Moon Review and Life Science homework
Posted onMay 20, 2013
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For homework this week, Valdezians will complete a homework assignment using the following scoop.it…..
Food chains/food webs homework:
http://www.scoop.it/t/food-chains-and-food-webs-for-4th-graders
Moon phases homework:
http://www.scoop.it/t/the-moon-for-4th-graders
We’ve got chicks!
Posted onMay 12, 2013
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Our peregrine falcons that we have been watching in Boise, Idaho are proud parents. Several of their eggs hatched this Mother’s Day morning. It’s hard to tell how many – maybe 2? Momma has her wings full trying to keep the chicks warm and to continue incubating any unhatched eggs. Make sure your sound is up…you can hear the chicks peeping. As the mother and father feed, they will regurgitate food to feed the chicks. Yummy!
http://www.peregrinefund.org/webcam-peregrine
Miraculous Moon
Posted onApril 23, 2013
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Exploring Our Universe
Posted onApril 7, 2013
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Peregrine Falcon Time!
Posted onMarch 18, 2013
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Over the next month or two Valdezians will be keeping an eye on a peregrine falcon webcam. As part of our life cycle unit in science we will be learning all about eggs and birds. Be sure to check out the birds and see what they are up to….
http://peregrinefund.org/webcam-peregrine
Whatcha Know About the Alamo?
Posted onMarch 4, 2013
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Valdezians – for Tuesday night’s homework…you may find some of the following things useful…
Shapes! Yippee!
Posted onFebruary 28, 2013
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Learn about shapes/Polygons
http://www.swisd.net/hip/Hip_Units/3rd%20Grade%20Math/module%207%20Geometry%202-Dimensional.pdf
Learn about the different shapes by listening to the polygon song at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2JnxTqQ4W8
Lines and Angles
Posted onFebruary 25, 2013
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Lines
Learn about lines at http://www.swisd.net/hip/Hip_Units/4th%20Grade%20Math/LinesM11.pdf
Let’s practice at http://www.studyzone.org/testprep/math4/d/lines4p.cfm
Angles
Learn about angles at http://www.swisd.net/hip/Hip_Units/4th%20Grade%20Math/Types%20of%20Angels%20Mod10.pdf
Let’s practice at http://www.ixl.com/math/grade-4/acute-right-obtuse-and-straight-angles
Mission San Jose and Espada Field Trip
Posted onNovember 15, 2012
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Welcome, Mr. Snake!
Posted onNovember 8, 2012
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What should we name our snake?… at AnswerGarden.ch.
Seurat pointillism
Posted onNovember 7, 2012
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Valdezians spent some time last week studying Seurat and his fantastic pointillism. Their beautiful art will be offered for sale later this month.
October happenings in the Valdezian world…
Posted onOctober 13, 2012
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Multiplication Memorization
Posted onOctober 1, 2012
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Ask your Valdezian about multiplication sundaes. We started today. This is kind of like the mad minutes that 3rd graders did last year. Students have to pass a timed test with facts of 2s and 3s. Then, they move on to 3s and 4s. Then 4s and 5s, etc. Here are some fun ways for your Valdezian to practice their facts…
Fall Fair News
Posted onSeptember 30, 2012
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Bulverde Creek’s Fall Fair is fast approaching. It will be held after school on Friday, October 19. Valdezians are in charge of staffing and stocking the “hairspray booth”. We are also putting together a basket of arts and crafts for the silent auction.
What can you do to help, you ask!? How kind! There are a few things…
1. We are still in need of volunteers to work the 3:30 – 5:00 shift and 7:00 – 8:15 shift in the hairspray booth. Interested? Send Ms. Valdez a note, or an email to Ms. Flieger (our room momma) at kflieger@sbcglobal.net
2. We need hairspray donations! Any kind! You can send them in with your Valdezian.
3. We also need arts and crafts supplies for the silent auction basket! Things like…paint, glitter, crayons, feathers, glue, art kits, paint brushes, etc… Send any donations in with your Valdezian.
