Friday, April 15, 2011

What's it like to be a North Carolina tree?

Read our entries and view our illustrations to find out!

Field Trip to NC Symphony!

Fourth Grade enjoyed some *amazing* seats at the North Carolina Symphony on Tuesday, April 12th!

Feel free to comment on your experience!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Spring Poetry Contest

April is National Poetry Month, and to celebrate our school is having a poetry contest!






Click on the comment box to see a few of our poetry contest entries.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Arbor Day

North Carolina's Arbor Day 2011 fell on Friday, March 18 and was celebrated at the State Farmers Market on Saturday, March 19. Our fourth grade students have continued observing Arbor day, and the contributions of common trees throughout our state with non-fiction reading, "I am" poems, a recent guest speaker, and a chance to plant a tree of their own. Our guest speaker, Mr. McCoy, is a horticulturist who works to maintain over 160 acres of fields, woodlands, and creeks at the NC Museum of Art. Mr. McCoy shared his passion and inspiration for pursuing his field of study as well as answered questions about his specific role in promoting and preserving the park grounds at the museum.



Mr. McCoy brought a seedling of our State tree, the Long Leaf Pine for the students to observe and discuss. In addition, he distributed and answered questions about planting and caring for Loblolly pines seedlings. The seedlings are part of the 4th grade foresters project and were sponsored by Whole Foods Market on Wade Avenue.

Friday, March 18, 2011

NC Wildlife Center Field Trip


Our grade level had a gorgeous day for our field trip to the NC Wildlife center. We enjoyed a walk to NC State campus, a ride on the Wolfline, and several hours at the center. While at the Wildlife center, we visited an animal identification lab (that's right, skin, scat, and skulls!), and walked area woods and gardens learning to recognize key habitat elements for many of North Carolina's Piedmont mammals. We also attended a short film and lecture on the difference between generalist and specialist species, and the impact of urban development on the Piedmont's animal residents.

Monday, March 14, 2011

What are you made of?


Culture, the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group; the characteristic features of everyday existence (Marriam-Webster). As we study our great state and the impact that geography and social factors have on the way we live, it would be interesting to learn about the kinds of traditions, beliefs, dress, food and even, family history that each student within the fourth grade at Olds possess. This "culture" does not have to be directly related to an ethnicity or extended family heritage but can be about where you live, vacations that you take, or anything else that might affect your personal way of life.

So here it is, the post you have all been waiting for! This is your opportunity to take whatever it is that you can offer and be resourceful, crafty, out-of-the box, eccentric even-to demonstrate how your life is affected by culture. So, get ready... get set...go! Share what you're made of!