Tablet Time!

Students are working hard today using tablets to locate vocabulary terms relating to our novel study. Here are some pictures of students at work. 

Today's Science Lab and a Reminder about School Pictures

Below are a few pictures from our time today in the Science Lab.  Today we began our investigation of the water cycle using our Scientific Method expertise.   

We also have our test on the Scientific Method test coming up on Tuesday, 9/23/14.  These are the things students should be know for the test:  

*List the 6 steps of the Scientific Method in order.

*List some examples of ways to practice lab safety.

*Identify the 4 types of graphs scientists use to analyze and share their data:  bar graphs, line graphs, circle graphs, and picture graphs.

*Define Scientific Method vocab terms.

One last thing, tomorrow is school picture day!  We can't wait to see lots of 4th grade smiling faces on Thursday, 9/18/14! 

Scientific Method in Action...

Happy Friday!  In Science class and in the lab, we have been busy studying the 6 steps of the Scientific Method.  We thought you might enjoy seeing a few pictures of your young scientists at work.  Also, remember that we will have a Science Vocab Quiz on Tuesday, September 16th.  The terms for the quiz are listed below these pics.  Another copy was sent home this week in your child's blue homework folder.  Enjoy the photos! :-) 

Scientific Method Vocabulary:

Data—the information that is gathered in an experiment

Experiment—what scientists carry out in order to test a hypothesis; it is sometimes called a test or a trial

Variables—things that can be changed within an experiment

Analyze—to think about your results and try to understand what they mean

Hypothesis—a prediction, or an educated guess

Hypothesize—to make a prediction, or  an educated guess, about what you expect to happen in an experiment  

Question—scientists begin with this step in the scientific method (why or how does something happen?)

Share—to tell your findings to others in order to help everyone learn and to develop new ideas

Results—the findings from a scientific experiment

Observe—to watch or look carefully

Record—to write, chart, or graph data from an experiment

Lab Safety—rules and procedures to keep scientists safe when working in a science lab

Data Table—a way to organize data into rows and columns

Scientific Method—a series of 6 steps used by scientists/people to help find solutions to problems and/or answer questions

Science—a system of gaining knowledge using observation and experiments 

Scientist—a scientific investigator

Lab—a place where science experiments and research are done

Technology Thoughts

While the basics of parenting remain the same, issues involving technology have left many parents wondering what limits are appropriate, how to hold their children accountable for misuse of technology, and how to help kids learn the decision-making skills required to make healthy technology choices when they leave home.

There’s good news! While these modern issues are definitely challenging, we can achieve success by applying some age-old parenting truths:

• Kids need limits.
• Limits are best set through actions instead of hollow threats.
• When kids make poor decisions, they need to experience natural or logical consequences.
• Consequences are always more effective when provided with loving empathy.
• Our kids will learn how to live their lives by watching us.

Listed below are a few examples of essential limits:

• "You may have your tablet as long as there is no arguing when I ask you to shut it off."
• "Feel free to have a cell phone when you can pay for the entire cost."
• "We allow kids to have their internet-connectable devices as long as they check them in with us each night. We’ll return them in the morning as long as there are no problems."
• "I’ve met plenty of good people who’ve ended up doing bad things on the internet. That’s why your mom has all of my passwords and is free to see my history. You may have this device as long as you do the same. Everyone needs someone to hold them accountable."
• "I’m shutting my phone off so that I can give you 100% of my attention. Thanks for doing the same."

Praying these simple ideas will help us all in our parenting of this precious generation.

Lunch News

You are always welcome to join us for lunch in the cafeteria at 10:50am. Visitors must sign in and get a red visitor's sticker from the Elementary Office. Also, please be aware that Elementary students will only be served pizza on Fridays. You may find the lunch menu on our website, fpdmacon.org. :)

Upcoming Maps and Globes Test

We hope you had a wonderful Labor Day holiday with your families!  Today your students are bringing home a study guide for next week's Social Studies test on 9/9.  Look for the study guide in your child's blue homework folder, as well as many other helpful resource materials in their Social Studies binder.  Thanks so much for all that you do!  

Today we learned a song and cheer to help us with the continents and oceans...ask your child to teach them to you!  It's a great way to review!!!

Maps and Globes Unit Review Study Guide

For this unit test be sure you know the following:

· Be able to identify by definition and picture—map key, map scale, equator, prime meridian

· Explain the job of a cartographer and geographer

· Complete a compass rose, including the cardinal directions and ordinal directions

· Label all 7 continents and 5 oceans on a map

· Be able to find items using a map grid and map key (like we have practiced in class)

Use these resources to help you prepare:

· Your “Maps and Globes” study guide packet in your Social Studies binder

· Your class notes

· This page and the attached map
We know you are going to do an awesome job! We can’t wait for you to show what you know! J

Compass Fun

This week in math students learned how to use a compass to construct a circle. The fun has now begun in designing cool circle pictures. Check out our hallway soon to see these awesome creations!