2. Continue working on the Microsoft Word Challenge.
3. Login to Kidblog, choose one of the Writing Prompts about Small Steps and type one detailed paragraph.  Follow these instructions to login to Kidblog:

• Click this link to go to your blog: 4th Grade Kidblog
• Click on the triangle and select your name
• Type your password which is: ________________
• Click on the top blue bar that says "4th Grade - Technology Class"
• Read the assignment and follow the directions to respond.

Drag the family members to their seats:

Thanksgiving Dinner

Typing, Typing, Typing

1. Continue typing your SERC papers in Word.
2. Continue working on the Microsoft Word Challenge.
3. Click on our new keyboarding program:  Typing Club (see the link in the right column of the blog)

https://holy-trinity-school2.typingclub.com/

• User name: last name first initial (ex. seatonc) - same as Type to Learn
• Password: htstype (same as Type to Learn)

More Keyboarding Today

Everyone will continue to type their S.E.R.C. papers in Word.  If you are in Mrs. Seaton's L.A. class, YOU MUST MAKE ALL OF THE CHANGES SHE HAS NOTED ON YOUR PAPER!  When you have finished typing, you should run Spell Check to look for typos.  Then, you must read over your entire paper to look for final edits. After you have asked me for permission, you may print your paper so that your teacher can edit it again.

If you have printed your paper, you should open and begin working on the Microsoft Word Challenge that I saved in everyone's network folder.

Finish Book Creator Books and Practice Keyboarding

There are still 21 students that need to make a few more changes to their Book Creator books.  Please make the changes I have listed for you.  Then, upload/export your final book to iBooks.

Then, open Word and begin typing your SERC paragraphs.

Finish S.E.R.C. Books

Today, you will finish your Book Creator books about S.E.R.C.  Please use this checklist before showing me your final project:

• Your name
• Date of your trip (October 23, 2013)
• 3 facts you learned at S.E.R.C.
• 2 favorite things and WHY
• A map of the Chesapeake Bay

When you have finished your last page, tap "My Books" in the upper left corner.  Then tap the inspector button (i) and change the Title of your book and change the Author's name.

Very last step: Tap the Export button (a square with arrow facing out) and then "Open in another App".  Then, “Open in iBooks”.  

Wordly Wise - Lesson 3: Study Tools

Click on the link below and complete the six (6) activities:
1. Cards: Read/listen to all 15 flashcards (the word and the definition)
2. Learn: Read the definition and then type the word that matches the definition.
3. Speller: Listen to the word spoken and then type that word in the box provided.
4. Test: Answer the questions (matching, multiple choice and true/false).  Check your answers.
5. Scatter: Drag the word onto the corresponding definition to make it disappear.
6. Race: Delete the scrolling words by typing in their corresponding term and pressing ENTER.

http://quizlet.com/29957782/wordly-wise-lesson-3-flash-cards/

After you have finished working on Quizlet.  Open your own network drive that contains all of your documents.  Open the document called "Wordly Wise Wheel - blank template".

After opening this document, you must click File/Save As and rename the document.
Example of new name: "Wordly Wise Wheel - approach"

You will need to click File/Save As every time you create a new wheel for each vocabulary word.  Check to make sure you are saving these documents in your own drive (do not save them to the C drive).

Book Creator on the iPads

Today, you will start creating a book about your field trip to SERC.  These are a few things you must include in your book:

• Everyone must create their book using the Square template (not portrait or landscape)
• Book Title (such as 4th Grade Goes to SERC)
• Author's name 
• Date of your trip
• Top 2 or 3 favorite things about SERC and the reason WHY these were your favorite things
• 3 facts that you learned at SERC
• 3 photos 
• Search for a map of the Chesapeake Bay using Safari, save the image to your camera roll and include this map in your book.

Helpful hints:

- When you find a photo you want to include in your book: tap the down arrow and then select "Save to Photo Library".  Then wait for the photo to Export to your Camera Roll.