Thank you so much for your support of our Fall Fair. Proceeds from the fair help our school so much. Also – thank you to those of you who sent in a donation to our “class fund” for our parties.
Forms of Energy
Posted onSeptember 21, 2012
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Now that we have explored electrical energy, it’s time to learn all about other forms of energy…like sound energy, light energy, thermal energy, and mechanical energy. Use the following scoop.it pages to gather information on these topics.
Valdezians are electric!
Posted onSeptember 19, 2012
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Valdezians have been studying electric circuits this week. Some of the words that your Valdezian should be able to explain to you are: circuit, current, electrons, conductor, insulator, electric cell, and switch. You can recreate some of our investigations at home. All you need are a battery, a small lightbulb from a flashlight, and any conductor. We used copper wire, but almost any metal object would work. Your Valdezian should be able to show you how to create a circuit. It’s not magic – it’s science!
Breaking apart large multiplication problems
Posted onSeptember 18, 2012
Filed under Mathematics and tagged math | 6 Comments
Valdezians have been working on some pretty tough stuff in math these days. We have been breaking apart arrays into smaller pieces to help us solve large multiplication problems. Check out these two videos to see what we’re doing…
Ready for circuits?
Posted onSeptember 13, 2012
Filed under Science and tagged electricity, Science | 4 Comments
Starting Monday we will be exploring electricity and circuits. Want to get a head start? See if you can use the following resources on scoop.it to answer the following questions…
1. How can you use a battery, wire, and lightbulb to create light?
2. What is an electromagnet and how do you make one?
What are Lexile Numbers?
Posted onSeptember 13, 2012
Filed under Reading and tagged lexile, Reading | 1 Comment
Today Valdezians took a reading test called “S.R.I.” … or student reading inventory. It measures their reading comprehension. Fourth graders usually score around 600 on this test at the start of the year, and hopefully end the year around 900. These numbers are called “lexile” numbers. The higher your number, the higher your reading comprehension. You can visit www.lexile.com for all kinds of cool things. Most importantly, you can type in your current book to see if the lexile number is close to your reading level. It should probably be within 100 or 200 points of your number you scored today. Is your reading level lower than 600? Make sure you are reading every night, and even on the weekends. Is your reading level already higher than 900? Make sure you are choosing books that are hard enough for you. Check out www.lexile.com. It’s a great website!
Science Safety
Posted onSeptember 4, 2012
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Valdezians spent the first week of school learning a bit about science safety. We conducted an investigation using ropes that was quite puzzling. We followed the steps in the scientific process to find out what happens when you drop an egg from different heights. This “egg”speriment had some unexpected results! Check out some photos of our first science-filled week…
Make your own slide show at Animoto.
Welcome new Valdezians!
Posted onAugust 26, 2012
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It’s Sunday night. The night before the first day of school. I always have a hard time sleeping on the night before school – nerves. I used to be nervous about starting school when I was a student, and even as a teacher I am still nervous. I’ll bet I’m not the only one! Hopefully my new Valdezians are tucking into bed (with a good book?!) and are ready for a full day tomorrow.
If this is the first time you have visited our classroom blog, welcome! This blog will serve as a window into our classroom. If you add an email address into the subscription bar, you will receive an email every time a new blog post is added. If you would like to add any other emails, like grandma and grandpa, feel free to add them!
A few reminders about the first day of school…
* Valdezians need an agenda. They are $8. If you did not get one on Friday, you can send a check or cash with your Valdezian on Monday.
* On the first day Valdezians can come straight to the classroom.
* If your Valdezian is going home from school a different way than the information you turned in on Friday, please send them with a note.
* Homework is due Monday! Remember that is just to bring a chapter book that they have started over the weekend.
I’m going to try and get some sleep now. Big day tomorrow. But maybe I’ll finish a chapter of my book, first….
