Stuck on Fractions?

Check out these cool videos to help you understand different topics in Math!

Click this link --> Scholastic Study Jams

then click through the different math topics until you reach fractions. These will be sure to help you or confirm strategies that you are already using! :)

St. Augustine Field Study!

Here are some pictures from our St. Augustine Field Study! We had an AWESOME time seeing the history from our textbook and discussions come to life! The tour of the Castillo de San Marcos was so interesting. I definitely learned some things that I did not know before our trip. We also couldn't believe how short the Spanish explorers were! My little friends should feel so lucky that they got explore a city that is such a huge part of Florida's history. If you want to research more about the Fort, the official government website is right here. --> click me!

Leave a comment with your favorite part of the trip or a fact that your learned :D

Hope you all have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! See you on Tuesday!

Breaking Magnets!

We explored with broken magnets! Friends had lots of predictions about what they thought would happen to the magnets. Some said they they would become weaker, others said that they would stay just as they are with both N and S poles, and some said they would no longer have both a N and a S pole. Good thing we did this experiment, because we learned that even when you break a magnet, it will ALWAYS have a north-seeking pole and a south-seeking pole.

The image below shows the same piece of a broken magnet. The image on the left shows the south pole of the bar magnet attracting to the broken magnet. This must mean that is the NORTH pole of the broken magnet. The image on the right shows the south pole of the bar magnet repelling the broken magnet. This must mean that is the SOUTH pole of the bar magnet, since like poles repel one another.

Friends learned a lot from this exploration and had a great time too! :D

Free Exploration with Magnets!

Magicians or Magnetism?

Magicians or Magnetism? from Denise Donofrio on Vimeo.

The Power of Demos

In order to increase students' understanding in Science, we use scientific models and demos. We've done a couple of demos lately that have really helped students to SEE what they have been reading in their textbook.

During the first nine weeks, we read all about how when water freezes in the cracks of rocks that it causes the rock to crack even more because when water freezes,

it expands. I decided to bring in a water bottle that had not been opened. Friends observed the water bottle and took notes in their journals. I then told them that I had another water bottle that has also never been opened, but I put it in the freezer. Friends made their predictions and then we observed the frozen water bottle and took notes. It was sooo much easier for them to understand what is means for freezing water to expand when they saw the second water bottle and how the shape changed!

Today, we did another demo to help us understand the density of different liquids. We had corn syrup, water, and cooking oil. We saw in our textbook that the corn oil settled at the bottom, the water settled in the middle, and the cooking oil settled on top. We made some predictions and decided to pour the liquids in random order and see if they still settled as they did in the picture in our textbook. We found out that they did! After great discussion, we came to the conclusion that the corn syrup has the greatest density, the water is less dense than the corn syrup, but more dense than the cooking oil, having the least density.

We then decided to drop three items into the liquids: a paper clip, square pattern block, and counting chip. Again, we made predictions about where these items would settle. The paper clip sunk to the bottom, the counting chip settled on top of the water but below the cooking oil, and the square pattern block settled on top of the cooking oil. We then realized we also learned about the density of the soilds we dropped into the liquids! The paper clip having the greatest density, the counting chip being less dense, and the square pattern block having the least density.

I loved hearing the, "OOOOHHHHH, now I get it" "I knew that's what would happen!" and "COOL!" :D

Inspire.

I can remember the teachers who actually inspired me to love learning and to not fear the unknown. For the most part, I loved learning new things. When it came to math, I was afraid to speak up, afraid to be wrong, and always wished that I could understand a concept the first time the teacher taught it.

And of course, now I am a math teacher. I know what it's like to be taught to simply 'memorize' terms, facts, and other math concepts. Fortunately, we now engage students' prior knowledge and mold it together with a new concept so they have a firm understanding. We recently started division and have conversations every day about how multiplication and division are related, how they are inverse operations. We look at story problems and discuss what information we have been given, what we are looking for, and how we are going to use what we have been given to find our answer. Both of my classes have been more than enthusiastic about learning what division means and solving problems with different strategies. It makes me feel happy that they are proud of their work. :)

Last night we had our Fall Carnival. Students can trick-or-treat through the school and then go outside to join the fun. They can dress up in any costume they want. I saw a skeleton, Snow White, Harry Potter, a princess, Batman, and then I saw one of my students...she was a 'Math Geek.'

'M' is one of those students who isn't afraid to speak up, isn't afraid to admit that she doesn't understand something, and isn't afraid to say that she just did not get it the first time. I am very proud of her, as I am of all my little friends because they work so hard and they love learning new things. 'M' was proud to create her 'Math Geek' costume. If she only knew how much it warms my heart seeing a child put that much effort into something that has to do with school...

My ultimate goal is to inspire my students to love learning and know that trying hard and believing in yourself is perfect enough for me. Thanks, 'M' for bringing a smile to my face. You have now inspired me to spread this message with others. Children can love learning. Like Lester Laminack says, "You must reach them before you can teach them..."

