Ilanot Fourth Grade's Blog

Dear 4th grade parents,

Tomorrow will be a big day for our class.  First we will participate in an assembly on climate change with the 3rd graders in the MPR.  Then the 4th graders will  visit the Gottsman Simulation Lab at Swedish Hospital.  I took a tour of the facility two weeks ago, and it looks great!  This is a way for students to see what they learned this year in science in a more realistic environment.  Students will have the opportunity to work on plastic patients as a team.  The hospital utilizes this facility for team building exercises with medical staff and with a program for high schoolers who are interested in medical careers.  We are the first group of 4th graders to visit the facility.   

We are currently in the middle of ITBS testing in 4th grade.  Our class is taking the testing in stride.  They are very comfortable with the bubbling and have not shown signs of stress at all surrounding the testing.  I am very proud of them!

In math we took all the information from a survey we conducted earlier this week and calculated fractions and percents from our findings.  It turns out that 10% of people surveyed have eaten in a fast-food establishment recently, and a whopping 27% like liver.  Our anti-liver classroom was quite surprised at the last factoid.  We do have a very literate population, as 70% of people surveyed have read a book during the last month.  Only 23% saw a movie in the theatre. 

I hope you all are enjoying the bountiful sunshine! 

Elizabeth Siegel

Dear Ilanot Parents,

On Tuesday, April 3rd I asked students to measure the layout of your kitchens over Pesach break.  Studylink 7.12 -Layout of a Kitchen, went home with students.  We reviewed the directions.  The kids will need your help in measuring the distances between each pair of markers assigned and recording their measurements.  They will also need to make a sketch that shows how the stove, sink, and refrigerator are arranged in you kitchen on the worksheet.  All this needs to be returned on Monday, April 16th, so we can begin our unit on perimeter and area using these measurements.  Please take a few minutes with your child next week to do this fun activity.

Cereal Box Literature Project

This week each child chose a book to utilize for the project.  The entire assignment is due Monday, May 7th and is to be done entirely at home.  I did suggest to students to get a large cereal box for this project.  Make sure it is empty and covered in wrapping paper before beginning.  Details below.

CEREAL BOX BOOK PROJECT

     Due: Monday, May7^th
Pick a book that you have read in the past 2 months or are currently reading.  You must bring the book in for approval by Wednesday, April 4^th.

For this project you will use any cold cereal box from home.    Make sure that everything is taken out before beginning the project.  Cover the box with colored paper, like you are wrapping a present.  Each side of the box will include a different part of your project.  Make sure your project is neat and easy to read. You are welcome to type much of it. Ask your parents for help too!

The goal of this project is to demonstrate your knowledge of the elements of fiction pertaining to your chosen novel. 

Setting (Time & Location), Characters, Conflict (Plot), Climax and Resolution

Top of Box – Your name.

Front –

• Title of book
• Author
• Your own drawing of a scene from the story.
• A short summary paragraph of the book.

Back –

• A game that you create related to the book. 
• Make sure your game includes details which show the main conflict (problem) of the story. 

One Side –

• List of the main characters with a description of each.

Other Side –

• Your review of the book. 
• This should be one paragraph long.  Make sure you give examples to support your opinions.

Have fun!  Be creative!  Know your book!

Chag Sameach, Elizabeth Siegel

Dear Ilanot Parents,

 We are going to have some serious fun tomorrow! The kids are really excited! Students will all make and serve our  Shabbat dinner tomorrow for our Gala bidders.  All our students are cooking tomorrow morning with Yiscah and then serving tomorrow night with me. 

Servers will need to be dropped off at the Norwitz family home at 5:45 p.m. and picked up at  9:00p.m.  Students will eat the kosher vegetarian meal that we make tomorrow morning as well.  We discussed the dinner in class today.  They will be setting the table, serving, eating and cleaning up tomorrow night.  There will also be plenty of  playtime.  For fun, the kids are going to dress up as waiters.  White tops and dark pants or skirts. 

 A special thank you to Hamorah Yiscah, Marci G, Amy B, and Cathy S. for helping us in the kitchen!

