This week in Humanities...it's raining candy canes!

My favorite thing we did in class is a story about candy canes falling from the sky.  It was fun because we got to make it ourselves.  We used paragraphs and topic sentences too.  After we colored candy canes and put them on the story.  I liked it because the teacher helped us and played music while we did it.  It was so fun, it was my favorite thing to do.  I had help from friends and the teacher.  It was awesome, cool, and fun all at the same time!  I loved writing that candy cane story.

Blog post by Lathan  

Welcome to the Allen Academy Museum of American Artists!

For the past few weeks, the fourth grade classes have been working on a project about artists.  We have been working very hard on it.  We researched our artists and looked at their biographies.  After we looked at their biographies, we took notes in our own words, and wrote several paragraphs using the notes.  Then we typed the paragraphs on the computer.  We also had to make a replica of one of our artist's paintings.  The fourth grade classes presented some of the facts in our brochures in the lower school library.  We also got to share our artwork with other students and parents.  I really enjoyed this project and I think the kids in fourth grade next year will enjoy it too!  

Blog post by Dalyn 

American Artists Project

In humanities were working on our artworks a lot. I think that everybody is doing well on their projects, and they will all look good in the end.  My favorite part of this project was painting my mobile by Alexander Calder. We are looking forward to teaching people about our artists and their artwork.  Our museum will be held on Monday, November 7th in the Lower School library.  

Blog post by: Thomas

You’re Invited…

Please join us at the

Allen Academy Museum of American Artists.

Presented by our fourth grade students.

The museum will be open from 8:30-10:00; 11:15-12:05

and again from 12:45-1:30

on Monday, November 7th

in the Lower School library

*If you would like to join your student for lunch, you are welcome to tour the museum during the lunch period (12:05-12:45)as well.  

Book Order Excitement!

This week our first Scholastic book order arrived. We were all really excited to get our books. Each time we order books Ms. Zumwalt earns points for free books for the class. Our next book order is due 11/11/16. Don’t forget to get your order in!

Blog Post By Ben M

What a great reminder Ben!  Thanks for sharing the excitement of reading with your class. 

If you are interested in receiving books with our next Scholastic order, please visit 

scholastic.com/readingclub

Enter our class code: N9ZTM

and order by November 11th! 

A few things we did in class...

We got to read From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler in class. We got to add words to our own dictionary, using our word study word parts. We got to write things in our planner, and we got to pick our PSIA events. We got to edit some of our personal stories; both narrative and research. This is what we got to do in class this week.

Blog this week by Conner

Additional Note to Parents:

Students have been working very hard on researching American artists in connection with our class novel. With this project, students have created a brochure, are replicating art, and writing a description of this artwork. The final product will be incredible! We can't wait to share it with you all! Please be on the lookout for an invitation to view our final products.

-Mrs. Zumwalt

American Artist Project

Our in class activity is researching American artists.  I want to tell you about this project because it is a  fun and unique activity.  The thing I most like about this project is that we got to pick what artist we wanted to research.  All of our artists are from America, and we are researching all about their lives and their artwork.  In art class we will be replicating a piece of their artwork!  The whole school will get to see what we make! 

Blog Post by Madolyn

ERB Test Week

ERB testing, the worst week in history. We had four whole days of testing, three reading days, and 1 math day with 2 lessons per day. Dreadful I tell you! One thing saved my friends and I, Mrs. Zumwalt to the rescue! We got to play checkers and G.O board on the iPad. Finally, Fri-Yay, the one day of the week with no ERB testing attached. Hallelujah! ERB testing was a real bummer, although we did have a lot of fun doing other exciting activities!

Blog Post by:

Sophia

International Peace Day

International Peace Day

September 21, 2016

In class we wrote about what peace means to us.  Peace means getting along with people and being fair to others.  It means helping each other and having good sportsmanship.  We wrote about peace on white doves because doves are a symbol of peace.  I thought this was a fun way to celebrate International Peace Day.  