The Books of Elsewhere:The Shadows, by Jacqueline West
Posted onAugust 1, 2011
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Olive Dunwoody and her parents have just moved into a very old home. No one can remember anyone living in the house other than the McMartin family, but Mrs. McMartin has passed away recently, and now her home (and everything in it) belong to the Dunwoodys. This house is full of secrets. Secret rooms, magic glasses, hidden graves, and evil. When Olive discovers that she can travel into the paintings, she must be careful. The evil shadows are after her. Can Olive save the house from the shadows? Can she find it in herself to be brave?
Visit www.thebooksofelsewhere.com to explore the house on Linden Street.
Great graphic novels and “The Storm in the Barn”
Posted onJuly 19, 2011
Filed under graphic novel, Reading and tagged bluebonnet books, graphic novel, Reading, storm in the barn | 1 Comment
Graphic novels are book-length stories told with fantastic comic-style artwork. Many adults and students judge these books by their covers and think that they are too easy, don’t tell good stories, or are for “lazy readers”. Wrong! Some of the best stories I have read this summer have been told in the form of graphic novels. For me, the artwork bridges the gap between my imagination and the author’s mental images. One of my favorites is “The Storm in the Barn”.
“The Storm in the Barn” is set in Kansas in 1937. No rain in years. Dust storms. Dry land. Farms are dying and people are moving away. Eleven year old Jack struggles to be a help to his family, avoid bullies, and to trust that the mysterious figure he sees in the barn is real. This graphic novel is part historical fiction, part thriller, and part fantasy.
http://www.mattphelan.com/sitb.html
Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist: Flight of the Phoenix, by R.L. LaFevers
Posted onJuly 19, 2011
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Poor Nathaniel Fludd has been left at home with Miss Lumpton while his parents are off adventuring. They said he was too young, but then they disappeared – lost at sea. Nathaniel is shipped off to live with his Aunt Phil Fludd (who owns a talking dodo bird). Nathaniel discovers that he comes from a family of beastologists – men and women dedicated to observing and caring for mythical beasts. Nathaniel soon finds himself traveling with Aunt Phil to find and watch over the nest of a phoenix. Will Nathaniel earn his place in the Fludd family? Does he have what it takes to become a beastologist?
Nathaniel has his very own website where you can see his family tree, look at his Book of Beasts, and even see his sketchbook. http://www.nathanielfludd.com/
This book is written by the same author of the Theodosia series, R.L. LaFevers. Visit her website for more information about this great series…http://www.rllafevers.com/books.html
Or visit her blog to see what she’s up to lately… http://rllafevers.blogspot.com/
My Father’s Dragon, by Ruth Gannett
Posted onJuly 19, 2011
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This adventure story received a Newbery Honor in 1949. Don’t be fooled by the fact that it’s old…it’s quite a good read! Elmer Elevator goes on an adventure to a distant island to save a dragon that is being held captive and abused by the animals that live on the island. His plan is to help the dragon escape, and fly home with it. He takes with him all of the essentials that any prepared rescuer should have: lollipops, a comb, rubber bands, and chewing gum. Well, ok….maybe these items are a little unlikely, but Elmer knows what he’s doing!
Kauai vacation
Posted onJuly 11, 2011
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My husband and I just returned from a vacation in Kauai, the northernmost and oldest of the Hawaiian islands. Check out some of the stunning scenes from paradise…
Kauai Vacation on PhotoPeach
Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos and the Staff of Osiris, by R.L. LaFevers
Posted onJuly 10, 2011
Filed under fantasy, Girl main character, Reading and tagged adventure, R.L. LaFevers, Reading, Theodosia | Leave a Comment
Theodosia Elizabeth Throckmorton is able to feel and use ancient Egyptian spells – which is convenient because her parents own the Museum of Legends and Antiquities in London, England. They can’t sense spells and curses, which is NOT convenient for Theodosia. It means that it’s up to her to remove all of the curses on the things her mother brings back to the museum from her trips to Egypt. Theo’s parents don’t know that she has these talents…in fact, they don’t seem to know much about her at all. They get so caught up in their work that she frequently goes unnoticed. R.L. LaFevers dedicated this book to “clever girls everywhere who get tired of feeling like no one’s listening” which sums up Theodosia pretty well. In these first two books of her adventures you will find: Theodosia’s recipe for undemonizing your cat, a pickpocket, evil Germans, a race through a pyramid, armies of mummies, secret societies, and adventures galore.
