"Wonders" of 4th Grade

This photo shows the latest contributions from 4th graders to our Wonder Table. In the background is a framed snakeskin from a rattlesnake, courtesy of Jason. In front, the basket holds a mystery object. It came from  Hunter who brought it in to his classroom and Mrs. Fee suggested it for the Wonder Table. Hunter says it came from a beach in Florida and he thinks it might be a fossil conch shell. We really don't know yet and hope an expert can help.


This "mystery from the sea" is an object that can be handled gently to help us observe and try to make informed guesses. When a few children told me to "just google it" we discussed how Google is great for some information, but how it would be difficult to identify this object in our Library. So, if you know someone who might be able to figure it out, we would be happy to have them come by the Library and have a look at this mystery!

January got off to a great start with our first student "Wonder" - a sand dollar that was brought by Jacob. I was so happy when Jacob came the next day after hearing about how students could bring in their treasures. He got us off to a great start with interested students eager to see something from a 4th grader. Our next 4th grade contribution, an alligator head brought in by Norah, was another popular item on the Wonder Table.  I am thrilled to see students so interested in our natural world - it's a Wonder!

Here We Are - 2013

    No picture this time, but I want to note a couple of blog items for December and our new year.

December - The Gingerbread Book Sale and donations had a remarkable last-day (12/21/12) outpouring of generosity and we were able to give over $344 to help local community families. So much appreciation goes to everyone who supported this effort in any way - buying books, donations of money, or just a friendly smile. Our Charlestown School community is such a caring, connected group of adults and children and it's a privilege to be a part of it.

Now - 2013  - The Wonder Table has often been the topic of this blog in the last year and a half. A few students have added to my own contributions when they wanted to display a "wondrous" item for others to see. In an effort to allow others, a schedule has been established for kids to bring in nature items for the Wonder Table if they want ( this is not mandatory!). I also suggest students ask their parent/guardian before bringing something to display. Here's the schedule:
January - 4th graders
February - 3rd graders
March - 2nd graders
April - 1st graders
May - Kindergartners

I announced this format last Thursday to our 4th graders who also took home the information paper. It was such a thrill when Jake, a 4th grader in Mrs. Fee's class, came to the Library on Friday morning with a beautiful sand dollar he found in Florida. A great start to 2013!