Explorer Presentations

We are taking some time to learn about the early explorers. Dividing into groups allowed us to learn about several famous people including Cabot, Cartier, Drake, Cortes, Hudson, and Columbus. We did research to find out about their country of origin, family background, regions explored, and countries that hired them to do explorations. We also located the routes they took and destinations. The artist of each group drew a picture of the explorer and our Cabot group even made "hardtack" which was similar to a biscuit made from flour, salt, water, and baking powder. This was a staple for sailors on the high seas. One brave gentleman, Christian Van Curen, did a great job of putting together a costume to resemble Cartier. Unfortunately, the Cabot group pictures didn't turn out. Regardless, we definitely learned many facts about the explorers and enjoyed the process.

Reading Challenge Winner

Congratulations to Hannah for being the winner in our classroom for the recent "Masterpiece" Media Center reading challenge. She will enjoy a visit to the Oklahoma City Art Museum followed by lunch as a reward for her dedication to reading. Well done, Hannah!

Bug Fair

What fourth grader doesn't enjoy a Bug Fair? We displayed our amazing bug collections from the wilds of Oklahoma as well as imaginary bugs created earlier in our unit. We discovered that there are some pretty incredible displays of God's creativity right in our own backyards. Such beautiful colors and shapes, not to mention interesting odors!!! We proudly shared our findings with Mrs. Leadford as she visited our bug fair too.

Insects Galore

Our class is definitely going buggy!

We had a great time creating models of imaginary insects using buttons, playdough, pipe cleaners, pom-poms, foil, beads, and other items. Then we labeled the various parts of the insect including the head, thorax, abdomen, eyes antennae and six legs. We can't wait until next Friday when we have our Bug Fair which will give us opportunity to display our bug collections and imaginary critters.

Howdy Day and Author Visit

As is our tradition at OCS, we celebrated Howdy Day this past Friday. It is always fun to see each other's western get-up and give a warm "HOWDY' to our new students. Our class welcomed Amanda, Kathryn and Joshua. Not only did we have that treat, but local Edmond Author Tammi Sauer spent some with all of the fourth graders sharing about her passion for writing children's book Besides Cowboy Camp and Chicken Dance, Tammi is also working on several other inspiring books. We had a great time of questions and answers and cven discussed some of our ideas for what would make a great book topic. It will be fun to see what great writing comes from these fourth graders this next year.

What Is Up With Mrs. Anderson?

Teachers are known to go to great lengths to help students learn! Our first chapter in science has to do with ecosystems and the survival of animals through various adaptations, etc. Of course, camouflage would be a definite means of defense. I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to wear the FULL camouflage outfit just to enhance the lesson!!! As you can imagine, the reaction was wide eyes and giggles. At least I KNOW they will remember the objective of that science lesson.

First Day Smiles

Wow! School has officially started for the 2009 -2010 year and this means lots of new beginnings......new smiling faces in the classroom, new school supplies, new friends, new schedules, and new textbooks. In the midst of all the new, we can count on thing that NEVER changes and that is God's immense love for us. We have already discussed that as a class and have set a goal for showing his love throughout OCS this year. We want to set the example in ALL areas of our lives and make a difference for Him in the way we relate to one another. This is going to be a GREAT year and we wanted to show you our happy faces in Room 207

Pleasant Valley One Room Schoolhouse

Field trips are always fun, especially when it is the long awaited day at Pleasant Valley Schoolhouse in Stillwater. Nothing like stepping back 120 years in time to understand more fully what life was for a pioneer child who was fortunate enough to attend school. We enjoyed pumping water, using an outhouse, and bringing in firewood and coal for our stove. It was interesting to see the kerosene lanterns and slate boards lining the classroom walls. The floor was wood as were our chairs and desks. We did our lessons for the day on slate boards and practiced orthography (penmenship) with a quill pen. Our teacher was "Miss Margaret" and she had many things to tell us about class discipline. Things were very different then! Children were spanked, made to wear dunce caps, or told to stand on tip toes with their noses pressed to the chalkboard. We had to stand and say "ma'am" prior to answering questions. Talking was forbidden and we were expected to work carefully and quietly. We found there were many contrasts between pioneer schools and schools of today.

