Spelling Words

Core words

learn

turn

girl

circle

burn



1. return

2. courage

3. surface

4. purpose

5. first

6. turkey

7. heard

8. early

9. turtle

10. birthday

11. journal

12. courtesy

13. nourish

14. purse

15. furniture

16. search

17. curtain

18. burrow

19. hamburger



Challenge Words

20.turquoise

21. absurd

22. furthermore

23. flourish

24. nourishment

A visit from Huckleberry

Today we had a vistor in our class his name is Hucklberry. Have you had Hucklbery? He's a teddy bear that has been traveling the world for 2 years. He has been to IreLand, Arizona, China, California, Germany, Montana, and now Binghamton. He has been many other places as well. Do you want him to visit you?

Today we also worked on wampum belts. They are Hiawatha belts and tell the story of the Iroquios confederacy.

Spelling Words

Core Words:
anything
something
thank
telephone
sing

Skill Words:
Thanksgiving
among
think
blank
graph
young
wheel
nephew
belong
whiskers
whisper
elephant
white
shrink
wharf
trunk
strong
blink
chunk
skunk

CHALLENGE WORDS

strengthen

bankrupt

phantom

whimsical

whatever

Friday Update

In our class we are learning about Hiawatha. In the beginning, was a man named Hiawatha. He was a man from the Iroquois. The Iroquois had five tribes the Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Mohawk, Oneida. Tadodaho killed Hiawatha's daughter's. Hiawatha was sad and he moved to Onondaga and moved back to Mohawk. He helped to bring peace and to turn Tadodaho good. The book that we read is called Eagle Song. This is about a boy named Danny, who was an Iroquois.

In Read Around America we just arrived in Alaska. Get out your winter coats.:)

11/6/07 - Today in our class

Congratulations to Ursula who reached 300 steps. We're reading a book called Eagle Song, and we're learning about the Iroquois. The Iroquois have 5 tribes. These are the names Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga and Seneca. We are at Boise,Idaho in 100 book Challenge Read around America.

By:Aqib and Patrick

Technical Advice

It has come to my attention that our media is not playing in some browsers. You can still watch the videos by clicking launch in external player. Thanks for your patience.

This Photostory was made by Wilson.

Launch in external player

A Bit of Fun with Photostory

On Friday a few students decided to try making a Photostory using their research and the pictures from their explorer comics. I think that these were really good first attempts at slide show videos. The first slide show was made by Kathryne.

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Our First VoiceThread

About US Money

I am having some trouble posting this tonight. If the video does not play, you can go ahead and click launch in external player.

Launch in external player

Room 219 Update

This week we are at 1993 miles in Read Across America. This afternoon we learned about money. Three of us spoke on the New Zealand website. We got an answer really quick. Someone must have been up at 7:30 Saturday morning. Did you know that Friday afternoon here is Saturday morning in New Zealand?
We did our vocabulary test in a "special" way. We used our smartboard. Today was a great day. Everyone keep reading, next Friday we need to be at 92 lines.

Posting by:
Aqib, Wilson, Faith and the rest of us

Fun with Technology

We are a bit behind on our blogging. We are spending our blogging time playing with our new technology. Thanks to Mr. Stewart our class has become a technology test class. Our job is to use some great new technology to enhance our learning. We received a smart board, an Elmo and a projector. The whole class is really enjoying them. It was an exciting moment yesterday when everyone got a chance to write on the smart board or move text around. We also had fun with the magic eraser.

This week in 219

Students just finished their rock guides in science and will be finishing our geology unit by Friday. Next week we move on to plants.

In social studies, we are learning about New York explorers. We are reading Voyage of the Half Moon. It is a historical fiction book written from the point of view of Henry Hudson's son. We are currently researching explorers. Some students are creating comic strips to share their information and others are working on newscasts. Look for some of the final projects next week on our website.

Our reading story is Letters from Yosemite. We are learning about National Parks and how they preserve geology, wildlife and plants. The reading skills we are working on this week are main idea and details, facts and opinions, and summarizing.

In Math, we are still working on addition properties, subtraction and math vocabulary. We will also be starting to explore money. As always we are working on word problems. Please keep using CUBS.

In read around America, we are now in the Midwest. Congratulations to Ursula for 200 steps. Congratulations also to Aqib and Ana for 100 steps each.

