Websites for your reference in researching the 7 continents

Suggested resources for the continuation of your task:

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/geography/

http://www3.nationalgeographic.com/places/continents/index.html

Note:

- You need to create a fact file for the 7 continents (Population, land area, countries, etc.), including interesting facts about them.

- Bring this to class tomorrow for the activity on Geography.  Remember to write the information in your Unit of Inquiry notebook for editing, revising and organization of information collected.  Your work will be assessed based on the completeness and accuracy of information, summarized information or information written in your own words, organizational framework used (headings and sub-headings), etc. 

- Include the sources of information in your research;  title of books, URL or website address, etc.

 

Homework_January 21, 2008

For today's homework, I want you to collect articles, magazines, and books about Batam and Riau.  You may also bring some 'Geography' books for us to look at.  In addition, collect some old pictures of Batam and Riau from your parents or relatives.  We will use these to track changes and developments in the province over time. 

 

You are also expected to do your journals tonight.  Visit one of your classmate's blogger and leave a comment on their post.  We will make our reflections on this tomorrow.

 

Have a great day!

Weekend Homework

Hello there dearest eagles!!!!

 

Sorry for the delay of this posting since my internet switch was hit by the lightning the other day and guess what.....   my ethernet switch and modem were burned.  It was unfortunate that I have to call '147' again for technical assistance and run to the nearest computer service center to purchase what I need and replace the roasted modem. 

 

Anyway, as I've mentioned yesterday in our class, read something about 'Geography.'  Focus on 'Physical Features of the Earth' so you need to find out more about the following;

Valleys

Plateaus

Mountains

Plains

Hills

Loess

Glaciers

In our next unit of inquiry (4th), we will be inquiring about lots of interesting concepts under this organizing theme:   Where we are in Time and Place

 

Under this organizing theme, we will have the opportunity to be engaged in a n inquiry into orientation in place and time; personal histories; homes and journeys;

discoveries, explorations and migrations of humankind; the relationships between interconnectedness of individuals and civilizations, from local and global perspectives.

 

Unit Title : Our Province

 

Central Idea:

Human settlements develop over time due to past events, the movement of people, resources, situations and geographical location.

 

An Inquiry into:

·          Our province's location and geography  (We will be focusing on the province of Riau to discover more about the place where we live in)

·          Our province's resources and development

·          How our province has changed over time

 

In this unit, there will be a lot of research opportunities.  I have lined up interesting learning engagements for us so I expect you to have background reading on the topic mentioned above before coming to class on Monday.  I've listed some resources below for your reference.  You may also visit the websites in my ikeepbookmarks ( www.ikeepbookmarks.com/pierrepineda8910) under the folder:  'Our Community'.  You may look for other websites to be used in this unit and send them through my e-mail.  Remember to choose or evaluate the websites you recommend.

 

Suggested resources for the homework task;

 

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/##

http://www.earthkam.ucsd.edu/public/images/pdf/Earth_Features_Seen_From_Space.pdf

http://www.edu.pe.ca/southernkings/landforms.htm

http://www.atlapedia.com/online/map_index.htm    (for maps online)

http://earth.google.com/    (Dowload Google Earth in your computer and you'll have an instant tour of the Earth.  You may visit any place on Earth which you want so long as you have this downloaded.  It takes time but it's worth it once you have it installed)

 

Note:  Leave your comment for questions ...... 

Poem Analyzed in Class

Silver

Walter De La Mare

 

Slowly, silently, now the moon

Walks the night in her silver shoon;

This way, and that, she peers, and sees

Silver fruit uopn silver trees;

One by one the casements catch

Her beams beneath the silvery thatch;

Couched in his kennel, like a log,

With paws of silver sleeps the dog;

From their shadowy cote the white breasts peep

Of doves in silver-feathered sleep;

A harvest mouse goes scampering by,

With silver claws, and silver eye;

And moveless fish in the water gleam,

By silver reeds in a silver stream.

 

 

================================

 

*  Can you see in your mind the scene the poet describes?

 

*  Try and imagine the same scene by the light of the sun.

Rewrite the poem, beginning;

 

Slowly, silently, now the sun

Walks the day as his work gets done;

This way, and that, he peers and sees.....

.......................................................

 

(Remember that you are referring to the sun this time.  Remember also that the sun was referred to as a HE, unlike the moon described as a SHE.  What does the sun do?  Look at the pattern, style and literary devises used in the poem and decide what to do with your new creation.  Goodluck!)

