Bottle Babies

Test Prep- Today, we finished reviewing the 4th grade math section.  We worked each and every problem that was missed on the board, which benefited each student!  We talked about how you handle decimal points differently in multiplication problems than addition or subtraction ones.  Although we had already learned this skill, some did not remember... or it just didn't make sense.  I demonstrated the reason for this, with a simple word problem which divided .5 by 10.  Of course, it made sense to the class that a faucet could leak 1/2 a gallon a day for 10 days, and the result would be an answer that is LESS THAN 10.  I transitioned that knowledge to the fact that decimal points in multiplication problems are not simply "brought down".  We reviewed many other math topics, and finally completed the section.  We will begin working on the social studies section, in class.

Agriculture-  Today was a super fun agriculture day!  The class and I walked around Inman, working on video for our music production.  We only have two more scenes to shoot!  In addition, we took a trip to visit the new baby goats, which are playful and full of energy!  We talked about their birth, which a lot of the class had viewed the day they were born, in the online video updates.

The class broke into two groups and rotated between giving the kids their bottle and milking the does.  I explained the use of a "hobble", and why it is so helpful.  I hobble is a simple velcro strap, which puts a little pressure on the tendon at the back of the does' legs.  This pressure does not hurt, but prevents them from kicking.  There's nothing worse than trying to milk a kicky goat!  Everyone was able to get a chance to milk and to spend time with the new babies!
Science-  Today, Ms. Gail began with a review of the students' at home assignments.  They talked about mollusks, their classification, characteristics, and types (gastropod, bivalve, and cephalopod).  Ms. Gail then had the class complete an animal classification exercise.  The students worked in small groups to sort and classify animal figures.  They will all have a big test next week, over material from our biology unit.  At home, they will need to study all of the information in their science folders!

Literature-  After reviewing the students' mythology assignments, Ms. Gail and the class read other hero and nature myths.  Through the stories, they learned about different mythological creatures.  Afterward, the students each drew two noun cards and one adjective card from a box.  At home, they will be combining these words in order to create their own mythological creature!

Social Studies- Today's lesson was on The Great Depression.  The class learned about the vicious circle of failing banks and crashing stock markets, sales falling, and unemployment rising.  They also learned about the Dust Bowl of the early 1930's, and its impact.

We will be leaving for our field trip to Rock Eagle on Monday morning, and will return on Tuesday.  Classes will resume on Thursday.