Loopy Learner News
December 18, 2015
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December's Precept...
Continent Studies
We are wrapping up our papers on European holidays. Students are working hard. They have done a lot of research and gathered great information. We have been focusing on writing our papers. Writing paragraphs has been tough for some of us, but we will continue working through the writing process this year.
Upon our return from winter break in January, we will begin our unit of study on Antarctica. Below, the project options are listed. Your child will be able to choose which project they would like to do. If they have other ideas, I am flexible and willing to work with them to create a project that will meet our standards. Feel free to look over these options with your child.
Aurora Australis
You will research the Aurora Australis. You will write a paper and make a presentation to the class. There is no minimum length for your paper; however, it must contain the following information:
Are these also called the Northern Lights? Are they the same as the Northern Lights we see here in North America?
What causes the Aurora Australis (basic explanation)?
Some type of visual - poster, pictures, Google Drawing, etc.
Can they be seen all year round? When can you see them? How long do they last?
What are the colors of the Aurora Australis?
Where else can you see them from in the world?
Use descriptive language! Be aware of your word choice.
You must go through the writing process. All notes, rough drafts, and final copies must be turned in.
Explorers
Research an explorer of Antarctica. You will write a paper and make a presentation to the class. There is no minimum length for your paper; however, it must contain the following information:
Name of person
birth/death date
Where do/did they live?
When did they go to Antarctica?
How long were they there?
Why did they go to Antarctica?
How many times did they go to Antarctica?
What did they do when they were in Antarctica? What kinds of interesting things did they learn or study?
Where are they now?
You must go through the writing process. All notes, rough drafts, and final copies must be turned in.
Glaciers and Icebergs
You will research the glaciers and icebergs. You will write a paper and make a presentation to the class. There is no minimum length for your paper; however, it must contain the following information:
What is a glacier? What is an iceberg? Are they the same thing? Where can they be found in Antarctica?
A map showing the major glaciers and icebergs in Antarctica.
Are they growing or melting? Why?
Are they old or do they form relatively fast?
You must go through the writing process. All notes, rough drafts, and final copies must be turned in.
Animals
You will research the animals of Antarctica. You will write a paper and make a presentation to the class. There is no minimum length for your paper; however, it must contain the following information:
At least 3 different animals.
What each animal eats and where they live.
Some type of visual - Google drawing, Google slides, poster, etc.
You must go through the writing process. All notes, rough drafts, and final copies must be turned in.
Temperature and Climate
You will research the temperature and climate of Antarctica. You will write a paper and make a presentation to the class. There is no minimum length for your paper; however, it must contain the following information:
A climate map of Antarctica that includes a title, major bodies of water labeled, a key, a compass, and any other information that you may find interesting or important.
What seasons does Antarctica have? Is there spring, summer, autumn and winter like we have?
What is the average temperature? Does it change a lot throughout the year?
How long is it light and dark out each day? Does that change throughout the year?
You must go through the writing process. All notes, rough drafts, and final copies must be turned in.
Research Stations
You will research the research stations of Antarctica. You will write a paper and make a presentation to the class. There is no minimum length for your paper; however, it must contain the following information:
What is a research station? What do they do there?
How many research stations are in Antarctica?
A map of Antarctica with labeled research stations. The map must include a title, key, labeled bodies of water, and any other information you may find important.
You must go through the writing process. All notes, rough drafts, and final copies must be turned in.
Journal of an Explorer
You will create a journal of a fictional Antarctica explorer, as you were in Antarctica in the present tense. Your journal can be one entry or cover as many days as you’d like. It must contain the following information:
Why did you decide to go to Antarctica?
Who is with you?
How long will you be there?
What are you doing there?
Two things that you like and two things that you did not like.
Use descriptive words.
What kinds of animals have you seen?
What research station are you at? (Select a real research station)
Describe at least 1 landform or interesting thing you saw; for example, the aurora australis, glaciers, icebergs, etc.
Journal of a Penguin
You will create a journal of a penguin, as you were in Antarctica in the present tense. Your journal can be one entry or cover as many days as you’d like. It must contain the following information:
How old are you?
What do you eat?
What do you do during the day? Night?
Do you have any family?
Use descriptive words.
What other kinds of animals do you see?
Does anyone try to eat you?
Do you see humans? What are they doing?
Describe at least 1 landform or interesting thing you saw; for example, the aurora australis, glaciers, icebergs, etc.
You must go through the writing process. All notes, rough drafts, and final copies must be turned in.
Wonders
We took our Wonders Unit test this week and will start a new unit in January, when we return from break. Also, please let me know if you have any questions about the Fluency charts that were sent home. It is extremely important that your child read at home as much as possible. I appreciate and thank you for your support!
READ! READ! READ! Please have your child read at home as much as possible. Even 20 minutes per night will make a big difference in increasing their fluency and comprehension. Thank you for your support!