Making Connections!

We are working on learning to make connections in reading! Everyone is making lots of progress and connecting to text to self comes easily to us all. It's more difficult to make connections to other texts, the world and the media. Making connections is part of being a good reader!

I started with reading the book, Julius, written by Kevin Henkes. Short books are great for teaching reading skills. Everyone received some index cards and went to town making connections.

 It was entertaining to read the connections and see how the same text can cause us to think differently. 

Fourth graders sure are fun!

Pajama Day!

We had a super comfy day wearing our pj's at Ironwood on Thursday. Everyone had a blast showing off their favorite pj's. A HUGE thank you to the parents who brought breakfast. It was such a nice way to start the day. Everyone loves doughnuts and cinnamon rolls!

6th Grade Descriptive Writing!

Our amazing sixth grade authors have moved on to creating descriptive pieces. Descriptive writing shows rather than tells while creating a vivid visual for the reader. Check out these pieces that were written in cooperative learning groups on Thursday. I am looking forward to hearing their descriptive pieces on Tuesday in class.

I am fluffy and white. I taste so sweet to eat. You use me around campfires along with my friends. I am squishy and soft with a powdery taste. Can you guess what I am? Marshmallow

Written by Lexi, Emma D and Patrick

I was made in a factory in New York City, NY in 1912. My name is Joe and I was stuck together with another one of my kind with gloopy paste. I am waterproof. You see me everyday. I was smashed by a child throwing random objects at his little, red house. When you think of me, you think I am red. I am a brick!

Written by Elizabeth, Macy and Graham

I love tires. I am from Italy and have a job of changing tires. My color on me is blue and I live in a small town. I usually say "pit stop" to my customers. I am a car and I have customers that are cars. My name is Guido! 

Written by Anna, Emma and Parker

Surprising Book Facts!

Writing Process

 

Both 4th Graders and 6th Graders are reviewing the writing process in class. This chart is an excellent reference guide to keep in mind while writing! What part of the writing process makes the most sense to you?

First Week Pictures!

We had a fantastic start to our year! Here's a few pictures of our fabulous fourth graders.

See you on Monday!

Hi Boys and Girls!

Can't wait to see you all on Monday! It's going to be a fun year. Please email me some facts about yourself so I can get starting getting to know you.

School Supplies and Open House!

Don't forget that Open House is on August 12. Look forward to seeing everyone soon.

It's going to be a fantastic year at Ironwood.

                      Supplies Needed for 4th Grade Literature

Pencils, pen, scissors, markers or colored pencils, gluestick

 1.5 inch binder with some filler paper

 Set of tabs - we will label in class

Copies of assigned novels (You can find the specifics on the Ironwood site.)

Junior Great Books Fourth Grade Edition

$1 for a journal - I'd like them all to be the same so that I can stack and transport. 

                              
                     Supplies Needed for 6th Grade Composition

Pencils, pen, scissors, markers or colored pencils, gluestick

1.5 inch binder with some filler paper

Set of tabs - we will label in class

Write Source textbook

$1 for a journal - I'd like them all to be the same so that I can stack and transport.

What makes writers write?

I think this quote is revealing! It always helps me to write my ideas down. Writing calms me and gives me the ability to move forward with my thinking. Do you write to give yourself strength and to explore scary ideas?

Making Readers Think!

 

Harper Lee is known for making readers think. She wrote To Kill a Mocking Bird and won a Pulitzer-Prize for making society think. Her novel wrestles with the issues of racism that the author observed as a child in her hometown of Monroeville, Alabama. Have you ever read a book that really makes you think?

Ways a Parent Can Help with Reading!

Best Moments in Reading!

Has this ever happened to you before while reading? I love when this happens! Have you read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn? It's a long book - do not let that scare you because it is one of those books that will give you some of your best moments in reading. Tell me about one of your best moments in reading!

Summer Reading!

Hi Boys and Girls in Lit 4! Are you working on your summer reading? Remember you need to read these books before school begins. Can't wait to hear what you thought about the books.

Summer Reading List:

Lunch Money - Andrew Clements
Math Curse - John Scieszka
Harriet the Spy - Louise Fitzhugh

Welcome to Blogging

Hi Everyone - I am really looking forward to a terrific year at Ironwood. We are going to have fun reading and writing together. I really hit the jack pot with my two favorite subjects. Blogging is a fun way for us to practice both reading and writing skills. Sometimes you will write on the blog and we will use it as another source of classroom information too! Have you ever read a blog before? Blog is a contraction for web log. It's just another medium for writers to share their thoughts. I remember the first time that I heard of a blog in a staff meeting at school and it seemed like the craziest thing ever. Now, ten years later blogging is way for me to share pictures and life with my family in North Carolina. Blogging is a way for me to gain information about topics that are important to me. Sometimes blogging is like writing in a journal but with an audience!