1. What is kohl?
2. What did the ancient Egyptians call Scarab beetles?
3. Who was the last great pharaoh of Egypt?
4. What was the name of Egypt’s female king?
5. Were the ancient Egyptians monotheistic or polytheistic?
6. What kind of writing did the ancient Egyptians use?
7. Where is the Great Pyramid of Egypt located?
8. How many years did it take to build the Great Pyramid of Giza?
9. Who was the archaeologist that uncovered the tomb of King Tut?
1. Why did the Romans call the gladiators barbarians?
2. Where did many of the gladiators get captured by the Romans?
3. What happened after the gladiator was captured?
4. What does the slave do if chosen to be a gladiator?
5. Name three types of gladiators and their job.
6. What are some ways they entertain the crowd?
7. If the gladiator loses, what can he do to have a chance to live?
8, Who is the mythical character who finishes off the gladiator who is injured?
First thing to do this morning is go out to our blog and respond to the next question on our book – Chasing Vermeer.
Click here to play rome-and-greek-gods-and-goddesses
We have been learning about many Greek and Roman myths. Today, go to http://www.rickriordan.com/greek_myths.htm to plan your own myth and play other Greek games.
We will be studying Greek Mythodology these next few weeks and the students will want to learn about Medusa. Well, this week we will learn about her. How did she come about to be such a scary monster? What happened to her when she was slain? Ever heard of Pegasus? These questions will be researched this week.
Beside learning about Medusa, we will learn about the myth of Echo and Narcissus through readers theater. What moral does this story tell us today?
Don’t forget our book discussion and blog on Chasing Vermeer. It is really getting good. When we were through with our blog, we went to http://www.nga.gov/education/classroom/interactive/arcade.htm and then http://www.schoolsliaison.org.uk/kids/preload.htm
This week we will be starting our unit on Ancient Greece. Did you know the Greeks were the first to have a 
democratic government? Also, did you know Olympics were started by the Greeks over 3000 years ago? These are just some of the things we will be learning about this fascinating civilization.
I hope the students are sharing their word bogglers with their family. The more we do these, the better they will be at solving the puzzle. This week we will also talk about the timeline and further understand the difference in A. D. and B. C. (or B.C.E. and C. E.). We will also create an activity relate to this concept. One of my favorite things to do with my students is a multiple intelligence survey. The students will identify their different types of intelligences based on this survey. If time permits, we will play the SCAMPER game. This is helping your child to think without outside distractions and to think differently to solve problems. I hope everyone brings their XO computer as I plan to start a beginning SCRATCH lesson.
The opening of school is here. This summer workers have been working at EPIC to give it a much needed facelift. Along with a new paint job, we have new flooring and lighting.
This summer I completed the XO laptop summer camp. Along with several teachers and students, we learned a computer programming language called Scratch. I can’t wait to teach the students how to create their own programs and games. Please be sure to have your XO’s ready and repaired if needed. Go to our page on this site for Tech this Week.
Our 4th grade GATE supply list is posted under pages.
Another exciting project planned is our garden. We have volunteers coming to teach us about gardening and plants.
We will start classes the week of August 24. Looking forward to a great year!!!!
Many of you have asked me, “What are some great books we can read this summer?” Well, here are some great ones that I highly recommend.
1. The Wright 3 and The Calder Game by Blue Balliett (remember our great book we read this year – same author).
2. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
3. The City of Ember, The People of Sparks, Prophet of Yonwood by Jeanne DuPrau
4. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
5. The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron
6. From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiller by E. Konigsburg
7. Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli (or anything else by him)
8. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
9. Any of The Time Warp Trio books by Jon Scieszka
10. Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins
11. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman and Dave Mckean (I have just started this and it has me hooked and this is the newest Newberry Medal Winner)
1. Where is the hottest place on Earth? In 1922, it hit the highest temperature recorded anywhere on earth, ever. How hot was it?
2. Where is the coldest place on Earth? What was it coldest temperature and when?
3. Where is the driest place on Earth?
4. What is the highest mountain in the world and how high is it? Who were the first two brave people to reach it’s summit?
5. Where is the wettest place on Earth? What is the average amount of rain?
6. What is the deepest point on Earth? How deep is it?
7. What is the largest country in the world?
8. What is the longest river in the world? What is the second longest in the world?
9. What is the largest canyon?
10. What is the highest waterfall in the world?
11. Which of Earth’s ocean is the largest?
12. What is the largest animal on earth?
13. What is the largest lake in the world?
14. What is the world’s deepest lake?
15. What is the world’s largest island?
16. What is the largest lake in North America?
17. What is the highest, driest, and coldest continent on Earth?
This week, try these website during computer lab time (or at home). Be sure to read the instructions to get the most out of your activity.
San Diego Zoo Dealing with Endangered Species
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Nov.15,2009
