Old Donation Eagles

4th grade is studing the ecosytem.  I have included a very interesting virtual Rainforest site typically found in Central and South America for you to explore.  Move your mouse over the image to find small things hidden in the picture.  Click on the small images to read about them.
http://www.msu.edu/user/urquhart/tour/active.html

 Then listen to the podcast and answer the questions.  Lets develop an an “ODC Ecosystem”!!

Ecosystem Study

5^th grade recently culminated their Revolutionary War studies with an in-depth study of key Virginians of the war.   Students chose an individual to research, wrote a critical analysis about how their person influenced Virginia during the time of the Revolutionary War, and finally crafted an oral presentation to teach their classmates about their historical figure.

What was the most critical contribution (act, idea, document. . . . ) that your individual made during the time of the Revolutionary War?
King George III

Our 4th grade students are studying the regions of the United States.  During Social Studies they focus on the geographical, cultural economical, and historical aspects of the states. During Math the students are grouped in regions and travel calculating mileage on roads of historical paths.
    To experience the relationship between geography and culture, a United States Taste Testing Day is held.  Listen to some of the descriptions of foods and their culture associated with it.   Can you help add to our list of cultural foods???

Crabcakes   (40 sec.)
Va. Ham   (30 sec.)
Boston Baked Bean   (51 sec.)
Dogs in a Blanket   (50 sec.)

Does history make the person or does the person make history?

Biography presentations are coming soon!!!  Please share information about your biography subject.  Share some of the interesting facts you have found in your studies that we might not know about your character.

