OMNI Field Trip

In March we visited The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History to view the film The Living Sea at their OMNI Theater. The film summarized and showcased many of the ocean animals we researched in Reading, the bodies of water and landforms we studied in Social Studies, and the pull of the moon we studied in Science.

Assembly Line

In Social Studies the students learned about working together as a team to accomplish a job. They learned how certain jobs are specialized to do a certain job or task. That certain job or task is then joined with someone else's specialized job to complete a whole. They learned about the concept of an assembly line. They then worked in small groups, an assembly line fashion, to create bracelets out of yarn and cereal. Each student had a specialized task including measuring the yarn, cutting the yarn, stringing the cereal, and tying the bracelet. When some of the groups did not complete the tasks and not each group member received a bracelet, we had a brief character education lesson related to our Social Contract. We discussed that when we don't all follow the rules or do our jobs it can affect other people doing their jobs.

Beluga Whale Research

After learning about the two types of whales, baleen and toothed, the students focused more specifically on researching Beluga Whales. Ms. Willemin, our student teacher, facilitated the students in researching what Belugas look like, what they eat, where they live, and other interesting facts. As they learned new facts, they recorded it to a Circle Map. They then used the Circle Map to write a shared writing research paper. In shared writing, every child gets an opportunity to write and the students help one another with spelling and sentence structure.

Whale Research

Ms. Willemin, our student teacher, taught the students a Social Studies lesson on the different types of whales and their habitats. She taught them about the similarities and differences between toothed and baleen whales as well as their migration patterns. The students then created a whale booklet to sort examples of toothed and baleen whales.

Birthdays: Making Economic Choices

In Social Studies we have been learning about the need to make choices based on economics. The students made a list of things that they would want to do, want to eat, want to play, and other things they would like to have their birthday party. I then explained that each item would cost them $10 dollars but they only had $40 total. Therefore, they could only choose 4 items. We discussed that they would need to choose just four items. This led to a discussion of choosing all four items from one group versus spreading out the choices across all four categories. They decided it was better to spread out the choices across the categories in order to meet all needs of the party. Each student then chose one item from each category that they would want at their party to illustrate on a foldable.

 

Be a Friend to Trees

During a lesson on natural resources, we talked about the need to conserve and protect trees. We read Be a Friend to Trees by Holly Keller. After reading, the students created a class Circle Map about things we would not have if we did not protect trees. They then wrote one sentence about what we would not have and illustrated it.

How to Be President

On President's Day, the students learned about the role of the President from PebbleGo. They then recorded facts learned on a Circle Map. Then using a Flow Map, the students wrote various requirements for becoming the President on a Flow Map. They used their Circle Map and Flow Map to write a modified "how to" paper on how to be the President. After completing their final draft, they drew a picture of themselves as the future President.

Making Economic Choices

In Social Studies the students have been learning about making economic choices. To help them understand the concept of scarcity, the students played "Musical Chairs." As they played, we discussed how everyone wants the same thing but there is not enough to go around. Therefore, the demand is high but the supply is low. We discussed that when there isn't enough of something, in particular money, then choices have to be made between what is needed and what is wanted.

Human and Physical Characteristics

In Social Studies the students have been learning to differentiate between physical and human characteristics. To assess their understanding, we took our lesson outside to the school garden. The students drew the school garden and then identified at least two physical characteristics and two human characteristics from the garden.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In Social Studies the students have been learning about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We read several books about his life and accomplishments as well as using PebbleGo as a source. The students recorded information on a Circle Map. They then chose five facts that they learned about his life and added it to a handprint graphic organizer.

Handy Turkey

Handy Turkey

This isn’t just a turkey,
As anyone can see.
I made it with my hand,
Which is a part of me.
It’s made with lots of love
Especially to say,
Hope you have a very
Happy Thanksgiving Day!

 

 

Thanksgiving Feast

Thank you to all of the parents who donated goodies for the students' Thanksgiving Feast. The students dressed in either brown or black to represent the clothing worn by Native Americans and Pilgrims at the first Thanksgiving Feast. They wore hats that they made to go along with their clothes: headbands, hats, or bonnets. They then munched on modern day treats related  to the first feast such as turkey sandwiches, grapes, and popcorn.

Cornucopia Placemats

For our class Thanksgiving Feast, the students created cornucopia placemats. After coloring their cornucopia, they told me at least six people, places, or things they were thankful for which I typed. They then added those words to their placemats.

If I Were President...

During Social Studies we have been learning about authority figures. In light of the recent election and to help the students make a connection to the importance of authority figures, they wrote what they would do if they were President.

Additive Pattern Headbands

Since we are learning more about additive patterns and Thanksgiving, we made additive pattern headbands. We discussed the type of clothes that Native Americans wore and the intricate designs that they added to some of their clothing. The students then used fall colors on sentence strips to follow and recreate multi-step additive patterns. They then added a feather to their headbands.