Sample Profile of a Poet and Math Resource Link

Be informed that the sample profile of a poet will be sent to your gmail since it contains many information and will use a lot of space in our blogger. 

 

Here's the link for the 'Ratio and Proportion' site.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/numbers/wholenumbers/ratioandproportion/ratio/index.shtml

 

 

Poetry Research

A. Learning Goal:- Find out more about poets and share the information.
- Identify what is distinctive about a particular poet.
- Analyse the text and organizational features of a text.

B. Success Criteria:- Refer to the rubric we use in class for this task.

C. Task:

Task A

Choose a significant poet, including both modern and some of the classical poets. Take the challenge to find out about them. Research from non-fiction books, reference books and on the internet. Make notes to record what you find out. You will be sharing this information with the rest of the class.

Remember to post your data in our online document at Google Docs. Your deadline for entry is today.

Task B

Research at least 3 poems written by the poet you have investigated. Read the poems well and collect information about:

Themes - Are there particular themes the poet likes to write about?

Form - Does the poet use the same form all the time? (e.g. rhyme and rhythm, blank verse, free verse, haiku, etc.)

Style - What is the poet’s style? Is it consistent? What changes?`

Personal Reaction - Would you recommend this poet and his poetry to others? Why? Give evidence of your response.


You will analyse these poems in your research booklet so it is expected that you print them out for our poem analysis task on Friday, January 11 '08. For your homework, just submit the 3 poems tomorrow. We will analyse the poems in class.

Weekend Homework

Great Saturday Eagles!  Here's your weekend task.  Visit the link below and type in your reflections.  You should have your GMAIL account (gmail e-mail) for you to be able to participate in the 'Online Collaboration'.  If you don't have an e-mail (gmail), you cannot participate in the collaboration so you can only view the document.  This tool will help us work online and see each other's work in a single document.  Try to experiment on the use of this and I'm sure when everyone knows how to use it, it will be a great tool for learning.  This is a new feature in google and I'm exploring its use for us to improve learning in the classroom. 

 

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ddwg9hvv_28c5r89n

 

If you have a problem accessing this link, e-mail me immediately through this e-mail address. 

 

Reminders: 

 

a.  Update your online bloggers (checking will be on Monday)

b. Reading count

Blog Tour

How are you doing dear eagles? Still breathing I hope..... Well, one thing that you can do before coming to class tomorrow is to take a tour of your classmate's blogs. Try to read their posts and reflections then leave a comment if you find something interesting. It is great to share what you think about their posts and it's one way of learning too. We'll share tomorrow what you've read so far. I'm excited to know what you think about your friends' blogs. Cheers!

Spelling Words and Spelling Practice Sheet

Hi there Eagles! I've tried uploading the jpeg file or picture
(Spelling words and Spelling Practice Sheet) that you're supposed to
work on this weekend but when I tried to print it out myself after
downloading the files, they are too small and not too clear. Due to
this, I decided to give it on Monday since the spelling practice in
class will be on Thursday anyway so don't worry about this. In the
meantime, I am hoping that you are preparing for your other homework
which will be passed on Monday.

Enjoy your weekend!

November 7,2007
Newsflash..... I got it sorted out... Get the hard copy!

Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing

Here's a book that will make you laugh and touch your heart. Believe me when I say I didn't want to stop reading until I finished the whole book because it is so good. All the chapters are exciting. In this book, you'll be able to relate to the characters well. Find out more about it as you read with me...

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing is a novel written by Judy Blume in 1972. It is the story of Peter Warren Hatcher, a boy living in New York City. It is the first of the "Fudge books." It was followed by Superfudge, Fudge-A-Mania, and most recently Double Fudge.

Fudge is the nickname of Peter's two-year-old brother (whose legal name is Farley Drexel Hatcher). Fudge hates the sound of his legal name, and prefers Fudge for any and all occasions. Sheila Tubman is a girl in Peter's class, and his best friend is named Jimmy Fargo. Fudge gets Peter into trouble several times, but somehow gets out of it just as easily.

Weekend Task

Hi eagles! Here's your weekend task. In Unit of Inquiry, continue researching about the early kinds of government. It's great to read all the early kinds of government which we've identified but try to focus on your expert topic. You are expected to gain understanding on the roles of the leader, and features of the government you are researching about, including its advantages and disadvantages.

