Latitude and Longitude practice

Hurricane Sandy Before and After

In Science we have been discussing ecosystems and how they are changed by people and natural disasters.  Click on the link below to see before and after pictures of Hurricane Sandy's destruction in New Jersey.

Hurricane Sandy

I'm Thankful

We are thankful for:

• Mom's pumpkin pie
• Dad's gravy
• Grandmom's apple crisp
• my dog
• getting to see my cousins
• spending time with family
• seeing the Thanksgiving Day parade
• going shopping at 5am with my parents

Veterans Day

Today the students watched a short video and read a poem about Veterans Day.  They worked with a small group to create Veterans poems.  Here are the poems they wrote:






Very brave
Eon was a brave soldier
Trustworthy
Empathetic
Respected
Always working
Nervous
Soldiers
~written by Ian, Jacob, & Zachary Ro.

Veterans Day
Explains
That
Everyone
Represents
All
National guards and armed forces
Some schools are closed on this day
~written by Nathan, Gavin, & Cayle

Vietnam
Everyone
Thought
Eventually we'll win
Rights
Afghanistan
Non-stop fighting
Soldiers
~written by Natania, Megan, & Morgan

Vietnam was a war
Environments are safer
Troops who serve our country
Education for us & the troops
Running for freedom!
Awesome weapons
No more war!!!
Soldiers serve for our country
~written by Kara, Jaiden, & Stephanie

Vietnam
Earned
Tough
Effort
Reliable
Achievement
Navy
Sacrifice
~written by Brianna, Danielle, & Carley

Veterans
Empathy
Thoughtful
Excellent
Ranks high and low
All matter
Never give up
Serve our country
~written by Zach Re. & Carter

Victories and losing
Equipment such as guns
Tanks in war
Endure against all odds
Remembering them in the
Army
Not forgetting their
Sacrifices
~written by Avery

Hats Off for the Shore!

We had "hat day" today, with all donations going towards the Hurricane Sandy natural disaster.  The kids in our class brought in $20.25 and I matched their donation.  4D was able to donate $40.50 towards the cause.  Awesome job!

WE VOTED!

Today we read about the Presidential candidates and discussed their views on education, the economy, and health care.  We discussed 'the voting booth' and that 'your vote is your own private, personal choice'.  After reading the facts about Mitt Romney and Barack Obama, the students had a chance to vote for President.  They went behind the 'voting booth curtain', checked off their vote for President, and placed their ballot in the 'ballot basket'.  I counted up the students votes:  Mitt Romney 9 and Barack Obama 8.  We will find out soon who will be our new President!

I hope you are safe...UPDATED...

We finally have power back in the Dowd house... I hope you do too...

If we are back in school Mon.-Wed., we will have 1/2 day schedules with a 1pm dismissal time for students.  Parent/teacher conferences will be held as planned.  If you are unable to attend your conference, please send in a note with your child and we can try to reschedule another date/time.  We WILL be in school Thursday, Nov.8 and Friday, Nov.9th!

Lunch Schedule
Mon: Mac and Cheese
Tues: Pizza
Wed: Chicken Nuggets
Thurs: Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup
Fri: Twin Tacos

As for tests/quizzes, we will make them up towards the end of the week, which will give the kids time to get back in the swing of things.  The Science Ecosystem project due date will be extended and should be turned in by Monday, November 12th.  If it is already completed, feel free to send it in early.

I hope you are able to stay safe and warm, and have food and clean water to drink.  

See you soon,

Mrs. Heather Dowd

School Closed Mon., Oct.29-Tues., Oct.30

The tests originally planned for this week will be rescheduled once we are back at school.  I will send home a notice to give you the new dates.  I'm sure Mr. Magnuson will be calling with more information about the Halloween parade and party.
The ecosystem project will still be due Monday, Nov. 5th.
Stay safe and see you soon!!!

Red Ribbon Week - Oct.22-26

Red Ribbon Week - October 22nd – 26th Activities

• Monday– Red Ribbon Week Kick-off – wear red! 

• Tuesday– Camo Day – “You Won’t See Me Using Drugs”- wear camouflage colors

• Wednesday- wear red/white/blue colors.  “Hero” sandwiches will be for sale in the cafeteria this day!

• Thursday– Boots Day – “Give Drugs the Boot” - wear boots!

• Friday– Sports/Jersey Day – “My Goal is to be Tobacco Free” - Wear sports related t-shirts, jerseys, etc.

Regions of the United States

This week, the students researched and presented information about the regions of the United States.

This week in review...

Listening to "How Much is a Million" in Math class
before our lesson on numbers in the millions place.

Place value review game

Estimating and using tally marks to find out our class average
of how many raisins are in a 1/2 ounce box.

Social Studies test review

Social Studies review for our test.
"Step to the right if the answer is true.
Step to the left if the answer is false."

After reading "Yingtao's New Friend,"  the students had a
chance to practice using chopsticks to eat their snack.

They were 'picking it up' right away!

Yummy!

Many Names for Numbers

During our Math lesson on Friday, the kids worked in groups to look through newspapers and find different types of numbers.  The list they were looking for included a decimal, a measurement, page number, a number in the millions, and a sports score.  

Animal Classification

During Science, the students worked with a partner to create animal classification posters for vertebrate animals.  They did an awesome job!

Picture Day

Monday is Picture Day! 

Dress nice and bring your smile!

Animal Games

Click on the picture to play some animal games :)

September 11th - Everyday Heroes

Today we discussed the difference between famous heroes and everyday heroes.  The students wrote a little note to one of their everyday heroes today.  Your child will be coming home with that note today. Please forward it off to the person they call their hero.

We took this approach, instead of discussing the tragic events of September 11th.  As the students get older and move up in OCS and into high school, the events will be discussed in their social studies classes.

Scholastic Ordering

The Scholastic orders will be sent home today, and due back on Wednesday, September 12th.  You can either send in cash or a check made out to Scholastic.  If you would like to order online, you will receive a free $5 book pick!  To order online, click on the Scholastic banner above.  You will need to register the first time you order, then you can sign in with your email address - our class activation code is GTGQX.

First Day of School

Ms. Martinez, our student teacher, and I really enjoyed getting to know the fourth graders today.  The kids 'sent us' a post card to share a favorite memory from the summer.  We read a book about a student that thought the teacher put a "Math Curse" on the class.  The kids worked with a partner to purchase 'school supplies' on a math worksheet, then created their own word problems to challenge their partner. After completing an "All About Me" activity, we learned some of the students favorite classes, movies, books, and animals.  We ended our day by writing a "Memory Book" post about something the students learned or want to remember about their first day of school.

Welcome back!

I'm looking forward to seeing all my fourth graders tomorrow!

Be sure to bring your school supplies, a snack, and lunch- the school lunch for Wednesday is "chicken crunchers" or a ham and cheese sandwich.  For the lunch schedule, click here : OCS Lunch

See you tomorrow :)