Always Something Interesting in Room 117

In an attempt to meet standards and connect students with a global audience we have created a class Twitter account. This is an idea that several classrooms around the globe are launching, as a way for teachers and students to connect with real world learning opportunities. We are going to give it a try. We have had a discussion that I do not think that it is appropriate for 4th graders to have a personal account, however this is an awesome way for our class to connect with other classrooms around the world and people who are experts in their field. We will be tweeting about the events of our day, interesting videos we view and ideas that touch and inspire us. We will not be tweeting student pictures or personal info, but instead focusing on sharing information that already exists in the world. If you have a twitter account feel free to follow us @KDSof117. Please bear with us as we use this tool, to connect with information and bring real life content to our classroom.

Man's Best Friend?

This week we are reading several stories that focus on the relationship between humans and animals. We watched this video today to start this unit. What an interesting relationship these animals share!

Someone Loves You Mr. Hatch

If you missed the video yesterday feel free to go to the link below and listen to the story: Someone Loves You Mr.Hatch!

http://www.storylineonline.net/

Main Idea and Detail

We have been working towards identifying the main idea and detail in a story. We have then been using that information to write our story summaries. Here is a website where you can test your skill.

http://www.studyzone.org/testprep/ela4/h/mainideap2.cfm

Trail Research

Use your scanning skills and your keywords to check out these websites.

http://www.isu.edu/~trinmich/oregontrail.html

http://library.thinkquest.org/6400

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

Lab Catch Up

Some of you might be interested in working on taking Mavis Beacon practice, followed by a speed test. We will be keeping track of how many words you can type in 1 minute.

If you are still workign on your Lewis and Clark Research you can do that at this time.

You may post book reviews here: http://booksby117.blogspot.com/  Remember you are always welcome to post on a friends review

You may watch this video on data and taking a survey, if you missed it earlier: http://safari/SAFARI/montage/play.php?keyindex=14907

This game is a good refresher for multiples and factors:  http://www.coolmath-games.com/0-math-lines-xfactor/index.html

Student Led Conferences!

We are busy planning and preparing for our annual Student-Led Conferences on Thursday, February 16! Your student is learning so much this year and will have a wonderful opportunity to share this learning with you at the conference. Student-led conferences put the students in charge, holding them responsible and accountable for their school performance. student will do most of the talking. It will be a time for your student to review and explain his or her mid-quarter progress report and data notebook. He or she may have samples of work to share or may have areas of the classroom to show you. Teachers will be in the classroom, but your student is expected to lead the conference. If after the conference you have questions or concerns, please contact your child’s teacher to schedule an appointment.
You may be asking, "What does a student-led conference look like?" In a student-led conference, your

Students will be sharing a variety of different items this day and it will be a great opportunity for you to recieve a copy of your studen'ts 3rd quarter progress report.