Keep reading everyone. Our goal is 79 steps by Friday.

October 12, 2007

This has been an interesting week. We read a story that was set in Japan and even made sushi. We finished reading Because of Winn-Dixie and watched part of the movie at lunch. It was different from the book. The dog was cleaner and did not have bald spots. Nat watched the commentary video and told us that two dogs played Winn-Dixie. The bird in the movie was very rude compared to the book.
We will update our Read Across America on Monday. We were too busy eating sushi to do it this afternoon. Have a nice weekend everyone.

Wilson, Nat and Damion

This week in Room 219

We are a bit behind in reporting our Read Across America travels. The last few weeks have been busy, but we have still been reading, reading, reading. Our combined line total is 718. This has allowed us to travel to the capitals of several New England states. We looked for tea in the Boston Harbor and enjoyed maple syrup in Montpelier, VT. Now we are relaxing in Providence RI. This week we will continue our travels through New England and maybe start are journey to the west.

Now, let’s look at this week in room 219. We will be learning about explorers that came to New York and researching why each explorer’s journey was important.
In Science, we will continue learning (Geology) about the earth and rocks. We will begin creating our own rock guides and sorting rocks into 3 groups (Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic). We will also talk about how the earth changes over time due to such forces as erosion and volcanoes.
We will continue practicing solving word problems in math. Everyone is starting to get the hang of CUBS. We will also continue working on place value, problem solving and chip trading. We will also learn number properties and moving around a 1000 board. Ask your student to use the numbers in a deck of cards to teach you how to play close to 1,000.
Our reading story this week is Grandfather’s Journey. Mrs. Lewis came in and talked about emigration and immigration last week. The Grandfather in the story emigrated from Japan. For more information on this week’s story and vocabulary, look for the Family Times to come home on Tuesday.

Have a great week!

Off to a Great Start!

It has been a very good start to our school year and I have truly enjoyed getting to know all of you. We have already accomplished so much. We have set the ground rules that will help our team to find success. We have learned that we all have something different to offer the team. We all have smarts to contribute. We learned what those smarts are: art smart, self smart, number smart, technology smart,word smart, nature smart, body smart and people smart. Through activities in each smart, we got to know ourselves a little bit better and discovered the areas of our strengths.

We will be starting our reading program this week with Because of Winn-Dixie. Parents look for the family times newsletter that will come home each Monday informing you what your child will be learning in reading and language arts that week. Spelling will also start this week.

This week in Science we will be learning about the scientific method and properties of matter. Ask your child how they used properties of objects to solve a mystery on Friday. We will be using these skills while exploring geology.

In math we are focussing on place value and different forms to represent numbers. We are also reviewing math facts from 3rd grade and practicing word problems.

In Social Studies we will be learning about maps.

I am looking forward to a great week.

If you have any questions feel free to drop me an e-mail by clicking on my name.
Mrs.Sullivan

Welcome to 4th Grade

Keep your eye on this page for updates and adventures. I can't wait to introduce you all to our New Zealand blogging buddies.

POT LUCK SUPPER

June 12Th is our Pot Luck Supper in Mrs.Sullivan's!!!

6:00 o'clock in the Library.

Bring a dish to share.

We are going to make a video phone call to New Zealand.

Come and enjoy the fun!!!

ABC Book

Today in Library we will begin work on our ABC book. You have each been assigned a letter and given a few book examples for research. For further instructions, advice and website links follow this link http://edtech2.boisestate.edu/karrem/edtech573/

We Named one of Mrs. K's Class Fish

It is pretty exciting to get to name a fish that lives in a New Zealand classroom. It seems so far away, but a little closer everyday. Thanks to Mrs. K's Class for sharing with us. We are enjoying getting to know you.

The name we chose is Sunny. Doesn't he just look like a Sunny.

A post from Mrs. K's Class - Midnight has Arrived

Midnight Arrives Safely to Appleby School
This is Midnight. He came from Binghamton, NewYork.

