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

Which has more?

After each student examined the jar of bells and bows, I asked them, "Which Has more?" They found their name tag and placed it under bells or bows. We then counted them and saw that we had more bells than bows.

Christmas Patterns

Mrs. Claus’ Cookie Cottage

Seventh & Eighth Grade Pumpkin Patch

Since July the seventh and eighth graders have been busy growing pumpkins for our primary students. They are also given a students name to write and illustrate a fall book just for them. During our pumpkin patch visit they learned the life cycle of a pumpkin, had a picnic and storytime, and sang a fall song. We are so proud of our seventh and eighth graders for all their hard work. The children had a blast!

Matching Game

Matching is an essential skill, helping to improve a number of cognitive abilities like visual memory, short term memory, and pattern recognition.

Goldilocks and The Three Bears

OUR INVESTIGATION OF CLOTHES

This week we started our investigation of clothing. We discussed how there are many features that make them unique. Using a magnifying glass each child explored the fabrics color, texture, and pattern.

After reading and discussing the book Goldilocks and the Three Bears, we discussed how clothes are different sizes. Using three raincoats, we placed them in descending order. We also measured the length of the jackets using blocks, chains, and a tape measure.