We have had lots of visitors on our student blogs so far. The kids are very motivated by visitors and comments, so please continue to visit often and join the conversations. The student blogs can be found on the right side of this page.
We have some friends from New York who have been visiting often, and they have started their own blogs too! Please visit their blogs and comment too. They are just getting started, and their blogs look great!
Today, Ansen brought in something to share at Morning Meeting. It was a very unusual object; it was both familiar and foreign at the same time. When he took it out of the box, everyone was excited and confused. The kids all started asking each other, “What IS that thing?”, and they were crawling over each other as they tried to get a closer look.
There was one thing that was certain. It was certainly ancient. Like from 1980. They all wondered how something so OLD could have survived for so long, and STILL work (although I guess the same could be said for their teacher).
Anyway, this was what Ansen brought to class. Do YOU know what it is?
🙂
What IS that thing?
Check out this game from Math Playground that lets you practice estimating angles in a fun way! Be sure to write a short paragraph about your successess (and challenges) so you have something to turn in to your yellow folder.
Try these awesome mysteries by the Scholastic Company! They are a little different than the ones we did in class, but I think they are even more fun. Be sure to show your work on paper so you can turn something in with your yellow folder.
Mrs. Mannino’s second graders need our help. We need to make a scavenger hunt that is exciting to her class and will teach them something. Any ideas?
Watch this video of our class walking/running with our K/1 buddies! Mr. MJ created this commercial to help get our pledges in from the Walk-a-Thon.
Thanks Mr. MJ! You can visit his blog by clicking here!
The treasure is THAT way!!
In social studies, we are studying the European explorers who sailed to the New World from the 1400s to the 1600s. To get geared up for this unit, we went on an expedition of our own.
Success!
In the 15th century, explorers used a variety of navigational tools to find their way around the Earth. Some of these tools included the astrolabe, the chronometer, and the compass. Today, we still use compasses, but we also have different tools to navigate in the 21st century. One of these tools is the GPS device. Thanks to a very generous friend of Mrs. B, we were able to borrow 10 handheld GPS devices to use!
Using our 21st century navigational tools, the kids were sent on an expedition. Each device was programmed with the coordinates of a secret message hidden somewhere on our campus. The kids simply had to follow the signal, find the hidden bag, and bring it back to the classroom. They then had to decode the message inside. This would tell them the name of the explorer that they would be researching throughout the unit.
Decoding the name of the explorer
The kids had a great time on their expedition! Once they got their explorer, they wanted to start researching right away! When the students are done gathering their information, they will develop a presentation to teach the rest of the class (and you, dear readers) all about their explorer. Stay tuned for some awesome explorer projects! 🙂
Here are some pictures from our scavenger hunt! I’ll announce the winners soon!
Sara and Naomi taking pictures of the playground
Can you see the triangle? What kind is it?
Acute equilateral triangles and a square
Justin leads a group in a review game
Today our fifth graders are taking their first science benchmark. This quarter we studied weather and climate, and the kids have been working very hard. This is the first year that they will have to take the science End-of-Grade test, so they are motivated to do their best in science this year.
Jonathan Green, Super Snake
We had such an awesome time at recess today! The kids found lots of different little critters to play with. The excitement all started when a group of students found a small green snake in the woods! The little guy was so cute. His name became Jonathan Green for some reason…. After getting a good look at him, we decided that he should go to the woods behind the soccer fields so he wouldn’t be trampled. Ansen was brave and carried JG on a stick all the way to safety.
Maria and the Mantis
Then there was shouting from another part of the playground! Some other kids found a rather large mantis near the Project Fit equipment. They were so excited because we had some baby mantises in our classroom last year!. Maria was brave enough to hold him on her elbow while I took a picture. We looked at our nameless friend (no one named him? That’s weird!) and Ethan took him to a safe place so he could have a peaceful day.
What IS this thing????
When we were about to go inside, we saw yet another interesting critter! The thing is, we’re not sure what this thing is! Does anyone out there know? We’d love to hear from you!
There’s always something going on in Mrs. Buckmaster’s class! Check back with us soon for more news!
🙂
