We Met an Author !
Laurel Snyder

On Friday my class skyped with the author of Any Which Wall.  This book is particularly interesting because it starts out on a hot summer day in a corn field in Iowa.   A group of children find a mysterious wall and soon the adventures begin.  With this in mind we decided to ask the author for a skype interview.

Laurel started by introducing us to her pets and her dog even did a trick.
She then told the students that she started writing when she was in 3rd grade and about her childhood friend Susan, who is a character in Any Which Wall.
She told them that she had to send her first book to 49 editors before it was accepted, and that when they write they have to write and rewrite.  She also showed them her special writing area.  She informed them that she does a lot of research while writing her books, because the historical facts have to be correct.

Skyping with author Laural Snyder

 

Everyone enjoyed this author skype, "That was so fun," was the comment when we reluctantly had to say good-bye.  Some of the students shared illustrations for Any Which Wall that they had made.

Thank you Laurel for inspiring us to read, write, and draw.


http://laurelsnyder.com/
http://laurelsnyder.com/?p=800   She also told us about the Penny Dreadful bookclub

Dissecting Tulips

Today we had fun dissecting and investigating the parts of a tulip.  What a great hands on experience.  It was so fun to walk around the room and listen to the chatter as they found each part and examined it.

Scientists always take notes, we use our notebooks often.

Vocabulary:

• pollen
• anther
• ovary
• petals
• pistil
• sepals
• stamen
• seeds 

The Dr. is in!

Wow this is neat!  Engaged students.

Africa

We have been studying Africa this past month.  Students have learned that:

It is the 2nd largest continent.

The Nile river is located there.

Animals include zebras, camels, and elephants to name a few.  

The Sahara Desert located there.

Lake Victoria

Ancient Egypt

Students were asked to give either a Google presentation and make a glog.

Here are two glog examples 

 

http://fcloges.edu.glogster.com/egypt-africa/
http://fclehmann.edu.glogster.com/egypt/

Madagascar, by DreamWorks Animation, have you seen this movie?

Logan giving his presentation

Our study of Africa made us think of the movie The Lion King by Disney

Each year 4th and 5th graders participate in a track and field day to promote exercise and a healthier lifestyle.  Today was such a beautiful day, perfect weather.  There were many relatives and friends of the athletes in the stands to cheer everyone on.  Thanks to Mrs. Missal for organizing this event and all the volunteers who helped.

Family and friends cheer on athletes!

On your mark, get set, go!

Waiting for ribbons to be handed out, today everyone was a winner!

We Are Actors!

Yesterday and today we shared a choral reading with Mrs. Taylor's class in GA, they in turn sang a song for us.

Future Forest City High School actors and actresses.

Grandparent Tea

It is time for our annual Grandparent Tea,  we celebrate our Grandparents and pay tribute to our Veterans.  Congratulations 4th graders you did a fantastic job.

Then it was back to our classroom to have coffee and cookies, and punch for those of us not old enough to drink coffee.  The students asked their Grandparents questions such as....  How much was a pack of gum or bottle of pop when you were my age?   What did you do for fun?  What did you do on holidays?  There was a lot to share and tell.  Thank you to everyone who helped out in some way to make today a success.

Reading and Writing Go Together

This is an excerpt from a poem by Kate Messner, who is becoming one of my favorite authors.

"Write for yourself.
Write because until you do,
You will never understand
What it is you mean to say
Or who you want to be.
Write because it makes you whole."

"Write because it matters."

Read

"Read for yourself."
Read because it will show you who you are,
Who you want to be some day,
And who you need to understand.
Read because it will open doors
To college and opportunity, yes,
And better places still..."

For the entire poem go to www.katemessner.com/a-tuesday-poem-revolution-for-the-tested