Projects

Biography Book Report

 

Kids brought home a packet today for a book report based on a biography.  They were asked to choose a book at their reading level from the school library, the classroom library, the Burlington Public Library, or any other place they'd like and have it to me for approval by next Monday,

March 10.  A packet explaining the format of the book report was provided.  I will give students a folder to which they will attach their pictures, report, and bibliography. 

 

In addition, students will dress up as their character (as best they can without spending money!), and write a 1-3 minute monologue describing their life and achievements.  This will be used during a classroom "Wax Museum" that will be performed for our first grade book buddies during the week just before April vacation.  The specific date is still in the works.

 





In Action!

Each day, students have about a half hour when they can receive extra help in content area subjects as needed. Some students stay in the classroom and read independently or work with me on something they need guidance on. To continue to challenge students, I have been offering two optional projects periodically- one centered on writing; the other centered on math. Our last optional writing project was to write a screen play that would be filmed on student ipads using the app iMovie. The path to filming was rigorous. They needed to complete a story map that planned a detailed story with a clear problem, a solid plot, and a logical conclusion. After having that approved by me, they then turned their plan into a screen play complete with stage directions for the actors and instructions on props. Finally, with that approved, students were allowed to film. This was a long process with exciting results. Here are the three final projects:
The Amazing Cheater from Mr. Murphy on Vimeo.

Cereal Box Book Report Dates

Name:    

Book Title:    

Book to school for approval by teacher	Friday, Nov. 22
Completed cereal box due to school	Friday, Dec. 20
Commercial completed and into school **** Do NOT go ahead and do this until we’ve talked about it in class!	TBA

 

                                                           

Cereal Box Book Report Rubric

Name:    

Book Title:    

	Possible Points	Points Earned
1.        Did you hand in your project on time?	10
2.     Is your cereal box neat, colorful, and attractive?	10
3.     Is the front of your box complete and thoughtfully done?	10
4.     Is the back of the box complete and thoughtfully done?	10
5.     Is the right side complete and accurate?	10
6.     Is the left side complete and accurate?	10
7.     Is the top complete and accurate?	10
8.     Are the spelling, punctuation, and grammar correct?	10
9.     Was your commercial informative and interesting?	10
10.  Did you speak loudly and clearly, and use enthusiasm?	10

 

                                                            Score:

 



State Map Guidelines

 

You have been assigned the state of ________________ to help us complete our United States giant map!  Please do your best as this will hang in the pod for all of 4^th grade to enjoy all year!!

Here’s what you need to do:

 

Task                                         Points Earned

Label with the state name	10
Label the state’s capital	10
Draw and label all significant landforms (mountains, major lakes or rivers)	20
Represent famous landmarks (Empire State Building, Golden Gate Bridge)	20
Follow the legend provided	20
Make your state look neat and appealing	20

 

You state is due by: ____Room 19 due 10/25; Room 20 due 10/24

 

Legend:

 

= river                              = capital city

= lake                                = major city

= mountains               Draw a small picture to show landmarks