- When you have finished your last page, tap "My Books" in the upper left corner.  Then tap the inspector button (i) in order to change the Title of your book and to change the Author's name.

- Last step: tap the Export button (a square with arrow facing out) and then "Open in iBooks".  This is where your book will be saved.  It will also be saved in the Book Creator app.

Paragraphs/Punctuation/Sentences

Test your knowledge about Paragraphs:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/english/spelling_grammar/paragraphs/play/
Click on Play for the first game.
Click on Quiz to test yourself.

Test your knowledge of punctuation:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/english/spelling_grammar/punctuation/play/
Click on Play for the first game.
Click on Quiz to test yourself.

Test your knowledge about Sentences:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/english/spelling_grammar/sentences/play/
Click on Play for the first game.
Click on Quiz to test yourself.

Once you have finished all of these games, spend some time practicing keyboarding with BBB Dance Mat Typing:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/

You may also practice building your vocabulary on Free Rice.

Practice Wordly Wise Vocabulary - Lesson 2

Click on the link below and complete these six (6) activities:
1. Cards: Read/listen to all 15 flashcards (the word and the definition)
2. Learn: Read the definition and then type the word that matches the definition.
3. Speller: Listen to the word spoken and then type that word in the box provided.
4. Test: Answer the questions (matching, multiple choice and true/false).  Check your answers.
5. Scatter: Drag the word onto the corresponding definition to make it disappear.
6. Race: Delete the scrolling words by typing in their corresponding term and pressing ENTER.

http://quizlet.com/28795692/flashcards

When you have finished playing each game two times, there are a few people that need to finish their Travel Brochure on Comic Life.  They are:

Tom

Aoife

Ali

Jalen

Malcolm

Ben

Will

Grammar Day!

Today, there are 4 different games I want you to play in order to practice Direct Object, Subject and Predicate.  When you are finished with these, please work on the last 2 games to help you practice spelling words with the r-controlled vowel.

Direct Objects Quiz:

http://www.softschools.com/quizzes/grammar/direct_objects/quiz546.html

Subject and Predicate

http://www.quia.com/rr/36764.html

Identify the Simple Subject or the Predicate

http://www.quia.com/rr/36765.html

Choose the Direct Object

http://www.myschoolhouse.com/courses/O/1/53.asp

Word Builder to practice r-controlled vowels:

http://www.eduplace.com/kids/sv/applications/wordbuilder/index.html?grade=4&unit=10

Word Sort to practice r-controlled vowels:

http://www.eduplace.com/kids/sv/applications/wordsort/index.html?grade=4&unit=10

I Hope Everyone Had a Relaxing Break!

On Tuesday, I would like you to finish your Comic Life about your goals.  When you have finished, you may work on:

www.mathletics.com

OR

http://www.raz-kids.com/main/Login

(Teacher Username is: hts4th)

OR

www.storybird.com

Preparing for Upcoming Biography Project

In the next couple of weeks, you will be working on writing a Biography about someone who is well-known. Some of the questions you will research and answer in your biography include:

• How did this famous person overcome their specific challenge (blindness, paralysis, etc.)
• In what ways is this person a role model for all of us?
• How do you think they wanted to be remembered?

The project you will work on today will be All About You.  You will answer the following questions:

• What are your goals for 4th grade?
• What achievements are you proud of so far in your life?
• What are you working hard to improve upon?
• How do you want to be remembered by the end of 8th Grade?

