This Month in GATE
December 2015
We are ENGINEERS! A Focus on S.T.E.M
Systems:
Essential Questions: How do I use a limited set of materials/resources to build a structure that meets my end goal? How will I make my parts work together to be successful?
PreK-2
We read the story The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School by Laura Murray and will be working to build a trap to "catch" our Gingerbread Man that is loose in the school!
Grade 3
We have learned about the structure of the brain and how important (and delicate) it is to our core functions. Now we will try to build a structure to protect our "brains" (the egg) and see if we can come up with our own protection system!
Grade 4
We have learned about the structure of the Earth and how earthquakes happen. Now we will use what we know to try and build a system that could withstand our own "earthquakes" in the classroom!
Grade 5
We have been learning about Westward Expansion and how the structure of our land affected the settlers. We read first-hand accounts as well as learning about obstacles of the trip by playing the Oregon Trail (available for free online!) Now we will work on building physical landforms and covered wagons that can hold the most weight!
Grade 4 Book Club
Grade 4 is reading A Dog's Life, Autobiography of a Stray by Ann M. Martin which follows Squirrel, a stray dog, throughout the heart-wrenching adventures and mishaps of her life. We will be working on a book trailer and persuasive video that will help the audience see the benefits of adopting animals and proper care for pets.
Grade 5 Book Club
Grade 5 is reading The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin, a "Clue-like" mystery following the death of Samuel W. Westing. Students will be creating a book trailer and an online detective journal to look for clues and "read-between-the-lines" of the text to determine who the culprit is! Exciting!
Expectations!
Students participating in Book Club meet on Thursday/Friday afternoons. Any reading assignments will need to be completed before this day.