Getting into Motion

On Friday, we put our bodies into motion as we rode around the playground.  The weather was nice and the Bumblebees would have ridden all day if I had let them!  Afterwards, we noticed there was many different types of bikes and helmets and we gathered data and put our results into pie graphs. The Bumblebees conducted their own surveys on helmet colors. 

A large component to our project based learning is learning to collect information that will spark questions and interests.  Just like in college, we had to read articles, etc. before starting on our writing assignments. We provide the students experiences which they make their own, whether they draw, take pictures with the camera, or construct a model.  At the same time, they are using observation skills that promote higher level thinking skills. Questions and investigations stem from these observations and they want to understand the "why" behind how things work.

This week, I have constructed a house and pulled out a big box to make a vehicle. Immediately, it was decided that it would be a mail truck.  We gathered keys from the Navigators room, and took a quick bus ride and noticed that we needed mirrors and buttons and sunroofs (even though we have a convertible!) This is based on their interests.  As we continue to learn about ourselves and our community, we will pay special attention to how the mail moves from one place to another. 

Motion is everywhere!  Signs on the road tell us how to move and we can do amazing things with our bodies.  As the year progresses, we hope to build on these concrete understandings as we move more abstract in our ideas.

Welcome to a New Year!

We are off to a .great start!  I have been busy getting to know our bumblebees and structuring my program around the their needs and interests.  Being small this year, each child gets lots of one-on-one instruction at their level.

To kick off our concept of "motion," we will begin by examining the world around us.  The bumblebees were eager to build a town that is always in motion with change. Over the next few weeks I am anxious to see where the interests lie and the questions that come up.

I hope to see you at Back to School night this Thursday.  I can better explain what we are working on and the direction I hope to lead your child in reading, writing and math. Below are a few snapshots of our first couple of weeks.

Our ongoing, ever changing community

Observing our neighborhood (did you know there's over a dozen stop signs in a 3 block radius??)

JF using non-standard measuring tools to find the length of the branch.

KF using Cuisenaire rods to make equations

MK using counters to write number stories with three addends

The smartboard provides fun interactive activities

Tillicum Village

Last week the Sharks boarded a boat bound for Blake Island.  Upon arrival, a delicious salmon lunch was prepared and the students were entertained by the Native American dancers and their masks (one weighed 55 pounds).  The Sharks loved exploring the island and finding the totem poles. Overall a successful day!

Spring Fever!!

I can't believe we are so close to the end of the year!  We have so much to do, and we are trying to get outside and enjoy the gorgeous weather as we get it.  In science, the students have been conducting their own experiments by giving a plant something other than water, soil and sun.  We will have an afternoon very soon to invite you and see their results. We will be working more on our social studies as we learn about natives around the United States. In math, we have been interacting with natural and manmade shapes, and beginning to work on multiplication concepts.

Next week we will start working with our Artist in Residence.  He is an artist that works with stained glass, so the students will make a table for the garden, and create their own project to take home.

Grandparents/Special Friends day is next Friday (May 17) at 2:00.  More details to come.

We have our final field trip to Tillicum Village on Tuesday, May 21.  Thank you for those willing to volunteer and join us.  I promise a good time!

Battleship is a great way to practice reading coordinates.

Observing the parts of a flower

Observing and documenting nature

collecting data on our control and variable plants

because it was way to nice to be cooped up inside

looking for creatures

all you need is a sandbox



dividing our "friends" into equal groups with blocks

A World of Shapes

We have been studying geometry over the past few weeks. We are identifying the properties of plane and 3-dimensional figures based on sides, angles, edges, faces and vertices. I have blocks that give the students the opportunities to build 3-d figures from 2-d shapes. We have also been examining patterns in nature and through man-made designs.  When I mention the word pattern, many students still think to a linear path that alternates between 2 colors.  Upon further investigation, most are comfortable with creating patterns that go in all directions, and include elements of symbols and designs. In addition, we have been able to identify several lines of symmetry in their designs.

Since spring break we have been very busy scientists learning about parts of a system.  We have closely examined the parts of a seed, and are now experimenting to determine whether a root or sprout germinates first.  We should have our results by the end of the week.

Next week we will have some outside time as it is a -3.0 tide down at Dash Point.  We will be there during the afternoon and will need a sack lunch. I don't need any parent volunteers at this point.  If you are still interested in attending Tillicum Village, I will need a final head count soon!

Auction Sneak and Other Activities

Last week, our auction rep finished up the last of our auction project, and we celebrated with a "stuffing" party.  Each child had abstractly designed a pillow to go with their circus act on their slat in the bench.  I must say, I was pretty impressed with how the kids designed them (and for Sonja to sew all those little pieces on there!!). They are very proud of them and a little sad they don't get to keep them, but know its for a good cause!

This last week before spring break we are continuing to build experiences with measurement.  We have been doing linear, area and volume.  The kids loved measuring and pouring at the volume tables as they had to first estimate, then record their results. We are also finishing up are latest round of story writing, and completing books in reading groups before the long break. In addition, we are finding out that not all natives only lived in teepees, and that the land was crucial for their survival.

Not to be forgotton...Parents, NICE JOB on Science Fair!!  I was so impressed by the student's work, and even more that it was THEIR work with the writing and ideas.  They loved sharing their projects with others and visiting the other classrooms as well. I didn't realize how much work these are until I had a school ager so I commend you for everything you have done to make them successful!

Your task at the Auction: Match the pillow to the story on the bench

A Busy February!

My apologies for letting the blog go for so long!  We have been very busy as we transition into the last trimester of the year.  Our learning focus will be around living things as we examine various biomes of the United States, and learn how people have adapted to these environments. We will be conducting several experiments with plants, comparing the lives of different Native American tribes.  Below is some of the things we have been doing over the past few weeks.

One of our many parent helpers that come in each week. 

We made animals from fraction circles.

Using manipulatives to demonstrate understanding of fractions.

We collected the temperature for February, and ready to graph our results.

Using items from nature to help tell stories.

Discovering on the light table.

Finding the Mode and Median of our weather data for February.