Merry Christmas

Dear Parents,

As the year comes to an end I wanted to let each of you know how much I have appreciated all the support you have given me. To be honest I was very nervous at the start of the year to be with a new grade, but now I would not change it for the world. I appreciate every day with your children. Each day is a new learning experience. We are having fun, and will continue to learn together throughout the New Year.
I wish you the best for a Happy Christmas and Healthy New Year!
I want to express to Mrs. Hammer, and all the parents that volunteered their time to make my life so much easier during the holiday party. You all do a wonderful job. Thank you sincerely.
To all my students. Thank you for an unforgettable year in fourth grade. You are all so special, and I know you are going to do great things.

Science Fair

Here are a few sites that should help you get ready for the Science Fair. It is not until Feb. 9, but there is so much to do that you should really start now. Parents, a form with all the information and dates, and how to set up their project has been sent home. Please help your child through the process, but allow them to lead. The whole idea is that they learn a process, and get a product from their hard work.

Thank you,

Mrs. Casto

P.S There is a mistake on the forms that I sent home, obviously the fair will take place in the new year 2010. Sorry about that. :)

Many Science Fair Ideas:

http://www.education.com/activity/all-grades/all-grades/science/?cid=57000.0009&s_kwcid=TC8363science%20experimentschemistry.about.comCb3817152235&gclid=CLr55-Wy254CFchn5QodXykvKA

Additional Abstract Information: http://ezinearticles.com/?Science-Fair-Abstracts---How-to-Write-an-Abstract&id=774690

Parent's Helpful Guide: This is a great step by step guide for helping your child prepare for the fair. It is probably the most useful site I have on here. There are also sites from this guide. http://www.24hourscienceprojects.com/guide.pdf

Christmas Around The World Flags

Christmas Around The World
This is a great site for research. All you do is scroll down, then click on country below its flag.

Christmas Traditions Around the World at Santa's Net.

Christmas Traditions Around the World at Santa's Net.
Here is one more site for traditions around the world.

Christmas Around The World

http://www.the-north-pole.com/around/

This site will give several options, and information for your country.

Bill Nye Planets and Moons

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HxE2EjKqxU

This link is part one. You will need to click on parts 2 and 3. Remember we will have a quiz this Thursday.

Fun Space Site

http://www.kidsastronomy.com/
This is a fun site to explore. It is all about space.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuqwXjmGx9Y&feature=PlayList&p=F500219591173D3E&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=34

This site will take you to Bill Nye on astronomy.

Moon Challenge Game

http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/interactives/moon/moon_challenge/moon_challenge.html
This is the game where you fill in the correct moon.

Full Moon to New Moon

http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/science_up_close/410/deploy/interface.html
This is the activity we did in class today. Try it again.

Moon Phases

http://tycho.usno.navy.mil/vphase.html

This is the cool site I told you about. On this site you can change the date, and find out on that day what the phase of the moon will be. Try your birthday, and all holidays. It is really fun.

Bill Nye Seasons

Here is the Bill Nye on seasons. It may help to re-watch it. Sometimes you miss things the first time around.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUrxRhQYdO4&feature=PlayList&p=986BAE2FE1655FF8&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=42

11/30 Homework

For those of you needing to make up work for today. Please watch the short seasons film below. Long ago before we understood the scientific reason for why the seasons change people made up reasons based on what they knew. In ancient Greece people believed that the wife of the under lord went to visit him in the winter, and so the Earth became cold and barren. You may make up your own mythical reason for the change of seasons. Your other option is to make a model of the Earth's seasons, and bring it to school tomorrow.

Seasons

This site will take you to what we watched in class today about how seasons change.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuiQvPLWziQ&feature=related

YouTube - Bill Nye the Science Guy - 96: Storms 1/3

YouTube - Bill Nye the Science Guy - 96: Storms 1/3

YouTube - Bill Nye the Science Guy - 50: Climates 1/3

YouTube - Bill Nye the Science Guy - 50: Climates 1/3

Book Report

Ok, here are the ideas for your report on, The Best Halloween Ever. You will be graded on originality, creativity, effort, and connection to the book. There are more than enough choices from this site to find one that suits your personality.

