Clarke County Gifted News
Encourage, Inspire, Empower
Resilient Planet
As scientists, students are learning to define concepts in precise and clear language. We are currently working on defining an ecosystem versus a habitat versus a biome. As a teacher, it is important to guide the students as they construct meaning around these terms. As scientists, students learn to revise thinking and writing to include new learning or knowledge. The definition we started out with may look very different at the end of our unit.
In learning about ecosystems, we decided we needed to create a model of an aquarium ecosystem and a terrarium ecosystem to observe over time. Our eco-column will alllow us to observe interactions between plants and animals as well as the changes that occur over time (instead of just reading about them). Please see our list of recyclables needed in order to get this project off the ground.
Upcoming Lessons:
Dichotomous Key Labs (set of 5 mini-labs)
Eco-column Designs
World Ecosystems/Ecosystem of Yellowstone
Recyclables Needed
2 liter clear bottles
Different types of soil (like red clay, forest floor soil, sand)
String, yarn
Third and Fourth Grade: Dig It!
Here is a preview of upcoming lessons and labs:
Week of 02/24: Renewable Energy Sources (may take a bit longer with the new projects)
Week of 03/02: What is Soil, Anyway? (Lab)
Week of 03/09: Soil, Water and Plants (Lab)
Skype with a Scientist
Cooley students will be hearing from their own scientist on March 12th, Mr. Caleb Bryan, a bumblebee ecologist at the University of Saskatchewan.