4th Grade Reflections

What a tremendous year we have had together! It is hard to believe that it is almost over. Take some time to reflect upon your fourth grade year and answer the following questions:

What will you remember most about 4th grade?

What are the most important things you learned in 4th grade?

If you could do anything differently, what would you have done to make 4th grade better for yourself?

Expectations: Remember to write in complete sentences using correct grammar, spelling, and conventions rules. Post your answers to the questions by Wednesday, 6/10. Respond to a classmate's posting by Friday, 6/12.

Money, Money, Money

As we have been learning in our study of economics and trade, everyone is affected by money. We earn, spend it, save it, lose it, and even give it away. How we use our money says a lot about us and what we care about in the world. With that in mind, please answer the following questions:

1. If you had an extra $1, what would you do with it?
2. If you had an extra $10, what would you do with it?
3. If someone gave you $100, what would you do with it?
4. If someone gave you $1000, what would you do with it?
5. If you won the lottery and received $1,000,000, what would you do with it?

Expectations: Answer each of the five questions (using complete sentences and correct conventions) by Wednesday, 5/20. Respond to a classmate's post (agree, disagree, question) by Friday, 5/22.

Page's Poets

Please post an original poem (at least 4 lines). It may be any form or style, written about any topic. Your second task is to respond to a classmate's poem. You may respond with compliments or questions, but please be specific.

Expectations: Post your original poem by Wednesday, 5/6. Respond to a classmate's poem by Friday, 5/8.

Bonus Blog

Wednesday, April 22, is Earth Day. In this post, make a list of ways we can care for our planet. Here's the challenge - you may NOT repeat anyone's answers, so read your classmates' responses carefully. Responses that include complete and thoughtful answers may earn some marbles for the class. :)

Why Washington?

Over the past five hundred years, many different groups of people have come to the Pacific Northwest and settled here. Explorers, fur traders, missionaries, pioneers, immigrants, and Native Americans have all found something special about this region. In fact, people are still coming and settling in our state.

1. Why did the groups of people we have studied visit and stay in Washington? Please list at least THREE specific groups and their unique reasons.
2. In your opinion, why do people continue to settle in Washington? Please give at least THREE reasons.

Expectations: Please answer both questions with complete sentences by Wednesday, 4/22. Please respond to at least one classmate's post by Friday, 4/24. In response to a classmate's post, you may agree, disagree, or ask a question. Remember to include your student number at the end of your responses.

"I will fight no more forever."

Chief Joseph said those famous words when he surrendered his Nez Perce tribe to the United States government. He had tried to escape to Canada, but in the end, was forced to sign a treaty. Chief Sealth, on the other hand, signed a treaty with the government right away.

1. Who do you think made the best decision? Explain.
2. If you had been the chief of a Native American tribe during the 1800s, how would you have responded to the pioneers and the U.S. government? Explain.

Expectations: Please answer both questions with at least three sentences each. You must post by Monday, 3/23. If you would like some extra credit points for your team, you can respond to your classmate's postings OR ask a family member to post his/her own response to the questions. Remember, in response to a classmate, you can agree, disagree, or ask a question.

Would You Have Been a Pioneer?

During the mid to late 1800s, many Americans left their homes and set out for Oregon Country along the Oregon Trail. Considering the hardships of the journey AND the possible benefits, would you have chosen to be a pioneer?

Expectations: By WEDNESDAY of this week, post your response to this question. Clearly state your opinion and support it with at least three reasons. By FRIDAY of this week, respond to a classmate's post. Remember: when responding to another post, you may respond in agreement, disagreement, or with a question. Make sure to explain statements of agreement or disagreement. Don't forget to sign all of your postings with your student number.

Washington's Visitors & Settlers

In Social Studies, we have discussed the groups of people who visited and/or settled in our state, from explorers and fur traders to missionaries and pioneers. These visitors and settlers had an impact on the Native American tribes who had been living here for generations. In your opinion, did the Europeans and Americans have more of a positive or negative impact on the Native American people of the Pacific Northwest?

Expectations: Clearly state your opinion and support it with at least three reasons. Please write at least three sentences in your response. THEN read a classmate's response and respond to his or her ideas.

Adopt an Owl?

In chapter 6 of There's an Owl in the Shower, Borden brings home a spotted owlet. His father agrees to let him keep the owlet at home because they mistakenly think it is a barred owl, not a spotted one. Do you think this is a good idea? Explain your thinking.

Welcome!

Hello! Welcome to our very own class blog. This is a place for us to have an ongoing conversation about what we are learning in our classroom. Let's try it out!

As our new president, President Obama is trying to help our country with money problems. If you were our president, what problems would you try to fix first? Explain.

Expectations: There is no right or wrong answer as long as you explain your thinking. Write at least three sentences.