Celebrating our Narrative Writing

With Writer-in-Residence 

Kelly Starling Lyons

After a week long study of techniques of good narrative writing, students got to celebrate and share their finished stories with the class. I could see students had learned at lot from our writer in residence, sponsored by the PTA. They are focusing on small moments, writing with active verbs, using quotations and dialogue, and adding similes and metaphors to make stories come to life. Ms. Kelly also shared her published books with the class.  

Using the microphone made for more
dramatic performances.

Ms. Kelly looks on as a student shares her story with the class

Students enjoyed entertaining each other
with their creative dialogue and descriptions.

IN SCIENCE THIS WEEK

We began our study of electricity with an investigation of how to light a bulb. With 2 wires, a battery and a small bulb, each group of 4 was able to work cooperatively to get the bulb to light. The excitement in the room was ELECTRIC!

Students learned the terms current electricity, closed circuit and open circuit, electrical receiver, electrical source, insulator and conductor. By day 3 they were adding switches and multiple receivers (bulbs, buzzers and motors) to their circuits. This week they will continue their investigations and learn how to build series and parallel circuits.

  

 The class did a great job collaborating to create circuits in small groups. Getting the bulb to light took many hands. 

WE GOT SOME BEAUTIFUL FALL WEATHER FOR RECESS LAST WEEK! 

Here is a view of the fossil pit after it has been renovated with PTA funds. See what your generous donations can bring to the school? Please consider giving to the Shining Star Fundraisers if you haven't already. See the flyer in  this week's Tuesday folders (going home 10/20/15!).

HAVE A GREAT WEEK! CHECK BACK NEXT MONDAY FOR MORE NEWS AND PICTURES....

OUR SALT DOUGH MAP PROJECT 

The Final Product-  A Salt Dough Map of NC 

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

 Here are the pictures I managed to capture during the class's creation of salt dough maps of our state. Students were so excited to have a hands on project to show the three regions of our state, attenand the border states. They painted the Atlantic Ocean blue. Our capital city got a star, the Fall Line separating the Piedmont from the Coastal Plain is labeled and students molded and put a flag on the top of Mount Mitchell, the state's tallest mountain at 6,684 ft in elevation. If your child gave you any feedback on the project let me know in the comments below!

Thanks to our parent volunteers, all went smoothly! 

Students are studying the map to add points of personal interested to their maps.