Gala Shabbat Dinner – Friday, March 9th

Location: Norwitz home (address already given in separate email)

Student Drop off: 5:45pm

Student Pick up: 9pm

Sincerely, Elizabeth Siegel

Meeting with Representative Reuven Carlyle in Olympia on February 16th, 2012

Dear Parents,

Our field trip to Olympia was a fantastic experience.  We started the morning with a tour of the Legislative Building and then went straight to Senator David Frockt’s (46th LD) office for a view behind the scenes.  Senator Frockt took us onto the Senate Floor for a brief description of what goes on and some pictures.  We viewed how senators vote and found where our senators sit.  Then we got to simulate how a bill becomes a law with the Lollypop Bill.  In the end, the class voted for a cherry flavored lollypop with a  recyclable wrapper that includes Washington state trivia questions inside.  Governor Talia signed it into law on the spot. Jennifer Estroff, a lobbyist for The Children’s Alliance spoke to students about how she works for kids all day trying to get better laws passed to protect their health.  Then we visited the Temple of Justice and got to spend some time with Tim, the bailiff and Brenda Moore, Justice Susan Owens’ assistant.  They toured us around and talked more about the Supreme Court.  Unfortunately, Justice Owens got stuck in a court meeting and could not see the kids in person this year.

Afterward, we stopped in to speak with Representative Reuven Carlyle (36thLD).  Throughout the day, students had questions prepared for each person we met.  One of my favorite questions  was, “How do your Jewish values help you make decisions in government?”  Amazing kids!  We also got to see the first Washington flag that had only 42 stars on it.  After sitting in the House Gallery and visiting the  State Reception Room, we started the long trek back to Seattle.  As usual, this class was engaged and respectful.  They impressed every adult we met along the way with their knowledge of government and their excitement for the day.  A special thank you goes to our drivers, Perry, Ellice, and Justine for taking a day out of their busy schedules.  We also want to thank Senator David Frockt and his office staff for their flexibility and willingness to help me in organizing the day.

As most people know, I have a deep passion for getting people engaged in their communities.  Everyone has the power to create change, and having a strong knowledge of civics is a conduit to making a contribution in our society.  I was honored to spend the day with my SJCS 4th graders in Olympia!

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Siegel

Dear Ilanot Parents,

Our Ilanot Shabbat Dinner will be served to our winning bidders, the Chriqui, Flum and Norwitz families on Friday, March 9th in the evening.  Please save the date, as the entire class will be cooking that morning in the SJCS kitchen and serving that evening at the Norwitz family home.  Your child is invited to participate that evening as a server.  Transportation will not be provided.  If you know that your child will not be available, please e-mail me.

If you would like to volunteer that morning in the SJCS kitchen, please e-mail me. 

Thank you!

Elizabeth Siegel
esiegel@sjcs.net

Dear 4th Grade Parents,

As you know, our class is making our annual trip to Olympia on Thursday, February 16th.  Originally we were scheduled to be a part of Jewish Lobby Day, but that part of the programming has changed a lot in the past few days.  So we are going to conentrate on more legislative matters instead.  Below are notes of what to bring and the tentative schedule for the day.   In addition to a tour, I am working on a scavenger hunt. Usually we run into a few friends I know working down there, and I stop everything for the kids to ask questions.  It is a crazy fun day!  Please make sure your child is in my classroom at 7:30am.  Thank you!  I know that this is an inconvenience, and I am sorry!

Tentative Olympia Agenda for Thursday, February 16th
7:30am Meet at SJCS in the our classroom
9:45am Arrive in Legislative Building
9:50am Tour Begins (Led by Morah Elizabeth and Senate Intern, Lisa Herzog)
10:30am Meeting with Senator David Frockt (46th LD) and visit the Senate Floor (LEG 402)
11:00am  Simulation: How A Bill Becomes a Law with The Lollypop Bill with Mo Dede (JAC  211)
11:40am  Lunch with Jennifer Estroff, Government Affairs Director for Children’s Alliance (JAC 211)
12pm  Visit Temple of Justice  and meet with Supreme Court Justice Susan Owens
12:30pm  Tour Resumes with Morah Elizabeth and Lisa Herzog
1:00pm Meeting with Representative Reuven Carlyle (36th LD) (JLOB 325)
1:30pm Start heading back to Seattle
3:30pm Arrive back at SJCS

 Please make sure your children have the following:

They need a good sleep Wednesday night.
Big breakfast with protein included.
Sack lunch with drink, napkin and utensils. 
Portable snack that can be eaten in the car
Dress up a bit.  No t-shirts.  Nice jeans are fine.
Comfortable shoes for walking a lot
pencil for scavenger hunt
They can bring a camera if they desire.
Whatever they bring, they are in charge of carrying.  I will store their lunchbags upon arrival.