fanfare3.mp3

 The Knightly News

Knightly NewsRead-a-LotMay 2008  Seconshire is spinning with activity.  Princess Olivia leads the entire kINGDOM with good deeds.  It is said she is the kindest princess in the land—everywhere she goes flowers bloom and birds tweet.  Isn’t that sweet?  Her people are inspired and have begun to write in verse.  Newly Crowned Princess Kristen rules with a gladdened heart.  The people of Cassalia are thrilled to observe the recent knighting of Sir Jacob who promised to be on the lookout for dragons! Thirdborough has suffered severely from a dreaded dragon invasion.  Thankfully the hamlets of Rychlik and Parker are cozy as kittens thanks to Legendary Dragon Master, Sir Griffen who courageously captured his 21^St dragon.  He and Dragon Master Princess Grace decided to split up and tackle different portions of the kingdom.  Princess Grace to the North valiantly coerced her 10^th dragon onto a special dragon train designed by Sir Sam who earned the title Dragon Master for his ingenuity and 8^th catch.  Recent Dragon Master Sir Edward used his organizational skills to lay railroad track throughout the land. As the train rolled through the villages of the kingdom, Sir Cameron and Dragon Master Sir Brian of Ambrose took full advantage and stuffed a rather puffy one onto the train. Newly Crowned Princess Grace N. flagged down the locomotive.  Princess Molly (who could sell cats to a rat) boarded a family of four fantailed beasts by convincing them they would find fortune at the end of the trip.  She earned her Dragon Master title in the process.  In Parker, Princess Megan, Sir Ryan F and Sir Andrew each corralled one more green monster. In McCammon, Princess Emily, Sir James and Sir Aidan pooled their resources, pushed floppy tails and popped the puzzled creatures onto the train.  One left a little puddle. OOOPS!  The train stopped briefly in Doheny allowing Sir Kevin to push the last two scrawny stragglers into the caboose.    Fourthfork is performing a documentary on Dragons and their Nasty Habits.  Princess Grace graciously offered to narrate the introduction.  The play was written by Dragonmaster Sir Andrew.  Princess Molly F offered to bravely play the part of the maiden in distress.  Sir Austin, having completed a good deed, valiantly rescues her from the fiery beast.  Princess Gabrielle having caught two dragons researched the script.  Princess Renee trained the dangerous dragons played by “Scooter, Flame and Spinney”.  The popular presentation is going on the road so look for it in a Hamlet near you! Fifthfield is floundering in “Dragon Droppings” especially in the Hamlet of Helke where Dragonmaster Sir Quinton captured his 15^th beast.  Helke has become a bit cramped with so many dragon cages hastily built by Sir Garret who just bagged a big one!  In Reddick, Princess Katie became a Dragonmaster when she finished a popular fantasy series and learned to cast “Dumpster Spells”.  The hypnotized creatures are compelled by the spells to turn themselves in to the nearest Knight or Princess.  Way to go Princess Katie!  In Heilig Sir Stephen, reportedly is knee deep in scientific research, invented effective dragon bait and hoodwinked his 11^th creature!Sir Jack, while performing an experiment on dragon dropping disposal, managed to make his first catch!  Sir Carter, Hamlet of Cowart, thought he was scaling a mountain only to find out he was scaling scales from a slimy serpent!!  He hung on for dear life as the snaky beast thrashed around finally tiring and surrendering to Sir Carter. ATTENTION ALL KINGDOMS:                 BE ON THE ALERT FOR SOME BREAKING NEWS…IT IS SAID A MESSENGER IS ON HIS WAY TO READ-A-LOT WITH AN IMPORTANT ANNOUCEMENT! Knightly News from Read-a-LotApril Here Ye! Hear Ye! Hear Ye!  The Land of Read-a-Lot is brimming with Brave Knights, Princesses and Daring Deeds! Secondshire soundings include the recent Knighting of Sir Max from the village Chang and Sir Ben H from the Village of Cassalia. Princess Olivia of Cassalia has set a royal example by doing a good deed.  Sir Ryan H proved his bravery by stalking, studying and snatching three more dragons!  He was presented with the enviable title of Dragon Master.   Thirdborough’s hamlets are knee deep in ferocious, thorny beasts.  Thank goodness the villages are rapidly rallying their knights and princesses to protect them.  Rychlik reports Princess and Dragon Master Grace Jeffery snagged her 9^th. When asked what she draws on for her bravery, she replied.” Well, that last dragon was just-so-rude!  I had to teach him some manners!!”  Sir Sam caught one sneaking away and Sir Edward surprised and attacked two more of the snide creatures!  In the hamlet of Parker famed Dragon Master Sir Griffen bagged his 19^th dragon!  Both Dragon Masters, Sir Andrew and Sir Ray have 7 dragon notches on their belts. Sir Ryan F snuck up and snatched his second slimy beast!The Hamlet of Ambrose boasts that Princess Molly S snared her 2^nd Dragon.  She likes to name them and now has Smoky and Flash.  Not to be outdone, Sir Brian H also caught two more and named those Fang and Spike.  Sir Rohan said he has no time for naming the fiery beasts, but if he did, he said his fourth dragon would be called “Snickers”.It is said the Hamlet of Doheny is safe and sound with Sir Kevin securing two more ferocious beasts. Princess Nicole served her people by doing a good deed and managed to catch a large, but very bashful dragon.  She was overheard saying it was a tricky catch and she had to use her wits to coax it from its cave.The hamlet of McCammon is quite proud of their recent Knighting. Sir James B and Sir Aiden who wasted no time caging his first two creatures. Princess Emily H helped Sir Ryan F tackle his second dragon and was credited with her first dragon catch.  They are exhausted and recuperating from Dragon Rash—an uncomfortable but common ailment.  Fourthfork has experienced Dragon Raids resulting in many of the kingdom’s children showing up with singed and burnt homework! In Hagerty Princess Grace T and Sir Tyler each lassoed one of the fiery beasts.  Sir Riley dragon napped three more!  Sir Charlie surprised his second while it was sleeping.  The poor thing woke up in a cage and said—Gee, I must be dreaming!  Sir Jack skillfully skulked his first catch.  