4th Grade Science - Severe Weather

Smart Exchange has a TON of great activities already created (for you lucky SmartBoard teachers!) to talk about tornadoes, hurricanes, and blizzards. The kids LOVE them and it actually is a great class management technique because I only call on those that have been sitting quietly and not raising their hands like monkeys (ooh ooh ooh!)


I also found these awesome videos on the National Geographic website. They are very informative and who doesn't like a quick video?

• Hurricanes
• Tornadoes
• Weather

October Art Projects

Construction Paper Trees

Picasso Frankenstein

Science - Types of Clouds, and Scholar Led Conferences

Desks straightened, room still organized, ready for Scholar Led Conferences!

I have the scholars get in groups and make the different kinds of clouds, with cotton balls! Who doesn't love doing art in a class other than art? It was a hit! And, I LOVE my silhouette to make the cloud shaped letters for our bulletin board.

Oriental Trading Love & Meal Prep Made Easy

It's always a good day when you get a box on your doorstep. It's an even better day when you get TWO!! This year, I've gotten hooked in Oriental Trading. I love using their little toys, bookmarks, crafty things for motivators MUCH more than candy! Sugar isn't that great for you anyway. If I'm not going to buy it for myself, why am I going to give it to the kids? Plus...keeps them from getting on a sugar high and expecting a treat whenever they do something right...like a dog. They're not dogs. Don't reward them with food!

My other box? My 6 Pack Bag! The BEST way to organize my meals, EVER! Enough room for all of my meals (which is a lot), extra pockets, cool ice packs, stylish, and have I mentioned convenience? The ice packs and their insulation keep things cold forever!

Art - Texture

Reviewing texture before doing our Art project! Students had to fill in the leaves with different colors/textures. Fun coloring activity - little prep!

Lego Movie and Science - The Water Cycle

What better way to incorporate my movie themed classroom with art than have them create their own Lego people? They were STOKED! Lego Movie is a favorite of a lot of my scholars and they even begged to make another one.

One of my goals this year is to display more student work. For this one, I had scholars get in groups and re-create the Water Cycle diagram. They did a great job! I used it as an assessment and had them put the water cycle vocabulary where it would go on the diagram, and the arrows, to check for understanding. They love seeing their work hanging in the classroom, and it makes less work for me. :) (I'm all about using my time wisely and efficiently!)

Art Is / Art Isn't

I always do this activity before the first Art project of the year. We make a list of what Art IS, and what Art ISN'T. This really helps them set their own expectations of what finished art projects should look like, and that it really does take time and should be neat, but doesn't have to be perfect. We bring these points up periodically so they can evaluate how they are working. I don't grade them on the perfection of the art, but their willingness to try new things!