We're going to the zoo!

The perfect conclusion to our study of . . .

polar animals.

It's a real treat to see the animals that we had  been . . .

learning about and recreating in our books.

It was a good way to make our learning more concrete .

Swimming lessons, there were few nerves before the first lesson.

Those nerves didn't last long!

We had lots of fun packed into a short school week!  Swim lessons started with very excited children and the visit to the zoo was a big hit.  Thanks to all our parent volunteers for all of their help.

Explorations in the Ladybugs

It's been a busy week in the Ladybugs as we built marble runs with our mentors and investigated the properties of water beads with the Bumblebees.  So much learning and fun happening at the same time!

Scientific Method

It all starts with a question.

It requires the appropriate equipment.

The question in this case, what are we looking at?

Is it similar to anything you are familiar with?

We generated lots of possibilities.

Further observation using more than just our eyes, is it soft or
rough?  Pebbly or like sand?

Crystals or a powder?

What happens when you add water?

Has it changed or does it look different?

Does it take up more space in the cup?

How does it feel? Hot or cold?

Could the property of evaporation . . . 

or absorption explain what happened?

The insta-snow powder absorbed the water
turning the powder into artificial snow.

 We love doing science experiments and explorations with the Bumblebees.  We put on our safety glasses, use the same precautions that scientists do (don't put it in your mouth), and start generating ideas.  What could it be?  How does it feel?  What does it look like?  Have you seen it before?  What is it similar to?  The children have so many ideas that I can hardly keep up with  the writing on the board.  The enthusiasm is amazing and the volume in the classroom amps up with new discovery.  What could this mysterious powder be?  After much discussion and many observations, it was revealed to be insta-snow.  

Busy times

What do we do all day?  These Ladybugs are busy from the moment they walk in the door until the end of our day together.  We do math (some days with our mentors), play with sensory materials, read, paint, build, learn about a variety of integrated subjects (polar animals are next), run, play and mostly laugh!

Welcome back!

The Ladybugs are working on symmetry,

the kids are creating symmetrical
designs around a line a of symmetry.

They were so successful with their designs!

First Friday is always a fun day for the whole school.

Today the topic was "building".  Different
classrooms had different building materials.

We finished the morning with some one on one reading
with the middle schoolers.

We are so lucky to be in a school that sees the value of pairing younger and older students to learn from each other.  It seems obvious what the younger kids get-one on one instruction, attention and opportunities to try things that they aren't big enough to do on their own.  What the big kids get is a little less obvious.  If you asked them, they would tell you they get to be roll models, play with little kids that think they are heroes, they learn to be patient with little people who don't always follow directions and that they learn a lot from the younger students.  They also tell us they might just get an appreciation for how hard being a teacher can be.  It's a win-win!

A little mixing. . .

As we wrapped up classes before winter break,

we made slime with our mentors.  It's a perfect
introduction to polymers.

Then we made gingerbread men, 

they were yummy!

 Wishing you all a restful winter break and a Happy New Year.