He said he’d like to keep it and is stoically studying dragon-speak in order to improve communication. Sir Andrew Z tethered two dragons making him a Dragon Master. Princess Molly F is up to her old dragon tricks.  Allow me to read her official good deed—No doubt recently knighted Sir Nick Z will be impressed.  It’s been reported that Sir Austin H has also completed an official good deed which has raised the standard of living in the Hamlet of Lipscomb. This just in!  Large Eggs have been found in the “Easterly” region of Fifthfield.  These eggs-believed to be dragon eggs, could hatch at any moment sending the Hamlets into a dragon fearing frenzy.  Fortunately Hamlet Helke continues to be protected by Sir Quinton who has managed to trap his 14^th.  Sir Daniel of Heilig actually wrestled his 2^nd dragon to the ground and made him say “Uncle”—now get this… the dragon thinks they are related and has taken up residence in Sir Daniel’s cottage.  Sir Alex W—Brave knight that he is, splashed through thick and slimy mud to capture his 6^th dragon.  He couldn’t be awarded the title of dragon master until he and the dragon cleaned up a bit—it was hard to tell which was which!   Sir Stephen was busily gathering dragon eggs when he stumbled upon an entire dracon of dragons.  They seemed to be suffering from spring fever and mistook him for one of their own.  They willingly followed him back to Heilig and into the dragon corral the squires made earlier.  Sir Stephen is now a Dragon master.  Sir Jonathan W jumped on the back of a huge winged creature and flew around the village of Sheler.  Princess Katie F of Reddick charmed and alarmed her fourth dragon scarring the poor thing and it refuses to come out of his cage! There are many adventures in the Land of Read-a-Lot—perhaps you will be in the next one!      The Knightly News in The Land of Read-a-Lot March 2008 Good day people in Read-a-Lot!  As usual, the Kingdoms are full of activity as the villagers venture outside sensing a new freedom from ferocious dragons. Secondshire has been improving their economy by serving food and drink.  Fellow villagers and travelers found hospitality and refreshment at several establishments throughout the kingdom.  Newly crowned Princess Laney B. from the Hamlet of Hatzopolous was there to greet them.  Security was enforced by Sir Ryan H. who used impeccable timing  and heroically captured two dragons.  Princess Olivia V.  is the pride of Cassalia and awarded an official good deed. Thirdborough, deep into the telling and retelling of myths and legends, is fascinated by Dragon Master Sir Griffin S. He’s becoming a legend in the hamlet of Parker having personally captured 16 dragons.  Sir Ray E. , a quick learner and mimic caught 4 more of the fiery beasts.  Sir Jeffrey A.  tracked, stamped and tackled an enormous large footed fantailed critter that left muddy footprints over and around the village.   Princess Nicole C. of Doheny skillfully willed an obstinate beast into its cage.  In Rychlik, Sir Sam L. and Sir Edward S. encountered, captured and caged an entire dragon family.  They were awarded two dragons each by McCammon’s newest Princess Kendall .  Sir Rohan J. showed up with a smallish but deadly creature believed to be from the rare species of dwarf dragons.   Fourthfork is flowing with a flurry of activity!  The Hamlet of Hagerty recently knighted Sir Tyler S.  and Sir Jack  E.,  Sir Riley B. , Sir Chris M. and Sir Charlie M. were not only knighted, but discovered a covert dragon ring right outside the hamlet.  They infiltrated it and each caught a sneaky dragon.  The entire mission was led by Dragon Master Swopnil  who now has six dragons on his ledger.  Princess Anna  is beside herself with royal admiration!  Sir Andrew Z. bravely defeated a fireball spitting dragon feared throughout the Hamlet of Lipscomb.  Princess Shelby S.  is thrilled, as is newly knighted Sir Austin H.  Princess Molly F., partial to dragon riding, did a good deed by saving a puppy from a savage and carnivorous griffon.  She said, and I quote, “I traded a medium-rare steak for the puppy.” Princess Molly F. was awarded an official good deed from Fourthfork.   Sir Dylan C. was knighted in Ballard and is training his horse that is dragon skittish.  The Hamlet of Ballard is pleased to have two new members amongst their royalty:  Princess Eileen M. and Princess Kaitlin W. This just in from Fifthfield– The Hamlet of Helke has an unusual amount of caged creatures.   (Nothing new there!).  Dragon Master Sir Quinton A. managed, manhandled, manicured, and manipulated his thirteenth dragon.  He baited the mountainous monster with Munster cheese!!  In the Hamlet of Heilig, Sir Stephen J. gleefully glowed when presented with the distinguished honor of Dragon Master.  He was overheard saying four were fiery, fearsome and frantic except for the last one that blushed and appeared to have taken a shine to him—she practically danced into her cage!  Princess Katie F. has lent an air of nobility to the Hamlet of Reddick.  Lady Knight Ka’iulani F. has proven to be the brave knight she is by capturing her first dragon!  Sir Jonathan W. who regularly patrols Cowart,  caught a dragon as well. Fifthfield is rather calm at the moment–It’s been said many squires, ladies, pages and maids have been “put to the test!”  (SOL that is)       

The Warrior series by Erin Hunter

Students are always looking for good reading suggestions. What is your favorite book or series?  Tell us about the book and why you would recommend it to a friend. Recommend a Book 
When you click on the title of this blog entry, you will see where to post your response.  Approved comments will be posted in 24-48 hours. 

You have been studing about electricity. Let’s now design a new electricial gadget…what would you create? Tell us about your new device.  Remember, it’s important that you tell us how to use the gadget, and what to your invention for.

gml-voice-and-music.mp3Give Me Liberty by L. M. Elliott

Set in America during the years 1774-1775, Give Me Liberty explores the life-or-death risks, triumpls, and tragic disappointments colonists faced in their quest for liberty.

Get involved as we read this exciting novel, and comment on questions as they are posted about topics of a boy’s choice of courage and sense of self-worth, of right and wrong, and how they are put to the test.