#4thchat Archive
#4thchat is a hashtag for teachers or anyone to talk about educational issues relating to 4th grade. Using #4thchat will create a network of 4th grade teachers or teachers working with 9-10 year olds across the world. We welcome anyone who 1. teaches 4th grade 2 .Works with 4th grade students and or 4th grade teachers 3. Likes 4th grade teachers (Groupies are encouraged).
Monday August 29, 2016
Hi, Jennie! How are things? Your house, your school?
Hi Jennie - Glad you could make it. How you doing?
Hey Meg! Hooray - you’re here!!! Glad you made it!
Hey ! How are you on this fine Monday!
Hi How you doing?? I’m finally back at it. 2 days of meetings then Ss come Wed & Thur :)
hello 4th chat, Mark in Minn.esota
House = not so good - will be out for 3-6 months rebuilding / school = wonderful ..no flooding -- starting back Thur
Nice to see you here Elizabeth. Things good in Alabama?
Interesting day...can't get subs in our corp. easily, so they split kids btween other classes in the quad. 11 extra students today!
Hi Mark! Feels like since forever since I’ve seen you! Hope things are well.
Howdy, Mark! How are things?
I'm glad you are okay. So sad about your house...
Been well, Mondays havent scheduled well, but this one is ok.
Sorry to hear about your home. I can’t even imagine how you’re dealing. Glad all is well with the school.
Hello tweeps. Having some computer issues. Hope to get started in just a minute or two.
Doing well! Ready to get in a solid routine!
Jerry- you please just come over here and sub! You would be so much fun!
So glad you’re here! Tough night sometimes. School start yet?
Tonight's is dedicated to discussing International Dot Day which is celebrate on Sept. 15ish.
I’m having a hard time thinking about the routine - been nice doing whatever! :)
first day with Ss last Wed.
LOVE Dot Day! What activities do you do?
Q1 Have you heard of International Dot Day? Have you participated in previous years?
There are only 4 classes in our grade level. The kids did great- just have to wing it for sure!
love the topic I had to google it and it sounds great!
Hi Erica - nice to see you tonight. Question 1 coming up!
I usually have kids do some sort of art using dots, after reading The Dot
A1: We have participated in for the last several years!
A1: Yes, I've participated in for the past several years. It is a great collaborative project to start our year with.
nice and steady. We've been back at school since the first.
A1: Hey, Paula! Yes, I have done Dot Day for several years and it is so great!
We make your dots, we Skype or GHO with other classes to share our creations.
A1: Have been lucky enough to connect w/ class :)
A1. Yes. Last year we did a school wide implementation of reading the book and following up with art activities
Also, we invite a PreK class up to our room to celebrate everything dot related with us. Too cute.
My daughter has other Peter Reynolds books, funny how you find out there are more and a whole day to go with it.
Golly, that seems so strange to me - we're just heading back.
Ss love using watercolors - a real treat in 4th grade
We are also participating in national read a book day on sept 6 and I'm trying to get ideas for that too
We have done different days for DotDat…it’s the idea behind it - not necessarily the date.
has some great resources as well
What an easy way to celebrate!
He’s got so many of them out there. “Ish” is another favorite.
That is the place to register and get information.
just read that at bedtime last week. Yes great author indeed.
My Ss make their dots in any way that they choose - paint, draw, modeling clay, styrofoam balls etc. Love their creativity.
Author study on Kandinsky Van Gogh and Mondrian then give circles (dots) for kids to imitate one of the artist's style or piece
Great resource, Paula! Thanks for sharing. The kids really remember the story and it is a great to refer to the book!
I schedule an author or two to Google Hangout or Skype with us on They have made dots to share with my Ss too.
I also take pictures of the students' dots and make a quick animoto
where do you find authors able and willing
I might have to enlist the ART teacher - seems kids don’t get to paint enough!
I have connected with a few on Twitter through the and other ways. I just asked and they said yes.
I was wondering if you had a DotDay page. I should have known better!!! :) Hope you’re well.
One of my favorite things I did when I was in 4th was write. I think having kids write a short book would be a cool project
LOVE this idea!!! Artist study! ;) https://t.co/Al6ITJ59ft
Author study on Kandinsky Van Gogh and Mondrian then give circles (dots) for kids to imitate one of the artist's style or piece
Laigha, sounds like a great idea. What was yours about?
I need like 4 hearts on this one!!
and we used tempera paint so fast drying and easy layering of colors.
I would not have thought of that - We have an awesome ART teacher who loves to collaborate - may get her on board.
I'm in the Tech ed Program so no kids to try it with yet but I remember doing a 'book' about a life experience in 4th
We try to get the students to write something everyday. I like to start the year with a “fish tale”
“Fish Tale” something that gets exaggerated.
