A Little Bit of Everything
Owls, Lights, Chicks, and Biomimicry
Constructing Our Owl
The learners decided they wanted to learn about owls. They have researched, explored, and learned about owls in the rainforest. They decide they wanted to make one for the room to join our mandrill and Kapok tree. Groups have built, paper mached, painted, and more! The first group stuffed bags and taped them together to create the body. The next group learned how to paper mache the body. We then had a group create wings for our owl. Learners ended the week with painting. They have been able to use their hands to explore materials and designs.
Paper Mache!
Constructing the wings!
Learning how hard cardboard is to cut...
Owl Pellets
After studying owls, we learned that they do not digest their food but spit them up in pellets. We got to dissect owl pellets this week! Learners used tweezers to pull apart the pellet and find bones within. They were able to match up bones to see what animal the owl had eaten.
Biomimicry [looking to nature to solve problems]
This week we have studied biomimicry. One of our science standards is to "Design a solution to a human problem by using materials to imitate how plants and/or animals use their external parts to help them survive, grow, and meet their needs." We dove into this standard when learning about biomimicry. Learners looked to animals for inspiration as they chose an ability they wanted from the animal. They then designed their own inventions on how to make this possible. Next week, we will dig in deeper and discover how we might make these inventions come to life.
Hanging upside down like a bat!
Seeing at night like an owl!
Running as fast as a wolf!
Transparent, Translucent, and Opaque.. Oh my!
One of our standards is to "investigate materials to determine which types allow light to pass through." These materials are considered transparent, translucent, or opaque. We spent time learning these terms by watching a short video and creating a little book. After better understanding the terms, learners broke into groups to use flashlights to conduct their own experiments in determining what is transparent, translucent, and opaque. They ended off the investigation by exploring any materials they could find in the room with a flashlight!
Eggs, Chicks, and Incubators
We put our eggs in the incubator on March 15. Learners patiently waited the 21 days, but unfortunately, our chicks did not hatch this week. After further exploration, we discovered the incubator's thermometer was not calibrated correctly. The temperature it showed was warmer than the actual inside of the incubator. This week, we did not have any of our own classroom chicks hatch. Luckily, the other C1 classes had success and have let us come and see their chicks! Learners decided to take this matter into their own hands. Each child wrote their own letters to the incubator company, expressing what we did, what is happening, and what we will have to do. This was a perfect and authentic way to observe the standard of using "verbs to convey a sense of the past, present, and future"! I am so proud of these learners!
Market
We began brainstorming this week about what to feel at market. We started the process by discussing souvenirs we have brought back. Next, we discussed what topics we have studied this year the most. The consensus was reached with the rainforest! Our latest brainstorm is what souvenirs would people most like to buy about the rainforest and which of these items could we make. Here are some of our awesome ideas!
My Father's Dragon
We did something really cool over the past 2 weeks. We have gotten connected with learners nationwide. We joined a book club, along with other first grade learners. Each day we read a chapter from My Father's Dragon. The coordinator posted to Twitter a guided question and vocabulary words to look for. Here are some things we created and shared with other classroom, via Twitter.
Mental Images
From the read aloud, learners drew what they envisioned the dragon to look like.
Making Predictions
At one climatic point in the story, learners predicted what the 2 scary things were that might happen to Elmer.
Character traits
Learners discussed what character traits the main character possessed. They are such good thinkers.
Chatterpix
The guided question was, "What was your favorite part of the story and why?" Learners drew the character and used a new app, Chatterpix to bring their drawing to life. WE have learned new things this week and that's exciting!
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Congrats for reading 100 Books!
Mystery Readers
We have enjoyed some very special readers these last couple of weeks!
PTSA Events
Here are some important dates and information for parents regarding PTSA events.
- General Membership Meeting has been rescheduled for Tuesday, April 25 at 6:00 pm.
- Movie night is still on for Thursday night!
- April 28th- Patriot Games. [Order Patriot Games shirts online only!] Order through Friday, April 14th. Here is the link: http://pikeroadschool.3dcartstores.com
- Please volunteer to help with Patriot Games! Here is where you can sign up: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f044fa5a922abfa7-patriot
- May 2-5, Teacher Appreciation week
- May 2-4, Book Fair
- May 9- Spirit Night, No Way Jose (Pike Road)