The Cooper School Daily

Last Full Week – Full of Fun

Science

The human body is an endless source of questions and discoveries for Fourth Graders. The more they learn about how bones, veins, and joints work the more questions they have. The focus on joints has the students exploring three types of joints: hinge joints, ball and socket, and gliding joints. And what better way to pay attention to how we use the joints in our body than to have them taken away? This week, Fourth Graders attempted to do a series of activities while having specific joints immobilized. First, we noticed how our thumb moves and is used and then did the same with our first two fingers. These immobilization activities really highlighted how much we bend and use our fingers for simple tasks.

Reading

There is a bittersweet feeling to finishing a good book. Fourth Graders experienced that this week as they finished reading The BFG by Roald Dahl. The books unique characters with a magical twist set in the real world is such an appealing idea and is painted so clearly in the minds of readers that it is sad when that book comes to an end. This year, Fourth Graders had the special treat of being able to watch those characters come to life in the new BFG movie! Students loved watching the movie and noticing the similarities and differences between the book and movie.

Expert Helpers

Our social emotional focus this month has been on leadership. Fourth Graders have been looking at and talking about the different qualities of leaders, different ways to be a leader, and how they can take on the role of leadership. This week, Fourth Graders took on this leadership role as expert helpers to the Second Graders working on their Bird Study Presentations. The Fourth Graders had previously helped them do research on their birds, passing on their knowledge of how to search, read for information, and take notes. Then they helped to edit and finish the final product, their PowerPoints. Second Graders had completed their work but needed help revising and editing. Fourth Graders showed their leadership skills as they jumped in to help, applying their technology skills and grammar abilities to help prepare the Second Graders for their presentation on Friday. Fourth Graders were rewarded for their work by attending the presentation and seeing the final product.

Important Dates:

  • Monday, May 29                               Memorial Day, No School
  • Thursday, June 1                              Graduation, 11:30 Dismissal
  • Friday, June 2                                   Field Day, Last Day of School, 11:30 Dismissal