Dear Parents... :)

Parents,
you are probably thinking that the math strategies that your child is showing you are VERY different from the way that you and I learned in elementary school. I promise, there is a method to the madness...

Luckily, when I attended UNF, I was taught Chets Creek math strategies and referenced these wonderful videos from the Schultz Center. These videos are from Chets Creek teachers who have taught 4th grade for quite some time. :) The videos show strategies for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. The strategies are listed from the least efficient to the most efficient.

Please understand that your child must have a deep understanding of multiplication and division BEFORE he/she starts using the traditional algorithm. We have not gone over all of the strategies for multiplication and division yet, but please take a look at the videos so you can feel better about helping your child with homework or studying for a quiz. You will also understand why I stress to my little friends why it is so important to show your work and explain your thinking!

*Little friends--feel free to watch these videos too! :D

Link: Schultz Center Math Videos

Support our Book Fair!

Can't visit the Book Fair at school? You can still support the Chets Creek Book Fair by purchasing books from Scholastic using the link below :)

http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bookfairs/cptoolkit/publish/chetscreek

The last day for the online Book Fair is October 10th.

Check out these Projects!

My little friends worked soooo hard on this project. Check out their awesome work! All 40 of them are in the slideshows below ;)

Understanding Arrays

Over the past few weeks, we have been studying factors, multiples, and arrays. Friends have learned that
factor x factor = multiple (product). The first couple of times we explored with arrays, we had the dimensions facing up (like in the picture below). Given those factors, friends had to figure out the product. They used different strategies in order to help them solve the problem. We noticed many things. One thing in particular was that square numbers can easily be defined as a number that has a square array. In order to have a square array, the dimenions (factors) have to be the same number. The 6 x 6 and 7 x 7 arrays show the square numbers 36 and 49. We explored with array cards again last week, except this time we had the product facing up and had to figure out the dimensions. Not only did we have to know the factors for that product, but we had to eliminate ones that would not make sense based on the shape of the array. For example, for 42, we know that 42 definitely has the factors of 1 and itself. However, we know that 1 x 42 or 42 x 1 array would not make sense at all when looking at the rectangle in the picture below. As friends were working, I noticed a few groups who came across 49 and 42. This was definitely something to talk about in closing meeting. They said from practicing their multiplication combinations and seeing that 49 is a perfect square, they know the dimensions must be 7 x 7. When trying to figure out the dimensions for 42, They put 42 on top of and then next to 49. They realized that 42 and 49 have the same number of columns but a different number of rows. Some explanations from the kids were:

42 has one less row than 49.

49 has one more row than 42.

42 has one less group of 7 than 49.

49 has one more group of 7 than 42.

Because of what they knew about 49, friends were able to conclude that 42 was missing 1 x 7 (read as 1 'group of ' 7) and that the dimensions are 7 columns x 6 rows. Awesome job!

*Practicing your multiplication facts at home is so important. Using what you know can really help you solve problems that you are still working on ;)

The Rock Cycle!

Over the past several weeks, we have been studying rocks and minerals. Recently, we focused on the three different types of rocks: Sedimentary, Igenous, and Metamorphic. Once we learned about the different types of rocks, we focused on how they are constantly changing. We used what we know about rocks, our textbook, and an awesome website to help us create posters that illustrate the Rock Cycle. These are some of the coolest posters EVER. Friends put so much effort into them, so I decided it would only make sense to display each one on the back wall of our classroom. :) Check out the slideshow of our super scientists at work!

Social Studies Project

Here is another example of the Social Studies Project :D Be as creative as you'd like!

Lunch Duty

This year, teachers have lunch duty twice a week. This is a huge change from last year. In the past, we would drop our kids off at lunch and our amazing paraprofessionals had duty in the dining room. Due to the budget cuts, we lost those amazing paras who do more in this school then people would ever imagine.

Because of this change, teachers now have duty days for recess and lunch. I have to be honest in saying that I was a bit nervous about having lunch duty. However, it has been a very cool experience. I get to know my students on a totally different level. It is so neat to watch them socialize with friends, to learn what foods they love and those they absolutely hate, and to know that they actually do talk about what they are learning in school that day. This little collage I put together is just a clip of what my experience in the dining room was like today.

I got to see the funny image FJ and GB created with two milk cartons. I learned FC does not like the crust on her sandwich. I watched MH and EM build their friendship. I watched KB read a poem from Mrs. Constande. And finally, I learned that BL can do this crazy thing with his arm!

Good times!

How to Leave a Comment :)

We've been having some technical difficulties when it comes to the comments but I think I have figured it out! I tried this and it worked...

If you want to comment on a post, scroll down on the post and click where it has (#) comments. Leave your comment in the box and make sure you put your NAME

When it says to select your profile, choose anonymous. Click preview to see what your comment will look like. Then, just click on post comment. It may not show up right away because I have to approve them. Hope this works :)

In Class: Rock Cycle Assignment week of 9/12

Use the picture and link below to help you create a poster illustrating the Rock Cycle.


http://www.learner.org/interactives/rockcycle/diagram.html


Once you pull up the diagram from the link above, click on the images to view the animations which explain each part of the Rock Cycle.

