Tomorrow is a good day to visit

Hello,

We are inviting parents to stop by to look at our Rube Goldberg devices between 2:30 and 3:30 tomorrow.  The kids did a great job today of moving their machines around to try to connect some of them up to each other.  Please come on up to the room if you get a chance. 

Tomorrow is also the Harry Potter Quidditch Match at 4:00 in the gym.  I will be running out of the classroom around 3:30 to try to set up the court in time for the match.  It is kind of a perfect storm for my room.  It is quite a mess with the brooms, machines, supplies, robes, etc.  I got word that I am going to get a talking to in the morning.  Education can be a messy business. 

Have a good night.  Hope to see you tomorrow.

Mr. Shea

get building

Hello,

Three absences today threw a wrench into our international study filming wrap-up, but we are still on schedule for some full scale Rube Goldberg device building starting tomorrow afternoon.  Please help your child find anything from yogurt containers to cereal boxes that could be used somehow in a silly machine.  We have a lot of supplies at school, but we have nearly ninety kids building, so whatever you can find to give to the cause would be appreciated.

It is already late so I'm going to sign off.

Have a great night.

Mr. Shea

Whirlwind day

Hello,

The after school homework club numbers are dwindling, but now that I think about it, so is the amount of homework.  We had a really active day with lots of filming.  We have most of the scenes shot for our international news programs, but still need to wrap things up tomorrow.  Then we can return our focus to the simple machines.  Here is some info that we printed up on this Friday's workshop.

Simple Machines Workshop Information

Dear Fourth Grade Parents,

          Simple machines have arrived! As part of our unit, Grade Four students are exploring force, motion, friction, and how simple machines make work easier or faster.  In class, we are using every day recycled materials to create simple machines that allow us to move objects.  This is our first attempt at integrating Rube Goldberg devices into our learning.  Rube Goldberg is famous for his clever combinations of machines.  Check out some examples by visiting our Fourth Grade Links Page under Force and Motion.

As a culminating activity, students will be creating Rube Goldberg inspired combinations of simple machines in class.  Students may work on adding to their in-class creation at home.  Please no catapults. 

We will have simple machine workshops the week of June 4^th.    You are invited to come from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. on Friday, June 8^th.  As you arrive you will be watching students working together to build, change, combine and rework their creations. 

          Please continue to have your child bring in any recycled materials.  Some suggestions are paper product rolls, wood scraps, wheel-like items, pipes, tubes, screws, dowels, cardboard, string, plastic food containers and any other odds-and-ends that can be spared by your family.  Masking, duct, and painter’s tape are especially welcomed.

          Please contact me with any questions about the workshop.  Thank you!

Have a good night.

Mr. Shea