PA Trivia Blog Challenge

Just a reminder that our classroom competition for the PA Trivia Contest will be this Friday. We will be narrowing it down to the top 10 students from our classroom that will compete in the 4th grade competition on June 1st.

I please ask that you take a little time each day to help your child study these questions. This is a great activity to exercise the brain and work on plain old memorization.

PA Trivia Blog Challenge
I am going to post a few questions each day to challenge everyone. Please e-mail me your answers at vcotton@keyknox.com . I will keep a running tally of each participant's correct answers. Parents and students can work on the questions together and e-mail me your answers.

Here are today's questions:

1. What river in Pennsylvania flows north?

2. Where did Little League baseball begin?

3. What was William Penn's religion?

4. What is the largest county in Pennsylvania?

5. What product does Pennsylvania "tap"?

Check back tomorrow for the answer to today's questions and for new questions. Let's see who will be the winner of Mrs. Cotton's PA Trivia Blog Challenge.

Pennsylvania Trivia Contest

Fourth grade has a Pennsylvania trivia contest each year which is similar to a spelling bee. Instead of spelling words, students will answer questions about Pennsylvania. Yesterday, the students got a packet of Pennsylvania trivia questions to study. On Friday, May 21st, we will have our classroom competition. The top 10 from our class, will go on to the fourth grade competition which will be held on June 1st. Study those PA trivia facts!

Animal Research Report

We have been working very hard on our animal research reports. The students' books will be due on Friday, May 7th. Several students have already turned in their books, and I am very anxious to start reading them. I have learned some very interesting information while helping the students with their research. One of the things that surprised me the most is that bald eagles are able to swim. Krista is researching the bald eagle and she found that if a bald eagle catches a fish that is too heavy to fly with, the eagle will swim to shore with the fish. The students have enjoyed researching their animal and have learned a lot of interesting information.

Field Trip

Just a reminder that our field trip is on Thursday, May 6th. Your child needs to be to school at 7:20. You can either bring them to school or they can ride the high school bus. They need to be sure to bring a lunch and a plastic container to dig in the sand with. They will also need a change of clothes because they will be wading in the stream for a stream activity. Please try to send an extra pair of shoes to wade in the stream with because it is hard to walk on the slippery rocks in bare feet. Please be sure your child dresses for the weather of the day. Now we just have to hope for a warm, sunny day.

Clear Creek Field Trip

On Thursday, May 6th, rooms 202 and 203 will be taking a field trip to Clear Creek State Park. Permission slips were sent home earlier this week. There is a cost of $2 to help cover the transportation. If your child hasn't already returned their permission slip and $2, please have them return it.

Students will need to be at school at 7:30 that day. We will be returning in time for regular dismissal. Students will need to take a lunch. We also ask that you send a complete change of clothes for your child, including shoes. We do a stream exploration activity where the students wade in the creek, and they usually end of getting wet.

Now we just have to hope for a warm, sunny day! Hopefully the weather will cooperate for us.

Wildlife Research Reports

Last week, students began research on their wildlife research report. The outlines with all their information is due on Friday, April 16th. We did a lot of research in class last week, and we will continue to research this week. Rough drafts will be due on Friday, April 23rd. Then students will be publishing their report into a blank hard back book. Their books will be due on Friday, May 7th. The students are very excited about their project and are already learning a lot of interesting information about their animal. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

PSSA Testing

It is that time of year again! We will begin the PSSA testing on Wednesday. Testing will continue through next Wednesday. We have been preparing very hard for these tests. It is very important that your child is well rested and eats a good breakfast.