The Geometry Slide!

What better way to learn the three types of "transformations" than by learning The Geometry Slide! Students are able to make the connection that a flip is a "reflection", a slide is a "translation", and a turn is a "rotation". These are all ways we can reposition figures without changing its size or shape! Check out our fantastic moves on this video and let us know what you think! The song is from the website www.SmartyBunch.com.

The Gingerbread Extravaganza!

Before our winter break, Ms. McGarity's and Mrs. Stewart's classes went on a memorable field trip!  We first took a tour of the Firefighter Museum and then headed to the Gingerbread Extravaganza located at Old St. Andrew's Church downtown.  The students and I loved completing a scavenger hunt of items hidden throughout the gingerbread houses!  We also learned a lot about Jacksonville history while touring the Merrill home next door to Old St. Andrew's Church.  When we returned from our field trip, students made gingerbread tree ornaments and decorated holiday cookies!  Here are a few pictures from the trip!  I hope you all had a wonderful time with your family and friends and I look forward to seeing everyone on Monday, January 6th!  Happy New Year!!!!

Gobbling Up Division!!

In 4th grade we are thankful for...DIVISION!!! We are exploring the relationships between division and multiplication! It is coming so natural to the students that they don't even realize they are actually  dividing! Most students entering the 4th grade are scared to even think about the word "divide"! Now they see that it's not so bad after all! We are learning division strategies such as: repeated subtraction, making equal groups, drawing arrays, and fact families! All of these strategies are featured on the feathers of our Thanksgiving turkeys!!! I encourage the parents to stop by and admire our beautiful work!

What's the "MATTER"???

In science, we are currently learning about "matter"!!! This week, we are exploring the physical properties of matter. Some properties are observable such as size, shape, and color. Other properties of matter are measurable such as mass, temperature, and density. To obtain a better understanding of this concept, we used our five senses to observe the properties of a tootsie roll. The students really loved this fun and engaging science lab. Here is one student from our class who is giving a brief overview of the expectations of the lesson. As you can see, he's learning and having fun at the same time!!!

Integrating Technology

In our classroom, I have a fun technology tool that I use to keep students engaged in math and science lessons called an interactive smartboard. Today we played a game called, "Fruit Shoot"! This is a great way to practice multiplication facts in a nonthreatening way! I encourage all of my students to play this game along with Reflex Math to build fluency with the facts. Incorporate it into the home learning routine each night to ensure success!!!

First Flag Raising!

Today was our first flag raising of the school year and it was full of excitement! The principal who opened Don Brewer in 2002, Annetta Kornblum, graced us with her presence! All of us thanked her for putting so much time and love into the school to make it what it is today! She has been a principal in Duval County for 18 years and next month will be retiring from the school system. Mrs. Kornblum's picture will be hanging up in the front office and a plaque in the library to honor and acknowledge her for all of the wonderful years of leadership. Mrs. Kornblum and Mrs. Collins' even opened up the 2002 Time Capsule to find many memories from 12 years ago...items that were found included a huge cell phone, our school song, a lunch menu, favorite movies, and favorite books!

We also had our Reading Celebration to get the students and teachers excited about reaching their book goals this year. As a school, we must read a total of 33,000 books in order to meet our goal for the year. If we do, students will get to throw pies at Mrs. Collins', Mrs. White, and Mrs. Sheroff!!! I know we all want to see this...so let's READ, READ, READ! Some of us from the class dressed up for the Reading Celebration. The costumes tie in with our theme, "Learning Takes Us Places"!

Spirit Day!!!

On Early Release Wednesdays, the entire school wears blue and yellow for Spirit Day! This year our spirit shirts are yellow with our school mascot on the back...GO BOBCATS!!! A new T-shirt order form was sent home yesterday if you were unable to purchase a shirt the first time...here's your chance to get one! Not only are these days fun for the students and teachers, it's a great way to remind parents that their children will need to be picked up at an earlier time! Our next spirit day will be on Wednesday, September 25th!!!