It does take a few moments for the site to load, but it does work.

http://www.teachnet.com/lesson/langarts/reading/bookrepts1.html

Droplet

Remember your story today about Droplet's adventure though the water cycle? Here is a game that goes along with the story. Have fun working your way through it.

http://kids.earth.nasa.gov/datwc.html

Veteran's Day Activities

Hello,

Tomorrow while you are enjoying a day off, please visit this site to remember, and understand why you have the day off. There are games and information. If you have a chance tomorrow say thank you to someone you know who has served our country in the military. These men and women protect us, and we should be grateful.

http://www4.va.gov/kids/k-5/index.asp

Barbara Robinson

http://usawrites4kids.drury.edu/authors/robinson/

http://www.balkinbuddies.com/robinson/index.html

Try both sites. If you can't find an answer to your questions, then make sure you summarize what is on both sites so I know you tried. Thank you.

Science Court

This site is from youtube it is an interesting cartoon call Science Court. We will also watch it in class next week. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0hJsDY-KtI&feature=PlayList&p=DC1DCBE0F5ABCFFF&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=9

Water Fact

Awesome Water Facts

I bet you didn't know...

http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw000/kids/water_trivia_facts.html

YouTube - Water Cycle Song

YouTube - Water Cycle Song

Here is the fun song on the water cycle.

See the Cycle

http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw000/kids/flash/flash_watercycle.html

This site shows you the parts of the water cycle.

Thank You

I want to thank all the moms that gave their time to make this year's Halloween party fantastic. Thank you to everyone that sent in food, prizes, and games. The kids, and I had a wonderful time.

Hi Kids,
I just happened to catch the news this morning. They have a list of events that I thought may interest you.
The Shrine Circus has a show at the Charleston Civic Center at 1pm and 5pm.
The Huntington Mall is having a family fun day tomorrow. They did not provide details.
Guyandotte set for 20th annual Civil War Days Click on here to see the details.
I hope you have a fun weekend.
~Mrs. Casto

Dress Up

I hope you get this note. I can't find my bride's maid dress to dress up with you tomorrow, but feel free to dress up in all your frills, just remember you don't have to. You can dress however you like, as long as it is appropriate. See you in the morning.
Mrs. C.

Homer Hickam

http://www.homerhickam.com/

This is a great site that tells all about Homer Hickam, and West Virginia. Just click on the tabs at the top of the site to find out information.

GENES

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2o_fzprY2k&feature=related

Bill Nye Genes

For this one you will need to click on part two and part three to watch the entire film.

Exhibition Coal Mine

http://www.beckleymine.com/becm/coal_overview.cfm

Hi kids, and parents. If you want to get a look at what you will be doing tomorrow,above is the site to check out.

Don't forget to bring your lunch, jacket, and things to keep you busy on the bus.

If you are diving up with us this is the site to get directions: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Huntington+&1s=wv&1z=25701&2c=Beckley&2s=wv&2a=513+Ewart+Ave

We are going to have a blast!

Bill Nye Life Cycle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuNlvMCYOR4&feature=PlayList&p=EBBD2AF5DBE087FD&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=1

Book Fair Books

Parents,

As you know, we will begin reading The Best Halloween Ever starting next week and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever during the Christmas season. Later this year we will be reading, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe as well. These three books will be available at our book fair next week. If you have not already purchased these books, I encourage you to purchase your copies at the book fair as it will benefit the school. I hope to see all of you at the book fair. It is going to be better than ever.

Life Cycle Game

http://teams.lacoe.edu/documentation/classrooms/judi/life/activities/cycles/life_cycles.html

Go to this site, and play the game. When you finish you will either post a comment on here, or write one down and bring it to school tomorrow. The comment should say how you felt, or what you learned about the game. This is an extremely easy way to earn 20 points. Have fun.

