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Fourth Grade
Did you enjoy your 4th grade? You had mastered reading and writing - as far as you knew – and math seemed logical. You were now in the ‘upper’ elementary where the big kids cruised. Typically known as the place ‘you no longer learn to read, but you read to learn’.
Now imagine the following two scenarios:
#1 – think of ‘Ben Hur’, with the teachers as the charioteers. In front of us are up to 20 enthusiastic, fiery, energetic, keen horses, all raring to go, not necessarily in the same direction! Manes are flying, hooves are stamping, neighing rings out. Our job as experienced, knowledgeable and loving leaders, is to guide that energy, and enthusiasm so that we are all headed in the same direction! Some will need reminding that their ideas are not the only ones! We are busy, involved and always appreciative of each of their efforts, but careful never to totally over-face their abilities.
#2 – think of 2 farmers walking behind 20 plough horses. All are resigned, unquestioning, plodding, heads down, straining to keep going at what seems to be an interminable task, in which there are no choices, with nothing new on the horizon. Yes, the job gets done, but the joy, energy and enthusiasm has gone from every participant, teachers/farmers included.
We have joy, we have enthusiasm, we have laughter. We often make mistakes from which we learn. Have you, as an adult, ever been expected to learn something new without being allowed to talk and question? Why then are children expected to do that? Our room has that hum of noise appropriate to learning.
Mulberry 4th graders want to come to school, they look forward to the appropriate challenges we put before them. They trust us to find ways to make each of them successful, They begin to accept that mistakes are one of the best and most wonderful learning tools, not a negative critique of them as a human being.
“If you're not prepared to be wrong, you'll never come up with anything original.” - Sir Ken Robinson
We collaborate and support each other. Some will be discussing things with a Desk Buddy - changed monthly - to talk over some problem area. Others may move to a quieter, or more spacious, area of the classroom to help themselves stay focused. You will see individuals get up from their seats to find the manipulatives needed to support their own style of learning. We are not in competition with each other, we strive to do our own personal best – and that can change from day to day.
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| Growing Beans | Gardening | Harvesting Radishes |
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| Cut-away Models | of California | Native American Tribes |
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| Studying Nests | Presenting with Props | Presenting with Powerpoint |
And yes, we study California Missions, California geography and plant life, visit the Gold Country, study Native American tribes, observe birds at Lake Almaden, go along with 3rd grade on the Voyage of Discovery on Tall Ships, sew fabric painted and quilted Birthday Pillows, learn basket weaving, beading and stone carving and have PE, Art & Music, and Gardening, Cooking, Sewing, Service Projects & More.
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Visit 4th Grade at Mulberry and see for yourself!