He is soft and cuddy. You might of seen him on the blog before.This is him on sponge plant at school by the library. We introduced him to Travelling Ted and Mini-Dylan from Wales. They liked him. He is now part of the family. This is all of them around the bear books in the library.
By Nicole and Shania

A post from Mrs. K's Class - Midnight has Arrived

Midnight Arrives Safely to Appleby School
This is Midnight. He came from Binghamton, NewYork. He is soft and cuddy. You might of seen him on the blog before.This is him on sponge plant at school by the library. We introduced him to Travelling Ted and Mini-Dylan from Wales. They liked him. He is now part of the family.This is all of them around the bear books in the library.
By Nicole and Shania

States

Sam from New Zealand wants to know, "How come it went from 13 states to 50? The first 13 States were made when the 13 Colonies ratified the constitution and became states. Then people started to move to other places and then they wanted to make there places states too. This kept happening until we had 50 states.

by Brendin

Fern Comes with us us to Fort Stanwix

Fern had a great time at Fort Stanwix. He slept on the bus to get lots of energy to work.



Then he marched and worked with the class. He had a chance to meet a French soldier, a colonel, and a couple of Native American scouts.

He lifted logs and stood in formation, he even used a gun. When he got tired he took a ride on a private's hat. He eve took a ride on our drum.

By Makiya

4th Grade Goes to War

The 4th grade went to Fort Stanwix in Rome, NY on April 27, 2007. It was a Friday. They prepared for it by making bread, haversacks, snicker doodles and beef jerky.
To get there they took a nice bus. It took about 2 hours. The 4th grade went to Fort Stanwix to learn about the Revolutionary War. It was fun because they got to go into the fort and do hands on activities. The Revolutionary war was when British were fighting with the American Some native Americans helped the Americans. Fort Stanwix was very big. we ate two lunches. One was on the bus. We took another to eat in the fort. We ate bread, snicker doodles, water, tea, beef jerky and carrots.

One activity was learning to march. The 2nd activity was loading and firing guns. Another activity was hunting. Finally the last one was on piling wood. After that we got on the bus and went to the Erie Canal. Last but not least we got on the bus and went home.
The trip was very cool for the 4th grade. The fort was really big and the 4th grade will never forget it.

By Freddie

Why Europeans Came to America

We will begin posting responses to questions sent by Allahna King's class from New Zealand. They are working on a unit about the United States of America.

Dear Tyler,

The Europeans first came out of Europe to America, even though they had their own country to themselves, because they wanted to live in America. The first Europeans came for land, furs, gold and other natural resources and to spread their religion. Later groups of Europeans
came for religious freedom or for a better life if they were really poor.

Sincerely,
Rebecca

Welcome Fern!

Fern has arrived. We took some pictures of him. He was helping some students with their projects. Below he is helping students with their sacks. Here is Fern helping a student with their soc. studies assignment. Fern is having lots of fun. She is sewing haversacks too.

Here is a picture of Fern on our class unit flag looking for New Zealand.

Fern is having fun reading with a student.

By Anna

Midnight News

Midnight had a busy week. He went to Disney where he was almost eaten by a dinosaur. Yikes!

He even visited Cinderella's castle. ( Midnight's brother Dusk stood in for some of these pictures)

He Joined the Continental Army and now he is heading off to New Zealand. In New Zealand he will join Allahna King's class. He is very excited about meeting another class full of kids. He is also excited to go to a school where so much is outside. He wants to visit an Island.

Here we are making silly faces and saying goodbye to midnight. Midnight is being held just above Mrs. Sullivan's left shoulder.

Goodbye Midnight. Have fun in New Zealand.

Joining the Continental Army

Dear Readers,
We are working on American Revolution projects. We are learning more everyday,we are about to go on a trip to Fort Standwix next week and become soldiers.When we are on our trip we will be carrying wood and eating revolutionary food.The fourth grade will have a great experience.Our class has been working on flags, our first flag represents our class and the other flag represents our regiment.
On Tuesday the colonel came from Fort Standwix and mustered us in the army and was teaching us.We are also making hats and haversacks. We are also making revolutionary foods like beef jerky, colonial bread and carrots. When we go to the field trip we will leave at 7:15pmWe willget back buy 4:30pm.We get to carry wooden guns. We were even on TV.

Rahiem and Shawnell

Midnight Visits the Science Fair

Midnight visited the science fair with a python and an African Python. There was also a scorpion and a tarantula. Midnight saw all of the inventions and experiments that we did. There was Cotton Candy too. Even Mrs. Sullivan held the snake.

By Brendin

Request for New Zealand phone call link

People are asking for a link to our call. Listen to our phone call with Allanah's class in New Zealand. It worked out really well for an unplanned moment. Enjoy!