Short Adaptation Film

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciu9xFTvELQ
Hey kids this is the film we watched in class today,(click on the link above). Absent students be sure to think of the list of animals you made and how they are similar or different from the animals on the film.

Field Trip

Hello,

I want to remind everyone that we have a walking field trip to the riverfront to see the Nina. The Nina is one of the three ships that brought the pilgrims to Plymouth Rock. It is important that you bring your permission slip signed, or have your parent come to the office to sign a slip if you were sick, so you can go with us. I am very sorry to everyone that I didn't have the slips ready to go home yesterday. If your slip did not make it home you can get one off our St. Joe web site.

Animal Adaptations

http://www.slideshare.net/abbotteacher/animal-adaptations-i-presentation
This is the site we checked out today on animal adaptations, and it goes with our discussion and information from the book on adaptations. If you were absent today go through the slide show, and review the information. You may make notes in your Science journal. You also need to read pages 98-102 in your book. The two main questions I want you to think about are:
1. How does an adaptation help animals, and plants survive?
2. What happens to plants and animals when the environment changes?
Please write your answers to these questions on a separate sheet of paper to turn in to me.
For homework please answer the questions on page 103, (1-6). If you want five bonus points choose one of the following Writing, Math or Art below the questions. Follow the directions, and have it to me by tomorrow.

http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/eco_info/topics/climate/adaptations/index.cfm
This site is a great game. It is a timed game for animal adaptations. See if you can beat the clock.

Ocean Food Web

http://www.qm.qld.gov.au/education/resources/biodiscovery/06game-and-quiz/index.html#

This web is for the ocean. It is a little harder, but so much fun. Enjoy the challenge.

Bill Nye Food Web

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lmvBWEqusk&feature=PlayList&p=92B4F39E691BEABE&index=0&playnext=1

Here is the site for Bill Nye on food chains, and webs. Remember that on our quizzes I always give some questions from what we watch in class, soooo it is a good idea to take notes in your Science journal.

Fun Food Chain Games

The following site will take you to the games we played in class. Third block you did not get to play all the games, so please be sure to click on the "related games" below the food chain game. Have fun with it.

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/games/foodchaingame.htm

Bill Nye

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWN4nM_AmLY&feature=PlayList&p=986BAE2FE1655FF8&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=24
Here is the link to the Bill Nye film we watched today. You will need to watch the entire show. Make sure to watch with your parents, or have them help you get it started. Do not venture outside of the site I posted, unless you are given permission from your parents. Once you finish watching Bill Nye click on the back button to come back to this page, or X it out. Be sure to take notes in your journal, and enjoy this easy homework assignment. :)

Cells

http://www.cellsalive.com/cells/cell_model.htm

For homework between Thursday and Sunday.
Lets see how this goes. I want you click on the website above. It will take you to a site that has a black box. In the black box, written in blue, are the words, "To begin choose animal cell or plant cell." Under the box, in green, are the words plant cell and animal cell. Click on one, and move over the different areas to read what each part is and click on the word to see what that part of the cell does. We will be reviewing what each part of the cell does for plants and animal cells on Monday. Make sure once you have read all about either the plant or animal that you click on the back button at the top of the page then click on the other cell to review it as well. This is meant to be informative and fun. I do expect you to be able to tell me about this site Monday. If you were unable to get to it please have your parents write to me. This is our first try at this, so don't worry it it doesn't come up, or you have trouble. Have fun with it.

P.S What type of cell is in the picture?

Raffle Basket

Thank you to all parents for sending in items for our raffle basket. This year's fourth grade theme was "car wash".

Welcome

I am so happy to be your teacher this year. It is going to be a new adventure for both of us. It is exciting because it is your first time in fourth grade, and my first time teaching fourth grade. I know you are going to have one of your best years at school yet!