Test Prep - Wordly Wise - Lesson 1

Click on the link below and complete these six (6) activities:
1. Cards: Read/listen to all 15 flashcards (the word and the definition)
2. Learn: Read the definition and then type the word that matches the definition.
3. Speller: Listen to the word spoken and then type that word in the box provided.
4. Test: Answer the questions (matching, multiple choice and true/false).  Check your answers.
5. Scatter: Drag the word onto the corresponding definition to make it disappear.
6. Race: Delete the scrolling words by typing in their corresponding term and pressing ENTER.

http://quizlet.com/27846656/flashcards

Grammar Day

Practice the long "e" sound (ee, ie, ea) by playing the following games:

Word Builder

http://www.eduplace.com/kids/sv/applications/wordbuilder/index.html?grade=4&unit=2

Word Sort

http://www.eduplace.com/kids/sv/applications/wordsort/index.html?grade=4&unit=2

Word Find

http://www.eduplace.com/kids/sv/applications/wordfind/index.html?grade=4&unit=2

Practice with the vocabulary from By the Shores of Silver Lake

http://www.eduplace.com/kids/hmr06/ewordgame/index.html?grade=4&theme=1&selection=4

Try your hand at the Crossword Puzzle

http://www.eduplace.com/kids/sv/applications/crossword/index.html?grade=4&unit=2

Comic Life Travel Brochures and Type to Learn

Please continue working on your Comic Life Travel brochures.  Six (6) students have finished and I have printed those already -- they look great!  There are a few students who are almost finished.  You still need to add one or more of the following:

• your name
• cite your sources
• add more photos
• add more color to your brochure

For those that have finished Comic Life, please login to Type to Learn:
User Name:  same as your user name to login to the computer (bradshawa, baileymi, etc.)
Password:  htstype
Account code: 100092

Comic Life Travel Brochures

Today, I want you to continue working on your Comic Life Travel brochure.  Do not forget to include the following:

• Your name 
• Cite your sources.  This means, name the websites where you found the information you included in your brochure.  For example,
• Some of the information in this brochure was obtained from the following websites: 

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/places/find/

http://www.worldbookonline.com/kids/home
http://school.eb.com/levels/elementary

Scantron Testing Today

Today, we will begin about two weeks of standardized testing in the subjects reading and math. This test helps your teachers understand what you have learned so far and how they can best help you learn more.
The Scantron test will be administered during technology classes and during the technology block of your language arts class.
A few things you should know about this test:

• The test will be slightly different for each of you. If you correctly answer a problem, it gives you more difficult problems, and if you incorrectly answer a problem, it gives you easier problems. The length of the test may be very different for each of you as well.
• You must answer every question.
• It is very important to do your best and answer all items carefully, because the test will stop if you are guessing. You will have to start over from the beginning if this happens.
• Parts of this test will be very difficult, and likely cover topics you have never seen before. Please don't worry! Make your best guess, then move on.
• When you finish, raise your hand and I will come over to help you.    

I will provide your Scantron ID number.

Create a Travel Brochure!

On Thursday, you will begin creating a one-page travel brochure using Comic Life. You have chosen (or will choose) one of the places described in Grandfather's Journey.  Before opening Comic Life, we will do a little research about the place your brochure will be advertising.  Please do the following:

• You must include at least 3 facts about the location you have chosen.
• You must include at least 3 reasons why it's a good place to visit.
• You must type the text of your brochure before adding any photos to it.
• Use proper grammar (capital letters, punctuation, complete sentences, etc.)
• Include your name on the brochure.
• Include a caption for each photo you add to your brochure.
• You must cite your sources of information.  This means that you must state (type) where you obtained your information (the name of the website, the name and author of the book, etc.). 
• You may use the following websites to research information about the location:

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/places/find/

http://www.worldbookonline.com/kids/home

http://school.eb.com/levels/elementary

Finish L.A. Binder Covers & Mathletics

Before we begin today, I want everyone to login to their computer using their 3rd grade username and password (last name/first initial / reader3).  You're computer may ask you to reset your password and I want to go through this process together.  Everyone's new password will be "htsreader4".

I will then hand out the ipads and you will finish your Pic Collage L.A. Binder Covers.  When you are done, I will show you how to send it to the printer.  I have already printed those that are finished and they look fantastic!  After you've printed, please login to Mathletics with your Username and password.  If you don't remember your login information, click on the link that says 4th Grade Mathletics Logins at the top of the Tech blog.

