ROCKS ROCK!!!!

We have examined rocks of all types and then 

Jared did the coolest thing...

He brought in his very own geodes for us to break apart!

We tried to break them in the classroom on the carpet but then we had to get serious and bust them open outside!

(Why didn't I take a picture of the crystals inside?)

Thank you Jared!

We rock the safety eye wear!
Looking good guys! 


A lot of the students have brought in some really cool rocks from their personal collections. Cole has an impressive collection and even did his 4th Grade winning science fair project on rocks and how much water they can absorb. How great is that? 

Secret Word

{rock-n-roll}

Doing Good

We get 

we buy

we unwrap...

we may even give a present or two, 

but do we really give with our hearts? 

I have heard from our class that many families are doing service projects at this time of year. 

For example,

Maurin's family hosts a party at a school for deaf students.

What a wonderful lesson to teach compassion and tolerance for others!

I attended a service event with my own children last Monday night. We tied blankets for children at Primary Children's hospital. It was a joy sitting with my boys and talking about why a child might need the blanket and what a comfort the blanket will bring them. My sons loved helping out and didn't want to stop! (sorry boys...school night!)

Well, there was extra material available and I told the coordinators that I knew some pretty wonderful kids who could lend a hand. Lucky for us, they thought it was a good idea for Bungalow 4 to lend a helping hand! 

Operation Blanket go started. First two of our wonderful volunteer moms (Sheila Jones & Julie Rigby...They are both super cute, but I forgot to take a picture of them working hard! Sorry!) came in and trimmed the fabric straight and cut the fringe.

Ask the rad kids in Bungalow 4 about their thoughts on our service project
 "Operation Blanket"

Secret Password

{snuggle}

Onward Ho!

While studying Utah Pioneers we had a lot of fun! We read stories, made maps, sand songs and....

BUILT COVERED WAGONS!

Thank you Natalie for leaving your wagon here at school so I could take a picture!

The process was involved. We gathered supplies, made the canvas and treated it to make it "waterproof", "nailed" the lumber together,  and constructed the wheels.

The only thing left would be to hitch up our yoke of oxen....but maybe the family pet will do? (haha! Just kidding! Do not bug your pet!)

Musical Talent Abounds...

~'Tis the season to be super busy! I know you can all relate. It is also the season to forget to press "publish" on the blog! Sorry! I thought posted but instead it was saved in draft mode.~

We love to sing and play music! 

This is how we practice the songs that support our studies of Utah history! The songs are catchy and well written but man, this kiddos take it to the next level with the performance! 

It's a sight to see!

Drummers, guitar players and singers...we are a complete band!

Silly, just how I like it!

Look for a sweet video on how we rock the recorders coming to the blog soon! (If I can figure out how to add a video!...Parents, any experts out there?) 

A blog shout out to Ethan's mom who teaches the recorders...we would never be this great without her help!

Secret password

{air guitar}

WOW!!! We are so busy!

 The last week we were off track and the first week we came back on we: 

1. Had a Safety presentation from a Grand Master in Karate...he has multiple black belts!
2. We filled our bean jar! We are so well behaved that people give us complements. Since we filled the jar, we earned a party...there was even some crazy dancing!
3. Some students created models of Native American dwellings while they were off track! They look so cool and we love having them displayed in our classroom!
4. We came back on track and jumped right back into math...just look at what we can do!
5. Tweet! We have a twitter board in our room. Those students who have job responsibilities are the twitter writers. They write funny things like, "I like cheese!" but also write about what they enjoyed like, "That Halloween party was so much fun!". I hope the twitter wall provides some more meaningful writing opportunities in the classroom!

** I couldn't arrange the pictures in order of my list easily and I was very tired, but the pictures are too cute not to be shown! Enjoy seeing what we are up to!"

Secret Word

{tweet}

We work hard!

Every week we work on projects and assignments and do our best work as proven in past posts.

Sometimes students need some extra time to catch up because we all work at our own pace. Some students write really long stories and others may have been absent from school. One thing for certain is that our class works so hard and everyone tries to stay on task. Here's what some of us choose to do in our free time! I love these hard working students!!!

Flash Card Mania!!!!

Free choice reading!

The favorite spot is the pink lounge chair...

or the colorful carpet...

or at our own desks!

Secret Word
{flash card mania}

FALL!!!

What a wonderful time of year! The leaves are turning and the apples are ripe! Enjoy this beautiful artwork that now hangs in our classroom!

A work in progress

Students could color in shades and tints of GREEN

or RED

Most of the group! "How 'bout then apples!"

We are working on learning more about the "Leader in Me" characteristics. This month the trait is "Be Proactive". We are learning that we have the power to lead and be great examples. Being proactive means taking conscious control over your life, setting goals and working to achieve them. Instead of reacting to events and waiting for opportunities, you go out and create your own events and opportunities.

Erika Thurston (Natalie's mom) comes into our room once a month and does an activity with us to help us learn these traits. Today she read us a book and then talked about "Helping Hands". We can choose to be helpful and that is part of being proactive! Thanks Mrs. Thurston for coming in and sharing your knowledge with us!

This turned out better than I planned! A BIG thank you to Brooklyn Best who volunteers at the school. Even though she is not a parent of a student in our class, she still helped me make this trunk!

Secret Word

{apple butter}