Fourth Grade Programs

Welcome to Fourth Grade! This year you will participate in many active learning activities. This list includes the major ones.

Capitol Field Trip-Sept, 29

The fourth grade students take a tour of the Capitol in Jefferson City. On this all day trip the children tour the Capitol and the Governor’s Mansion. A sack lunch is eaten in the Governor’s Garden. Parents are invited to attend with us.

Native American Day-October 31

As a culminating activity, we invite a speaker to present to us on the plains Indians. We hope to have a tipi set up for the day. The students will participate in activities that may include: sand painting, beading, and preparation of foods such as buffalo meatballs, rice, and fry bread. We will join together for a feast at the end of the day.

The Earth and the Sky—November 4

The students go to the Rock Bridge High School Planetarium to see a presentation on the Fall Skies and then on to Rock Bridge State Park for a guided hike to look at erosion, earth forces and other natural phenomena.

Jingle Bell Shop- December 14-20

The students run an actual shop during this week. They will sell presents for all ages to the other students in the elementary. The children act as stockers, customer service helpers, gift wrappers, and cashiers. They set the prices for the items that they sell in a group meeting and work hard on learning how to make change and count money. The money raised is used for items for their auction in the spring and for treats for the students.

We will be open 4 days during the school week, one evening, and one Saturday morning. Students can come work in the shop in the evening or on that Saturday if they would like.

Invent America-Feb. 2

After a study of inventors and inventions, the fourth grade students design their own inventions. We stress creativity and problem solving techniques.

Students display their display boards. We set up during the day and then have displays open in the evening for parents to visit.

Exchange City-March 23

After a yearlong study of economics, our students will have the opportunity to run a city for a day. We go to Penn Valley College in downtown Kansas City for the day. We leave at 6:45 am and return at 7:00 PM. At the center the children run 13 offices and businesses including: City Hall, the Bank, the Post Office, Sports Shop, Radio Station, Newspaper, Warehouse, Technology Center, Multicultural Shop, Nature Shop, Sign Shop and Multi-service Center. The children make deposits, write checks, produce goods and shop. Parents are invited to attend, and there is a parent training in Kansas City.

Missouri Day-April 13?

In celebration of our Missouri Heritage, this day is devoted to activities that reflect that heritage. As a final activity, Students will create a Living Museum when they dress as a famous Missourian. They will prepare and deliver a short narrative about their character. We have had Sacajawea, Meriweather Lewis, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Harry Truman, and many other inventive costumes.

Aquatic Day –May 19

Aquatic Day has been a component of Environmental Education at Hallsville Elementary School for the past fourteen years. Hallsville was one of the early aquatic programs begun under the guidance of the Missouri Conservation Department. A typical Aquatic Day at Hallsville is hands-on interaction with the environment from beginning until end. It includes the following five stations: Fishing, Art Print & Fish Tasting, Water Safety and Rescue Breathing, Aquatic Studies and a Nature Hike. The students eat a sack lunch at the pond.

Auction & Egg Drop-May 24

Students have their final exam in cooperation when they are paired in groups of four to create a vehicle for an egg that is thrown off the roof of the gym. The day is culminated with an egg drop.

On this day the children get to spend their money that they have earned throughout the year. Every child will be able to buy at least one item. Most will buy two or more. A real auctioneer will auction off the items. This year we had sweatshirts, DVD players, a TV, T-shirts, two CD players, Teddy bears, cameras, posters, and many other things. In fact we had over 200 items that the students could purchase.

Channel 37 Newsroom

This year the fourth grade will begin an actual TV Newsroom. They will run the equipment (Titler, Cameras, Editors, sound equipment, etc). They will also report on national and local news, interview local citizens and students, do book reviews and give weekly reports from the principal, menus and upcoming events in our community. It will be broadcast daily over Galaxy Cable to the local community. This will be a 20-minute weekly show.

We have many exciting programs tied to our curriculum through out the year. Our belief is that children learn best when engaged in real life applications of learning. We hope that you will be able to participate in many of them

PARTIES!

Birthday Parties—These may be celebrated at the end of the day, beginning at 2:45. You may bring treats or send them with your child. Please let me know a few days ahead so that I may plan for them. Remember treats must be store bought.

Class Parties-- Our parties begin at 2:30 and last until 3:00 p.m. Our first party will be on Halloween, but it will be our Native American Day feast. We will celebrate the beginning of winter break on the last day of school on December 22. We also have a Valentine’s Day party on February 14.