4th Grade Recorders

4th graders should practice their recorder music at home. 
(Any 5th graders who still have their recorders are also welcome to practice.) 

Mr. M assigned the blue belt song over the break:
Blue Belt Tutorial Video

Check out the resources for music practice on the OGSD VPA website. 
You can find the recorder song book, the advanced book, and more.

Real vs. Artificial Trees -- What is your opinion?

Read and analyze these two articles about the pros and cons of real and artificial Christmas trees.  Develop an opinion about what is better.  Which do you think is better for the environment?  Why?

https://earth911.com/home-garden/real-vs-artificial-christmas-trees/

https://www.moneycrashers.com/real-fake-artificial-christmas-tree-types-facts/

Holiday Pop Up Cards

Would you rather make a pop-up snowman card?  Try out this link.
(The step by step instructions are at the bottom of this website.  This is more complex than the one above.)

Coding -- What's your opinion?

Reading these three articles about why kids should learn to code.  Do you agree or disagree?  Can you use evidence from these articles to support your opinion?

1. http://blog.learningresources.com/5reasonskidscoding/
2. https://teachyourkidscode.com/why-coding-is-important-to-learn/
3. https://www.technewsworld.com/story/85874.html

Here is an article that says you should not teach kids to code.  Do you agree?  Can you use evidence from the article to agree or disagree?

1. https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2014/05/12/teaching-code-in-the-classroom/teaching-coding-to-kids-is-a-scam

Santa Claus Drawing Contest 2019

Vote for your favorite Santa drawing using this Google Form.

Adding Fractions With Rectangle Models (5th Grade)

Poems All Students Should Read

Paul Revere's Ride by Longfellow
Harriet Tubman by Eloise Greenfield
Casey at the Bat by Ernest Lawrence Thayer
Casey's Revenge by Grantland Rice
The Cremation of Sam McGee by Robert W. Service
The Shark by Jennifer Huynh
The Duel by Eugene Field
Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll
Dream Variations by Langston Hughes
Helen Keller by Langston Hughes
The Children's Hour by Longfellow
Barbara Frietchie by John Whittier
The Land of Nod by Robert Louis Stevenson

Are there any poems you think other students should read?  Share them with me in the comments and, if I can find them online, I'll post them here.

Kaley recommended:
" Daddy Fell Into The Pond" By Alfred Noyes.
"I'm Not Really 60" By Margaret Hill.
"The Man In The Jar" By Irwin Mercer.
 "When Santa Claus Comes". (author unknown)
"My Doggy Ate My Essay" By: Darren Sardelli

Winter Book Project

This project will be due on January 9.  Make sure you get your book approved by me this week.  You may start working on it immediately after you get your book approved.

You have 4 book project options.  Make sure you read the directions for your choice carefully.

Bill Nye The Science Guy Atoms

Field Trip -- CA Academy of Sciences

Learn about the CA Academy of Sciences before we go there on Friday.
https://www.calacademy.org/

Divide Decimals (5th)

Math Antics - Prime Factorization

Thanksgiving Turkey Card

Let's try this out in class today:

https://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/kidscraftsactivitiesblog/2009/11/thanksgiving-turkey-pop-up-card-making-craft-turkeys-beak-opens-and-closes/

Recognizing prime and composite numbers (4th grade)

Factoring Numbers (4th Grade)

Decimal Arithmetic (5th Grade)

Review what we have learned about decimals by watching the video below.

Research CA Native Americans (4th)

Hupa
Hupa Fact Sheet
Social Studies Fact Cards, Hupa
Native American Facts: Hupa
Britannica: Hupa
https://www.hoopa-nsn.gov/

Chumash
Chumash Fact Sheet
Social Studies Fact Cards: Chumash
Chumash Tribe
Chumash Culture
https://www.santaynezchumash.org/letter_kahn.html

Miwok
Miwok Fact Sheet
Social Studies Fact Cards: Miwok
Miwok Tribe
Coast Miwoks
The Miwok People
http://californiavalleymiwok.us/

Yurok
Yurok Fact Sheet
Social Studies Fact Cards: Yurok
Yurok Culture and History
http://www.yuroktribe.org/

European Explorers Research (5th)

Christopher Columbus
Explorers for Kids
Hero or Villain?
American History for Kids

John Cabot
Cabot Biography
John Cabot Facts for Kids
Biography.com Cabot

Hernan Cortes
Explorers for Kids
Biography.com Cortes
Cortes Facts for Kids

Jacques Cartier
Cartier Facts for Kids
Cartier Biography
https://www.biography.com/explorer/jacques-cartier

Juan Ponce de Leon
Ponce de Leon Facts for Kids
https://www.biography.com/explorer/juan-ponce-de-leon
Britannica Ponce de Leon

Henry Hudson
Explorers for Kids: Hudson
https://www.biography.com/explorer/henry-hudson
Hudson Facts for Kids

Physical and Chemical Changes in Matter

Read about physical and chemical changes to matter.