Theodosia has her own website! You can learn more about her, see pictures of her on her adventures, and even learn more about ancient Egypt. Visit her website by clicking on this link…
http://www.theodosiathrockmorton.com/
Bird Lake Moon, by Kevin Henkes
Posted onJuly 10, 2011
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Mitch and Spencer both have something to hide and something that they are trying to forget. Mitch’s parents are divorcing and it seems as if his whole world is being torn apart. Spencer’s brother drowned years ago and his family is revisiting the place it happened – Bird Lake. Mitch and Spencer don’t know each other, but they find themselves living next to each other on the shores of Bird Lake. Perhaps they can become friends and help each other – or maybe their secrets will be too big to make room for new memories.
Cicada Summer, by Andrea Beaty
Posted onJuly 10, 2011
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Lily lives in the small town of Olena. She describes it this way… “Olena is smaller than tiny. The sign at the edge of town says the population is 200, but I think that includes dogs and cats and horses, because I never counted more than 117 people. And that was when the Ericksons had a family reunion and about 30 people came to town.” Lily has been ‘invisible’ for two years. It’s not her skin that makes her invisible, but her silence. Lily hasn’t talked since the accident. Instead, she hides by a tree and reads Nancy Drew mysteries. That is, until the day Tinny moves to town and catches her reading. Tinny knows that Lily isn’t invisible now. What if she tells? What if everyone in town finds out? Tinny and Lily have lots to work out…
The Grey King, by Susan Cooper
Posted onJune 26, 2011
Filed under Boy main character, fantasy, Reading and tagged Reading, Susan Cooper, The Grey King | 1 Comment
This book, the fourth in Susan Cooper’s series The Dark is Rising won the Newberry Medal in 1976. The hero, Will Stanton, is sent to spend a month in Wales with his mother’s relatives to recover from being sick. Once he arrives he continues his quest to defeat the Dark. This time, he must find the long-lost golden harp that was spoken of in an ancient prophecy. He is helped along the way by a local boy named Bran, and Bran’s dog Cafall. Both are unusual and strangely powerful. With the harp, the prophecy speeks of awakening six Sleepers that will ride forth to fight the final battle against the Dark. Susan Cooper weaves a second story into this one…the story of Bran’s mother and his adopted father and an angry Caradog Pritchard’s jealousy. The entire story is strengthened by the setting – the countryside of Wales. Susan Cooper’s descriptions of the mountains and lakes are astounding. Through her craft, the countryside becomes a character unto itself. Will gazed out at the mountains, dark and distant, swinging into view as they drove along the road crossing the valley. Grey – white cloud hung ragged round the highest hills, their tops invisible behind the mist. “When the cloud hangs ragged like that we call it the breath of the Brenin Llwyd. The Grey King. He is supposed to live up there on the high land. It’s just one of the old stories.”
Blogs We Follow
- Mr. Avery's class in Massachusetts
- Ms. Yollis' 3rd grade class in California
- Mr. Salsich's 3rd grade class in Connecticut
- Team Toa 3rd grade blog in Shanghai, China
- Mr. Baird's 4/5 classroom in Ontario, Canada
- Planet 8 Year 4 in New Zealand
- Techie kids in Michigan
- Year 5 Ferry Lane Primary in London, England
- Ms. Bright's 5th graders at Cibolo Green Elementary, NEISD
- Mrs. Webb-Scheers' 4th graders in New Brunswick, Canada
- Mrs. Ranney's 3rd graders in California
