Paul Revere Rides Again

Fourth graders are busy memorizing this classic poem. We have read several picture books about Revere and the history of the poem. We have analyzed the figurative language and vocabulary too. It's all part of our preparation for "Poetry in the Park" next month.

Times Tables Time

We have a big push on to finally learn all the times facts to ten. At the same time students learn the divide facts too. We are in the midst of timed practice of 50 facts. The first two were done in class the past two weeks. The second two are for practice. This packet went home today. We will have more timed sessions in school. All families have been asked to set up a plan for accomplishing this task. We have a Math Unit 3 assessment Thursday. I have a practice test/review ready. Thanks.

Shorecrest's "Picture Lady" Art Appreciation Program Season Opener

Students using props provided by "Picture Lady" presenter and Shorecrest parent Peyton Craig McElroy strike living "masterpieces" in the style of Belgian surrealist painter Rene Magritte.













First time "Picture Lady" McElroy delivered a diverse and engaging half hour program. She may be in her rookie year presenting, but as a Shorecrest grad she has great memories being on the student side of this unique Charger tradition.

Potato Power

Isabelle J's blue fingernails contrast nicely with the red glow of a LED light powered by potato batteries.




As part of our science unit on electric circuits, students explored various ways to elicit a flow of electrons in potatoes to power a sound device, clock and other items.



Delaney C. and Aidan S. use a voltage meter to determine the amount of current generated by the spuds. Two potatoes amounted to a volt and a half. Students all calculated various combinations and varieties of potatoes in a series of informal experiments. The process included changing one variable, making predictions and analyzing the results. They later wrote up their findings.

How Many Batteries Does It Take To Turn a Lightbulb On?

Everyone has a hand in getting a lightbulb to glow using 20 plus batteries.



It's all part of our science unit on electric circuits. The lightbulb has its base cut away to allow access to the wires that lead to and from the filament.

Spelling City

These next two weeks, and thereafter when needed, we are working on learning to spell words that each student has identified from his/her own writings. We encourage students to get their ideas and thoughts down in the writing journal and not be overly concerned with correct spelling. These are first drafts and mostly for the writer to see and use. Later in subsequent drafts we do polish up the spelling and other conventions (punctuation, capitalization, grammar, word choice etc.)

Students make lists of the words they find misspelled in their various rough drafts, again, mostly in their writing journal. They then are expected to write the words correctly several times and memorize them. There will be an assessment, as usual, for a part of their Language Arts grade.

Here is a link to a marvelous website for practicing their spelling demons.

An Author Remembered on his 83 Birthday

A Land Remembered author, Patrick D. Smith will be 83 tomorrow. You can learn more about him here and the link to the right. We hope to send birthday greetings to him.