Grand Division of Tennessee

http://www.computorcompanion.com/LPMArticle.asp?ID=143  

We are learning about the 3 grand division and sub-divisions of Tennessee.   Today the students used the example above (barrel fold) to make a brochure about Tennessee.  First on the front,  the student drew an outline of Tennessee being certain that the state stretched across all three columns.  Next students labeled the divisions ( East, Middle, and West).  On the back students wrote 2 or 3 of the most important facts about each sub- division being sure to write it on the back side of the appropriate column.  Ex. the 3 sub-division of East Tennessee were written on the back of East.  After completing the important facts student will color the division of Tennessee adding rivers and major landforms.  Once the flyers are complete, students will use these to create flour and salt relief maps showing the major landforms of Tennessee.  Pictures will be posted soon along with the recipe.    

This project really helps students prepare for Common Core.  We used informational text and identified the main ideas.  I love how science and social studies can enhance the reading curriculum.  

Students made posters of plant and animal cells. 

Making Plant and Animal Cells

Students used graham crackers, cookies, icing, cereal, and candy to design plant and animal cells.   They were very creative with cell part representations.   Round cookies were used as the animal cells.  Rectangular graham crackers were used for the plant cells. 

The malted milk balls made the nucleus.  Fiber cereal was the mitochondria.  

These students grouped Kix together to represent chloroplast  in the plant cells.

Broken pieces of graham crackers were used to show the cell wall of the plant cell.  

These students used Kix cereal to show the cell wall and a piece of broken graham cracker to represent the large vacuole.  The best part was students got to eat them!  They loved making and eating these.  

4th Grade Classroom

This is a picture of the chalkboard that Johnny painted black.  I am using it as a vocabulary word wall so the ugly shade of green is now a nice pretty black.  It matches better but is still magnetic!

Classroom Rules

I used cake boards purchased in the cake making section as the background.  I printed the rules on purple paper in the shape of a circle and cut out  Then we taped them on.  Next I made a bow for the top, and hung them on a ribbon.  I love the cake boards.  They match the curtains.

Essential Questions

Instead of "I Can" statements this year, we are using "Essential Questions". I am using the chart and sentence strips to write the Essential Questions for the week.

View from the Back

Hall Passes

I have 4 hall passes for the kids to use.  They place one on their desk before going to the restroom or to get water.

I purchased letters and spray painted them.  Then I used a white paint pen to add details.

Science Table

A fish aquarium is to come later.  

Small Group Table

Filing Cabinet Redo

This filing cabinet started out as an ugly gray that was all scratched up.  First I painted the cabinet with black oil based paint.   Next I used my curtain fabric and mod podged it onto the front of the drawers.  I made two: a 2 drawer and a 4 drawer.  I LOVE how they turned out.  They really add to the room. 

Animal Cell

I purchased plant and animal cell models for my science table. 

I am very please with how my room turned out.  I still have things I need to do but am waiting until I can walk again.  Although this room is small it may be my favorite one yet.  I love it!  

Classroom Design

This is my teaching podium.  Johnny was going to build me a podium to lay my materials on etc. while I am teaching.  Since I am new to 4th grade, I figure I am going to need to keep my TE close by.  It is a small desk my children have both outgrown.  We placed it on bed risers.  Then I put a skirt around the desk.  I made the skirt out of the same fabric I used to make my curtains.  The podium is exactly what I needed!   

I was very pleased with how my curtains turned out.  I just made rectangular panels then I sewed round plastic hooks on the back.  Next we ran string through the hooks and pulled up the curtains to make the shape at the bottom. 

Moving Down the Road

Being on crutches or in a wheelchair is quite a challenge as I try to get my new classroom ready for my students.  I am blessed to have so many people in my life who are willing to give time to help me out.  Johnny and Tripp spent 4 hours yesterday painting, moving stuff, putting stuff away, etc.......

Well today was a very productive day as well.   I had lots of help!  My son, Tripp, and two of his friends, Eric and Lydia, came to school and helped moving furniture around.  They were fantastic help.    Lisa, my nephew's wife, and my two sweet great nieces also came and worked really hard.  Lisa covered all my bulletin boards with paper.  Allyson worked all around the room putting stuff up and doing anything that we needed.  Phoebe pushed me in the wheelchair all around the room and school.  She loved that job!   You cannot imagine how good my room is looking.  No peeking yet!  Soon!  All will be revealed very soon.

Sorry I haven't blogged in a while.  It has been a busy summer.  My room is going slow because I have been busy on a mission trip, trap shooting in IL, and just taking care of stuff I have to do.  Johnny did paint my chalkboard black.  They look fantastic!  I have sprayed painted some of the tubs I will be using green.  I really wanted purple but couldn't find it in Shelbyville.  I am cleaning out stuff to give to Elizabeth.  She is my best friend's daughter who is starting her first year teaching 2nd grade.  I am so proud of her!

Now my room set-up has slowed down even more.  I have been put on crutches for 4 weeks.  Ugh.....    I knocked a piece of cartilage off the bone in my knee and walking prevents healing.  Now Johnny and Tripp will have to help me a lot to get it finished!  This is not what I expected but I can deal with for a short time.

Today Tripp and I are headed to school to Modpodge my filing cabinet.  I hope to show you pictures later.  I painted it black and then I am adding fabric to the doors.  Look for more pictures soon.  Have a safe rest of the summer.

Books, Books, Books!

All the books are unpacked and have a home.  Books are organized by AR level even though my students won't be using AR.  It helps with organization and allows me to easily find a need book.   One problem with moving up is that now I need more books for higher reading levels.  I guess I will be searching for books the rest of the summer.

 I am trying really hard to make my room match more this year.  I ordered these baskets in green.  It is hard to tell that the wall behind them is a pale green also.  The walls are pale green and pale yellow.  I promised Johnny he wouldn't have to paint another room.  lol  So I am using the colors from the previous teacher and painting all the other stuff. 
 One really cool tip Johnny figured out for me is that the new plastic spray paint works well on plastic tubs.  So instead of buying tubs to match he is painting my tubs!  What a great idea.  I will post more pictures as I progress.  

This is the beginning stage of setting up my classroom.

Everything is placed in my new room and is a huge mess.

Tomorrow I will begin preparing my new classroom for the Fall.  All the furniture has been painted black or purple.  I even painted my desk.  I have purchased fabric for curtains and will be making those soon.  As you can see I have a lot to do this summer along with running to baseball and trap shoots with my son.  Hopefully I will make some progress tomorrow.   More pictures are to come.

The Adventure Begins

Meet Mr. Johnny.  This is my best friend and husband.  As you can see he is always willing to do whatever I need to help in my classroom.  He even brings the kids donuts!  They love Mr. Johnny.

This school year I will begin a new adventure.  I have taught 1st and 2nd grades for the past several years.  This year I will be moving to 4th grade and will teach science and social studies.  I am excited and a little nervous.  This should be an interesting ride.  I hope to post (with pictures) some of the activities and hands-on lessons we will be doing.  I am in the process of setting up my room and will post pictures soon.  I have been busy painting shelves and looking for curtain fabric for my classroom.  This summer should be a very busy one!!  Check back soon to see and learn more about my classroom setup.