Atoms and Molecules Matter

Matter Is The Stuff Around You

Solids, Liquids and Gases

What is Chemistry?

Introduction to long division | Multiplication and division (4th Grade)

3 States of Matter (Solid, Liquid, Gas)

Read about the 3 states of matter.

Solids, Liquids and Gases

When you have learned a bit about this, try our class webquest:
Matter Webquest

Social Studies Projects -- Native Americans

Check out the following social studies projects about the history of Native Americans in CA and the USA.

4th Grade Webquest -- CA Native Americans

5th Grade 3D poster -- USA Native Americans

Partner List

Math Antics - Long Division with 2-Digit Divisors

Practice your division facts with these online games or on Reflex Math.

Practice long division online.

Native American Societies in North America (5th Grade)

Native Americans in CA Today (4th Grade)

Math Antics - Long Division

Unit conversion: centimeters to meters (5th Grade)

Practice converting units of measurement at Khan Academy.

Math Antics - Multi-Digit Multiplication (4th Grade)

The Customary System of Measurement

Diagnosing Diseases with Origami Microscopes #EngineeringForGood

We will watch this video as we begin thinking about our own designs to help with plastic pollution.

Multiplying Decimals (5th Grade)

Area and Perimeter

Which song is better?  Which is more educational?

Bringing Fish Up from the Deep #EngineeringForGood

We will be examining the criteria and constraints in this video as part of our ongoing engineering process about plastic pollution.

You can review prior information we have learned about plastic here.

People are currently thinking about how to deal with plastic:

• https://interestingengineering.com/how-to-eliminate-plastic-waste-and-plastic-pollution-with-science-and-engineering
• https://www.greenbiz.com/article/5-innovations-could-end-plastic-waste
• https://www.fastcompany.com/3060571/10-clever-student-inventions-that-could-reduce-our-waste

Metric System -- 4th Grade (5th Grade review)

Engage NY // Eureka Math Grade 5 Module 2 Lesson 5 Homework

Math Antics - Order Of Operations

USA -- States and Capitals

Here is a link to a digital reference map.

Practice states and capitals online.
Here is a more difficult game to try.

The Nervous System -- 4th grade

Read about the nervous system here.

Read more about the nervous system.

The Reality of Plastic -- Part 2

1. Watch the videos.
2. Read about the pros and cons of plastic.  What do you think?
3. Here is a second page dealing with the pros and cons of plastic.
4. Here is a website from England called Kids Against Plastic.
5. Here is an article from plastic makers telling you why they believe plastic is a good thing.
6. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch from National Geographic.

The Reality of Plastic

Once you have watched the video above, read this article:
Plastic: The Popular Pollutant
Then watch this next video and see what new information you can get.

Context Clues – Introduction to Reading Skills

Engineering Challenge -- What Makes an Object Float?

Read about the concept of buoyancy.  We will be applying this concept in our engineering task this week.  We will be creating boats out of aluminum foil and seeing how many pennies they can hold.
Read more about buoyancy basics here.
How do boats float?  Wonderopolis
The buoyant force of water. (bonus activity idea)
Here is your task:  Float My Boat.  We will use this chart to record our designs.

Dividing Decimals - Whole Number Divisors | 5th Grade Math

Adding & Subtracting Decimals Song | 4th & 5th Grade

Adding multi digit numbers with place value -- 4th Grade

Latitude and Longitude Webquest

Watch the introductory video above.  When you have finished, start your webquest by using this link.  Please take your time on this webquest.  It is not a race.  Make sure that you use each link and read all of the information on the link to learn the concepts.  You are not allowed to Google the answers.  Make sure that you record your answers on the worksheet I gave you in class.

If you finish early, listen to the song at this link.

If you finish early, another Dr. Nagler video can be found here.  How is this concept related to latitude and longitude?

The Engineering Design Process part 2

Rounding Whole Numbers and Decimals - 4th & 5th

5th Grade - Rounding Decimals Quiz

4th Grade -- Rounding Numbers Pirate Game

Engineering Design Process

Check out a NASA video on engineering.

Read about the engineering design process.

Comparing decimals: ordering from least to greatest | 5th Grade

Practice this concept at this link.

Comparing multi-digit numbers | Math | 4th grade

Grade 5 Module 1 Lesson 4 -- Metric System

5th Grade - Decimal Place Value

7 Continents and 5 Oceans of the World - Geography for Kids | Educationa...

Practice your geography skills.

Place Value -- 4th Grade

Practice this concept at this link.

Place value game.

