Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I wanted to thank everyone for the sweet emails and cards! I have not opened my DREAM box yet, but plan to sit down this week and read all your letters and cards!

Contact Information

My new contact information is:

franklinjburns@gmail.com
SKYPE: Mr_F_Burns

Please keep in touch! I will continue to update my blog as well from my new school. :(

PROUD

Today I was overwrought with complete joy as I listened to my students share their writing. To see their faces light up as they shared their writing is something I will always remember. I hope they go far with their writing and always continue to have the passion for writing that I saw today.

DOORS/ELABORATION

What a great day! To end our lessons on elaboration we did our door lesson! It could not have happened without such great support from the parents! Thanks for sending all the great pictures! The look on their faces as they realized it was their front doors was priceless!

SCIENCE TEST

The Solar System Unit Test is Tuesday. Study guides went home yesterday. Students should take advantage of studying this weekend. Also, take advantage of the great Brainpop.com space clips. Go to Brainpop.com. Log in: Spalding Password: Tigers

The Sing-A-Long is Monday from 8-9! Our winter centers are on Thursday from 12-2. No school Friday. Happy Holidays!

Persuasive Strategies

We had some real fun yesterday applying our three persuasive strategies (humor, emotions, and facts) to our writing. A great combination of persuasive commercials and the 6 Traits book I Wanna New Room really allowed the kids to focus their writing voice.

Inference/Word Choice

Today we worked on using inference in our writing. We worked on developing strategies to show emotions, and details with great word choice without having to say how our characters feel. The students truly loved our hook (this commercial). It was so great to see the students using such powerful descriptions to create vivid details. We also used another one of our great Six Traits books: Tattletale Armadillo. (Unfortunately my second writing class missed this lesson because of Show Choir and will miss class again tomorrow because of Checkpoints). Students in this class are encouraged to come to morning remediation to catch up.

Toilet Paper Rolls

Parents, we need 21 toilet paper rolls by Wednesday for science. If everyone sends in one or two we'll be all set! Thanks!

Persuasive Writing

Today in writing we did a mini lesson on persuasive writing.

Phases of the moon/QUIZ Tuesday

Today we worked on identifying the stages of the moon with some yummy treats! There will be a quiz on Tuesday. Miniature study guides went home today. Not all of my TAG students came by at the end of the day to get it so they will have to pick it up Monday.

Foundation Pictures

Check out some of our kids featured in the Spalding Foundation link...

http://spaldingdrivefoundation.org

SPACE UNIT

Today we began our Space/Stars unit. Students should observe the moon nightly (if they are in my class) and make observations.

Science Supplies

Parents,
We need three boxes of Vanilla Wafers and three tubs of vanilla frosting. If you are willing to donate any of these please email me.

6 Traits

Friday we continued working on our 6 Traits of writing across all content areas. In Social Studies we used Now & Ben to connect the importance of Benjamin Franklin with our Colonial America unit. We were able to connect our trait of word choice with great historical facts. Students applied their understanding of the significance of Benjamin Franklin to their colonial journals. Also, in writing we used James and the Giant Peach to further our development of word choice. Students wrote entertaining stories focusing on verbs and adjectives. It is so great to see the students writing developing with so many vivid details!

Tiger News 12/2

4th Period Wrting Class from TOTY

Check out the 4th period writing class from the Teacher of the Year presentation.

GREAT DAY IN 4th GRADE!

What a great day! In Social Studies we did an activity to simulate trade between the colonies. Students had to develop roles within their colonies, and decide how to trade and barter with other colonies in order to survive. Students were expected to explain what it means to acquire goods. Then, we went to see the play James and the Giant Peach! The play was hilarious and the students asked some great questions.

Colonial America Test (Monday)

Monday will be our unit test on the 13 Colonies/Colonial America. Study guides will go home tomorrow.

Optimist Oratorical Contest

If your child is part of this group the first meeting is on December 7th in the parent resource room. The group meets from 7:15-7:45 with Mrs. Shams. If you have any questions please touch base with her.