Here's your online resource if you can't find the complete data in your info sheet;

http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/government/


In Language, make sure you complete your 'Reading Count' and don't forget your Bag O' Books on Monday.

Have you started developing your blogs yet? Let me know if you encounter some problems along the way so we can troubleshoot them at once. Have a great weekend!!!

Holiday Online Tasks

Here's a fun way to spend your holiday even if you are in Argentina, Tokyo, Disneyland, Hollywood, Bangkok, China or the Bahamas. Go online and choose your favorite topics in Math and English. Visit this site for interactive games and learning engagements.

http://www.internet4classrooms.com/skills_4th_original.htm

You won't get bored because they are 'INTERACTIVE' and 'FUN'. I tried some of the math games and they're cool. It's specifically for grade 4 so it suits your level well. Try as much as you could and you'll see your improvement in English and Math. Try to practice at least 2 hours a day if you are not really busy. Above all, find time to go swimming, play basketball or anything that helps you make your body strong. Just leave me a comment here if you have questions.

Safe Websites- Just for kids!

This web is an example of a fun site aimed at young children from preschool through grade five which has been developed by Web Foundations of Calgary. All links are recommended and approved safe web sites.

In this page, you'll see safety tips in going online. There are a lot of good and bad stuffs happening in the internet so we have to be very careful. Knowing that bad things may happen in the internet doesn't mean that we have to stop using it. We have to educate ourselves on how to avoid and how to be very careful most especially in dealing with other people and in opening sites which are not for kids. You'll be a very wise user if you are cautious enough. Visiting kid friendly sites is one way of not getting into trouble. Read the safety tips in 'Just for Kids' and hope you'll be able to apply them as you maintain your own blogger.

Some of the links here are not free so just navigate sites that offer you free stuffs like stories in the 'Books' category (Children's story books online, Candlelight stories, Disney, etc). Here's your link;

http://www.webfoundations.com/JustForKids/index.html

Remember: Be wise in choosing the sites you open. Not all sites are helpful so you have to assess or evaluate the usefulness of the sites. Goodluck!

The North Star

OK, here's a chance for you to tell me what you think about the story 'The North Star'. In your reflection, try to comment on the following;
a. What is interesting and puzzling about the story?
b. What attitudes and profiles did you see in the child?
c. What do you think is the child's next journey?
d. Plus anything you want to reflect on. Provide details in your reflection. Remember: you are expected to expand your ideas in Grade 4.

Would you like to read the story again? Visit Fable Vission.com and you'll see lots of wonderful stories there. In the link provided below, you will enter the world of Peter Reynolds through his book. In this site, you will also learn more about the author, kids letters, and kids testimonials (these are kids' reflections from around the world). It's great to explore this site before making your reflection. What's amazing in the link provided below is you can also read the story in Spanish if you know the language. So what are you waiting for? click me now.....

http://www.fablevision.com/northstar/read/index.html

Busy Eagles' Weekend Homework

Hi there Eagles!  For your task this weekend, come up with at least 5 student questions regarding our unit on 'Government'.  Use your ideas from the mind map and make sure you use these key concepts in coming up with your own questions;

 

a.  Connection

b.  Change

c.  Responsibility

d.  Function

 

Focus your questions on these 4 key concepts and really think of interesting questions to research about in this unit.  These questions will surely drive the inquiry if they are well-thought of, interesting and meaningful.  You may write your questions on a paperline and pass it on Monday.  If possible, write the key concept beside your question. 

 

In addition to this, start browsing resources for the unit on 'Government'.  Each student shall recommend or suggest 1 website for students to visit and get information from.  We will evaluate the usefulness of the websites and include them in our website bank if they are really good for this unit's use.  Where will you write the URL or website you've found?  Paste it with your comment in this post.  Use the search engines I have suggested.  They are in the right column of this page ( Vivisimo.com, Kartoo.com, Noodletools.com, askjeeveskids.com, etc.)  Do not limit your browsing to google and yahoo only.

 

In English, you need to find at least 3 written advertisements from any source (Magazines, newspaper, brochures, etc.).  These advertisements should not only have graphics or illustrations but also words, phrases, sentences or even paragraphs that we can analyze in our unit on 'Writing to Inform'.  Remember that we need to study the features of advertisements before we can start writing our own information report.  This will be in addition to our analysis of the information report on 'Written Communication'.  Pass the 3 advertisements on Monday. 

Goodluck to all of you and see you all on Monday!!!!!!!!