My Grade 4s did a little research on the Canadian Shield region of Alberta.  After, they were asked to make a list of 15 items that represented things in this region.  For example, a plastic Lego tree represents the forests in the region.

I asked the students to bring items from home or to make them in class.  The items were placed in a baggie and filled with rice or noodles.  I borrowed the rice from the sensory tables in the Kindergarten and Grade 1 rooms.

Students typed their list of items and attached it to the bag.  Then students switched bags and searched for the items on the list.

Monster Mash

Aren't these little guys adorable?

My Grade 4/5/6 students did a little weaving in art class last week.  I can't wait to try this project next fall around Halloween.  I plan to include a cool writing activity with it, too.

My Grade 4s spent some time in early March learning about sequencing in reading.  We talked about where we would see sequencing in our reading, such as recipes, instruction manuals, and short stories.  We identified transition words that would help us when we read a text, such as first, after, and finally. Then I remembered something I pinned on Pinterest quite some time ago - sequencing in writing.  This tied in perfectly!  I gave each student a piece of bubble gum and as a class we came up with the basic steps for blowing a bubble gum bubble.  I then had the students go back to their writing and expand on their ideas, making sure they had clear transition words for each step.  Here is what our final writing piece looked like. 

Around My Classroom

With the hustle of report cards, student-leds, Kagan professional development, and St. Patrick's Day behind me, I finally had a moment today where I felt "caught up".  It sure doesn't happen very often.

I took a few photos from around my classroom.  Enjoy!

My Grade 4 students finished these adorable oil pastel pieces a couple weeks ago.  I was planning to take them down today and what should happen?  SNOW!!  Yep, a beautiful "Christmas Eve" type of snow hit right at lunch hour.

Grade 5/6 Art Inspired by Rene Magritte

My Grade 4 math class finished up a mini-unit on telling time.  I found this flower idea on Pinterest last year, but only got around to getting it up this year.  Above the clock is my reminder wall of some of the many Kagan structures that I am learning about.  I think I'll make a few adjustments to this list.

What Time Is It?

I didn't plan it, but Thursday turned into a day of clock activities. First, my Grade 4 students made a clock in math class.  This will be a good reference as we continue through our Time unit.

I apologize for the upside-down picture.

Then I got these little guys prepped for next week.  We'll do a little mingling around the classroom and read each others' watches.  Not only will the students record the time on the watch, but they'll also record what the time will be in 10 minutes.

Then later in the day my Grade 5/6 class started a Salvador Dali project - Melting Clocks.  I melted old records ahead of time, then the students did a first coat of white acrylic paint.  Next class we'll do another coat of white, then finish up with a trim and clock face.