Mrs. Boland's 4th grade class: 2012

It has been quite an eventful year. In social studies, we studied the original 13 colonies. Students learned about the hardships the colonists faced (not having television was a hardship to the students). Students then were able to make their own butter.

Then we ate the butter with bread.

We have also been learning about the branches of government and how the branches work together. Students learned about the functions of each branch.

In science we learned about the solar system. We discussed the planets and stars. Students were required to do a constellation project. We also did a solar system scavenger hunt in our classroom.

In math we have been learning about probability. We have practiced probability using spinners, skittles, money, etc.

We just had field day last week. It was a great success. Thanks to all of the parents that came out and supported our class. We placed 2nd in 4th grade. I was extremely proud of all the students and the sportsmanship that was shown.

Thank you to all of you for showing your support throughout the year. I am greatly appreciative to those of you who have worked with your children on science projects, math, social studies, homework, spelling, and all the other endless things that have come home.

Sorry I have not updated our blog in quite a while. There has been so much going on. Here are some of the things we have been working on.

In social studies we have been learning about the original 13 colonies. We have been discussing the many differences between our lives today and lives of the people who lived then. We have learned about the problems the people faced, the jobs they had, the roles children, women, and men played in society. We learned about the things that were important to them opposed to what we as a society place importance on in today's world. We will continue on in our study for a few more weeks.
In science we completed our weather unit. The students did an outstanding job on the water cycle posters they completed. They were so creative and inventive, I was quite impressed! We have nearly come to the end of our force/motion/ simple machine unit. The students have been presenting their simple machine projects this week. Again I must say they are so creative. I have been taken aback by the creativity and inventiveness expressed. Students have been using materials that I myself would have never thought to use. The students clearly have put a great deal of time and effort into these projects!
In math we have completed our multiplication and division units. Those were our more difficult units for the year. We are now moving on into our geometry unit. Students will be working with protractors, shapes, angles, lines, etc. We will use many different materials to demonstrate shapes and angles.
In reading we have continued to build on our vocabulary. We have continued to practice comprehension skills as well as sequencing events, finding main ideas, locating details, etc. We work in partners, groups, and as individuals to help take these skills to a whole new level. In Language we have been working with adjectives and adverbs and distinguishing the differences. A tough concept for the students but I feel confident that with more practice we will master it.

Creating totem poles.