This month our patriotic song is "The Star Spangled Banner".  The lyrics are displayed and the students sing it every morning after the pledge.  We noticed that the lyrics have some words we didn't know.  So I decided to focus our first class blog questions around "The Star Spangled Banner". So kiddos, choose one or more questions to answer and comment on. 
***If someone has already answered a question and it is correct, pick another question to answer please.

Blog Questions:
-Who wrote "The Star Spangled Banner" and why?
-When was "The Star Spangled Banner" written?
-When did the U.S adopt "The Star Spangled Banner" as our national anthem?
-Was there a natioanl anthem BEFORE "The Star Spangled Banner"?
-What time of day is when "the dawn's early light"?
-What does "twilight's last gleaming" mean?
-What does "perilous fight" mean?
-What are "ramparts"?
-What dioes "gallently" mean?
**Can you give us any other cool or interesting facts about "The Star Spangled Banner"?

Have fun researching.  I can't wait to see your answers.
~Mrs. Hill

In Social Studies we were examining where the Mississippi River started, and found out it starts up in Minnesota!  The question then arose: Why is the Mississippi River called the Mississippi River if it starts in Minnesota.  So kiddos, why is this?

We just finished studying electricity in science and the question arose: Who invented the first light bulb?  Was it the famous Thomas Edison or was it another person who doesn't get the fame?

Blog questions for tonight:
-Who invented the FIRST light bulb?
-Describe the FIRST light bulb and how it was different from light bulbs today.

 

A few weeks ago in science we talked about space and NASA came up in our conversation.  So tonight's blog question is, what does NASA mean?  What does NASA do? Where is NASA located?

We were reading a passage today in reading that mentioned the white cliffs of Dover.  someone inquired, why are they white?  So blog questions tonight are:

-Where are the White Cliffs of Dover located?
-Why are they white?

Today in science we discussed the three stages of matter; solid, liquid, and gas.  We then discussed how the freezing point of water was 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit).  the question then arose, what was the boiling point of water?  So tonight's blog question:
-What is the boiling point of water?

Extension:
-What is the boiling and freezing points of other objects of matter? (for example: plastic, wood, or oil)

Today's "On this day" dealt with the end of the Revolutionary War and the signing of The Treaty of Paris.  So our blog questions are:
-Where was the treaty of Paris signed?
-Who signed it from the United States (Patriot side)?
-Who signed it from Great Britain (British side)? 

Today in science we talked about how a "meter stick" is different from a "yard stick".  We discussed how we in the United States use the costumary (standard) measurement system, while most other countries use the metric system.  So the blog questions for tonight are:

-What is longer a "mile" or "kilometer", and by how much?
-Are there any other countries that DON'T use the metric system and use the standard costumary system(like us)?

To start off school we did an author's study on Jon Scieszka.  The kids loved reading The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, The Stinky Cheese Man, and The Frog Prince Continued.  This author study sparked some questions from our classmates, so here is the first class blog challenge!  Once one of the questions are answered try to answer another one or give a fun fact no one has mentioned yet. 

Pick one:
-Is Jon Scieszka still writing books today? If so, what was his latest book?
-Does Jon Scieszka write chapter books? If so what are some of them?
-Does Jon Scieszka have kids?

Today was an amazing first day of school.  I have the most amazing kiddos ready to learn and take on the challenges of 4th grade.  I am so excited for this year and all the adventures we are going to have in our classroom.  So kiddos, for your first cranium challenge......here are some questions.  You can answer one or more.  

-What was your favorite part of our day today, and why?
-What is one thing you would like to learn more about this year, and why?
-What is your favorite classroom rule, and why?
-What was something you were nervous about, but are no longer feeling that way after today?

Thanks for an amazing day today boys and girls! I'll see you all tomorrow bright and early!