Grade 4 Camp Presentation

Grade 4 will be going on Camp from January 13th - 14th. Please look through these slides to find out more information about what we will be doing!

Learning from a Physicist

Today 4HR spoke with Dr. Anthony Boyd via Skype. He is a physicist who works at a Naval Research Laboratory near Washington, DC. He talked with us about how he became a physicist, what his work day looks like, and answered our questions.

This is what we learned today:

- For a short time, we are stronger than gravity (lifting foot off ground)

- If there was no gravity, there would be no friction. The exception is in space when planets can rub against each other.

- If there is too much friction, we can't move.

- If there is no friction,  you would slide a lot.

- Friction always works in an opposite direction.

- There is a relationship between the moon and tides.

- Gravity is stronger than friction

- Gravity is an attractive force, so it pulls not pushes.

- We need to gravity to stay down.

- Even if the mass is different, in space objects falls at the same rate.

- You can fit more than 1,000 Earths inside Jupiter.

- There is only one kind of gravity. Sometimes it is safe, sometimes it is dangerous.

- People can't combine their strengths to push ourselves to space.

- Floods are connected to high tide and low tide.

- If there was no gravity, it would be hard to breathe because dust particles would stay in the air.

- We are pulling against the Earth, but since the Earth's mass is so much greater, the Earth pulls us.

- Momentum doesn't help us gain acceleration, but it does help us gain velocity.

- We need a lot of space to get out of the Earth's gravity.

- Distance affects gravity and mass affects gravity.

- When an object is falling, air resistance is pushing up against the object. When there is larger surface area, there is more air resistance.

Potential and Kinetic Energy to Simple Machines

4HR is investigating into How does the transfer of energy impact the motion of an object? In watching this video, we see how objects transfer energy from potential to kinetic energy. What happens as a result?

Later this week we will revisit this video, looking for simple machines. What do you already know about simple machines?

Partial Quotient and Math games

4HR is learning how to use the Partial Quotient Method to divide large numbers. Here is a tutorial explaining the steps to using the Partial Quotient Method.

In class you will be practicing the Partial Quotient Method, as well as reviewing all operations and pattern finding. Go to this link to practice the Operations and Algebraic Thinking games.

Applying Understanding of Friction

Today we are going to make predictions as to what surface would allow a skateboarder to travel the furthest. Let's play Friction Ramp to determine how friction affects are everyday lives.

Now let's watch Magic School Bus Plays Ball to find out how friction impacts sports.

Visualizing Wonder

Today 4HR read a passage from Wonder by R.J. Palacio and stopped to envision. This strategy helped us to understand the main character, Auggie Pullman's, daily reality and empathize with his struggles.

"In the hallways, which were always crowded, my face would always surprise some unsuspecting kid who maybe hadn't heard about me. The kid would make the sound you make when you hold your breath before going underwater, a little "uh!" sound. This happened maybe four or five times a day for the first few weeks: on the stairs, in front of the lockers, in the library."

Here is what 4HR envisioned:

I can picture the kids in the hallway, with surprised and shocked looks on their faces. I can hear the gasping noises they make as Auggie walks by. I can picture Auggie walking in the hallway, head-down, speed walking to get to his classroom. All around him, I hear the thumping of his classmates shoes. I can feel him wishing to be ignored, and wanting to duck and cover his face.

What do you envision with this passage?

Tuning in to Forces and Motion

Question: How could you move a ping pong ball one meter without using your hands?

Today 4HR delved into science. We designed, hypothesised, constructed, revised, tweaked, and tested our constructions. 

Key vocabulary we used were: weight, speed, momentum, gravity, slant, ramp, roll, bounce, incline, decline, launching, touch, friction, push, pull, hit, stretch, elastic, and rubbery.

Watch these videos to find out the thinking behind our constructions.

Amazing, Awesome Story Endings

4HR has been discussing what makes an amazing, awesome, and exciting ending. 