Using our McGuffy readers

Practicing on the slate boards

Methods of discipline

Lunch time gave us opportunity to eat our authentic pioneer lunches and to have fun playing with the wooden hoops, feed sacks and shouting, "ANNIE, ANNIE, OVER" as two teams tossed a ball over the roof of the schoolhouse. That was definitely a favorite.

Participating in a Spelling Bee was great fun. Congratulations to Isabella for winning. She received a certificate from Miss Margaret.

It was a wonderful day and we left with greater appreciation for the strength of character that was a trademark of the pioneers.

Fulcums, Loads, Levers, and Effort

Recently in science, we studied simple machines and forces. We actually did an experiment to determine how the position of a fulcrum affects the effort on a load. We wrote our hypothesis in our manuals, divided into groups and set to work.

Our materials were as follows:
1. Empty spool of thread-fulcrum
2. 12" ruler was lever
3. Load was a paper cup filled with pennies and labeled "load"
4. Effort was pennies to be placed in paper cup labeled "effort"
5. Clay to hold fulcrum in place

The "load" and "effort" were placed at opposite ends of the lever and the fulcrum was underneath the lever. We moved the fulcrum to designated lengths from the load filling our "effort" cup each time with pennies until the "load" and "effort" cups were balanced.

Results: We found that the closer the fulcrum was to the load, the less effort was involved in moving the load.

We recorded our findings in our manuals and had some interesting discussions regarding how this applies to "real life". Several students were going to go home and use levers and fulcrums to move heavy objects in their yards or garages. I hope parents were included in these endeavors!

Chisholm Trail Heritage Center Field Trip

On February 24th, 56 students and 27 parents and teachers traveled from Edmond to Duncan for a wonderful day at the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center. Fourth grade had been awarded a grant from Target for this educational event. Through art and music we learned many important details related to the Chisholm Trail which passed right through what is today the state of Oklahoma.
Our art lesson incorporated viewing famous pieces of art depicting this time period in history as well as learning about the seven forms of art: value, space, form, texture, shape, line and color. In addition, we each took time to create buffalo from a ball of clay. There were also interactive items in the museum portion to try and time to shop in the gift shop. It was DEFINITELY a highlight to view a film produced on location. Special effects in the theater included raindrops falling on the audience, wind blowing, lightning striking, the scent of wildflowers along the trail, and coffee and bacon cooking for breakfast on the campfire. We also learned the legend behind the corn husk doll without a face. We learned a great deal and enjoyed the day immensely. Special thanks to all the parent drivers and chaperons. We couldn't have done it without you!

Madam C.J. Walker

Listening the the entertaining Madam C.J. Walker describe her bold attempts to start a business


Sheila Arnold, historical interpreter from Williamsburg, Virginia, visited OCS yesterday. As Madam C.J. Walker, first black woman millionaire and entrepreneur, Ms. Sheila provided us with a wealth of information regarding the struggles black females faced forging ahead in the business world in the early 1900's. Madam C.J. Walker created wonderful hair products for black women which were so successful that it became necessary to build her own manufacturing plant. We enjoyed asking questions and were quite surprised at the end of the presentation when Ms. Sheila took off her wig and hat !!!

A Visit From The White Witch

Since our return from Christmas break, we are reading The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. This magical story has definitely drawn us in and we eagerly anticipate each day which article from the story we will find in the wardrobe located in our hallway. We recently had a surprise visit from the White Witch herself. She was VERY convincing as she talked about her kingdom of Narnia, her power, and her desires to make certain we brought all the "Daughters of Eve" and "Sons of Adam" that we knew to her home over the hill. Unfortunately, it seems that Edmund may just do that. We are concerned that he is so easily taken with the Witch's promises of more Turkish Delight and crowning him as a prince of the kingdom.