Mathletics:  During the last 15 minutes of class, you may work on Live Mathletics.  Prior to that time, please work on activities that will challenge you :-)

Have fun!

L.A. Binder Covers

You must include the following:

1. Title must be:  Your Name’s L.A. Binder (Ben's L.A. Binder)
2. A photo of yourself (use the ipad camera).
3. 8 adjectives that describe you.
4. Complete this sentence: “My favorite thing to do is ____________.”
5. Insert images of your favorite things including: sports, animals, pets, books, authors, musicians, vacation places, hobbies, colors, foods, etc. No more than 2 images of any one category (for example, not more than 2 images of sports).

Welcome to Technology Class!

I hope that everyone had a great time this summer!  I went to the beach in Rhode Island which is where I grew up.  I am so excited about teaching you again this year.  Your regular Technology class will take place every Tuesday afternoon.  Also, on Thursday mornings, you will come to Technology for part of your Language Arts class.

Today, we will go over the Class Rules and Expectations.  After that, I will hand out ipads to everyone and you will create a cover for your Language Arts binder using Pic Collage.  Your Pic Collage must include the following:

1. A photo of yourself (use the ipad camera).
2. 8 adjectives that describe you.
3. Complete this sentence: “My favorite thing to do is ____________.”
4. Title must be:  Your Name’s L.A. Binder
5. Insert images of your favorite things including: sports, animals, pets, books, authors, musicians, vacation places, hobbies, colors, foods, etc. No more than 2 images of any one category (for example, not more than 2 images of sports).

Our color printer is not working right now. I will print your binder covers after class using the printer in the library.

Summer Reading Prezis!

Today, I would like you to finish your Prezis about five books (or more!) that you would like to read this summer.

Please consult the Rising 5th Grade Summer Reading List here:

http://htssummerlearningblog.blogspot.com/p/rising-5th-grade-summer-reading-list.html

I would like you to include:

The name of the book, the author, a description of the book...

A picture of the cover of the book

And WHY you would like to read it.

The link to Prezi can be found here:  www.prezi.com

I would like to share your Prezis when you are done on this blog...

When your Prezi is perfect, you can have free choice.

Shape Poems!

Today, you will work on Shape Poems using the ReadWriteThink website:

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/theme_poems/

When you sign in, you will see a screen that looks like this:

And you will be able to select from five themes:

With lots of options:

You can brainstorm excellent salsa words to use in your poem...

Then write them in the shape!

Have fun!

Poetry and Typing

Today, if you have poetry to type, I would like you to spend the period working on typing your poetry.

If you do not have poetry to type, I would like you to spend some time working on your keyboarding :)


You may do BBC Dancemat Typing

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/

or Type to Learn!

(which is on your desktop)

our  password is htstype
our account code is 100092

Happy Typing!

Mrs. Morell

You may also try

Typer Shark:

http://kids.aol.com/games/typer-shark/

Acrostic and Diamante Poems

Today we will use the links on the ReadWriteThink website to create:

Diamante Poems:

http://www.readwritethink.org/parent-afterschool-resources/games-tools/diamante-poems-a-30185.html

and

Acrostic Poems

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/acrostic/

 

Be sure to have a teacher approve your work before you print!

Mrs. Morell

Prezi time!

Today, you will begin your Prezis to present your Biography research.

www.prezi.com

Remember to be careful with spelling and grammar while you're designing your masterpieces!

Mrs. Morell

Online Research for Your Bio Project

Today, you will have a chance to do some research online for your biography project.

If you think you are completely done with your research, I suspect you can find even more cool information online.

The American Library Association keeps a page of biography resources that I think would be a good place to start:

On that site, if you have someone who is from the last 100 years or so, try the Gallery of Achievers:

And  Bio.com is a great resource - It does have quite a bit of advertising though.