Here are examples:

"I wonder," said Jane.
Mark and Katharine didn't say anything, but they were wondering, too.
But it was a long time before the four children knew the answer." 
-Half Magic by Edward Edgar

It was a bad ending because it sounded unfinished. The good part was the ending left it open for a sequel.

In his eyes shone the reflection of the most beautiful planet in the Universe - a planet that is not too hot and not too cold; that has liquid water on the surface and where the gravity is just right for human beings and the atmosphere is perfect for them to breathe; where there are mountains and deserts and oceans and islands and forests and trees and birds and plants and animals and insects and people - lots and lots of people. 
Where there is life.
Some of it, possibly intelligent.
-Geoge's Cosmic Treasure Hunt by Lucy and Stephen Hawkins

There is a lot of Show Don't Tell in this ending. The author describes this new planet with lots of words. It could have a sequel.

Then together they began to read. They read stories about birds flying north in the spring. They read about picnics in the warm sun. And they read about Buster, the lucky dog who found his bone under the lilac bush.
-Rocket Learns to Read by Tad Hills

This is a cute ending. It matches the book and fits the story perfectly.

Meanwhile Elna opened her box of Cracker Jacks and inside she found... a real diamond ring.
- Meanwhile Back at the Ranch by Trinka Hakes Noble

The ending doesn't tell you important information. There wasn't any Show Don't Tell and the ending wasn't creative. What happens next? It is unanswered. The good part is that the ending isn't too long or too short. It is also a surprise.

Now for homework, you will write a blog post about an amazing, awesome, and exciting ending. Make sure to quote the book, provide the title and author, and explain why it is a good or bad ending.

One Day, Many Holidays

Today people of different faiths are celebrating different holidays. Muslims have begun the annual pilgrimage to Mecca called the Hajj. In Malaysia, we celebrate Hari Raya Haji. Jews, who believe in Judaism, are celebrating Yom Kippur. Let's learn more about these important holidays and rituals.

Hajj 360 video

Yom Kippur ceremony and rituals

Sorting Out Information about Beliefs and Values

Yesterday, we found out some key information about the three major religions in Malaysia: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam. Today we are going to be using BrainPop to answer our individual questions.

1) It is important to identify your curiosities.

2) Then choose a video that you think will give you more information.

3) Record this new information on your note taking sheet.

What did we learn?
Adam: Does Ravanna control all 10 of his heads? Or do his heads have different souls. Ranvir told me Ravanna controls all his heads.
Jacob: When/where did these religions originate? Hinduism (1,500 BC) and Buddhism (4th or 5th century BC) in India, Islam in Saudi Arabia (610 -632 AD)
Linh: Where does the swatik come from? India, but I am curious about where in India.
Colin: What do Hindus celebrate? Diwali, Deepavali
Beckett: Why is Buddhism one of the largest in numbers? It spread to China from India, so a lot more people believe.
Jack: How many types of thilaks are there? Ranvir showed me two.
Rea: What does Aum or Om mean? It is a Hindu symbol and comes from India.
Juliette: What does the swatik mean? It is connected to __________.
Leila: What is Hinduism? It is a religion that some Indians practice.
Aron: What do we call people who don't believe in gods or supernatural? I found out they are called atheists.
Alicia: Why do we celebrate Deepavali? To remember the return of the ancient king Rama and his defeat of Ravanna.
Mikaela: Why do Hindus wear thilak? Ranvir told me it shows respect to the gods and on praying days and celebrations.
Joshua: Why is Hanuman so important? Is Hanuman the monkey king? I found out Hanuman is the monkey king, and he is important because he helped Rama to defeat Ravanna.

Still curious about:
Linh: Where does the swatik come from?
Tessel: Why do most Hindu gods have an animal?
Jack: I am wondering if there are more than two types of thilaks.
Rea: Where does Om come from in India?
Leila: What is Buddha?
Julie: What animals do Hindu gods have?
Alicia: Why did they chop of Ganesha's head and replace it with an elephant?
Ranvir: Bhaidooj, what is this? I saw it on BrainPop.

