4R Experiences: Volume 6: September 21, 2015

Xeoden is ok with getting his hands dirty as he adds grass to our compost bin!
Grade 4 is making soil!

We went Dotty, we went crazy, and we had a good time doing it! Our stories have an inviting title, that calls the reader to walk through. They have an illustration that points out an interesting and thought-provoking idea, or even a feeling, that draws the reader into the story.

Community is what we are all about: Human chairs, creating ways to celebrate our learning (Excellent Photo, Rolling Burrito, Rock n' Roll, and Popcorn), I Care Language, and a beautiful Tableau (Frozen scene) that represents a positive learner attitude. These are just a few of the wonderful things we're doing to build life-long friendships, as we laugh and learn together!

Symmetry is all around us. Sure, the classic beautiful is obvious, but we found patterns and non-patterns all around our world. During one math activity, students worked in groups of 3. One student created a designed that they hid and had to verbally describe to the two other people. Careful not to stump others, we laughed at some of the designs we made. We continued our study of symmetry using geoboards and rubber bands. Using their creativity and cooperation, students worked in pairs to create a design by taking turns that showed mirror symmetry, rotational symmetry, and some designs had both! Yes, it is possible as we came to find out!

Our Unit of Inquiry in how providing food is complex and presents challenges really took an interesting turn. Ms. Shahknoza came in and talked about how Uzbek farming works. We played a game called 3rd World Farmer, in which students had to make life-altering choices as to survive or thrive. The many challenges of poverty and 3rd world living were discussed, like war, disease, famine, lack of money, doctors, and more. Students made connections to our farm and supermarket field trips, like why it might be a better idea to buy local (in Uzbekistan, or where you live at that time) instead of buying food made or grown faraway? Yes. The foods faraway are usually processed and companies add preservatives to help things last longer. Still, we have choices to make? Should we put the preservatives in our body, or not? The choice is up to us!

Of course, we had to experiment with how our body tastes foods as well! We mapped our tongue. If you put different flavors on different parts of your tongue, you may or may not taste it! Check it out at home!

Next week, Friday September 25 from 12:30 to 1:30 is our potluck. Please bring a dish to pass. Sharing food brings people and community together in the most wonderful way! We look forward to sharing together. Lastly, Monday we are going on a field trip to a factory!

Homework:
Monday: Common & Proper Nouns Activity P. 35-36
Tuesday: IXL Grade 4 continue Number Sense activities
Wednesday: Potluck Recipe (if you haven't turned it in already) & Cook your recipe for the Potluck
Thursday: No School Eid
Friday: Read & Relax

Please enjoy this week's pictures. We had some fun...

Tableaus: Can you guess which learner trait they are modeling? Creativity, Empathy, Enthusiasm, Cooperation

Are you symmetrical? We are!

We are making soil in our compost bin! Smelly and delicious!

Sometimes we just have to get close to someone to get to know them... human circle of chairs. It works, and if it doesn't, we get up and try it again! Perseverance!