Q6: How could you get your whole school involved in ?
Would love to connect via Skype or GHO if you get a chance this year.
I would use each subject to highlight why creativity is important
A6 Maybe give dot cards to others
A6 wear or make dot shirts. Eat dot food. Dot art of course 😉
A6: Perhaps Ss could create Dots & connect them in the hallway. Principal could read story over PA
A6: Sending the like to staff and asking everyone "make their mark" would be easy and fun!
For my 4th graders set up stations for the PreK class. Bingo stampers for their names, necklaces from Fruit Loops, Twister
Q6 I think the classic spaghetti tower would be a great way to incorporate science.
I’d say so - exaggerated just enough that it might be true….
My students come dressed in polka dot clothing on . Some even made their T-shirts for the celebration.
I'm loving the idea of twister https://t.co/J7TZDJ37Ht
For my 4th graders set up stations for the PreK class. Bingo stampers for their names, necklaces from Fruit Loops, Twister
We have used Dots, Smarties and other round candies to make pattern art.
It was too cute to watch my 4th graders help PreKs put left foot on yellow dot, etc. Had several games.
I can just imagine that. So cute, and a great way to get the bog kids to help the little ones.
Q7 Do you know how many countries are participating? Could you locate them on a map?
I mean big. My brain is off tonight lol.
A7: Kids could put a dot on a world map for every country that is taking part in International . Stats are on their site.
I find is a great time to talk about Goals & how Ss want to make their mark. Will show this: https://t.co/xQKf1XvnK2
A7: Might be a great activity to have Ss place DOTS on a map for each participating country.
129 is a lot! I wish I could put them all on the map. I agree with That would be a great project
Q8: Why are projects like International important to share with our Ss?
the number is on the front of their webpage and im sure there is a list if you dig
A8: Projects like this make learning relevant & real world.Especially if you can share w/ others.
I usually show it 1st day of school. It’s short and sweet & can be shown more than once! :)
I'm so late, but Victoria from N California and love DOT DAY!!
A8 Projects like this allow and encourage creativity and Ss can see many different ways of expressing same theme/idea
A8 it's important to show kids to get out of their box, take risks and make mistakes. Plus the global connection is vital today
A8: In my tech ed class my teacher talked about doing an art wall, great to show art, and to talk about copying others work
Glad you made it Victoria - feel free to share what you like to do on Dot Day.
Anytime is a great time for
welp lol :) we do activities w our buddy class! Last yr it was creating a dot w paint, half goes to busy to connect
A8: Getting our Ss connected is an important skill to teach. Projects like offer us easy ways to connect with others.
I will run a Google Hangout on Sept. 15th at 1:30 to celebrate with a competitive . Who wants in?
A8: It helps to know others are going thru the same thing they are...and they can succeed!
Great rap - great energy = Great 4th grade teacher! Welcome Mr. Reed.
I think that’s great. So much fun…paint…buddies! Can’t get much better!
I’ll let you know Paula - not sure I can get my act together by then. :) Just starting…
Great I’ll send out more info about it soon.
I love this. Def putting it somewhere I can find it to use it when I graduate
awesome video!!! I wanna b like that every yr!
Thanks - powering off - long first day back. Kiddos come on Wednesday.
Q9: Will any of you participate in the International Cardboard Challenge which culminates on Oct. !? https://t.co/izAwO2YA9j
Q9: Will any of you participate in the International Cardboard Challenge which culminates on Oct. !? https://t.co/g53gAYpRde
Thanks for being here, Meg.
Have a great year Meg - Hope you we’ll see you next monday. :)
I was thinking of this 2day, I want to!
Thanks for joining us tonight! Get a rest and good luck tomorrow!
A9 Oh I miss these days. I remember building boats(that actually float) and mini rollercoaster out cardboard.
So cute! Love this idea! Thanks, Nancy!
a. Just thought about “Connecting the Dots”-Maybe each Ss could have a paper plate-write a word that describes themselves.
b. Have string & Ss need to find someone to connect wi/ and share WHY the two plates/Ss are connected. Grow the dots until all one
Thanks for a wonderful . A special shoutout to our awesome co-moderators and . Go forth and be awesome.
Welp I learned so much in literally 15mins but now I got two 8YO starving! TY so much for the ideas and hope to see all the dots!
Right back at you, Paula! Have a great week. Thanks for your leadership, gals!
Hope to see you again next week (or whenever you can). Feed those 8YO :) Have a good week.
Had so much fun. I was dreding this(it was an assignment for a class) but once i got over being nervous, it was so much fun