Rounding Songs

4HR has been learning about the purpose and rules for rounding. To help us remember when to round up and round down, we made catchy songs with dance moves. Hope these help you remember when to "let it go" or "give it a shove"! For extra practice, go to these websites.

What Do Ads Tell Us about Beliefs and Values?

We are inquiring into the beliefs and values of our families, our classroom, and our school. One way to find out about beliefs and values is to look at advertising. What does this advertisement tell us about the beliefs and values of Disney World?

The Story of One

The Story of 1 (One the number) from OReilly on Vimeo.

Here is the video we have been watching on place value. It will help us understand how the base 10 number system is used to represent numbers and number relationships.

Think about the questions we have been investigating:

What are numbers? 

How is the base ten system organized?

Breathing Technique

To promote mindfulness during our performance, we practiced deep breathing. Go to this website to watch a peaceful movie that promotes deeper breathing.

Writing Blog Posts

Today 4HR is reading blog posts and deciding what makes a blog post excellent. We have read three exemplars and compared them. We asked ourselves What information should a blog post have? and What should a blog post look like? In groups, we recorded our ideas on post-its to share with the whole class. Then, we created a blog checklist to help bloggers always write excellent posts.

Soon 4HR will be blogging! It is important that we know what to include and what to avoid. Our purpose for blogging is to attract an audience and share information. If we write posts that are hard to read, understand, or look at, then our audience might not learn from the post. We take our blogging seriously!

In the future, help us by commenting on what we did well and what we can improve on! It takes helpful editors and peer revisers to make sure our blog posts are excellent.

Image source

Writing Blogs

Today 4HR learned how to write blogs posts. We looked at examples and decided which were the best. Of course this blog post is the best! Can you tell me why it is the best?

We need to make a checklist! That will help everyone know what to do. Can you help me? What should we include on the checklist?

I want to start blogging soon, but making sure we know what to do is important. Also, help me edit and revise!!!

Sincerely, 4HR

Blogs!!!!!!

Today we looked at blogs. They were all great. I can't wait to start blogging!!!! The End.

Performance Poems and Skits

4HR is hard at work practicing for our performance. Here are some of the poems and songs we need to be practicing.

You've go to search for the hero inside yourself,

Search for the secrets you hide.

Search for the hero inside yourself

Until you find the key to your life

(repeat 2 times total)

Choral Reading From Mem Fox’s Book: “Whoever You Are”

Little One,

Whoever you are,

Wherever you are,

There are little ones just like you,

All over the world

(repeat 2 times)

Performance Song

Grade 4 is getting ready to shine! Part of our performance will be an acoustic version of "The Greatest Love of All" by Whitney Houston.

Our adapted lyrics have been sent home, but here they are for easy reference.

We believe the children are your future

Teach us well and let us lead the way

Show us all the beauty we possess inside

Give us a sense of pride to make it easier

Let the children's laughter remind you how you used to be

Everybody's searching for a hero

People need someone to look up to

I never found anyone who fulfilled my needs

A lonely place to be

And so I learned to depend on me

[Chorus:]

I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadows

If I fail, if I succeed

At least I'll live as I believe

No matter what they take from me

They can't take away my dignity

Because the greatest love of all

Is happening to me

I found the greatest love of all

Inside of me

The greatest love of all

Is easy to achieve

Learning to love yourself

It is the greatest love of all

Because the greatest love of all

Is happening to me

I found the greatest love of all

Inside of me

The greatest love of all

Is easy to achieve

Learning to love yourself

It is the greatest love of all

Learning about our Intelligences

4HR has been learning about What Kind of Smart Are You? First Ms. Shand came in and taught us about the different kinds of smarts. We learned that there are 8 kinds!

Our next step is to investigate more into one kind of smart. That way we can share our knowledge with others! We are going to use the MISO model to help us find out more.

M - media, like books, movies, magazines, newspapers

I - interviews with an expert

S - surveys

O - observations

Using information from these four sources, 4HR will report back on what we learn about our smarts, during our Grade 4 performance!