Of course, if you have not yet had a chance to look at our online encyclopedias, please take a look there as well. 

Please let me know if you need to print anything before you try to do so!

Mrs. Morell

Prezis!!

Finally, we will set up Prezi accounts today:

http://prezi.com/

You will need to set up an account with your HTS Email account and password - it will be a free account for students.

You will be creating a Prezi for your biography project, so I thought it would be fun if you created a quick biography about yourself to practice.  Here is my sample:



Let's watch a Prezi tutorial:


In your Prezi biography, I would like you to include:

Where you were born
Three words to describe you
Your favorite books
Your favorite foods
Your greatest accomplishment, or thing you are most proud of...
Your family

I'd like you to include pictures on each slide.

Let's have fun with this!!

Mrs. Morell

It's St. Patrick's Day!!

... or at least it is in the 4th Grade today!

First, we will watch a couple of videos about St. Patrick's Day, the first from BrainPop:

www.brainpop.com

And a pair of videos from the History Channel, one titled: Bet You Didn't Know: St. Patricks Day, and one on the New York City St. Patricks Day Parade:

http://www.history.com/topics/st-patricks-day/videos#st-patrick

And let's take a quick peek at Irish step dancing from Riverdance:

The we'll do a bit of research from The History Channel, where you can find this great infographic:

 from the National Geographic Blog

Internet Searching Tips and A Scavenger Hunt

Today, we'll talk about effective Internet Searching Tips by watching the following Prezi:




Then, we will use the Internet to try to find the answers to a series of questions, using the tips we have just discussed.

www.google.com

What is 4789+895?

Name two facts about dolphins

What is the population of Australia?

What is today’s temperature in Tokyo, Japan?

Name the president of Greece.

What are the hours of the Newseum on a Friday?

Who is the author of Journey to the River Sea?

What book won the Newberry Medal in 2013?   Name the three runners-up

Name three moons of Saturn

What was the score of the Villanova vs. Georgetown basketball game this week?

Name a famous painting by Norman Rockwell .

What is the capital of Kenya?

Name a sculpture found in the sculpture garden at the National Gallery of Art

Define braille

Name two websites that have braille games for kids

Name one photo of the day from the White House website

Define onomatopoeia

Name the new US Secretary of Defense

Iditarod WebQuest

Today, we are going to work in teams, and use two websites to try to find the answers to the following questions:

http://iditarod.com/

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/iditarod/

I promise you, all the answers can be found on these two websites - It may take a bit of hunting, though!  Please be sure to answer the questions using complete sentances... and neat handwriting.

Have fun!

Mrs.  Morell

Iditarod Webquest.  Your Name:
When was the first  Iditarod race run?
Who is known as “Mother  of the Iditarod” and why?
What was the Iditarod Trail used for on a day to day basis in the early 1900s and until as late as the 1930s?
Why did Joe Redington want to have this race?
Who is the “Father of the Iditarod?” Why is he called that?
What is the all-time speed record for completing the Iditerod?
What does the world “Ideitarod” mean?  What language is it in?
Who were the oldest and youngest mushers to race the Iditarod?
What does “Gee!” mean?
What is a dropped dog?
What is pedaling?
What is the fewest number of dogs that a team can run with?  What is the maximum number of dogs allowed on a team at the start?
Explain some ways that a musher can be disqualified from a race?
Name 3 mandatory items mushers carry?	1.   2.   3.
In what city does the Iditarod begin?
How many days does the race usually last?
What is the coldest temperature the mushers may endure?
What prize does the first musher to cross the finish line receive?
How many times has Jeff King won the Iditarod?
How big are Alaskan huskies when they are born?
What is the important milestone puppies reach when they are 6 months old?
What are four rules that mushers must follow for their dogs?	1.   2.   3.   4.
What else do you still want to know?