Fourth grade students enjoyed a trip to the Fairfield History Museum.  In anticipation of making our own museums, we learned the importance of gathering the best items to “tell a story”. We were able to spend time in the newly created theatrical exhibit, and even had a backstage tour of the museum’s artifacts storage room. Finally, in the museum classroom, students learned how set designers choose colors to help tell the story of the play. We designed our own colorful backdrops to be used in creating scenes from our latest literature selection.

The Portuguese are famous for their elaborately painted tiles, which they call “azulejos” (from the Arabic for polished stone). You can find these gorgeous tiles inside churches, homes, and any place their ornamental designs can also provide insulation on walls. Inspired by Portuguese tiles and geometric designs from the Islamic tradition, the fourth grade carved small blocks with a bold pattern. They first experimented with several designs on a piece of paper to see which looked the most striking, and then they transferred it on to their block. Using delicate carving tools, they carefully carved the lines and shapes to create their stamp. Rather than just stamping the image straight onto a piece of paper, we chose to create 4 x 4 tiled images in two colors. The students rotated their stamp with each print so that the image created a repeating tiled pattern. The results are vibrant and bold, and they were a great first investigation into printmaking.

What should we read next?  That’s the question heard over and over as our class shared a special reading  time with our PreK- 4 buddies. We will be reading with them the first Tuesday of every month, getting to share our favorite picture books, as well as books to support their curriculum units.

Fourth graders investigated what happens when salt and fresh water meet. First they mixed salt and food coloring into a glass of water and then slowly poured this salt water solution into a tank of fresh water. Students were surprised to see the colored (heavier) salt water sink to the bottom while the fresh (clear) water remained on top. Later students simulated waves by blowing on the water and gently mixing with plastic rulers to discover how waves can mix these two types of water in nature. Our fourth graders were able to transfer the knowledge they gained from this model to the real world, as we discussed the same occurrence in estuaries.

Fourth grade has begun the new trimester taking part in our school-wide language label project.  Using labels in the Spanish classroom, 4th graders went on a scavenger hunt around the room to discover the meaning of common classroom words, such as “la pizarra” (board), la puerta (door), and “la papelera de reciclaje” (recycling bin) to name just a few.  Then, each student was given several labels which they used to mark objects in their own fourth grade classroom, adding constant exposure to these Spanish words! Have a wonderful vacation fourth grade, and see you next year!

The fourth graders have been working on their project for the Winter Festival castle walls in art. Adorning the Medieval stone and mortar will be their tinfoil knights, made from metal tooling foil and India ink. We began the project by looking at images of Medieval knights and their armor. The students paid careful attention to the joints and separations in the armor that would have allowed the knights to move. They then designed their own suits of armor and transferred them onto thick foil with a pencil. Once the suits were completed, they brushed them with a coat of India ink and then scraped it away with steel wool to create a distressed look. They then cut out their knights and began working on the shields that served as the background. Using tempera paint, the students designed and painted colorful patterns and then added a couple of feathers to complete the suits of armor. In the process we also learned about heraldry, the way royalty had coats of arms designed to represent their kingdoms. Look out for the knights hanging up during the Winter Festival, and pictures of them will be posted online soon.

Our class has enthusiastically taken to knitting! Everyone has started a loom knitted item. After only a short learning period, our class has a significant beginning of hats and scarves to add to our community service project. The charity is yet to be chosen, but in previous years we have knitted for Appalachia, Save the Children, Hats for the Homeless and for servicemen overseas. We welcome any and all donations of yarn, although thicker works better on the looms. We gladly accept finished projects from anyone who knits or crochets.

The fourth graders have finished their shadow puppets! Check out their gallery below!

Fourth grade Spanish class is beginning to study body parts!  Students have drawn pictures of themselves and labeled from their head to their toes and now are working on building a new friend.   Each student drew from a basket the Spanish name of a body part and had to create that part using construction paper, glue sticks, and markers.  After seeing fifth grade’s alien-like example, fourth grade decided to make their friend look a little more human.  Students collaborated on body parts, working together to decide if their person should be a boy or a girl.  Next class, we will put all of the parts together and meet out new friend!

The fourth grade began the year in art creating shadow puppets in the Balinese style. Puppeteers are considered to be among the most talented artists on the island of Bali, and they perform seated behind a rice paper screen, which is backlit by an oil lamp hanging above. They not only make the puppets, but they also perform the shows (usually based on the Ramayana and Mahabharata Hindu epics) in at least five different languages and voices and add local humor and slapstick comedy to entertain the audience. The puppets (called Wayang Kulit in Balinese) are chiseled out of a tough rawhide and then painted in the traditional style. Puppeteers also provide the sound effects for the show, which can last up to five hours if it is being performed for a religious festival. The fourth graders looked at different examples of the puppets and watched clips of real Balinese puppet shows being performed by famous puppeteers. They then created their own characters out of Styrofoam with moveable arms. They punched holes to create the intricate details that are the hallmarks of Balinese-style puppets with toothpicks. Stay tuned for their finished puppets, and perhaps a puppet show too!