Building Study

Thursday, we started our new study about buildings. This study features five investigations that we will explore. The investigations offer children an opportunity to learn more about the characteristics and features of buildings, the people who build them, and the role buildings play in our communities. Each investigation will also explore science and social studies and strengthen their skills in literacy, math, and the arts.

For a team building exercise, I asked our students to build a city. We discussed what we wanted in our city and what each group would build. The children took turns operating the crane and listening to their rigger to place materials.

Abiyoyo is a story based on a South African folktale. After being “ostracized” from town for playing too many tricks on people, a magician and his son use their unique talents to save the town. When a giant named Abiyoyo comes to the village, a magician’s son uses his ukulele to get Abiyoyo to dance so fast that he falls down, and then the magician makes the giant disappear!

J for Jump

One of our focus questions was, "Which would you use to build your house: straw, sticks. or bricks?" Each child had a chance pick and tell the class why. We tallied our answers and then read the book, The Three Little Pigs. After reading the story, we discussed the materials used for each house and the definition of the word "collapse."

Watercoloring