Our Famous Reader

One of our classmates is on the cover of a magazine. Yay!! We recognized her because she was reading a Harry Potter book as usual. Nice picture.

The American Revolution Debate

In class we had a debate about the American Revolution. First, we separated into two groups ( the loyalists and the patriots) and had the debate. If you liked what the person said you would say " Aye!". If you didn't like what the you would say "Nay!" or "I Rebut". The Patriots argued that the king was raising our taxes too high. They also didn't like the intolerable acts or the closed port in Boston because they didn't have enough food. The Loyalists argued that people should respect the king and the intolerable acts were the Patriots fault. They caused trouble when they dumped the Tea. We were were going vote but, then we found out that we were already in war. The war started in Concord, but news traveled really slow.
By Brendin and Katrin

Our student teacher

Dear readers,
We have a new student teacher and her name is miss Thomas. She is very nice and she is also going to stay for almost 2 months. She is real smart, helpful and likes to explore. She is a good friend and student teacher. She has gone almost taround the whole world with just the same old shoes that are speical to her. She told us she went to places so I'll name 2 of them. She went to Australia and New Zealand where our computer buddies are. That's Our student teacher Miss Thomas.

by Isiah

A call from New Zealand

Yesterday our class had a cool conversation with a teacher from New Zealand. We did this thing where we called her on the computer. It is called Skype. She sounds like Super Nanny! We love her accent! She explained everything! Their school has a pool and they have elementary school rugby! In that school they call teachers by their first names! right now they are starting fall! It was 2:30p.m. Thursday here and 7:30 a.m. Friday there! We are never in school at the same time.


Big thanks to Allanah!
By Rebecca and Hannah

Today is day 3 of our math test. Everyone is working hard. I am so proud of everyone. We are off to a great start on our science fair projects. The students are also having fun with chemical changes. We all really enjoyed this video.



We have some sad news, our friend Meghan has just moved to another school and Katie will be moving this weekend. It is always hard to have friends move away, but we hope to keep in touch. Hopefully our friends will keep checking this blog and our post-it note page for notes. They also can keep working on the think.com Blog. We will keep checking their blogs. To Katie and Meghan you will be missed.

A Remote Lesson in Math

It is time to prepare for our State Math Assessment, but that doesn't mean we can't have fun. We have been working on math problems and using remote controls to enter our answers. The class has been having a great time. We can get immediate feedback of the correct answer and even graph the responses. The bar graph is the easiest to read, but the class favorite is the pie graph. Ask your 4th grader all about it.

Snow

I hope everyone is enjoying their snow day. Don't forget to go outside and have some fun.

Winter Storms

We just read a several stories about severe storms. The weather forecasters this week are predicting a few major storms. A winter storm in the Northeast might drop more than a foot of snow while they are gearing up for possible tornadoes in Arkansas, Louisiana and southern Mississippi. A tornado in February? Is this normal according to what we have read in class? If you would like you can post comments on our post it page.

Electronic Post It Notes

If there is one thing I learned from our blogging on think.com it is that this class loves electronic post it notes. I was doing some research on blogging in the classroom today when I came across a post it note tool. Let's give it a try. Follow this link to the 4thgradeiscool post it page and leave a note for the class.

Compass Learning

We have a great new technology tool. It is called Compass Learning and it will allow students to participate in interactive computer lessons at home. I will be adding assignments that follow what we are learning in class. Completing these assignments is a great way to catch up or get ahead. Have fun!

200 lines and beyond!

Congratulations to the following students for reaching or surpassing 200 lines in the 100 Book Challenge program.

Tanjana
Anna
Katrin
Emily
Hannah
Freddie
Isiah
Nick
Kaylee
Shawnell
Brendin
Joselyn
Rebecca

Zoo Mobile

Monday afternoon we will visit the zoo mobile in the library. Be sure to tell your families what animals we see. Also tell them about some of their cool adaptations the animals have. This week we will also be practicing our animal songs. I am hoping we can perform for the kindergartners by the end of the week.

This Thursday will be the 200 Line ceremony for 100 Book Challenge. Congratulations to my students that have reached 200 books. Keep up the reading.

Perfect Attendance

Congratulations to the following students for perfect attendance:
Isiah and Kaylee