Decimal Place Value -- 5th Grade

Decimal Pirates Game

BrainPOP - Online Safety

Multiplying: 2 digit numbers | 5th Grade Review

Multiplying: 2 digits times 1 digit (with carrying) | 4th Grade

Multiplication Fact Practice

Try out a few of these links to practice your multiplication facts:

1. Multiplication Grand Prix
2. Penalty Kicks Multiplication
3. Frogtastic Multiplication

School Supply List for Teacherp's Class

Check out Teacherp's school supply list.

We are hoping to have supplies in everyone's hands by Monday.

Back to School -- Get a Jump on the Year

Welcome to the 2019-2020 school year.  Use these links to get a jump on your skills for the year.

• Internet4Classrooms Common Core Practice
• Khan Academy
• 5th Grade Math Games by topic
• 4th Grade Math Games by topic
• Online Reading Practice Test 5th Grade
• Online Reading Practice Test 4th Grade
• Math Antics
• Grammar Games 
• Parent Toolkit -- 5th grade math skills
• Parent Toolkit -- 4th grade math skills

School Supplies for 2019-2020

Upper grade teachers have created a common school supply list to start the 2019-2020 school year.  Please bring these items to the first day of school, if you are able to.

Upper Grade School Supply List

Summer Reading Challenge -- Book Lists

I have been asked what books would be good for kids to read over the summer.  My personal favorites for 4th and 5th grade students are:

1. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
2. A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snickett
3. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
4. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Here are some book lists you can look at for more ideas:

1. American Library Association summer reading list
2. San Jose Public Library 4th grade books
3. San Jose Public Library 5th grade books
4. Teacherp's upper grade book list

Have a great time reading new books.  Don't forget to leave a comment so I can update you on the Summer Reading Challenge page.

Summer Reading Challenge 2019

You should join Teacherp's Summer Reading Challenge.

Your Mission:  You should read at least 5 good chapter books this summer.  If you can read more, AWESOME!  Leave a comment of this page and I will add you to the official Summer Reading Challenge list.

How do I meet the challenge?

I'm glad you asked.

Each time you finish a new book, write the title and author's name in the comments section of Teacherp.  I will then update your status.  That's it.  Keep reading and keep sending me updates.

Categories:

1. Participant:  Complete 5 chapter books.
2. Superior:  Complete 10 chapter books.
3. Elite:  Complete 15 chapter books.

Anyone from the school can join.  Tell your friends and get your siblings to participate too.

Happy Reading!!!

Math Number Sense Builders for Practice and Fun

1. How Much, How Many?
2. Math Limbo
3. Kakooma
4. Coin Bubble
5. Minus Mania 
6. Numtanga
7. Ten Frame Mania

All links taken from Greg Tang Math.

2019 Women's World Cup

Teams in the Women's World Cup

Team USA

Women's World Cup Information

World Cup Matches & Results

Printable Blank World Map -- Can you find the countries in the World Cup?

Online Math Games to Prep for Grade 5

Check out a few of these games to prepare you for 5th grade math:

1. Multiplying Fractions Millionaire Game
2. Volume Shapes Shoot
3. Minecraft Volume
4. Soccer Coordinates
5. Decimal Conversions
6. Polygon Matching
7. Multiplication Grand Prix

Can 100% renewable energy power the world?

Measurement Songs -- 4th Grade

Comparing Decimals

Try out this fruit smashing game to practice.

Balloon Popping Practice

Relating Decimals and Fractions

Now practice this concept.

Chain Reactions

Try out this chain reaction simulator.

Video from Design Squad

Greek Mythology -- 4th Grade

Read about the Greek Gods and Goddesses as part of our mythology unit:

1. Ancient Greek Gods for kids
2. Greek Mythology -- Ducksters
3. Ancient Greek Gods -- History for Kids

If you just like Greek Myths, you can read more here.

Fractions and Decimals

Practice this at Khan Academy.

Science Extension Activities -- Roller Coasters

Read:  How Roller Coasters Work






PBS Kids:  Roller Coaster Game

Funderstanding:  Roller Coaster Game

Roller Coaster Designer

Rewrite Fractions as Decimals -- Basics

Practice this concept at this link.

Practice multiplying fractions and whole numbers at Khan Academy.

Multiplying Fractions by Whole Numbers

Poetry That All 4th Graders Should Read -- Poems

• The Walrus and the Carpenter by Lewis Carroll
• Be Glad Your Nose is on Your Face by Jack Prelutsky
• Wynken, Blynken and Nod by Eugene Field
• The Duel  by Eugene Field
• The Children's Hour by Longfellow
• Dreams by Langston Hughes
• The Land of Nod by Robert Louis Stevenson
• Helen Keller by Langston Hughes
• Little Orphant Annie by James Whitcomb Riley
• Chocolate Cake by Michael Rosen
• Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf by Roald Dahl
• Life Doesn't Frighten Me by Maya Angelou

Do you have a poem that you think is awesome?  Send me a comment and I will try to include it here. (If I can find it online...)