Thank you so much to Ellice, Justine and Perry for agreeing to drive and chaperone!  We really appreciate their time and devotion to the class. 

I will be on my mobile phone all day, so please call me if you have concerns.  206.406.4466

Sincerely, Elizabeth Siegel

This week we completed the unit on the water cycle in Hebrew and then learned in Hebrew about the fruit and vegetable growth cycle.  This included from seed, to root, to sapling, to trunk, then branches, stems, leaves, flowers and fruits, followed by the seeds falling to the ground, thus continuing the cycle once again.  Machzor in Hebew is cycle, whose root means to return.

As part of our Tu B’Shevat unit, the children learned the source in the Book of Deuteronomy (Chapter 8, 7-8)  enumerating the “Seven Species”.  These are the grains and fruits through which Moses praises the Land of Israel.  They include “…. a land of wheat and barley, and grape vines and fig trees and pomengranetes; a land of olive trees and date honey.”  The students were then divided into 7 groups and each group was given a text related to one of the seven species.  Each text compared one of the species to a certain human quality.  Each group had to read the text amongst themselves,  answer several questions to help them identify the comparison that was presented and then read their answers to the class.  This produced a lively and engaged discussion and lent a new appreciation for the Tu B’Shevat celebration.

This week’s Torah portion is Yitro whose highlight is the giving of the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai.  The students reviewed  in the Book of Exodus, Chapter 20, these fundamental mitzvoth.  We  then discussed Rashi’s and Rashbam’s interpretations of how one is to fulfill the mitzvah of  ”Remember the Shabbat day to sanctify it.”   This led to a long and engaging discussion where your children continued the time honored tradition of discussing verses from the text by analyzing them and then offering one’s own personal viewpoint as to how it relates, or doesn’t relate, to the individual’s life.  The objective here is to appreciate the diverse opinions and perspectives in traditional Biblical study without necessarily arriving at a definite conclusion.  The questions actually teach more at times than the various answers.

Wishing you all a wonderful Shabbat Shalom and hoping to see you all at the Gala Sunday evening.

With blessings,

HaMorah Yiscah

ysmith@sjcs.net

Dear Parents,

Have you ever loved a book so much that you wrote to the author?  Recently I read the book, Tales of A Female Nomad: Living at Large in the World by Rita Golden Gelman.  She has written a couple books for adults and over 70 books for children.  Rita responded to my request to visit SJCS, and she visited the 4th and 5th graders this morning.  Rita read from one of her books and talked to us about living abroad for the past 25 years with only a backpack while making friends, learning the cultures and languages of different groups and writing in developing countries.  She spoke particularly about her time in Indonesia, Mexico and Papua New Guinea.  Rita is a proponent of Americans getting out of their comfort zones and integrating into other cultures.  She is starting a non-profit aimed at students to taking a gap year between high school and college to travel and immerse themselves into other countries.  It was eye opening for our students to see a passionate Jewish female choosing a very different lifestyle.  Rita leaves the Seattle area next week for a car trip across the country.  She will go abroad soon too.  We were very lucky to host her at SJCS!

ILANOT SHABBAT DINNER

Do you plan to bid on our fantastic dinner at the Gala this Sunday evening?  Get a group of families together for a fun shabbat evening!  This year we are only providing one dinner on Friday, March 9th.  Details are below. 

The 4th grade class is excited to offer its sixth annual Ilanot Shabbat Dinner!

The vegetarian meal will serve approximately 20 – 22 people including our 5 -6 student servers .  It will feature 4th graders preparing the meal for you on Friday morning in our SJCS kosher kitchen and serving you and your guests in your home that evening.   Ilanot students, elegantly dressed as waiters, will graciously serve dinner to you and your guests.  One family alone or several families together can bid on this fabulous meal to share for a delightful evening of food and fun!  Please note that the student waiters will also be eating dinner at a separate table.

