The Week in Fourth Grade

As I go through Isa's fourth grade textbooks, I spot things that bother me. I understand the need for simplification, but at the expense of fact? Or am I being too picky?
Here's a lab to do at home from the science book:

Cut up an apple and measure and record the mass of the fresh apple slices.

I don't know about you, but I have nothing to measure mass in my kitchen.

Here's one from the art book:

Portraits of Gabriele Munter show the artist as a sweet, dainty woman. In fact, this artist was an important figure in the world of art. She played a large role in the rise of an art movement.


Wow, I guess we're going up against that old-fashioned portrait portrayal, aren't we? Because now they are giving us facts.

Finally, this little tidbit from once more, the science book.

An estuary is a place where fresh water and salt water meet, such as a river meeting an ocean. The amount of salt in the water changes many times a day, so only a few types of organisms can live in an estuary.


Who wrote this? Exxon? A 'lifestyle community' developer that needs to get rid of these pesky estuaries so he can put in a golf course? The No Child Left Behind Committee?

UPDATE: The next section has a cloud seeding section, and says that silver iodide is OK. I feel ill.

Answers to Your Pressing Questions

Frank's post reminded me that we do get some interesting search queries, so I'd like to help out a little.
Here goes...

Why put sugar in a wound rather than salt?

Well, I don't know why you'd put salt in a wound in the first place. I wouldn't put sugar in a wound either. I might put maggots in a wound, though.

What clothes should I pack for a 15 day cruise to Hawaii?

Well, this is a tough one. On these cruises, the entire focus of the day is the meals; particularly the dinners (and yes, you 'dress up' for them). You're basically going to be sitting on a boat all day gazing at melting ice sculptures and eating from chocolate fountains and panini stations. Are you sure you really want to do this?

What is the Chinese nail salon joke?

I have no idea.

Is Juno overscripted?

Hotdiggity flippin dog it is!

Should you put salt in wounds?

No. Nor sugar.

What is the salt for wound treatment?

Do not put salt in a wound. Use something else.

Comments of Ellen G. White about salt?

Ellen G. White (1827-1915) was a popular Seventh Day Adventist writer who penned, "Do not eat largely of salt."

And finally one of my own...

Should I buy one of those Amish heaters I saw in People magazine?

No! Don't do it!