• An anonymous student likes The Castle by Shel Silverstein and Yertle the Turtle by Dr Seuss (Don't forget to tell me who you are.)
• Mao found My Next Door Neighbor is a Witch by Samiya Vallee
• Osiel recommends The Phoenix and the Turtle by William Shakespeare.
• Audrey is entertained by I Don't Watch TV by Kenn Nesbitt
• Audrey also likes Homework, I Love You by Kenn Nesbitt
• 3 for Audrey.  She is partial to Wendy Wise by Kenn Nesbitt
• Noah discovered Try Try Again by T.H. Palmer
• Noah also suggested The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost
• Kaley found The Rain and The Wind by William Henley
• Kaley was amused by The Man in the Jar by Irwin Mercer
• Kaley also found some limericks, The Man from Greece and A Fish Who Could Talk
• Noah was interested in Fire and Ice by Robert Frost
• Arnav enjoyed Our Teacher Likes Minecraft by Kenn Nesbitt
• Arvav likes challenging poems The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe
• Noah also likes challenging poems Paul Revere's Ride by Longfellow
• Noah puts forth Homework! Oh, Homework! by Jack Prelutsky
• Noah challenges you to read Shakespeare To Be or Not To Be

The Science of Static Electricity

Creating a News Report

Math Antics - Adding and Subtracting Fractions

Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators

California's Gold Rush

Read and watch another video at History.com.

Read about the CA Gold Rush at Kidport.

Read about the journey to get to California.

http://www.calgoldrush.com/

Science Fair 2019 -- Hypothesis Time!

Your science fair project is due by April 12 in class.  The science fair will be held on April 18 at school.

Hypothesis:

One of the things you will need to have on your presentation board is your hypothesis.  It is time to write up this hypothesis.

Learn what a hypothesis is.

Several things you should make sure of:

1. Is your hypothesis based on research?  Does your written hypothesis show your research?
2. Can you make a prediction about what will happen based on your hypothesis?
3. Can you test your hypothesis?
4. Will you be able to evaluate your hypothesis once your experiment or demonstration is completed?  Were you correct?  (It is ok if you were not correct.)

Math Antics - Common Denominator

Electric Vocabulary

How To Draw A Cartoon Leprechaun

Comparing Fractions

Explaining an Electrical Circuit

2019 Science Fair

Our science fair is on April 18.  All projects are due by the 12th.

Check out the science fair directions.

NASA put together a website of information about how to do a science fair project.

Try out a few of these websites for inspiration and project ideas:

1. https://www.eia.gov/kids/energy.php?page=sf_experiments#sf_elementary
2. https://www.education.com/science-fair/
3. http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/projects.html
4. https://www.parenting.com/gallery/easy-science-fair-projects-kids
5. https://www.education.com/science-fair/fourth-grade/
6. https://www.ars.usda.gov/oc/kids/fair/ideas/

California Gold Rush

More On Equivalent Fractions

Equivalent Fractions Introduction

Now try out some Khan Academy practice at this link.

Fractions - Working With Parts

Landslides | National Geographic

What are landslides?

How should people prepare for landslides?

A slow motion landslide.

Fractions Introduction

Bonus Video: The Science of Symmetry

Math Antics - Triangles

Think you understand triangles?  Quiz yourself.

How to draw a Lunar New Year Dragon

You can read about Lunar New Year at this link.

Intro to Symmetry

Now try out this robot fighting symmetry game.

Bill Nye the Science Guy Erosion

Complementary and Supplementary Angles

Khan Academy also has a lesson on this.

Measuring angles using a protractor

Practice measuring angles online with this virtual protractor.

Here is a printable protractor that you can cut out and use at home.

Angle Basics

Volcanoes Mythology

Many cultures had mythology surrounding volcanoes.  Throughout history, humans have created these myths surrounding volcanoes.  What does the mythology of each culture have in common?

Vulcan (Roman) or Hephaestus (Greek)

https://wiki.kidzsearch.com/wiki/vulcan_(mythology)

https://www.ducksters.com/history/ancient_greece/hephaestus.php

Pele (Hawaiian)

http://academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Pele_%28mythology%29

https://www.robertshawaii.com/blog/legend-behind-hawaiis-goddess-fire/

Other Cultures

http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/book/export/html/1015

http://www.mexonline.com/history-popo.htm

Geometry Basics: Points, Lines & Planes

Now practice these concepts:
Math Is Fun practice
Splash Math practice
Line Splat

Layers of the Earth

Here's a rap about Earth's layers.

Multi-Digit Multiplication

Don't forget to leave a comment when you finish watching the video.

Multiplying: Using an Area Model