 The dishes, all named by the Ilanot students, include the following:

Lasagna – The King of All Pastas         Salad – The Sonic Salad Bowl     Vegetables – Magical Vegetables

       Challah – Ilanot’s Braided Bread Delight   Dessert – Brown and White Delight

Date:  Friday, March 9th, 2012

Dear Parents,

Originally we had our trip scheduled for Thurday, March 1st, but we were invited to join Jewish Lobby Day in Olympia on Thursday, February 16th.  It will be all-day (approximately 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)  Due to significant budget cuts in Olympia they are not giving official school tours anymore, so I took some time to make other arrangements for the class.  Our day in Olympia will include a seminar on how a bill becomes a law, tour of the Legislative Building, and meeting with various elected officials and a lobbyist.  It will be a lot of fun!  Originally Jewish Lobby Day was going to include a portion of lobbying on gay marriage.  Since the bill may be signed into law prior to next Thursday, we will focus on more legislative issues. More detailed information will be sent home next Tuesday.  Yiscah will not be in school Wednesday thru Friday of next week, so it is a perfect time for me to take the students all-day. 

On Monday I assigned students the two homework components for Science Fair. 
They include:      Human Body in the News: Due March 1st                  Human Body Model: Due March 15th.

 Both are below.  Sincerely, Elizabeth Siegel

Ilanot Body Systems Model Assignment

Due: Thursday, March 15^th

Now that you have thoroughly researched your assigned human body system, it is time to show the rest of us your muscles, or cranium, or spinal cord, lungs or possibly heart!  Your group needs to create either a model of your human body system or a model of one part of the system.  It is up to you to decide.  All work for this should be done outside of the classroom with your partners.  Please bring your model to school at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 15^th.

• This model can be made out of whatever material you want. 
  (clay, puddy, paper mache, construction paper, or another material)
• The model will be on display at the SJCS Science Fair. You need to label the parts of the system or organ, so attendees can easily know what they are looking at in your presentation. 
• Make sure the model is titled with your system and your names included.
• You are welcome to use books from our classroom library or the web to help construct the model.
• Parents are welcome to help with this project.  Although, remember that they have already been through 4^th grade.  It is your turn to lead and show us what you know!

This model will be on display with your PowerPoint project and display board.  Have fun with this!  Be creative!  Do not hesitate to ask questions!

Body Systems News Articles

4^th Grade Science Fair

For your Science Fair presentation tri-fold, you will need to have a few news articles relating to your body system. Each student needs to find two articles published in the last 12 months having to do with some part of the body system they are assigned. We would like you to look in popular media, as opposed to medical journals, as they are written at a level that most audiences can understand. You may look in both print and online media sources. Once you have found the articles, you are to write up a brief summary to attach to them.  You can look in printed materials as well as online news sources. 

Good Places to Look: Seattle Times, Seattle PI Blog, New York Times, Time Magazine, Newsweek Magazine.

Some Searching Tips:

It is a good strategy to go to the website of the news source and search “health” and see what comes up. For example, a search on the Seattle Times website brought up articles on Vitamin D, autism detection in babies, effective work out tips, just to name a few.

Parent Warning: these websites will not have parental filters. I want to stress how important it is to be sitting with your child as they do this because there are articles that come up that are not as appropriate for their age or this assignment. If you are concerned about your child seeing articles that may not be appropriate according your family’s viewpoints, please prescreen the search.

All articles are due on, or before, March 1^st.  A printed article is due with the summary write-up. 

This week we have begun studying about various cycles in both nature and time.   While the content is not new to your children, learning about these cycles in Hebrew introduces new vocabulary that will carry over to Judaic studies.  This week we studied about the water cycle.  Reading and discussing about the water cycle prepares the students for next week’s more detailed lessons around Tu B’Shevat, the New Year of the fruit trees.  Developing listening, speaking,  and reading comprehension skills through meaningful themes keeps the students interested and provides a learning environment that is also fun and lively.

In Judaics, we are concentrating on Parshat haShavuah, the weekly Torah portion, since these past few weeks have been about the Exodus from Egypt followed by the Giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai.  Both of these themes are not only essential building blocks in forming the Jewish nation, but each one is the dominant theme in two major Jewish holidays:  Passover and Shavuot.

What has made the material come alive and has sparked much interest is the introduction of two different classical commentaries each week that answer a question addressing a central theme in the weekly portion.  We have been studying such classic commentators as Rashi (1040-1150), Rashbam (1080-1160), and Ibn Ezra (1089-1164), in addition to passages from the Mishnah dating back to 1800 years ago.  Juxtaposed to these classical commentaries we also study the opinions of the students in the modern “virtual classroom”.  The children then compare modern thinking to classical thinking, which produces lively and wonderful discussions.  A great opportunity for everyone in developing both respect for our tradition and critical thinking patterns.

Wishing all of you a wonderful Shabbat Shalom,

HaMorah Yiscah

ysmith@sjcs.net