Mrs. Finn Grade 4

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Invention Convention-NEW DATE!

Wednesday, June 16th beginning at 9:45am and ending promptly at 10:45am. We hope to see you there!

Students completed inventions are due:

Tuesday, June 15th

Our Luna Moth

We had an opportunity to view two different life cycles, the luna moth and butterfly. Check out our amazing pictures! Thank you Science Center for another great experience! "Science is Life!"

We identified the luna moth as female, by looking closely at the antennae

Setting the luna moth free...

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Invention Convention Letter for Familes

Invention Convention!

Dear Families,

The 4th graders will be participating in an Invention Convention! They will embark in a Science Challenge! During the next few weeks they will have the opportunity to design and build their own original invention. This process will help them learn the design process, which is an important part of the Massachusetts State Frameworks in Science and Technology.

Student Objectives:
-Students will solve an everyday problem or make a task easier to accomplish.
-Students will need to use at least two simple machines in their invention.
-Students may use any variety of materials to make their own invention.
-Students must follow the important Design Process (provided in a packet to the student in -school) to complete the invention process.
-We ask that you please provide guidance and support with their inventions. However, the student should try to produce as much of the invention on their own as possible.
-Be sure to have fun and be creative!

At the end of the process, Pine Glen will hold an Invention Convention for the students to demonstrate their inventions. All students, teachers and families will be invited to attend. The date for the 4th grade invention convention will be Wednesday, June 16th beginning at 9:45am and ending promptly at 10:45am

If you have any questions, please let us know. Thank you again for your continuing support!

Anna Lisa Comunale
Aimee Coutu
Sarah Hayes

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Cindy Fitzgibbon visits

Cindy Fitzgibbon visited the Pine Glen yesterday and talked about WEATHER with the 4th grade! We're famous!...we were on the morning news on Fox 25. Did you see some familiar faces! Thank you Cindy for an amazing hour of fun and learning.

If you missed it, click the link below:

http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/weather/school_visits/how-weather-works-burlington-20100512

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Thank you Mr. Papadonis!

Grade 4 science in the cafe with Mr. Papadonis!

Thank you, Mr. Papadonis for sharing your knowledge of earthquakes with the 4th grade. Your dedication, devotion, love for learning and teaching along with your never ending gift of science is very much appreciated. Science is life! We will be tracking earthquakes using the following website and the sensational seismograph that is on loan from the Science Center.

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/quakes_big.php

Sunday, March 21, 2010

MCAS and more!

The 4th grade will be taking the MCAS English Languages Arts Long Composition on Tuesday March 23, 2010

Some helpful tips for parents:

Talk with your child about upcoming tests.
Be positive, and remind your child of his/her strengths.
Encourage your child to do his/her personal best.
Encourage your child to read every day.
Establish good habits of healthy eating, regular exercise, and sleeping.
Set up consistent, daily homework times.
Praise your child for the work he/she does well. Resist the opportunity to do the work for him/her. Doing so can send a message that you do not believe he/she can do it.

Helpful TEST DAY tips:

Get a good night sleep the night before the test.
Have a good breakfast.
Come to school on time.
Pack a healthy snack. (Nothing gooey, sticky or noisy)
Drink lots of water. (Water feeds the brain)
Bring in a book to read in case you finish before everyone else.
Try your best!

EXTRA! EXTRA!

Spring is in the air! YES! The nice weather is approaching and we all know our tootsies like to be cool too! However, it’s important to be safe at recess. SAFETY FIRST! If your child comes to school wearing flip flops, I would strongly suggest sending them with an extra pair of sneakers and socks for recess. (Sneakers are required for Physical Education class.) Thank you!

REMINDER: Please be sure to check your child’s agenda every night. Initialing their agenda each night is a helpful way for me to know that you have seen their homework and emptied their homework folder. Thank you!