Understanding Sedimentary Rock

Social Studies Project

For this take-home project, you will make a three dimensional map of Florida that correctly represents the land elevations, cities, waterways, and the lines of latitude and longitude on each side of Tallahassee and Jacksonville. Your project should show that Florida is a peninsula bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. It should also show that Georgia and Alabama are our neighboring states. You will need to identify our state capital, Tallahassee, and our city, Jacksonville, on your map. Your map will also need to show the St. Johns River, Lake Okeechobee, and the location of the Everglades.

The map may be made from clay, play-dough, or even cookie dough (baked!). It is up to your imagination! You may identify the cities with a toothpick prick and write the name in marker or you may write it in icing. You may choose to paint the lines of latitude and longitude with marker, paint, yarn, or whatever you can create. This project should be FUN and help you better understand the geography of our state. :)

This project is DUE SEPTEMBER 30TH!

Use the rubric below as a 'check-off' for your elements.

Element	3	2	1
Map is 3-dimensional and accurately represents the land elevations in Florida
Map correctly represents Florida as a peninsula
Map shows the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico in the correct location
The neighboring states of Georgia and Alabama are correctly identified and labeled
Tallahassee and Jacksonville are correctly identified and labeled
The St. Johns River is clearly identified from the source to the mouth and is labeled
Lake Okeechobee is correctly identified and labeled
The Florida Everglades are correctly identified and labeled.
The lines of latitude and longitude on each side of Tallahassee & Jacksonville are drawn in and labeled.
The map includes a compass rose and a key
Project demonstrates creative effort
Total Points

Explore Learning: Gizmos!

For the first two weeks of Science, we have been studying Minerals. I wasn't sure how exciting this unit was going to be. I mean, at first glance, rocks and minerals don't appear too thrilling. Thank goodness I was completely wrong. All it took was some enthusiasm and some awesome technology and my friends were hooked...

Over the past two weeks we've learned lots of cool things like:
a) All rocks are made of minerals
b) Over 3,000 minerals have been identified
c) Minerals can be identified by testing their physical properties (color, luster, streak and hardness)
d) A Diamond (Miss Donofrio's favorite) is the hardest mineral :)

We observed and collected our own data with about 7 types of minerals in class. Friends really enjoyed the hands-on experience. Because we didn't have a huge variety of minerals, we brought in some AWESOME technology to help us out.

explorelearning.com is a website that offers something called 'Gizmos.' Gizmos are online simulations that power inquiry and understanding of Science and Math. The screen shot below shows just a glimpse of our 'Mineral Identification' Gizmo. With this Gizmo, my friends were able to explore 26 different minerals and test all the physical properties with just a few clicks of a mouse! I was impressed with how REAL this virtual experience felt. We collected a ton of data and reached the conclusion that the only way to really identify a mineral is to test all the physical properties. What's really great about this website, is that each friend in my class has a username and password and can access the Gizmos in and out of school. After exploring with the Gizmo for a couple of days, minerals started flooding backpacks and friends couldn't wait to share one they just found or one that had been taking up space on their shelf for years. I feel great because I know how much they got out of the experience and how now they look at something as simple as a rock or mineral very differently than they did just two weeks ago. :)

A New Journey

I had such a blast this week getting to know all my new friends. Fourth Grade is new for me and I've been quite busy getting to know the curriculum and the 'flow' of each day. I have to say, considering I only got a few hours of sleep each night, I am VERY pleased with how this week turned out. I worked really hard to make sure I had all my ducks in a row.
I am soo in love with this age group. We had awesome conversations during Social Studies about Florida's geography. They showed a lot of interest in the different types of rocks we observed in Science. And of course, had lots of fun playing math games where they got to manipulate different numbers and show their understanding of place value. I am thrilled to learn new things this year and especially can't wait for all my friends to see their abilities and feel proud of what they can achieve, and most importantly, find the hero in themselves.

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires. -William Arthur Ward

My ultimate goal... to be that great teacher

Miss Donofrio's 'Homeroom Heroes'

Our Classroom :)

Welcome to our Math, Science & Social Studies classroom. As the year goes on, we're going to cover these walls and build this classroom together! I can't wait to discover rich vocabulary and showcase brilliant student work! :)

Welcome to Fourth Grade!

Hope you have had a fabulous summer. It's that time again and I am thrilled to 'Empower the Future' with my fantastic fourth graders! This is going to be a marvelous school year. We will discuss some of the heroes behind math, science and social studies, have some awesome hands-on learning experiences and of course have a great time getting to know one another. Each of my fourth grade friends will also have the challenge of finding the hero within themselves. Think about what a hero means to you and who you look up to as a hero in your life... we'll chat about it on day one. :D

See you at orientation!

date: Friday, August 19
time: 11:00 AM
location: City of Crusaders--room 223