April is National Poetry Month!

TFK Challenge: Choose an animal to observe in its environment. Study the animal's features and behavior. Then write a poem about it.

States

We are about to begin our study of the United States! If you could research any one of our fifty states, which state would you choose? Here is a website for you to browse as you are thinking:

http://www.factmonster.com/states.html

Tell me which state you are considering and why. *This will not be your final choice...just your initial thoughts:).

Take Action!

Remember the central idea of our current unit is:

Our choices impact the planet, and it is our responsibility to protect and care for it.

What action do you think you might take? Describe the action. Why are you leaning toward this action? If you are deciding between a few ideas, please let me know what they are.

"Giant Ocean-Trash Vortex Attracts Explorers"

Read the article by going to the link below.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/07/090731-ocean-trash-pacific.html

After reading, fill in the "Thinking Page". Choose something from your Thinking Page that you would like to add to the blog. You could choose your important details, your question(s), the action you want to take, etc.

"Ban the Bottle?: A Debate Bubbles Over Bottled Water"

Do you think bottled water should be banned or not? Explain with several reasons why or why not. Do you have any other suggestions about how to deal with the plastic water bottle waste problem?

"Tigers in Trouble": Time for Kids, February 12, 2010

Read "Tigers in Trouble" on p. 4-5. Respond to the following questions:

What are some of the problems that tigers face?
What are some possible solutions to these problems?
Why do you think tigers matter?
Why should people try to save them?

I can't wait to read your responses!

"The Power of the Press": Time for Kids, February 5, 2010

Read the article "The Power of the Press". Examine the photo at the top right of page 6. What is the mood of this photo? Why was this photo taken? What was its purpose? Do you think it was effective? Why or why not?

"Calling All Poets!": Time for Kids, January 22, 2010

Read through this issue of Time for Kids. Definitely read "Earthquake Rocks Haiti" on p. 2 since we just talked about that yesterday.

Then, read "Calling All Poets!" on p. 2-3. I think you are all so funny and creative; this is perfect for you! Write a funny, rhyming poem on the blog tonight. Maybe later you can revise and publish your poem so we can submit it to the contest!

"The Tourtoise and the Solar Plant": Time for Kids January 15, 2010

Read the article on p. 6 "The Tortoise and the Solar Plant". This is a really difficult decision! Do you think they should build the solar plant or not? Explain why or why not including several reasons.

"Coolest Inventions of 2009": Time for Kids December 11, 2009

Which invention do you think is the most important to our world? Explain why you think so.

Which invention do you think is the least important to our world? Explain why you think so.

Which explorer might you choose to study?

After searching the books in class and the internet, have you decided on an explorer you might choose to study? Remember to browse the biographies posted as a link on Ms. Gaudiano's Fourth Grade Homeroom Home Page for ideas! Not all of these are considered explorers, but many are! Please tell me who you are thinking of choosing and explain why. Also, tell me why you think he or she is considered an explorer. Good luck!

Christopher Columbus's Journal Entry

These words are from Christopher Columbus's journal. He wrote them about the first meeting of Europeans and Native Americans. Write your thoughts about his journal entry, especially the last few sentences. Think about adding ideas about respect for other cultures and open-mindedness.

So that they might be very friendly toward us...I gave to one of them red caps and glass beads which they hung on their necks, and many other things of little value...Later, they came swimming to the ship's boats where we were. They brought to us: parrots, balls of cotton thread, wooden spears, and many other things...Some paint themselves a blackish color...Some paint themselves white, some red...They are generally of good stature, fine appearances and well built...They ought to be good servants...and would easily become Christians because it seemed to me they belonged to no creed (religion).

--Friday, October 12, 1492

Time For Kids: November 13, 2009, Vol. 15, No.10

Browse the articles in this issue of Time for Kids. Did you find Laura Dekker's decision? Choose your favorite article. Describe why you chose this as your favorite article. Also, tell one new thing you learned from it. Enjoy!

Time for Kids: October 23, 2009

Should Laura Dekker be allowed to set sail? What is your opinion? Explain why.

Read the article at... http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/teachers/wr/article/0,27972,1930853,00.html

How did you spend your summer?

I spent A LOT of time with my two dogs, Hatch and Bean. Camping, running, hiking, swimming and just hanging out. We saw a lot of colorful wildflowers and even a bear! We all had a lot of fun exploring the trails of Colorado this summer.

Welcome to our Fourth Grade Class Blog!

You will have the opportunity to post your ideas to our class blog in response to certain texts that we read. It will be like having an electronic literature discussion with your classmates. Have fun!