Blog post by Luke

Kinder and Fourth Grade Buddies!

On September 14th, the fourth grade students started the kindergarten reading buddies.  The fourth graders were excited to meet their buddy.  Throughout the school year we will help them with their reading and writing skills.  We will read to them, and they will read to us!  It's very exciting! 

Blog post by Taylor

Pictures: Mrs. Zumwalt's homeroom with Ms. Korthas's homeroom

Mrs. Driskill's homeroom with Mrs. Brown's homeroom

Reading Opportunity

Parents and students,

This is not a mandatory assignment; however, I thought you may be interested in a fun reading opportunity with the Brazos Valley Bombers baseball team!  The more students read, the larger the "prizes" become.  Prizes include tickets to a 2017 baseball game, food, and snacks!  

To find out more about the reading club, please visit the Brazos Valley Bomber's web site or call their main offices at 979-779-PLAY.

Happy reading,
Mrs. Zumwalt

Class Code - N9ZTM

Order Due Date - 09/27/16

Subject: Scholastic Reading Club Class Order Due Date is approaching!

Dear Families,

This is a friendly reminder that your Reading Club orders are due by 09/27/16. You can place your orders online at scholastic.com/readingclubusing my class activation code: N9ZTM

Happy Reading,
Mrs. Zumwalt

What we are currently reading in class...

When suburban Claudia Kincaid decides to run away, she knows she doesn't just want to run from somewhere she wants to run to somewhere--to a place that is comfortable, beautiful, and preferably elegant. She chooses the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Knowing that her younger brother, Jamie, has money and thus can help her with the serious cash flow problem she invites him along. 

Once settled into the museum, Claudia and Jamie, find themselves caught up in the mystery of an angel statue that the museum purchased at an auction for a bargain price of $250. The statue is possibly an early work of the Renaissance master Michelangelo, and therefore worth millions. Is it? Or isn't it? Claudia is determined to find out. This quest leads Claudia to Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, the remarkable old woman who sold the statue and to some equally remarkable discoveries about herself.

Home Learning Digital Resources: 4th Grade Humanities

Home Learning Digital Resources -- 4th Grade Humanities

___________________________________________________________________

Social Studies Alive Online              https://student.teachtci.com/student/sign_in

Teacher Email:   czumwalt@allenacademy.org

Student Username: First initial+last name  (example: Cassidy Zumwalt = czumwalt)

Password: allen2016

*For home learning opportunities, students may work on the “reading challenge.” They may also study the “glossary terms,” or re-read the chapter.  This is also a helpful resource if students need more time at home for a class lesson.  

___________________________________________________________________

Spelling City          https://www.spellingcity.com/Czumwalt/

*Spelling units and challenge word lists will be added throughout the year.  

___________________________________________________________________

Typing Practice on Typing Web:   https://www.typing.com/

Student login link is in the top right corner on the home page.

Usernames and passwords are taped inside student planners.  

___________________________________________________________________

NewsELA        Free app version or web site https://newsela.com/

Students can log in using their school Gmail account.

*This site provides news articles that are appropriate for elementary students.  As students  complete quizzes, the site adjusts articles to meet the student’s individual reading level.   

___________________________________________________________________

Grammar Flip

https://grammarflip.com/

Username: Student Allen Email (@allenacademy.org)

Password: allen2016

___________________________________________________________________

Online State Games for Social Studies

Place the States: https://bensguide.gpo.gov/states5/

Play the States Interactive Map: http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/states_experiment_drag-drop_Intermed_State15s_500.html

Puzzles States: http://www.scholastic.com/play/states.htm

USA Map Match: http://www.kidsgeo.com/geography-games/united-states-america-map-game.php

Capital Catch: http://www.kidsgeo.com/geography-games/usa-capitals-map-game.php

U.S. Games featuring states, capitals, and geographical region features: http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games.htm

Landmarks: http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/usa_game/jigsaw_usa.htm

_______________________________________________________________________

Epic Reading App

https://www.getepic.com/