We have been very busy in GT! Following are updates for each grade level:
KINDERGARTEN- We have read a variety of books that prompt creative and critical thinking and completed some writing/art extensions. We spent the last two weeks extending their interest of Pokemon. We identified that most Pokemon characters resemble living creatures. We sorted a deck of cards into mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, birds and plants. They then created their own set of cards based off of real creatures of their choice. Next we used an already created game board and collaborated on a set of rules that could be used to play a game with their cards. These came home today, I hope you have fun playing them!
FIRST GRADE The students learned about endangered animals. Each child chose an animal to research. They have been very busy reading and taking notes this week. When their research is complete they will build a habitat for their animal and create a poster or presentation to display what they have learned about their endangered animal. Remember to complete their animal model at home! Parents will be invited to visit our "Animal Planet" in May.
SECOND GRADE: They have been hard at work creating board games. Their rough drafts are complete and they are testing their game by playing with friends. By the end of next week they will make edits from the feedback they receive and begin their final draft of their game. Parents will be invited for a day of creative game play, stay tuned for a date!
THIRD GRADE: We have been having a lot of fun learning about inventions! The students made invention journals that they decorated with quotes from famous and kid inventors. They learned how to "SCAMPER" an item to come up with new ideas/ways to use something already invented. They learned that real inventors use (bound) notebooks to keep their invention ideas and they are adding their own ideas for inventions to their notebooks. Through videos, books, discussions and exploring of interesting inventions on-line, they know that inventions come from conflict/problems/frustrations, accidents, old inventions/ideas, imagination/creativity and by looking for ways to make something better/easier. We are doing lots of hands on activities to spark ideas. The end goal is to create an invention of their own for an "Invention Convention" which you will be invited to. Their inventions will be created in class but I will need help from you if your child's idea involves materials that do not exist in my classroom supplies! Be talking to your child about their ideas and begin brainstorming materials that they may need!
FOURTH GRADE: We are continuing our architecture unit. The students have selected and are researching a famous building from around the world. They will learn how to create a scaled model. They will draw their building using the same ratio on graph paper to show a size comparison. They will also create their building to a predetermined size using varied ratios (for detail and display purposes) out of paper mache. Be collecting materials that you think could help us to form the structure of our buildings!
FIFTH GRADE: While we anxiously await the results of the film festival we have started using the NXT robotics kits. The students are working in pairs. This week they built a basic robot and have been practicing programming their robot. Next week they will complete a couple of challenges with their robot; the first being to drive their robot a set distance without taking out one of our LEGO guys. Sometime next week they will begin building a puppy that they will "train" to showcase in our dog show! Reminder that we will be walking to WRMS to visit Mrs. Reese this coming Monday! Please be sure that your student has good shoes for the 15 minute uphill walk!
The below photos include: kindergarten Pokemon products, 1st grade researchers, third grade inventors and a few group pictures from the architecture trip.
KINDERGARTEN- We have read a variety of books that prompt creative and critical thinking and completed some writing/art extensions. We spent the last two weeks extending their interest of Pokemon. We identified that most Pokemon characters resemble living creatures. We sorted a deck of cards into mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, birds and plants. They then created their own set of cards based off of real creatures of their choice. Next we used an already created game board and collaborated on a set of rules that could be used to play a game with their cards. These came home today, I hope you have fun playing them!
FIRST GRADE The students learned about endangered animals. Each child chose an animal to research. They have been very busy reading and taking notes this week. When their research is complete they will build a habitat for their animal and create a poster or presentation to display what they have learned about their endangered animal. Remember to complete their animal model at home! Parents will be invited to visit our "Animal Planet" in May.
SECOND GRADE: They have been hard at work creating board games. Their rough drafts are complete and they are testing their game by playing with friends. By the end of next week they will make edits from the feedback they receive and begin their final draft of their game. Parents will be invited for a day of creative game play, stay tuned for a date!
THIRD GRADE: We have been having a lot of fun learning about inventions! The students made invention journals that they decorated with quotes from famous and kid inventors. They learned how to "SCAMPER" an item to come up with new ideas/ways to use something already invented. They learned that real inventors use (bound) notebooks to keep their invention ideas and they are adding their own ideas for inventions to their notebooks. Through videos, books, discussions and exploring of interesting inventions on-line, they know that inventions come from conflict/problems/frustrations, accidents, old inventions/ideas, imagination/creativity and by looking for ways to make something better/easier. We are doing lots of hands on activities to spark ideas. The end goal is to create an invention of their own for an "Invention Convention" which you will be invited to. Their inventions will be created in class but I will need help from you if your child's idea involves materials that do not exist in my classroom supplies! Be talking to your child about their ideas and begin brainstorming materials that they may need!
FOURTH GRADE: We are continuing our architecture unit. The students have selected and are researching a famous building from around the world. They will learn how to create a scaled model. They will draw their building using the same ratio on graph paper to show a size comparison. They will also create their building to a predetermined size using varied ratios (for detail and display purposes) out of paper mache. Be collecting materials that you think could help us to form the structure of our buildings!
FIFTH GRADE: While we anxiously await the results of the film festival we have started using the NXT robotics kits. The students are working in pairs. This week they built a basic robot and have been practicing programming their robot. Next week they will complete a couple of challenges with their robot; the first being to drive their robot a set distance without taking out one of our LEGO guys. Sometime next week they will begin building a puppy that they will "train" to showcase in our dog show! Reminder that we will be walking to WRMS to visit Mrs. Reese this coming Monday! Please be sure that your student has good shoes for the 15 minute uphill walk!
The below photos include: kindergarten Pokemon products, 1st grade researchers, third grade inventors and a few group pictures from the architecture trip.